Sorted by date Results 3949 - 3973 of 5553
A team of scientists is analyzing samples from a dead orca whale to determine the cause of death after a moose hunter reported the freshly dead animal beached near Portage Bay on Kupreanof Island last week. Scientists were able to reach the orca Monday between storms where they found evidence of infection in its jaw, but no external injuries, said NOAA Fisheries spokesperson Julie Speegle. The scientists aren't certain the infection was a cause in the whale's death. "The teeth were flattened to... Full story
Public Works Director Karl Hagerman reported the following information to the Petersburg Borough Assembly in lieu of Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht’s absence: The underground cable connecting the Blind Slough hydro plant to our distribution system failed, and that portion from the plant to the hatchery had to be replaced. Harbor staff continues to remind people to give them a call so they can keep an eye on your boat when owners leave town. It is also important for folks to check their skiffs during our very wet weather. The Public Works c...
The Petersburg School Board voted in its first reading a district memorial policy last week—the lack of which caused some confusion and conflict between district staff and members of the public two years ago. The policy would, in part, limit the display of student memorials for a two-week period. Petersburg School District Superintendent Erika Kludt-Painter said her predecessor, along with district staff, removed a memorial to Jake Madsen, a Petersburg High School student athlete who died in a... Full story
Regional hunters brought home 103 bulls this season, but set a new record of highest number of illegally harvested moose as well. Thirteen of the 103 moose failed to comply with local antler restrictions and had ADFG considering whether or not to close the hunt in the third week of the season. No illegal moose were reported to ADFG after the third week. ADFG Wildlife Biologist Rich Lowell said the majority of moose legal and illegal were hunted on Kupreanof Island—a continuing trend from past y...
Petersburg Medical Center staff and board members are trying to decide whether or not to extensively renovate the facility or build a new hospital after an architectural firm presented a draft assessment showing that much of PMC’s architecture and mechanical and electrical equipment are well beyond their lifespan. Representatives from Jensen Yorba Lott Architects presented the draft plan to the PMC Board two weeks ago after it hired the firm to complete the condition assessment last July. “We’re looking at a subtotal of about $16 million to br... Full story
Petersburg saw more weather records broken this year as Hurricane Oho brought warmer tropical weather to the region. October 8 and 9 saw record highs and warmest lows. October 8 the record setting high was 60 F and October 9 was 61 F. The previous record was set in 1993, with temperatures of 59 F and 57 F respectively. High lows also broke records on the same days. October 8 saw 53 F and October 9 saw 50 F beating 1976s 48 F and 49 F on the same two days. Juneau’s National Weather Service Meteorologist Geri Swanson said Oho originated n... Full story
The radiology department at Petersburg Medical Center (PMC) recently purchased a new x-ray machine in order to continue offering reliable service for patients. Liz Bacom, PMC Laboratory/Imaging Director says the old machine was obsolete after being used for about 15 years. Finding replacement parts started to become difficult, in addition to time spent servicing the machine which created problems for some patients. PMC purchased the new machine for $100,000. They were able to secure a lease... Full story
The Petersburg office of Alaska's Department of Fish and Game reported an additional 25 moose were harvested during the third week of this year's season for Petersburg, Wrangell and Kake, bringing the total to 81. ADFG wildlife biologist Rich Lowell noted the figure represented the highest third-week harvest total in the RM038-area moose hunt's history. The ongoing tally included 91 moose harvested by Tuesday, and by the season's end this evening the full figure could be in the mid- to upper-90s. That would put this season's count just shy of...
Petersburg played host to the 16th annual Beat the Odds race last weekend and raised just over $15,000 to assist those affected locally and regionally by cancer. There were 230 people registered for the event and 175 participants ran or walked the 2.5-mile course to show support in the fight against breast cancer. "It is always such an overwhelming feeling to see all the people gather together," says race organizer Michele Parker. "The event provides everyone with a time to grieve, find...
There are a couple of rules anyone living under Marketa Ith's roof must follow, and one at the top of the list is–you must play a sport or be in an activity. David Chytil, 16, found this out when he moved in, but instead of getting upset, he jumped at the opportunity and began running cross country. Chytil is currently attending Petersburg High School on a 90-day student visa and living with Ith and her daughter Izabelle, until he returns home in mid-November. "It's quite short, maybe half a y...
Jeff Meucci wasn't the only Petersburg resident to see a brown bear recently. Jane Fuqua, her husband Dylan Durst and their two children Wes, 5, and Sage, 1, had a run in with a brown bear near the Blind River Rapids boardwalk area late last month while they visited the new picnic area and picked cranberries. Fuqua and Wes were on their knees in the muskeg looking for berries when Durst saw a small cow moose running along the tree line. About a minute later a bear was trailing the moose's path,...
Skate of Gear moving closer to downtown is definitely helping year-round business. The family owned and operated store doesn’t focus on tourism. Any summer dollars from out of town guests is just a bonus. “I find that we don’t really carry or buy things that I would consider a tourist type of product,” says Lisa Nilsen. “We buy more for local customers.” Tourists will stop in to buy jewelry and cards, but that’s about it. The fact that Skate of Gear lacks large display windows is not helping business a bunch, but Nilsen likes the new location....
About five years ago, a historic 165 foot schooner called the Wawona had been cut into large sections and practically written off as waste. In fact, it was headed to the landfill before sculptor John Grade (pronounced Grah-DAY), was commissioned to turn it into a 65-foot tall piece of art that weighs around 11,000 pounds. The ship had been docked next to a historic armory building in the Seattle South Lake neighborhood, the armory was taken over by the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle,...
About one fourth of crabbers are soaking their pots this fall compared to those fishing last summer, despite high prices. Dungeness crab prices crept up one cent from $2.99 per pound to $3.00 per pound since summer. Dungeness prices have averaged around $2.40 during the past five years. According to Alaska Department of Fish and Game data, 54 permit holders are fishing crab since October 1, compared to the 195 crabbers who fished this past summer and the 137 permit holders who fished last fall. This fall, crabbers brought home 55,234 pounds of...
Raven's Roost Trail opened to the public early last week, after being closed for the past few months allowing another half-mile stretch to be renovated. Hikers will now be welcomed by a more spacious section of trail says Paul Olson, Petersburg Ranger District cabin and trails program manager. "The intent of the design was opening it up for families and groups to walk side by side," Olson says. "So far comments on the trail have been nothing but excitement." Originally the section of trail was...
William Bergmann won both first and second place in the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Canned Salmon Classic according to a news release from the chamber. The total can pack in Petersburg was12,516,654 for the 2015 season. Bergmann’s guesses were12,502,814 and 12,522,814. This is the second time the contest had a double winner. Bergmann’s daughter Tessa won both first and second place in 2011. 700 guesses were submitted in this year’s classic. Proceeds benefit a $2,000 AML/Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. Major sponsors of the event...
Petersburg Police arrested Brittany Martin, 22, Tuesday, Oct. 6 in connection with an April 9 burglary at the Beach Bum Tanning Salon. According to police, cash and other valuables were taken during the burglary with a total loss estimated at more than $800. The arrest comes after physical evidence was analyzed at a crime lab after the burglary last spring. The lab sent the results to local police Oct. 6. "Based on those results, police believed there was probable cause to arrest Martin and peti... Full story
Four hundred and seven Petersburg voters cast their ballots Oct. 6 for this year’s borough election, which included one ballot measure along with uncontested candidates who will continue to serve on various seats across the borough’s assembly, boards and commissions. Voters elected newcomer Eric Castro who will serve on a three-year seat on the Petersburg Borough Assembly along with incumbent Nancy Strand. Incumbent’s Cheryl File and Jay Lister will serve three-year terms on the Petersburg School Board. Mara Lutomski will serve a one-y... Full story
Six more illegal moose were killed during the third week of this year’s hunting season—bringing the total number of illegal moose harvested this season to 13. The high number is causing Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff to question whether or not to close the remainder of the season, said ADFG Area Wildlife Biologist Rich Lowell. “With a little over a week remaining in the season, the high harvest of 13 illegal moose during the first three weeks of the season is a cause for concern,” Lowell wrote in a press release. “If not for the fact...
The Petersburg School Board met in a work session last week to discuss the implementation of random drug testing for Petersburg High School students participating in activities. The board kicked off the discussion highlighting criticisms and questions they’ve heard from community members regarding drug testing. Board member Mara Lutomski said one of the common concerns she hears is whether or not teachers and coaches will be tested along with students. While coaches and teachers wouldn’t likely be randomly drug tested, the board can request dru...
Rainforest Islands Ferry is still working out some issues after making runs from Coffman Cove to Banana Point for just over a month. But the addition of a shuttle service from Banana Point to Petersburg should be added soon. So far, the ferry service has missed nine of its first 23 scheduled trips according to North End Ferry Authority manager Kent Miller. Bad weather kept the ferry from running one day, and two trips were missed due to mechanical issues. But six trips were also missed recently due to personnel issues and trying to find a new...
Borough residents will once again have the opportunity to help halt crime thanks to the efforts of the Supporting Health Awareness and Resiliency Education (SHARE) Coalition. SHARE recently asked coalition members Mark Kubo and Shelley Hjort, to attend a Crime Stoppers convention in hopes of reactivating the program in Petersburg for a yearlong trial. Crime Stoppers originally started here in 1996, and used a local phone number to register tips up until 2013, when the number was disconnected. The original establishment of Crime Stoppers was...
Hammer and Wikan grocery store will have a new manager as of Oct. 15, with Kathy Holtzinger stepping down and set to retire. In March of 1979, Holtzinger moved to Petersburg and a month later she started her journey with the company as a meat wrapper. After growing up in a grocery store, this career path seemed natural to take. Holtzinger worked her way up to the manager position, about 20 years ago she figures, and she's been a fixture of the grocery store and Hammer and Wikan family ever since...
Borough-owned Petersburg Memorial Cemetery fees have increased after the Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously Monday, Oct. 5 to approve the ordinance update. The new ordinance, which includes the new fees and updated language, comes as the assembly continues to update its ordinances to reflect borough incorporation. Cemetery plots increased from $200 to $300, and the opening and closing of a burial plot increased from $650 to $800 or $950 on holidays and weekends. The price of urn burials also increased from $175 to $225. Assembly...
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is seeking interest in holding an Alaska Bow Hunter Education Course for interested Petersburg bow hunters. Beginning July 1, 2016 all big game bow hunters are required to obtain the certification after the ADFG Board of Game voted several years ago to require the course. ADFG Area Wildlife Biologist Rich Lowell said the board of game delayed implementation for two years in order to make sure the public was well aware of the requirements. Lowell said he’d like to see five to six people fill the class. ...
