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The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Division of Water has issued a nuisance abatement order giving the Petersburg Borough Public Works Department 48 hours to clean up a spillage of waste. The Wastewater Utility transports and buries piles of solid waste at the borough’s landfill. This week, while digging a hole with an excavator, Public Works Director Karl Hagerman said, sludge sitting to the side to be buried slid down a hill to a creek that runs to the Sandy Beach Park a...
A 22-year-old Juneau woman was indicted in a residential burglary and is a suspect in other cases, police say. A grand jury indicted Brittany Lynn Martin on a Class B felony charge of burglary in the first degree on April 24. An arrest warrant was issued for her on April 16. According to the indictment, Martin allegedly entered a residence in mid-February with the intent to commit the crime of theft. Petersburg Police Chief Kelly Swihart said there was video surveillance in that case and, according to court documents, Martin was identified in... Full story
Petersburg High School shop teacher Nick Popp took eight students to Sitka for a three-day welding performance exam April 15-17. All eight students passed at least two of three positions tested as part of the American Welding Society's steel plate credential. "It's a real-world test that a welder would take if they're going to work in a shipyard or work construction," Popp said. "It's not a written test, it's all just welding skills." Students were assessed on flat, vertical and overhead steel... Full story
Mara Lutomski became "fired up" to get involved with the community through the school board during talks surrounding the state's budget shortfall and local impacts. "I am impressed at the responsible fiscal choices that this district has made and I want to be a part of that decision making process," she wrote in her letter of interest. The Petersburg School Board approved her as its new member during a special meeting Monday evening at the District Office. Former board president Jean Ellis'... Full story
They’re everywhere in Alaska and they’re useful in sometimes surprising ways. Karen Dillman, a botanist with the U.S. Forest Service, spoke to a crowd of about 10 at the Petersburg Public Library on Thursday, April 23, about coastal lichens. For these particular lichens, “the beach has created a niche so they can be successful,” she said. Some thrive in areas of ocean spray or right along the water. Dillman went over several different types during the Petersburg Science Series presentation, such as the verrucaria maura she named her daughte...
Work on the new incubation building at Crystal Lake Hatchery continues, with completion expected in June. Though that's behind the original estimated completion date of March 2015, Loren Thompson, manager at the facility, said that's well before the building is needed again for incubation. "We're not using that building right now...The first thing we need it for is to incubate eggs for our returning adults," Thompson said, adding that the typical timeline for that is early August. Thompson said...
Ever glance outside and think ‘Today just isn’t the day for a picnic’? There really aren’t many ideal days in a rainforest. But the Petersburg Ranger District is adding cover to the back loop picnic table area at Blind River Rapids Trailhead, similar to what can be found at Manmade Hole Picnic Site, said Brad Hunter, District Recreation manager. “The idea is to have a dry place to picnic there,” he said. Phase one includes tearing up existing decking and building a new foundation to support more of a load with 20 feet deep muskeg. Phase 2 wil...
The Petersburg Medical Center (PMC) has moved to protect patients and itself against any potential cyber attacks. The hospital’s Board of Directors approved the purchase of CPM (cyber, privacy and media) liability insurance, underwritten by Lloyds of London CFC Syndicate, in the amount of $6,666.45 per year, including taxes and fees, during its regular board meeting Thursday, April 23. The $2 million policy will cover the hospital if there’s a breach of information, or an accusation of one, said IT Specialist Don Bieber. “The risk we have...
The Petersburg School District has found a new way to assist its students in becoming better readers in a short amount of time. For the second year, the district is using Fast Forward, a computer delivered brain fitness program that not only improves reading, but concentration, processing and even math skills. Each student's time with the program varies, but many finish an assignment, such as reading or literacy, in about nine weeks, and 90 percent of them improve, Activities Director Jaime...
Tourists and local marine mammal lovers alike can now enjoy an updated, interactive Marine Mammal Kiosk at the Petersburg Visitor’s Center. The kiosk is a collaboration between the Visitor’s Center and the Petersburg Marine Mammal Center (PMMC), awarded a $1,700 grant last year by the Petersburg Community Foundation to make upgrades to the kiosk’s computer. “The equipment, computers being what they are, don’t have a long lifespan,” said Don Holmes, PMMC board member. “So the new grant enabled us new hardware, and we had a volunteer, Je...
The Petersburg Pilot earned second place for Best Weekly at the Alaska Press Club's 2015 award ceremony held last weekend in Anchorage. "Beautiful photos, and well-written and reported stories. Bravo," was the judge's comment. Reporter Mary Koppes won second place for Best Health Reporting for her story "Making sisters out of strangers: A kidney transplant brings two Petersburg women together." The judge commented, "Nicely told tale of kidney transplant in a small town. Clear, concise writing...
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has announced further openings for the spring troll fishery. The following Terminal Harvest Areas (THA) will again open at 12:01 a.m. Friday and remain so until further notice: Neets Bay, Anita Bay, Port Armstrong and Hidden Falls. Frederick Sound, which initially opened April 16 and closed today, Thursday, will reopen on Friday and remain so until May 7, along with all of the Ketchikan area, the Icy Strait/North Chatham areas, Ernest Sound in the Wrangell/Prince of Wales area and Stag Bay in the...
Petersburg residents will get to choose whether to haul their recyclables to the curb in a cart or a blue bag, following the Assembly’s approval of a resolution Monday night that provides for the dual program. The new program is aimed at maximizing recycling participants, some of whom favor the continuation of the blue bag program and others who’d like to see a move to a cart-based system. The resolution that passed on a 5-1 vote includes all the elements of the initiative petition submitted by Angela and Wes Davis and certified as suf... Full story
Some 66 percent of Petersburg's sanitation customers pay for a 32 gallon cart and receive the recycling incentive rate of $28.19/month. Though this rate is among the highest of all communities surveyed, Petersburg is also the only municipality that offers curbside pickup of commingled recycling as part of its sanitation service. Juneau also offers curbside pickup for recyclables, though sanitation customers pay an additional $5.65 for the service, bringing their small-bin rates to $27.50/month,... Full story
The zoning subcommittee of the Local Marijuana Regulation Advisory Committee met for the first time Wednesday to begin the process of determining where marijuana retailers can open business. Committee member Mitch Eide said he figured zoning would be similar to that for liquor stores in town. Places that sell or serve alcohol sit at or beyond 500 feet of the city’s schools in commercial zones. Eide added, though, that the committee is “spinning our wheels” until the state comes up with its regulations. “I think it’s important that we try to id...
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed removing the majority of humpback whale populations from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing. The announcement came Monday when NOAA officials stated protection and restoration efforts over the past 40 years have led to an increase in numbers and growth rates for the mammals in many areas. The animal was first listed as endangered in 1970. "I'm extremely excited about it," said Fred Sharpe, a scientist for the Alaska...
Comments are still being accepted for the proposed Southeast State Forest Management Plan that has raised some concerns among Petersburg residents. The plan applies to lands designated by the Legislature in 2010 and 2011 as the Southeast State Forest, which has the primary purpose of timber management. It’s meant to guide long term management of the lands and identify policies to be followed. The plan includes a total of 4,467 acres in the Petersburg Management Area: 664 in the Rowan Bay Unit on Kuiu Island, 890 in the Frederick Point Unit, 1...
Runners and walkers are expected to fill the street this Saturday at the Beat the Odds’ Circle of Life Cabin Creek 5k Run/Walk. The race begins at 9 a.m. at Sandy Beach Park, with warm ups and late registration preceding. The annual run/walk is one of two such events held each year in Petersburg to raise funds for Beat the Odds, now in its 15th year. Last year the organization raised $26,050, which has been allocated in a variety of ways to support cancer patients and their families. The bulk of the funds have been allocated to organizations t...
This year’s baseball team at Petersburg High School has nearly doubled in size from last year. Head Coach Jim Engell took just nine players to the regional tournament last year, the exact amount needed for a complete team. He said this year’s larger roster will bring more opportunities for the team to develop a relief pitching staff, among other things. Engell said this year’s team includes players with different levels of experience with the sport. Returning juniors and seniors include Ethan Bryner, Kjell Wittstock, Chauncey Sandhofer and l...
Mayor Mark Jensen and Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht announced at Monday’s Assembly meeting that Petersburg Public Schools will be granted Secure Rural Schools funding for this academic year and next. The two-year funding extension was included as a provision in the US House’s Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, which was signed by President Barack Obama late last week. “They put in the bill we will get within 45 days so we will actually get it prior to this year end and that will go into the fund that the Borough has set a...
The Petersburg Trident plant is working to double production this summer with new processing equipment and upgrades. Southeast Manager John Webby said the processing plant building is being gutted to put in new floor joists and processing equipment. He said they’re looking to streamline production and cut back on labor to “make it (the plant) more efficient.” “We’re also making it so we can expand in the future if the need arises,” he said. Right now there’s no expansion going on and the number of employees will remain the same. “It’s not a h...
Petersburg High School band and choir students got the chance to hang out with and learn from musical peers around the region this weekend after heading up to the Southeast Alaska High School Music Festival in Juneau. Junior Hannah Pfundt said they want to do well in front of people they know. She added that it’s good to get that feedback. “It’s exciting because you’ve been working on stuff pretty much all year,” she said. Petersburg’s 58 students returned with mostly superior ratings, music director Matt Lenhard said. Judges listen to t...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Efforts to reach an agreement on a state spending plan continued Monday as the Legislature went into overtime. But even after a budget is finalized, legislators' work might not be done. Gov. Bill Walker has indicated he could call a special session if lawmakers don't address Medicaid expansion before adjourning. If a special session is convened, bills under consideration would be limited to those listed by Walker. Under the current extended session, all bills remain in play. Lawmakers failed to reach a budget deal b...
Marine boat anglers returning to ports where and when on-site ADF&G creel surveys are conducted will be prohibited from filleting, mutilating, and de-heading sport caught lingcod, nonpelagic rockfish, and king and coho salmon. Marine boat anglers returning to any port on the road system of the communities listed below, during the times designated, may not fillet, mutilate, or de-head these fish until the fish have been brought to shore and offloaded, unless the fish have been consumed or preserved on board: Petersburg from: 12:01 a.m. Monday,...
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The clock is ticking down on an annual Alaska rite of spring. Cherrie Forness, manager of the Nenana Ice Classic, said Sunday ice over the frozen Tanana River at Nenana should shift soon, moving a tripod erected on the river and tripping a clock to determine who wins the jackpot in the annual guessing contest. “It could pretty much happen any time,” Forness said of river ice breakup. It's the 99th year of the Nenana Ice Classic, begun when railroad construction workers first bet when ice would move on the river and b...
