Sorted by date Results 4615 - 4639 of 5625
Petersburg resident Dennis D. Moore, 32, was found dead by an apparent gunshot wound in his Second Street apartment last Saturday afternoon. Police showed up to Moore's apartment in response to a 911 caller requesting a welfare check, said Police Chief Kelly Swihart. The case is still under investigation, but "at this time, police believe Moore was alone when he died," according to a police press release. Moore's body has been transported to the Medical Examiner's office in Anchorage for...
Petersburg Indian Association’s first-ever e-waste program sent 15,000 pounds – a full 40-foot shipping container – of electronics to Seattle to be recycled. The program ran June 30 to Aug. 30 and offered locals free disposal of unwanted electronics in an effort to keep harmful elements found in electronics, like lead and mercury, from contaminating the environment. PIA Tribal Resource Director Jason Wilson said community members brought home electronics like televisions, boat electronics like radios and sonar equipment, and office equip...
Alaska Governor Sean Parnell announced Saturday that Ketchikan-based Vigor Alaska will construct two new day ferries for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). Construction of both vessels is scheduled to begin in October, and completion is estimated to take four years. Each vessel will be a 280-foot, “roll on–roll off” type passenger ferry, capable of carrying 450 passengers and up to 60 vehicles. The ships will cost $101 million to construct. “I’ve lived in Ketchikan all my life,” said Ketchikan shipyard worker Norm Skan. “It’s such...
WRANGELL — Though the comment period officially ended Sept. 15, the Wrangell Ranger District of the United States Forestry Service is still seeking public input for an upcoming dock project in Anan Bay. “To me it’s kind of an open process,” said Ranger Bob Dalrymple. “We’re open to input pretty much any time.” The district uses this input as it prepares an environmental assessment, which should be available for public comment later this fall. The wildlife observatory is located about 23 miles southeast of Wrangell on the mainland, par...
The Tongass Advisory Committee (TAC) heard presentations from Forest Service and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials and discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with an impending transition to young-growth forest management at their meeting this month in Juneau. The presentations given by the Forest Service and DNR officials helped give committee members a better sense of how difficult the transition process can be, Lynn Jungwirth, committee co-chair, said via e-mail. “You can’t ‘speed up’ young growth sustainable mana...
Marine mammal expert Kate Wynne presented at Rainforest Festival in Petersburg Sept. 6 on a topic that affects all coastal Alaskan communities: sea lions and harbor seals. Wynne works with the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program and studies pinnipeds, the classification for seals and sea lions, as well as other marine mammals like whales. Most of the Steller sea lions in Alaska, those found north of Cape Suckling, are part of what is called the Western stock, Wynne said. This stock extends...
Twenty-six moose were reported taken in the first week of the season that opened on Sept. 15. The numbers from the first week are higher than average. ADFG biologist Rich Lowell said that on average 21 moose are taken in the first week and last year 19 were taken in the first week. He said that this season started off slow for most areas except for the Stikine where 14 moose have been reported so far. That’s double the number of moose taken in the first week last year. Lowell also said hunting areas outside the Stikine are starting to pick u...
A Kake-Petersburg Intertie (KPI) project update was given during this week's Southeast Conference held in Wrangell. The KPI includes a proposed electrical transmission line that would connect Kake to a SEAPA (Southeast Alaska Power Agency) substation in Petersburg. Kake, a community of just over 550 people, is situated on the northwest coast of Kupreanof Island and is working to find cheaper alternatives to costly diesel, which provides the bulk of their power currently. “The Kake-Petersburg Intertie would transmit power at either 69 or 130 kil... Full story
Fishermen are ending this summer's pink salmon season 10 million over the projected harvest. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game's (ADFG) harvest forecast was 22 million pinks and fishermen hauled in 32 million. Sitka-based ADFG biologist Dan Gray said, “Just in terms of straight numbers, we had a pretty good year.” This year's harvest pales in comparison to last year's record-breaking pink harvest where fishermen brought in some 85.5 million pinks. But a more apt comparison would be to past even-year harvests, since harvests have his... Full story
While one Main Street business closed its doors this month, two other businesses celebrated a small-business merger of sorts just down the road. Main Street shoppers said goodbye to Brenda Norheim's Wild Celery framing studio and gallery on Sept. 6. One week later and just down the road, shoppers celebrated the re-opening of Skate of Gear in Sea Monster Video's former storefront. In addition to the existing merchandise, Skate of Gear now offers new release films for rent as the owners Lisa...
The Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) will be $1,884 this year, more than double last year's amount. According to a press release issued by Gov. Sean Parnell, 510,721 Alaskan's will have the funds deposited directly into their bank accounts and another 88,186 will receive the funds via a paper check. Both will be distributed Oct. 2. In total $1.1 billion will be paid to Alaskans this year, reflecting a fund balance that has increased some 71 percent since 2009, the year of the Great Recession. That increase represents a recovery from the losses...
By the time the fog finally dissipated Tuesday afternoon, the 56th annual Southeast Conference (SEC) was already underway at Wrangell's Nolan Center. Poor visibility prevented the appearance of the conference's opening speaker, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, but a number of other interesting presenters took up the slack. This year's speakers included industry figures, tribal leaders, government officials, resident experts, salespeople and civic organizers. Issue for issue they addressed shared regional concerns and possible solutions. At that...
In their first regular board meeting since the school year kicked off, Petersburg school board members on Tuesday discussed new state-required college assessment testing, changes to the advanced placement (AP) grading scale at the high school, and this year's increased student enrollment. New this year, all juniors at Petersburg High School will be required and funded by the state to take a college or career readiness assessment. The state endorses the ACT, SAT and WorkKeys assessment. Principal Rick Dormer said that the implementation of the...
The Petersburg Borough municipal election will be held Oct. 7. Voters will decide who should fill the positions of 37 board and commission slots, as well as weigh in on seven ballot measures. In the coming weeks, the Pilot will publish candidate profiles with information about candidates and their responses about why they're running. This week we profile school board candidates Sarah P. Holmgain, Megan Litster and Jay Lister who are running to fill the board's three open seats and hospital...
At their regular board meeting last week in Ketchikan, Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) approved rebates to member utilities, discussed the progress of the Swan Lake expansion project and approved the Whitman Lake True Up Agreement. “We did approve a rebate to the member utilities based on last year’s financial performance,” said Joe Nelson, Petersburg Municipal Power and Light (PMPL) superintendent. SEAPA Secretary and Treasurer Andy Donato said SEAPA saw record revenues last year, with 183 million kilowatt hours produced for its membe... Full story
The Petersburg Humane Association (PHA) is doing a big push to raise funds for its first stand-alone animal shelter. The organization was established 15 years ago in Petersburg to shelter stray cats and dogs and find permanent homes for them. They also provide scholarships to help offset the cost of spaying and neutering and work to educate the public on issues related to companion animals. To date the PHA and its volunteers have been sheltering homeless cats (and more rarely dogs) in makeshift... Full story
The Hammer and Wikan grocery store is undergoing a remodel that will open up the front of the store and add more organic produce and natural and Asian food products. General Manager Larry Martin said that the remodel is a continuation of work they did last year at the store. "This is basically an extension of last year when we came in and replaced all the refrigeration in the store," Martin said. "What we're doing now is finishing the center store (dry goods). We're also adding another 12-foot... Full story
A case of head lice was reported at the elementary school last week. “It is likely that this is an isolated incident,” Elementary School Principal Erica Kludt Painter said in a districtwide email. Kludt Painter asked parents to do their part to prevent the spread of lice by checking their children daily for the next few weeks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) head lice, “are found almost exclusively on the scalp, particularly around and behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.” The CDC adv...
Police will pursue three assault charges against a 16-year-old Petersburg juvenile following an investigation of a reported altercation between the juvenile and an 18-year-old Petersburg resident Tuesday evening. “The victim reported being struck several times with a handgun and further that the suspect fired 1-3 rounds in his direction during the altercation,” according to a press release issued by Police Chief Kelly Swihart. “The victim sustained injuries that were consistent with his statement. Witnesses also confirmed the victim’s account...
Rain Game Classic just kicked off. The Petersburg Chamber of Commerce 50/50 contest lets residents guess how much precipitation will fall this year. The past rainfall amounts have been 110.19 in 2013, 108.82 in 2012 and 125.52 in 2011. An average over the past six years has been 110.82. The way the contest works is participants buy as many tickets as they would like for $2 each and guess the amount of total rainfall. If there are multiple correct answers, the payout goes to the first ticket purchased. The winner, with the closest guess,...
In the August 14 issue of the Pilot it was erroneously stated that For the next 10 to 15 years, the newly formed Tongass National Forest Advisory Committee (TAC), under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, will advise the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS) timber sale management program in the transition from old-growth to new-growth timber management. In fact, the committee will advise the timber sale management program for the next two years and the transition itself will take 10-15 years....
Petersburg and Wrangell's representative of the Thomas Bay Power Commission (TBPC) met Tuesday morning via teleconference to discuss the commission's future role. The TPBC is the acting body for the Thomas Bay Power Authority (TBPA) that was responsible for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Tyee Hydroelectric Plant, providing power to Wrangell and Petersburg. Last May the Petersburg Assembly voted not to fund its share of a portion of the TBPA's budget, called the non-net billable, after discussions about whether or not the agency...
The proposed Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) schedule for the summer 2015 season is now available for public review and comments. The schedule can be viewed online at www.dot.state.ak.us/ amhs/share/schedule/considerations.pdf. Comments on the proposed scheduled are due by Sept. 23 and may be submitted via email dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov and by fax at 907-586-8365. Those interested may also participate in a teleconference where AMHS will hear comments and consider adjustments. The teleconference is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. and...
Mark Weaver, 59, was indicted by a Grand Jury in U.S. District Court on two counts of Possession of Unregistered Destructive Devices in conjunction with an explosion at the Petersburg rock quarry July 13. He was arrested Aug. 27 in Tacoma, Wash. According to court documents, “Weaver did knowingly possess a destructive device which was not registered to him.” The document also states that Weaver possessed seven hand grenades, which were also unregistered. The prosecutor Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Bottini said, “The first device (in count... Full story
Seventeen runners, including two teams of two, and four walkers participated in Petersburg's first ever Rainforest Run half marathon on Labor Day. The sounding of a conch shell marked the start of the race as runners took off along the 13.1-mile course that wound through the eastern end of the island and ended at Sandy Beach Park. Runners followed tiled mile markers custom-made by Emil Tucker and Carin Christensen and received encouragement, along with water, from volunteers and supporters at ai... Full story
