Sorted by date Results 5434 - 5458 of 5625
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — State health officials have issued a warning against harvesting shellfish in southeast Alaska, citing the presence of a toxic algae bloom called a “red tide.” Officials say water samples from around Etolin Island show increasing levels of Alexandrium algae. The algae cause paralytic shellfish poisoning in shellfish. According to officials, tests also show extremely high levels of the algae around Juneau and a slight increase in levels on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island. Officials say paralytic shellfish poiso...
wrangell — In what was their final meeting as an elected quorum, the Wrangell Medical Center Board of Directors terminated the contract of WMC CEO Noel Rea on Wednesday, June 20. The dismissal came in a 6-1 vote, with board member Dorothy Hunt-Sweat voting against the termination, and members Jake Harris and Delores Norman not present. Eight members of the board; Mark Robinson, Jake Harris, Linda Bjorge, Lurine McGee, Delores Norman, Jim Nelson, Sylvia Ettefagh and Leann Rinehart were r... Full story
Randy Holmgrain, a longtime Petersburg resident returns home to his family and the Petersburg Police Department. Holmgrain was sworn in as the new police officer Wednesday, June 20. “My family and I moved to Petersburg in the fall of 2001 and I worked with the police department until 2004,” Holmgrain said. “I took a job with the Department of Defense and spent a year and a half in Iraq doing police training among other things.” Holmgrain also ran a camp for the North Atlantic Treaty Organiz... Full story
The Petersburg Public Schools wrapped up the year with the last board meeting of 2011-12 on Tuesday. “We have great kids, a great staff and everything is moving to a positive future for us,” Petersburg City School Superintendent Rob Thomason said. “Our library renovation is underway and the No Child Left Behind Grant has been submitted.” Thomason explained there are a few minor edits to be made to the grant but otherwise it is in great shape. The summer lunch program, which provides free lunch for kids up to 18 years of age, is in progres...
The United States Coast Guard Cutter Elderberry came out of dry dock May 7 after 12 weeks of scheduled maintenance. This maintenance was performed at the Base Support Unit Ketchikan Marine Ways. USCGC Elderberry is a 65 foot buoy tender that goes into dry dock every two years. “We always have a long-range maintenance plan in place,” Engineering Petty Officer Cameron Peterson said. “We replaced about 60 square foot of hull this time.” Approximately four years ago there were several small hull ero...
The Crystal Lake Hatchery began operation in Petersburg in 1973 and is one of the oldest operating hatcheries in southeast Alaska. “This hatchery was started as a sport fish hatchery,” Crystal Lake Hatchery Manager Loren Thompson explained. “It still is, it’s the only one in southeast Alaska.” According to the Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, the facility was first stocked with Chinook from the Columbia River. Andrews Creek fish were used at the hatchery and spread from ther...
JUNEAU (AP) — The process for filing complaints with the state Office of Children's Services, or OCS, is cumbersome and ineffective and should be rewritten, an investigative arm of the Alaska Legislature has found. The state Ombudsman, in a report released Monday, determined that “convoluted” and difficult-to-apply regulations are the root of the problems with the OCS grievance process. The ombudsman recommends that OCS repeal and replace its regulations and policies and procedures for grievances, and provide employee training on the new regul...
WRANGELL — In the end, the special election to recall 8 members of the Wrangell Medical Center Board of Directors accomplished what it set out to do – removal of all those facing recall. The recall, which evolved from an effort spearheaded by Wrangell residents Gary Allen, Sr., and Mike Otteson, Sr., asked voters in the borough to remove board president Mark Robinson, and board members Jake Harris, Linda Bjorge, Lurine McGee, Delores Norman, Jim Nelson, Sylvia Ettefagh and Leanne Rinehart. Board member Dorothy Hunt-Sweat was the sole mem...
Governor Sean Parnell was welcomed to town by Petersburg Mayor Al Dwyer Thursday afternoon at a reception in the City Council chambers. “We are happy to welcome you to Petersburg,” Dwyer said. “This is the man that has made it possible to have funding of over $11 million this year alone.” The governor was presented gifts from the Sons of Norway, the Petersburg Parks and Recreation Department and others. “I am a son of Norway,” Parnell said. “I am happy to make myself available to you.” “I want... Full story
Petersburg City Council amended a contract between the city and R & M Engineering to complete the Water and Sewer Reconstruction Project with an addition of funds not to exceed $37,000 to be paid. A change order for the Water and Sewer Reconstruction was also on the agenda in order to add $6,335.70 to the initial construction contract to add a fabric mesh layer to Odin Street to help support the road bed and keep it from sinking into the muskeg. The cost of paving N. Second Street in the amount of $154,294.10 and surfacing Odin Street with... Full story
The Local Boundary Commission voted 4 to 1 Friday, June 1, that the City of Petersburg petition for borough formation met all standards for incorporation and authorized that a community wide election be held. The election date has yet to be determined, but is expected to be sometime this fall. The election will be conducted by the State of Alaska and will be a mail-in election. In addition to voting for borough formation, the ballot will also consist of candidates for the position of borough assembly members; borough school board members;... Full story
Petersburg City Manager, Stephen Giesbrecht, reported to the council Monday evening on the current and upcoming projects the city is involved with. “The library project is expected to be surveyed and staked,” Giesbrecht stated. “Excavation of the site should begin in the next couple of weeks.” The Parks and Recreation Department is meeting bi-weekly in preparation for the July 4 celebration. “Anyone with any ideas for the event should call Donn Hayes,” said Giesbrecht. Giesbrecht will meet with Wayne Jensen to take a preliminary look at des...
The Petersburg City Council has ordered the city manager to enter into negotiations regarding the purchase of waterfront property owned by the Reid Family Trust. Petersburg City Manager, Stephen Giesbrecht spoke directly in the Monday evening council meeting. “This property is not going to pay for itself.” The council decided to have the property evaluated in order to see what improvements will need to be made. “This is an important piece of property for the fishing community,” City Councilman Rick Braun said. “But I hesitate to buy something...
The Rainforest Islands Ferry was scheduled to launch in July 2012. Due to funding and design delays the launch of this service has been pushed back to the spring of 2013. City of Coffman Cove representative, Heather Hedges said, “Originally the launch date was delayed because of funding.” The City of Coffman Cove was attempting to receive funds from the United States Department of Agriculture. “We were told that the USDA was no longer funding these projects,” Hedges said. “We tried other ave...
The Petersburg City Council directed an ordinance be prepared to withdraw membership from the Inter-Island Ferry Authority during its May 7 meeting. If this ordinance is approved by a two-thirds Council majority, it will be submitted to the voters for ratification at the City election, Oct. 2. The Inter-Island Ferry Authority was created to develop an efficient and effective network of ferries and ferry-related facilities and services to provide the ferry system to serve the various ferry transportation needs of residents of Prince of Wales...
The Inter-Island Ferry Authority of Directors has not reached a decision in regard to the appointment of an individual to serve a three year term as the “at large” board member. The IFA by-laws require that the Mayor from each participating municipality, with concurrence of their respective City Council, appoint the at large director. The choice of candidates before the Mayor and Council are Tim Rooney, Wrangell City and Borough City Manager and Adelia (Deedee) Jefferys of Coffman Cove. City of Petersburg Mayor, Al Dwyer, has recommended Tim...
The Petersburg City Council adopted a budget for the city establishing appropriations for the fiscal year Monday evening. After four work sessions discussing the 2013 proposed budget there were still issues of concern that were brought out during the meeting. “I didn't participate in the budget,” City Councilman Don Koenigs said, “But I think it should be noted that the City of Petersburg has been deficit in its budget spending.” Koenigs says the current budget provides little constraint to limit the city's spending more than it is making. “Thi...
The Federal Building is undergoing a complete exterior renovation. Scaffolding can be seen around all outside surfaces of the building. “We are replacing all windows,” Southwest Construction Project Manager Doug Keith said. “All the siding will be pressure washed and clear coated as well.” The doors will be repainted and a completely new roof will be installed. “We are hoping for a few days of sunshine in order to finish the roof,” Keith said. “I could be finished as soon as the weekend with...
Petersburg City Council passed Resolution 2010 to establish the rate of levy of property tax for the 2012 and 2013 fiscal year. The assessed taxable value of real property for the City of Petersburg for municipal purposes for calendar year 2012 is $258,764,945. The tax levy for general operations of the city is $1,190,319 which is determined at a 4.6 mill rate; the tax levy for general operations of the school is $1,141,153 which is determined at a 4.41 mill rate. Tax levies for General Obligation Bonds for constructing and equipping a new...
The Petersburg Court House has been going through some major changes and these changes are all making a positive impact on the building. “Bathrooms have been added in the main reception area,” Court Clerk Cris Morrison said. “A law library and two adjoining attorney meeting rooms have been added as well.” The court room has been enlarged and the jury box reconfigured and refaced. “Everything is more efficient and well placed,” Morrison said. “And the judge’s entrance has been moved to make i...
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry has provided the grant to assist the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department in providing training and equipment to assist the United States Forest Service in wild land fire response and other emergencies. This grant will be provided on a ten percent match basis. The Volunteer Fire Assistance program is used for both wild land and structure protection needs. The assistance is provided to increase firefighter safety, improve the fire fighting capabilities of rural volunteer fire...
Several road projects are happening this summer around Petersburg. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has budgeted a total of $13 million for road repair, as well as other road reconstruction projects. According to Chuck Correa, regional preconstruction engineer for DOT&PF, the state maintenance chip seal crew will be stabilizing the existing road surface and chip sealing from mile point 27.8 to 30.0 near the end of Mitkof Highway. “The crews will also be doing ditch work and brush cutting in the same area. The chip s...
Ocean Beauty officials say the fish processing plant took such a hard hit last month that it will not be in full operation this summer. The plant, situated at the end of a 1,500 ft. pier between the North and Middle harbors, was struck on May 7 by the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry the M/V Matanuska. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. According to Tom Sunderland, vice president of marketing for Ocean Beauty the plant will still be running its normal ice delivery service... Full story
Over three days of public hearings, the Local Boundary Commission heard testimony regarding the Petersburg Borough Petition. Wednesday the commission heard the petitioner’s opening statement from Jim Brennan of Hedland, Brennan & Heideman, as well as the respondents’ opening statements from Amy Meade, assistant city attorney for the City & Borough of Juneau; Bob Lynn and Tom Cole with George Cole waiving his opening statement. “The proposed boundaries conform to the natural geography of the area,” Brennan said. “We also have no conflict between... Full story
Residents of Petersburg gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Petersburg Public Library Saturday morning. Rain did nothing to deter the mood of those gathered. Free umbrellas were handed out to those who wished to avoid getting wet. The event began with a performance of the Petersburg High School Brass Ensemble and the National Anthem sung by Tonya Abbott. Petersburg Mayor Al Dwyer stepped to the microphone to thank those responsible for this project. “It has been a long time comi... Full story
