Sorted by date Results 1 - 18 of 18
The Borough Assembly received a disappointing update that plans to pave Evergreen Road this year have been delayed until at least 2017. The news came while the Assembly considered a proposal to amend the design contract for Wood Street improvements, which was previously expected to be bid ahead of the Alaska Department of Transportation’s Evergreen project. The city had hoped for efficiencies in equipment costs by having both projects undertaken at around the same time. First expected complete in 2013, the Evergreen paving project would r...
One of the unique pleasures of living in Alaska is being able subsist off the land. Much can be made of the opportunities to fish, hunt and gather various edibles, but some locals have decided to live off the land a little closer to home. A number of residents have taken to raising chickens, either for themselves or to sell, or a bit of both. Dave and Paula Rak have been raising them on their property now since 2000, and today the flock numbers at around 40 hens. "We started with just getting...
In the Sentinel 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago. February 24, 1916: The survey of Dry Straits is the real beginning of the new route across the Dry flats for which the local Chamber of Commerce has worked for the past two years. Dry straits lies between Mitkof Island and the tide flats adjoining the mouth of the Stikine River, running from Kadin Island (High Island), at a point four miles from Wrangell, into Frederick Sound at the northern end of Dry Island, a total distance of nine miles. The Dry Strait channel will not only help Wrangell but is...
Monday, February 15 Dog at Large – Verbal warning given to owner. Dog at Large – Owner picked up dog and purchased licenses. Civil Issue. Tuesday, February 16 Person called in regards to a scam case. Agency Assist – AICS. Wednesday, February 17 Agency Assist: DOT notified of a boulder in the in-bound lane at the bluffs. Theft – Unfounded. Report of Threats. Thursday, February 18 Traffic Stop: Verbal warning for driving habits. Abandoned bicycle from library. Civil Stand-by. Harassment electronically. Speeding Complaint. UTL. Friday, Februar...
Friday, February 19 Wayne G. Myers, 29, appeared before First District Court Judge Kevin Miller on the charge of Theft 3, a Class A misdemeanor. The defendant pleaded guilty, and as part of an agreement five counts of Theft 4 – Less than $250 were consolidated into the Theft 3 count for disposition and dismissed. Myers was ordered to serve 12 months with 10 suspended, with the unsuspended time to be served with credit for time served. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $1492.20 to Bob’s IGA and $100 in fines and surcharges and as part of...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to hear legislation aiming to boost enforcement of Alaska’s texting while driving ban. It would reduce the penalty from a misdemeanor to a violation, making it possible for officers to issue citations to distracted drivers. A spokesman with the Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol has testified that troopers are less likely to charge someone under current law requiring proof that a driver is distracted by a screen device. The bureau’s Lt. David Hanson says it can be difficult for a troop...
For the next month and a half the United States Forest Service is coordinating with the Nolan Center to put on their annual community Chautauqua presentations. Named after the town in New York where the practice originated, the Chautauqua harkens back to a brand of entertainment widely popular in rural America through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. How the Chautauqua is presented can vary, but generally it emphasizes community building through education and entertainment. The Wrangell Ranger District and museum have sponsored theirs...
In last week’s issue, photos of an American Legion induction were mistakenly attributed to reporter Dan Rudy. Jean Petticrew submitted both images....
Local elementary students will be taking part in the National ReadQuest Celebration tomorrow, a nationwide challenge that encourages kids to read and share their discoveries. Alaska students at Evergreen Elementary School will be among the thousands of students who participate, from the kindergarten to 12th grade level. Students across the country will read millions of books through the day and complete Accelerated Reader comprehension quizzes on the material as they go along. The school will host a “Power Hour” in the morning, where guests are...
Between Midnight Madness in December and the King Salmon Derby in April, Wrangell's annual Tent City Days celebration gives residents a reason to shake away the winter blues and have a little fun on the town. Put on by volunteers and area businesses, the four-day series of events will try to feature activities fit for kids and adults alike. The celebration kicks off tonight at the Elks Lodge with its second-ever chowder cook off, starting at 5 p.m. Whether corn, crab, clam or something else...
In the midst of rate increase talks and utility concerns, Wrangell’s Port Commission approved the renewal of three leases at the Marine Service Center during its Feb. 18 meeting. The lease lots of welder Chuck Jenkins, shipwright Tyler Thompson and contractor Steve Keller were up for their five-year renewal. Commissioners had previously approved Jenkins’ renewal in December at its $0.08 per square foot monthly rate. On Jan. 12 the Assembly decided to return Jenkins’ request for renewal to the commission, reasoning it might want to update lease...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – A slump in oil prices has officials looking at the amount and impact of a deep cut in the University of Alaska budget. Gov. Bill Walker announced a plan to cut $16 million from the budget, while North Pole Republican Rep. Tammie Wilson suggested a bigger reduction of $63 million, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. The current budget is $351 million. Wilson, the finance subcommittee chair, said during a Thursday meeting that her proposal does not include funding for research or athletics because not all legislators a...
Members of the Wrangell Medical Center Board of Directors met for a brief monthly meeting Feb. 17. There were no action items on the agenda, only staff reports. Hospital CEO Robert Rang reported the Borough Assembly approved the purchase of new laboratory equipment last month. An equipment chemical analyzer and a coagulation analyzer will together be purchased outright for $135,000. The hospital board had initially approved leasing the machines, but Assembly members preferred to front them the money using an emergency fund it set aside last...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski began her annual address to Alaska lawmakers with accolades about federal progress on issues that could bring economic growth and stability to the state. She ended it warning of increasing federal encroachment into state government. During her speech Wednesday, Murkowski highlighted positive changes in transportation policy and military infrastructure improvements. She said those benefits include about $561 million in military spending that could be poured into Alaska’s construction economy. Whi...
A pair of new businesses opened up on Front Street last week. Above, brothers Shannon Bosdell and Caleb Bosdell stand outside of Notsofamous Pizza where they create take-and-bake pies from scratch Wednesdays through Sundays. Below, formerly of Sitka, couple Rick and Terri Anderson opened up The Whipping Post on Thursday, a second-hand shop with a variety of clothing, books and home goods on offer....
Early signs point to continuing headwinds in world markets for Alaska salmon. Global currencies remain in disarray, the ongoing Russian seafood embargo is diverting more farmed salmon to the U.S., and tons of product remains in freezers from back to back bumper sockeye runs. (The majority of Alaska’s salmon goes to market in frozen, headed and gutted (H&G) form.) One plus: aggressive market promotions have kept reds moving briskly at retail outlets at home and abroad and removed some of the back log. “What the Alaska industry really needs is...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Fishing industry and lawmakers on Thursday puzzled over the origins of a proposed one percent tax increase in fisheries business taxes and fishery resource landing taxes. During a hearing on the bill by the House fisheries committee, fishermen testified that they did not understand the origins of the increase. It is expected to raise $18 million in new revenue for the state annually, according to the Department of Revenue. It is one of six proposed industry taxes from Gov. Bill Walker, including increases to mining, m...
Wrangell residents gave their input about what they would like to see happen to the former Silver Bay Logging Company mill site, which the City and Borough is interested in acquiring and eventually developing for maritime and industrial use. One of the borough's first steps was to initiate a feasibility study of the 110-acre site, with a bid going to Maul Foster & Alongi of Bellingham, Wash. The bid was approved by the Borough Assembly in early November, funded through a $90,000 Department of Co...
