Articles from the March 16, 2017 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 15 of 15

  • Anan improvements to target outhouses and trailhead

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    For visitors this summer to Anan Wildlife Observatory, trips to the restroom will become a bit less hectic. Up to the present, the oft-visited outdoor attraction's outhouse is sited apart from the main observation area – and its protective barriers – making run-ins with Anan's bears en route to the toilet an occasional risk. At least a few people have had to wait out a passing bear from inside, which can be unpleasant in addition to an unnerving experience. The Forest Service (USFS) Wra...

  • Ready for springtime?

    Mar 16, 2017

  • P&Z moves forward with preliminary plats

    Mar 16, 2017

    Planning and Zoning approved review of a trio of preliminary plats zoned for waterfront development. The first was Lot 5 at the Woodbury Tidelands Subdivision II, in Inner Harbor. Sale of tidelands at the site to owner Brett Woodbury was approved by the Borough Assembly last month at the recommendation of both the Planning and Zoning and the Port commissions. In his application packet, Woodbury is requesting to purchase the additional tidelands in front of his property in order to reconstruct the existing float. This would allow him deeper...

  • The Way We Were

    Mar 16, 2017

    March 15, 1917: Forty years ago last Saturday Judge Wm. G, Thomas arrived in Wrangell. When asked if any of the buildings that were here then are still standing Judge Thomas said: “The only buildings standing now which were here when I landed on March 10, 1877, are the buildings of the old garrison. The building now occupied by F.D. Bronson, the customs collector, was the Captain’s quarters. The big log building which is now used as a jail was then the barracks proper, while the small log building used as an office for the United States com...

  • School budget growing, despite cuts

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    Wrangell's Public School Board approved a second draft for the upcoming year's budget, which begins in July. The addition of $375,000 in funds from the school's capital improvement fund approved in January helped balance out the proposed budget, which assumes a five-percent reduction in the state's Base Student Allocation. Over this year's budget – revised as of this month – revenues will be down in several areas for FY18. Foundation support will drop by around $240,000 to $3.12M, while ret...

  • Police reports

    Mar 16, 2017

    Monday, March 6 Nothing to Report. Tuesday, March 7 Safety Concern. Citizen Assist. Agency Assist Wednesday, March 8 Disturbance. Thursday, March 9 Citizen Assist. Friday, March 10 Agency Assist. Agency Assist: 911 smoke alarm going off. Saturday, March 11 Citizen Assist: Caller needed help getting into residence. Citizen Assist: Unlock Vehicle. Sunday, March 12 Agency Assist: Officer delivered message. Agency Assist: Report of alarm going off. Fire Department dispatched. There were two ambulance calls and two dog complaints during this...

  • Land exchange bills introduced in House and Senate

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    A pair of bills were submitted to the State Legislature which would help move forward a proposed land exchange between the United States Forest Service and the state Mental Health Trust Authority. House Bill 155 was introduced by Rep. Dan Ortiz (I-District 36) earlier last week, with Sen. Bert Stedman (R-District R) submitting Senate Bill 88 shortly after. An agreement to initiate the swap was signed by both services in June 2015, which followed approximately eight years of negotiations that included input from a wide collection of...

  • Wolves season ends after tightly-played bracket

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    Wrangell High School's boys finished up in third place during last week's Region V tournament, after losing in the final round to second-place Metlakatla. Heading to hosts Juneau-Douglas High School, on March 8 the team started their week against next-door rivals and eventual champs Petersburg. "The kids gave a good showing," said coach Ray Stokes. His boys had played a close game against the Vikings just the previous weekend during Petersburg's homecoming, and the tournament rematch was...

  • Letter to the Editor

    Mar 16, 2017

    To the Editor: When it comes to a program that collects solid scientific data, and provides resources that lead to more sustainable approaches, look no further than Wrangell IGAP, administered by the Wrangell Cooperative Association. IGAP provides our community with services such as gill net recycling, and E-waste collection, which take a big bite out of our solid waste burden. The program networks with other tribes in Southeast, collaborates with the City and USFS, and presents to science classes in our schools. Wrangell IGAP works to provide...

  • Obituary: Marion St. Clair, 96

    Mar 16, 2017

    Marion St. Clair, 96, died on Feb. 17, 2017 in Wrangell, Alaska. She was born on May 20, 1920 in Meanook, Alberta, Canada to John E. and Lillian Peterson. Mom loved all of her caretakers and friends at long-term care. She cracked everyone up with her funny comments and stories at lunch time. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank (Bud) St. Clair; sisters, Ilah King, Grace Fletcher; brothers, Joe, John, and Frank Peterson and son, Scott D. St. Clair. She is survived by; brothers, Bob...

  • Girls finish third in regional tournament

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    Wrangell's high school girls basketball team finished up its season with a hard-fought third place finish at last week's Region V in Juneau. The girls started on good footing against Haines on Wednesday, winning 58-43. They moved on to first-seeded team Metlakatla the following day. "We had a really strong game against them," said Wrangell coach Laurie Brown. The girls kept pace with the Miss Chiefs throughout the game. Fouls played a factor in the game, earning extra points; sophomore Helen...

  • SEAPA revisits line maintenance contract award

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    At a special meeting held last week, the governing board for Southeast Alaska Power Agency reconfirmed its approval of a contract for transmission line maintenance through 2019. The bid was awarded at the board’s regularly scheduled February 8 meeting. The scope of work includes bucket truck inspections and guy thimble installations. SEAPA chief executive Trey Acteson explained there were three bidders on the project. Two packets came in comparably, while a third had come in “really high,” he said. The lowest bid was submitted by Elect...

  • Fish Factor

    Laine Welch|Mar 16, 2017

    Massive cuts could be in store for the agencies and people who provide the science and stewardship to preserve and protect our planet. The budget proposed by Donald Trump that starts in October puts on the chopping block the agencies and staff in charge of fisheries research and management, weather forecasting, satellite data tracking and the U.S. Coast Guard. Trump called the cuts a tradeoff to “prioritize rebuilding the military” and to help fund the border wall with Mexico. The Washington Post broke down a White House memo to the Office of...

  • Local youth takes second in statewide free-throw competition

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    A Wrangell girl has taken second place in the state for the 2016-17 Elk's Hoop Shoot. Jamie Early sank 18 of 25 baskets during the Wrangell Lodge's shoot in December, taking first among the girls 12 to 13 age group. Local-level winners have their scores weighed against those from around the state, with awards distributed via various Elks lodges. Those taking first place by category can compete on the regional level, going on from there to the national competition in Chicago on April 22. Now a...

  • Senate PFD restructure could repurpose portion of ERA

    Dan Rudy|Mar 16, 2017

    The Senate Finance Committee reviewed a bill which could end up reshaping the future of the state’s finances last week. As with two other bills under consideration, the Permanent Fund Protection Act (Senate Bill 26) would arrange the Permanent Fund’s Earnings Reserve Account – from which the state’s annual dividends are paid out – so that the amount of money drawn from the earnings would be tied to an historical average of percent of market value (POMV). Proposed by Gov. Bill Walker, a percentage of the ERA under this new regime would the...