Articles from the April 1, 2021 edition


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  • Assembly doesn't like the thought of state sales tax

    Caleb Vierkant|Apr 1, 2021

    Wrangell assembly members do not like the idea of a state sales tax, even if may be the only tax that state lawmakers are willing to consider. Despite their objection, members agreed they should stay engaged in the issue, particularly as the Alaska Municipal League discusses state revenue options and talks with communities about how a state sales tax could work. AML Director Nils Andreassen explained the situation at a borough assembly workshop March 23. Given the political reality in Alaska, a...

  • State says sinking Malaspina could save money long term

    The Wrangell Sentinel and The Associated Press|Apr 1, 2021

    Alaska state transportation officials are contemplating sinking a ferry to save money. The Department of Transportation has considered turning the Malaspina into an artificial reef. The ship is one of the two large sister ships, along with the Matanuska, that helped start the Alaska Marine Highway System almost 60 years ago. The Malaspina has been tied up in Ketchikan since December 2019, when it was taken out of service to cut the budget. The department has said it could cost $18 million for...

  • Ravens head to where the food is – at an Anchorage Costco parking lot

    The Associated Press|Apr 1, 2021

    ANCHORAGE (AP) - Some Alaska Costco shoppers said they've had their groceries stolen by ravens in the store parking lot. Matt Lewallen said he was packing his groceries into his car in the parking lot of an Anchorage Costco when ravens swooped in to steal a short rib from his cart, the Anchorage Daily News reported March 26. "I literally took 10 steps away and turned around, two ravens came down and instantly grabbed one out of the package, ripped it off and flew off with it," Lewallen said....

  • Long-married couple reunited after a pandemic year apart

    Caleb Vierkant|Apr 1, 2021

    "I think it was '52 that we got married, I met her just before," Elmer Mork said about his wife Patricia. "She was the 1950 queen, Fourth of July Queen. The first one. I'm kind of lucky to find a queen." Elmer and Patricia Mork met back in the 1950s at a dance, Elmer said. He caught her eye and said she would like to meet him, and asked him to dance. The rest is history. "My older sister taught me how to do the jitterbug thing," he said. Elmer, 91, and Patricia, 87, have been married about 70...

  • The Way We Were

    Apr 1, 2021

    March 31, 1921 It is with genuine pleasure that we add to our exchange list the Wrangell (Alaska) Sentinel, the Sultan (Washington) Star announced. “The Sentinel is a neatly printed, newsy well-edited paper, and apparently has the generous support of the businessmen of Wrangell. Now, you old sourdoughs of the Skykomish Valley whose feet are itching to go back to the scenes of your triumphs or defeats in the frozen northwest, mush into the Star office and read the news from your old stomping grounds. The Sentinel will be kept on file for your a...

  • Johnson & Johnson vaccine available in Wrangell

    Caleb Vierkant|Apr 1, 2021

    The one-shot COVID-19 vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson recently became available in the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium's network and is now in Wrangell. Carly Allen, clinic manager with SEARHC in Wrangell, said the community has received a very limited supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Both this and the Moderna vaccine are currently available in Wrangell. She said SEARHC intends to begin administering the Johnson & Johnson shots next week. "SEARHC is excited to add...

  • Assembly backs away from boost in liveaboard fees

    Caleb Vierkant|Apr 1, 2021

    The borough assembly could decide to adopt a new definition for harbor liveaboards at its April 13 meeting, clarifying that the residential user fee would not be charged if people don't overnight aboard the vessel at least 60 days a year. The assembly also has backed away from a January proposal to raise the fee from $85 to $117 a month. The assembly considered the latest version of the liveaboard ordinance at its March 23 meeting, scheduling a public hearing and possible final action April 13....

  • Legislators continue work on ferry system advisory board

    Larry Persily|Apr 1, 2021

    State House and Senate committees continue to work on competing bills that would change the membership of the state ferry system advisory board. The Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday heard the governor's bill, while the House State Affairs Committee considered legislation Tuesday offered by House Speaker Louise Stutes, of Kodiak. Gov. Mike Dunleavy's proposal would allow every governor to change out the board's membership, while Stutes' legislation attempts to protect almost half the...

  • From the publisher

    Larry Persily Publisher|Apr 1, 2021

    The federal money that will flow into our state from the American Rescue Plan - the latest round of pandemic aid from Washington, D.C. - is the proverbial once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Alaskans to do good things with more than $2 billion. The total includes almost $1.2 billion that will go to the state, $357 million for schools, $230 million for local communities, a couple hundred million dollars more for housing assistance, tens of millions each for energy improvements to homes, the...

  • Editorial: It doesn't look good

    The Wrangell Sentinel|Apr 1, 2021

    GCI, the largest telecommunications provider in the state, is closing down its call center jobs in Anchorage and moving the work to a contractor in the Philippines. It joins a growing list of U.S. companies outsourcing their customer service jobs overseas. The fact that GCI is one of many U.S. businesses to send work out of the country doesn't make it right, nor does it make it wrong. But it is another example of job and economic loss in a state that already is suffering from outmigration. More...

  • Letters to the Editor

    Apr 1, 2021

    Recall effort not based on facts and was not positive The past year has been difficult for everyone. My family has been acutely aware of the issues surrounding COVID-19, and Lynn and I have lived every day knowing that our actions have a direct impact on our friends and neighbors. But inaction also can have consequences. We take this responsibility very seriously. As mayor, I was faced with difficult and consequential leadership decisions. Early on, an emergency order was adopted that gave authority to the city manager or mayor to make rapid, u...

  • Matanuska out of service third time in two months

    Larry Persily|Apr 1, 2021

    The 58-year-old Matanuska, the oldest operating vessel in the state ferry fleet, has had troubles operating the past two months. The Alaska Marine Highway System took it out of service last week to fix a mechanical problem, canceling port calls Saturday through Thursday this week and expecting that repairs would be completed and the ship ready to resume its weekly run out of Bellingham, Washington, this Friday. The 23-year-old Kennicott stepped in to provide service. The Matanuska expected to...

  • Wrestling season starts in Juneau this weekend

    Caleb Vierkant|Apr 1, 2021

    High school wrestling season will kick off for Wrangell this Friday and Saturday, as the Wolves head to Juneau for their first meet of the year. Wrangell did not compete in any 2020 season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Assistant Coach Jack Carney said the team is eager to hit the mat once again. This year will be unique in that it will feature two wrestling seasons in 2021: One now and a second in the fall. Team Captain Rowen Wiederspohn said he is excited by the opportunity. "If somebody w...

  • State plans to reduce rockfall hazards along highway

    Larry Persily|Apr 1, 2021

    The state Transportation Department is asking for public comments on its plan to reduce the hazards along a stretch of Wrangell's Zimovia Highway frequently hit by rocks coming down from the hillside. A rockfall last August at 8-mile Zimovia Highway "drew our attention" to the stretch of roadway, state Transportation Department officials said last week. Talking with the department's Wrangell crew, they learned there had been 36 rockfalls between 2007 and 2019 along just a few miles of the...

  • City moving forward with tourism best practices management plan

    Caleb Vierkant|Apr 1, 2021

    A cohesive document outlining guidelines for the tourism industry in Wrangell is slowly coming together. During a workshop last Friday, the Wrangell Convention and Visitor Bureau looked over a draft of its Tourism Best Management Practices statement. The planning document has been an ongoing project for the bureau for over a year now, covering guidelines for a variety of tourism-related matters including transportation, the use of hiking trails, restaurants and hospitality businesses. Several...

  • Visitor bureau holds Wrangell photo contest

    Caleb Vierkant|Apr 1, 2021

    The Wrangell Convention and Visitor Bureau launched the first of a series of photo and video contests earlier this month to help replenish its stock of images for marketing efforts. "The Best of Wrangell" is scheduled to run to the end of May. The contest is also an opportunity for community members and past visitors to show off their photography or videography skills. Ceona Koch, with the bureau, said that while they will accept any photos or videos, except those showing inappropriate content,...

  • Students return to classes for a short week

    Apr 1, 2021

    Wrangell's secondary schools returned to in-person class Monday after a four-day move to distance learning when a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Back in the classroom for college English on Monday were (left to right) Liana Carney, Jade Balansag, Paige Baggen and Terra Hoyt. Bob Davis, lead teacher and assistant principal for the secondary schools, said in a letter that while in-person classes are back, online classes are still an option for all students. He asked that any...

  • State may provide COVID vaccinations at 4 airports

    Apr 1, 2021

    JUNEAU (AP) - The state health department is floating the idea of providing COVID-19 vaccinations to travelers at Alaska's busiest airports with the summer tourism and fishing seasons looming. The department released a request for information March 24, seeking to determine interest among potential contractors to provide a one-dose vaccine to interested travelers in a secure section of the airports in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks and Ketchikan. The document said implementing strategies to reduce...

  • State and others file in support of roadless rule exemption for Tongass

    Apr 1, 2021

    JUNEAU (AP) - The state of Alaska and several other groups have filed to defend the Tongass National Forest’s 5-month-old exemption from a nationwide rule that limits development on federal land. The filing fights back against a group of tribal, environmental, fishing and tourism organizations that sued the Trump administration’s decision last year to dismiss the roadless rule for the Tongass. The roadless rule was adopted in 2001 and limits road construction and timber harvesting on National Forest lands. “The Tongass holds great economic oppo...

  • Alaska had 22,300 fewer jobs in February than a year go

    Apr 1, 2021

    JUNEAU (AP) - Alaska had 22,300 fewer jobs last month than it did in February 2020, the state labor department reported last Friday, citing the ongoing economic toll from the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest job losses were in the leisure and hospitality sector, which had 7,300 fewer jobs last month than in February 2020, a department jobs report showed. Oil and gas had 3,900 fewer jobs, and the transportation, warehousing and utilities sector had 1,800 fewer jobs. The report showed 2,000 fewer local government jobs last month compared to...

  • Czech Republic's richest man dies in Alaska helicopter crash

    Apr 1, 2021

    ANCHORAGE (AP) - A contracted helicopter carrying guides and guests from a lodge on a heli-skiing trip in Alaska's backcountry crashed on Saturday, killing the pilot and four others, including the Czech Republic's richest man. The only other person onboard Czech Republic resident David Horvath, 48, was in serious condition but stable Monday at an Anchorage hospital, Alaska State Troopers said. The five people killed in the accident were identified as Petr Kellner, 56, and Benjamin Larochaix,...

  • Legislators may look at parole for juveniles

    Apr 1, 2021

    ANCHORAGE (AP) - A proposal by the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission could provide juveniles sentenced to lengthy prison sentences an opportunity for parole after serving 15 years. The commission recommended state lawmakers pass a “second look” law that would allow juvenile cases to be reexamined by a parole board or judge, the Anchorage Daily News reported March 24. The Alaska Criminal Justice Commission was created by the state Legislature in 2014 and makes recommendations to lawmakers to improve the criminal justice system. “The impos...

  • COVID leads to serious inflammatory syndrome for eight Alaska youth

    Apr 1, 2021

    ANCHORAGE (AP) - Eight Alaska youths have developed a serious inflammatory syndrome from previous coronavirus infections, state health officials said in a report. The report, released March 26, said some of the eight youths ended up in the pediatric intensive-care unit with severe complications. The condition they developed is called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C. The syndrome can lead to inflamed organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since...

  • Shoppers harvested 30% more canned salmon during pandemic

    Laine Welch|Apr 1, 2021

    It’s “back to the future” for Alaska canned salmon as more Americans choose it for its health benefits and as an easy-to-use ingredient for sandwiches, salads and more. Salmon canning in Alaska started in the 1870s, and by the early 20th century, it was the state’s largest industry, generating 80% of the territorial tax revenues. Its position in the state economy then is similar to oil today. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed record sales for the pantry-shelf product — canned salmon sales soared by 30.3% in 2020, to $286 million. “Suddenly...

  • Sentencing set for June in killing aboard cruise ship

    Apr 1, 2021

    JUNEAU (AP) - Sentencing has been set for June for a man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the beating death of his wife during a 2017 family cruise to Alaska. Kenneth Manzanares, who is from Utah, signed a plea agreement in the case in January 2020. Sentencing was initially set for last May but was pushed back and this week was scheduled to be held in Juneau’s federal court on June 3 and 4. The case was handled by federal authorities because the death took place in waters outside the state’s jurisdiction before the cruise ship rea...

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