Sorted by date Results 1 - 15 of 15
The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, according to several members of Wrangell's local government, has been doing a very good job of communicating with them during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Assembly Member David Powell said that communications between SEARHC, Mayor Steve Prysunka, and Borough Manager Lisa Von Bargen have been taking place almost daily. Prysunka and Von Bargen are really on top of things, he said. Assembly Member Drew Larrabee added that, in his opinion,...
Tourism is an important industry for Wrangell, and one that has typically shown slow but steady growth over the years. A 2019 study by Rain Coast Data reports that the visitor industry accounted for nine percent of all private sector jobs on the island, and made $2.9 million in workforce earnings the previous year. According to the study, a little over 20,000 tourists came to Wrangell in 2018, a six percent increase from 2017. Preliminary estimates of the 2019 tourist season indicated about 26,4...
The Wrangell Fire Department and other public safety officials were called out the road Thursday afternoon, March 27. Dorianne Sprehe, with the fire department, said they received a direct call about a house fire at 2:03 p.m., had a fire engine out of the station three minutes after that, and were on-scene by 2:14 p.m. According to Sprehe, the blaze was a chimney fire in a house at 8 mile on Zimovia Highway. The home belonged to the Naumann family, resident Robert Naumann confirmed. The fire was...
David Macri was brought on as the new principal of Stikine Middle School and Wrangell High School in August of 2018. One year and seven months later, however, he has resigned from the position. Teacher Jack Carney has taken over the role as interim principal for the remainder of the school year. "Effective immediately, Jack Carney will be the principal for Stikine Middle School and Wrangell High School," Superintendent Debbe Lancaster wrote in an email on March 25. "This arrangement will end on...
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused many lifestyle changes in communities across the world, including here in Wrangell. With social distancing and self-quarantining, many people are doing their part to keep the virus from spreading in Wrangell. The city's grocery stores, City Market and Wrangell IGA, are also taking steps to lend a helping hand, and mitigate their own risks, during this time. Jake Hale, with City Market, said he has heard from some community members about concerns of food...
The Wrangell Borough Assembly met via teleconference last Tuesday evening, March 24. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to Alaska even though not in Wrangell, city officials have taken precautions to mitigate any risk of the virus spreading in Wrangell by cancelling unnecessary meetings, and only holding necessary ones remotely. During last week's meeting, the assembly approved of a preferred alternative to a reservoir bypass project. The city is under contract with Shannon & Wilson Engineer...
On Wed., March 25, Wrangell COVID-19 responders participated in their weekly joint meeting to discuss the latest actions made in preparation for the coronavirus reaching the island. City and Borough of Wrangell (CBW) leadership discussed state travel mandate advertisement and enforcement, while Wrangell Medical Center (WMC) administration provided information on the surge plans, should the local healthcare facility see unprecedented levels of admittance due to the coronavirus. Representatives...
Missing their students, due to the district being closed until May, teachers at Evergreen Elementary School organized a parade around town to see their students. Parents were encouraged to bring their kids out to porches and windows to wave at them as they drove through town, maintaining social distancing per COVID-19 safety requirements. The caravan of teachers went around the airport loop, through town, and even out the road to make sure they could see as many students as possible. Pictured...
After years of sitting idle in the shipyard, the Rainforest Islander was put back in the water last Friday, March 27. Eric Yancey, of Breakaway Adventures, purchased the ship to launch a new business, Breakaway Ferry and Freight LLC. The ship was built back in the 1990s, Yancey said, and was used for a number of different jobs across Alaska through the years. A crack in its hull put the Islander in Wrangell's shipyard around 2015, he said, and due to the high cost of repairs it stayed there....
While schools are not open for the time being, Wrangell kids are still keeping up with their education. Pictured here are Maria and Dakota Holder starting their homeschooling. "The staff at the elementary school has been incredible, helpful, and supportive during this entire transition," wrote Laura Holder in an email to the Sentinel. "We are so grateful to them."...
April 1, 1920 E.A. Rasmussen, president of the Bank of Alaska returned home from a business trip to the States having gone east as far as New York where he saw a number of the stockholders of his institution. Mr. Rasmussen had a rather exciting time on the steamer voyage. While his ship was in Wrangell he took advantage of the opportunity thus afforded of visiting the Bank of Alaska’s branch at the port, and while in the bank the Princess pulled out and left him. The Spokane being in port and Northbound he went aboard, and as the Mary was c...
The U.S. seafood industry received a $300 million assist from the $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress on March 27, and a wide coalition of industry stakeholders is hoping for more. Fishery recipients in the relief bill include tribes, persons, communities, processors, aquaculture and other related businesses. SeafoodNews.com reports that those eligible for relief must have “revenue losses greater than 35 percent as compared to the prior 5-year average revenue, or any negative impacts to subsistence, cultural, or ceremonial f...
March 23 Speed Complaint. Traffic Stop. Agency Assist: Ambulance. Agency Assist: Search and Rescue. Suspicious Circumstance. March 24 False Alarm. Citizen Assist: Vehicle Unlock. Civil Issue. Trespassing. Citizen Assist. March 25 Civil Issue. Dog at Large. Paper Service. Found Property: Set of keys turned in. March 26 Civil Matter. Agency Assist: Alaska State Troopers. Agency Assist: House Fire. Civil Issue. Welfare Check. March 27 Agency Assist: U.S. Forest Service. Abandoned bike. March 28 Harassment Suspicious behavior. March 29...
To the Editor: While I know the novel coronavirus has rightly captured our attention, I think it's important that we don't forget the marine highway. In recent months, I've read disappointing reports of communities throughout the Inside Passage being unable to obtain food and vital supplies. Having represented Hoonah, Angoon, and Kake in the legislature for many years, I found it surprising that these self-reliant communities were supposedly struggling so severely.But after calling a few local friends, I learned the situation was far different...
While we applaud the work of Wrangell’s health care providers as they prepare for the uncertain times before us, it’s important to remember that they need us as much as we need them. Every citizen has a part to play in flattening the curve so small hospitals like Wrangell’s aren’t overwhelmed with stricken patients from COVID-19 infections. Key to flattening the curve is testing symptomatic patients, proper hand washing and social distancing or isolation. Presently SEARHC does not release testing numbers to the public except in aggrega...
