Sorted by date Results 1 - 19 of 19
The Wrangell Borough Assembly convened electronically on last Monday, April 6, to consider a new emergency ordinance in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The final vote on Ordinance No. 977 was delayed, however, to let city officials gather further information. The proposed ordinance would have mandated a two-week self quarantine for any intrastate travelers coming to Wrangell, allowed for modified quarantine plans for critical workforce, and required that travel safety and modified qua...
Last March was Women's History Month. To recognize several women who have made contributions to the cause of protecting the environment, the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council hosted a teleconference town hall meeting on March 31. Of the women who were highlighted in the meeting, there was one Wrangell resident: Tis Peterman. "While we planned this event a few months ago, like everyone else we had no idea that our lives would be so upended by the coronavirus health emergency, and that tools...
In last week’s edition, we reported that families participating in Sunday’s “social distancing egg hunt” could expect to pick up plastic Easter eggs at Hannah’s Place after the event. Hannah’s Place decided not to pass out plastic eggs out of public health concerns....
Governor Mike Dunleavy signed the Fiscal Year 2021 budget into law on Monday, April 6, according to an April 7 press release from the governor's office. The budget, as enacted "maintains spending across various programs and components at a level consistent with FY 2020, and funds an incomplete Permanent Fund Dividend." In short, the approved budget has total revenues set at about $9.07 billion and expenses at about $10.03 billion. While adopting this budget, the governor also issued some line-it...
There appears to be some confusion regarding an announcement the Department made recently regarding sport and personal use fishing. The Department understands the value of these activities to Alaskans and supports Alaskans having the opportunity to get out and fish to feed their families and fill their freezers. Sport and Personal Use fishing in the State of Alaska will remain open, consistent with published regulations during the 2020 season, subject to compliance with State of Alaska Public Health Mandates. Although travel between...
On Tuesday, April 7, the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Incident Command System (ICS) announced the pending arrival of several COVID-19 rapid test machines from the medical equipment manufacturer Abbott. Each machine is accompanied by approximately 45 testing kits and will be available in seven SEARHC communities in the coming days, allowing for same-day, in-house COVID-19 test results. Providers in the communities of Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, Klawock, Haines, Hoonah and...
The Wrangell Planning and Zoning Commission met remotely last Thursday evening, April 9, to give final plat approval of various land surveys for a proposed land swap between Alaska Mental Health and the Forest Service. Preliminary plats were approved back in 2018, according to the meeting's agenda packet. The land surveys, No. 2018-9, 10, and 11, were all approved by the commission. Survey 2018-10, however, was approved with some conditions. The City and Borough of Wrangell gets to record an...
Representatives of the City and Borough of Wrangell and the local seafood industry held a workshop on Tuesday, April 7, to discuss how public health can be protected with fishing season drawing near. There were over 30 people who called into the meeting, in total. The meeting was chaired by Assembly Member Julie Decker. "I think, in my opinion, the goal is to move the city in a direction of a set of policies, and procedures, and requirements, for the seafood industry that keep the community...
While basketball season is at an end, a bit abruptly thanks to the COVID-19 virus, the Association of Alaska Basketball Coaches released the names of players who made their all-state teams. The all-state teams represent Alaskan high school players who excelled through the season and really stood out. This year, two Wrangellites received this recognition: Kaylyn Easterly and Trevor Miller. Kaylyn Easterly (No. 44) has been playing varsity basketball since she was a freshman, she said, and is now...
How can fishermen be sure their vessels are clean of coronavirus contamination? Where can they find out about relief funds that are newly available for fishermen? COVID-19 has Alaska’s seafood industry traveling in uncharted waters as more fisheries continue and get underway, and fishermen and processors prepare for a salmon season that’s just a month away. Information in an upside down world changes daily, making it tough to plot a course. United Fishermen of Alaska has crafted a “one stop shop” for the latest fishing-related COVID-19 updates...
PETERSBURG – The Petersburg Chamber of Commerce has officially cancelled this year's Little Norway Festival due to uncertainties over how long state health mandates to shelter in place and maintaining social distancing will remain in place. Chamber Administrator Mara Lutomski said the choice to cancel the 62nd Little Norway Festival was a hard decision for the chamber board. "No one wants to cancel a festival that has been such a rich part of Petersburg history," said Lutomski. The chamber of c...
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy, Department of Health and Social Services, and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs are launching a new joint COVID-19 website. This new website will be a one-stop-shop for Alaskans as they navigate the resources that the State of Alaska is offering during this unprecedented crisis. “This outbreak is an all hands on deck situation. Resources are available from every State of Alaska agency working to slow the spread of COVID-19, financially help Alaskans, assist b...
Last Friday, April 10, marked the 70th birthday for Wrangell resident Loretta Rice. To commemorate the special occasion, while also maintaining social distancing, community members organized a surprise parade on her behalf. People drove by her house in cars, four wheelers, and fire trucks, honking and waving. Pictured here is Rice, waving to people as the parade goes by....
April 15, 1920 A deal has been closed whereby Herbert Harvie, recently of Petersberg, becomes part owner of the Wrangell Machine Shop. Mr. Harvie has spent the greater portion of his life working at the machinist trade. He is a Sourdough and well known through Southeastern Alaska. For the past four years he has been connected with the Bob Allen machine shop at Petersberg. The style of the new firm will be Gingrass & Harvie. The business of the Wrangell Machine Shop is growing rapidly and the introduction of Mr. Harvie into the business as one...
April 6 Summons Service. Agency Assist: Harbor Dept. Suspicious Circumstance. April 7 Agency Assist: Fire Department. Fireworks. Domestic Disturbance. Agency Assist: Brush Fire. Harassment. Civil Matter. April 8 Nothing to report today. April 9 Vehicle Unlock. Found Property/Key turned into the Police Dept. Alarm/Audible alarm in the area of the Nolan Center. Intoxicated Person/Person contacted and escorted home. April 10 Airport Quarantine Papers. Traffic Stop. Intoxicated Person. April 11 Disturbance. Agency Assist: Ambulance. Agency Assist:...
House Bill 96, “Pioneers Home and Veterans Home Rates” passed the Legislature and is headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature. The goal of the bill is to adjust rates for our Pioneer Homes to reflect the level of service provided while protecting the Pioneer Home residents. The rate increases proposed by Governor Dunleavy last year were painful and ineffective. With HB96, we adjusted rates for inflation that hadn’t been accounted for since 2004. Residents’ rates will go up from 2018, but in most cases decrease significantly from last...
To the Editor: As we grapple with Covid 19 and our Town Council considers more restrictions there are a number of things folks need to know. For the time being I don't see the need for further restrictions. Not that I don't care, I do. My friends are out there on the front lines as well as my family. But I refuse to live in abject fear and panic. A little fear in crisis is a good thing but an over abundance is quite destructive. Wars are lost and nations have collapsed from fear. The 'Curve' is...
Wrangell Sentinel employees Caleb Vierkant and Trisha Schwartz showing off their new newspaper themed face masks....
A sign outside of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, wishing passers-by a happy Easter....