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A pair of entrepreneurs have begun to make their shared dream a reality, building and selling guitars using locally-derived materials. Wrangell resident Steve Helgeson and Kevin Skeek of Hoonah together launched Raven Guitars after winning a $40,000 entrepreneurial grant through Path to Prosperity two years ago. Initially the two were in competition with each other, having independently reached the final round with a similar idea to build guitars using local resources. Concerned they would...
Assembly members were given an update by the Alaska Court System on Tuesday about its upcoming lease renewal for courtroom facilities. Court administrator for Southeast Neil Nesheim explained he was there to let Assembly members and the wider community know what the stance of ACS was in negotiating its lease, so to prevent any confusion. Nesheim put it to them that ACS would like to pay less on its annual lease for the space provided. This was due to a combination of declining state revenues and diminished court activity in Wrangell since the...
In the Sentinel 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago. February 9, 1916: A fire completely destroyed the home of Councilman Chas. Bryant at 2 a.m. this morning. The fire caught from a defective stove pipe is the belief of Mr. Bryant. The house was situated near the head of the bay. Mr. Bryant was up town late last night and upon returning home he started a fire and after getting a bite to eat he went to bed and woke a half an hour later to see that the ceiling was ablaze. He gave the alarm and getting help succeeded in getting all his personal effects...
The United States Forest Service has put out a preliminary project design for a mooring float at Anan Bay. Similar to a proposal shelved last fall after funding was reappropriated for wildfire containment efforts, the dock project would service amphibious aircraft. One notable difference is that it would now be designed to accommodate boats as well, a point of contention for some outfitters during the last proposal process. Wrangell Ranger District anticipates the dock would address moorage needs at Anan, a popular wildlife observatory it...
Incumbents on the local Tribal Council seem set to return, according to unofficial results released Monday. Members of Wrangell Cooperative Association cast their votes on Feb. 3 at the new cultural center on Front Street. Turnout was slightly higher than in 2015, with 74 ballots cast rather than 71. This year WCA extended the vote to members aged 18 and up. Previously, one had to be 21 to vote. With four of eight seats on the Council up for election, positions would go to the candidates with the highest number of votes. Of four candidates...
Monday, February 1 Report of Harassment. MVA – Report of truck that slid off road. Officer responded. DOT notified. Agency Assist – Officer assisting. Tuesday, February 2 Agency Assist – Noxious Smoke – Report of what appears to be smoke filling up town. FD UTL. Traffic Stop. Verbal warning for driving habits. Citizen Assist – Officer unlocked vehicle. Wednesday, February 3 Litter – Officer spoke to individual about garbage that had blown around. MVA – No damage observed. Thursday, February 4 Agency Assist – Black Smoke – FD responded. Control...
Life is an open book for Fr. Steven Gallagher, the new pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Petersburg and St. Rose of Lima Parish in Wrangell, and there is one common theme-public service. Fr. Gallagher, 63, is taking over for Fr. Thomas Weise who passed away in December of a heart attack, and the unexpected death resonates with Gallagher. "Father Thomas was a great priest in this area; he was 16 years younger than I am," Gallagher says. "We all have expiration dates." For Gallagher,...
Alaskans know the importance of oil to the state’s economy and state government coffers. No question. Oil is huge. But with all the talk of oil, it’s easy to overlook other parts of Alaska’s economy. Commercial fisheries, for example. Fisheries anchored many Alaska communities years before the start of oil production. And they’ve continued to do so after oil began flowing through the pipeline. The continuing economic contribution of fisheries is perhaps more apparent in coastal Alaska communities, such as Ketchikan, than in the Railbel...
Water quality concerns due to mining activity remains an issue for Southeast Alaskan communities, and recent moves have been taken by the state to address them. Last month the State of Alaska submitted a second draft for a statement of cooperation to British Columbia counterparts as part of the two governments’ ongoing talks on transboundary water issues. Submitted on Jan. 21, the pending agreement would be legally non-binding, but emphasizes the state and Canadian province’s commitment to maintaining water quality. The initial draft’s release...
JUNEAU (AP) — Insurance regulators in Alaska and Oregon announced Monday that a company that had been suspended from offering health insurance policies in the states over concerns with its financial condition will be allowed to resume that business. The Alaska Division of Insurance and the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services said they have reached an agreement with Moda Health Plan Inc. aimed at stabilizing its financial position. The agencies said the agreement will allow Moda to resume selling and renewing policies to individu...
Alaska Island Community Services announced it has become a preferred provider for Premera Blue Cross for medical, dental and behavioral health services. “It’s new in the community,” explained Carly Allen, chief operating officer for AICS. After an extensive application process, the transition took effect for AICS’ medical services on Dec. 29, behavioral health on Jan. 6 and its dental services on Jan. 22. Allen explained that getting to this point has been a couple of years in the making. “It was under review for a very long time,” said Terri...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require students to repay state scholarships and grants if they fail to graduate within six years of starting their programs. Members of the House Education Committee on Monday questioned Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, and Diane Barrans, executive director of the Alaska Commission of Postsecondary Education and directs the Alaska Student Loan Corporation, on the effects of the bill. The measure would put the time limit requirements on students who receive money from an A...
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) – A newly released study found that every dollar put into the Alaska Marine Highway System has double the economic benefit to Alaska. The state contributed $117 million in general funds to the ferry system in 2014. The report from the McDowell Group, which was funded by the ferry system, shows that the total economic impact was $273 million, The Ketchikan Daily News reported. According to the study, the ferry system is responsible for 1,017 jobs and indirectly responsible for 683 jobs, which would be for people e...
Needy Alaskans are enjoying a rare taste of sablefish, thanks to a science project that kept research fish from going over the rails. Sablefish, more commonly called black cod, are one of the world’s priciest, high end fish, and Alaska waters are home to the largest stocks. The deep water fish are found at depths of 5,000 feet or more and can live to nearly 100 years. The Gulf of Alaska fishery, which has a catch total of about 20 million pounds this year (18.2 million in 2017) is usually worth more than $90 million to Alaska fishermen at t...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Alaska House passed a resolution Monday aimed at focusing committee work on the state’s budget deficit, while minority Democrats pushed for a more inclusive process to find budget solutions. The resolution, which passed 38-1, seeks to limit committees to hearing bills related to the budget and revenue until the House passes a state operating budget to the Senate. That generally happens in the first half of March. House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, told reporters bills that would reduce state spending or raise rev...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The board tasked with regulating Alaska’s legal pot industry is set to meet as the date to begin accepting marijuana business applications nears. Also in the days ahead, lawmakers plan to discuss a bill that would require students who receive state-sponsored merit scholarships or financial aid grants to repay them if they don’t complete their degrees or certification programs within six years. The chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court also is set to deliver the annual State of the Judiciary address. Here are a few t...
