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As Wrangell’s population continues to age, an increasing number of homes in town qualify for the state-mandated exemption from property taxes. About 25% of the assessed value of residential property in Wrangell is senior-owned and exempt from taxes, according to borough data. The tax-exempt status will cost the borough $427,000 in lost revenue this year. The borough expects to collect almost $1.8 million in property taxes this year on taxable residential and commercial property. The total assessed value of all privately owned residential proper...
DC Auto, the only automotive mechanic shop in Wrangell, closed its doors for good last Friday, after being in business for about seven years. The closure leaves a void in auto services with not many options to get a vehicle repaired, oil changed or other needed fixes. There are a few mechanics in town who provide service to select clients or friends and family, but that’s of little comfort to someone with a trashed transmission or blown head gasket. “We’re thinking about getting back into it, and we’re actively trying to find guys for a shop,...
BearFest is coming out of hibernation and is planned for July 27 through July 31 throughout Wrangell. The popular event, in its 13th year, will offer pie contests, live music, art and music workshops, symposiums, a marathon and more. "It's a celebration of bears. That's the short of it," said Sylvia Ettefagh, chairperson for the event. "Its mission is to promote Wrangell and to promote the environment; one part of our environment - a very important part of our environment - the bears." Not only...
The chamber of commerce will work to raise money over the next nine months or so as it looks ahead to paying for next year’s Fourth of July fireworks and events. The annual royalty raffle is the chamber’s major fundraiser for the summer celebration, and this year’s proceeds are short of what’s needed to fully stage the 2023 Fourth, said Brittani Robbins, executive director of the chamber. The chamber would like to raise an additional $20,000 to $30,000 before next summer to ensure the fireworks, events and prizes can continue at the same le...
July 6, 1922 The U.S. Secretary of Commerce has approved an amendment to the general rules which requires that no candidate for original license as master, mate, pilot or engineer shall be examined unless he has completed a course of instruction in first aid. “The manual is intended primarily to furnish officers and men of the American Merchant Marine a simple but comprehensive textbook on ship sanitation and hygiene, an outline of surgical and fundamental information regarding the treatment of disease,” an announcement by the Health Ser...
A new Parks and Recreation Department program focuses on keeping student athletes stronger, more flexible and injury-free to keep team rosters healthy and full this coming school year. From July 18 to July 22, the Youth Strength and Conditioning Camp will teach high school and middle school-aged students how to set and attain physical and nutritional goals. "We'll certainly emphasize the importance of all the work that we put in, including strength, mobility and range of motion in the spirit of...
More than 100 Wrangell households will see their food stamp payments reduced beginning in September as a result of the official rescinding of the state’s public health emergency order on July 1. As of May, 125 Wrangell households were participating in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with an average benefit of $469, up 88% from March 2020, the last pre-pandemic month. SNAP, which traditionally assists low-income families with food purchases, began issuing emergency allotments in April 2020 as part of the federal g...
Of Wrangell’s 667 COVID-19 cases reported to state health authorities since the count started in March 2020, almost 20% — 128 infections — have been recorded in just the past three months. That is double the statewide average, which shows about 10% of pandemic cases have been reported in the past three months. New variants of the coronavirus are pushing up infection rates across the United States as the nation works through its third year of the pandemic. Alaska’s seven-day case rate per 100,000 people was second highest in the nation as of l...
Alaskans in less than five weeks will elect the state’s first new member of the U.S. House in almost 50 years. Literally, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to choose who will represent the state as its lone member in the chamber. Voters on Aug. 16 will choose from three candidates to fill the unexpired term of the late U.S. Rep. Don Young. On that same day, Alaskans will cast ballots in a primary election to decide which of 22 candidates will advance to the November general election for a chance to win the seat for a full two-year t...
“Bouncy” sounds less dramatic than “volatile,” and certainly less depressing than “money-losing.” And it’s not nearly as scary as “billion-dollar bust.” But bouncy is an appropriate word for forecasting state earnings this year. It’s not unexpected, as pretty much all of Alaska’s money is based on oil prices and investment returns, and both are about as stable these days as a small boat on rough seas, with an underpowered outboard. And though Alaska needs leaders who know what to do to safely ride it out, it’s an election year and Alask...
Be careful what you wish for. I hope the large cruise ship operations never “discover” Wrangell. Downtown Juneau is like New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. Crowded and noisy, indiscriminate COVID spreaders. My downtown neighborhood is overrun by tourist vehicles — one day in June saw 499 trips through our narrow streets. Wrangell and the Stikine River are world-class destinations. Major cruise lines will make a Disneyland out of your paradise. Kim Metcalfe, Juneau...
It's summer break, but some kids are only taking a break from the writin' and 'rithmetic portions of school. There are 158 who are immersed in the readin'. The Irene Ingle Public Library summer reading program, which kicked off in June, has about two weeks left before wrapping up with a pizza and pool party for those who earn 10 points or more. According to Margaret Villarma, head librarian, children grades kindergarten to ninth read accelerated reader books. Before starting the program, kids...
In front of more than 5,000 cheering supporters in Anchorage on Saturday, former President Donald Trump fulfilled a year-old promise to campaign in Alaska against incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, one of seven Republicans who voted in favor of his impeachment following the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that targeted Congress. With a 90-minute speech that included a story about a trip to Iraq, conversations with foreign leaders and his thoughts on a variety of issues, Trump endorsed Murkowski's...
The chainsaws are quiet. The laughter and cheers have subsided. The splashing has passed. The Fourth of July celebration and events may be over, but the memories, victories and bragging rights will live on. From catching fish and chopping wood to volunteering and counting raffle tickets, there were plenty of positive outcomes. "I think everything went well considering this is only the second Fourth of July celebration since COVID," said Brittani Robbins, executive director of the chamber of...
The 1,918-passenger Holland America Noordam has added Wrangell to its end-of-season itinerary, with a stop scheduled for Sept. 21. The 935-foot-long ship will be on its final Alaska summer-season voyage, a 14-day trip from Vancouver, British Columbia, with visits to Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Skagway, Sitka and Wrangell, with cruises into Glacier Bay, Endicott/Tracy Arm, Hubbard Glacier and Misty Fjords. A stop also is planned for Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The company plans to work with Wrangell tour operators to offer...
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and U.S. House hopeful Nick Begich III are poised for dominant victories during this year’s special and general elections, according to an online Alaska Survey Research poll of 1,201 likely voters conducted between July 2-5. The survey also shows Sen. Lisa Murkowski eking out a narrow win due to the state’s new ranked-choice voting system. Ranked-choice voting also could shake up the U.S. House race, since Democratic candidate Mary Peltola appears to have a slight advantage in a head-to-head match against former Gov. Sar...
Families with children in first through sixth grade still have time to sign up for The Salvation Army’s summer lunch program. The program, which began in June, runs through July 29. Ten spots are still available and there is no deadline to sign up. “This is the second year we have done this program and both years it has been a great (program) for us to do,” said Lt. Jon Tollerud of The Salvation Army in Wrangell. “We believe that providing meals for working families is helpful so that parents can worry a little less during summer about their k...
The executive director of the Alaska Democratic Party was arrested for driving under the influence early July 2 near Soldotna, according to law enforcement. Lindsay Kavanaugh, 42, faces three misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence of a controlled substance, refusing to undergo a breath test, and unplugging trooper equipment following her arrest. Kavanaugh has served as the executive director of the Alaska Democratic Party since 2019. Prior to that, she worked as a senior adviser to U.S. Sen. Mark Begich. “I am disappointed that m...
A 19-year-old from Wyoming died in Gustavus when he was struck by fireworks he had lit, according to Alaska State Troopers. Benjamin Jorgensen of Green River, Wyoming, was reported dead late July 4 to the Gustavus Fire Department, troopers said. Jorgensen lit a commercially produced mortar-style projectile that struck him, killing him instantly, trooper spokesman Austin McDaniel said. Troopers were notified of the death at 11:36 p.m., and National Park Service rangers from Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve responded around 1 a.m. July 5....
SITKA (AP) - The family had given up hope of finding their blind, elderly golden retriever who wandered away from their Sitka home three weeks ago, but a construction crew found Lulu in salmonberry bushes after initially confusing her for a bear. Lulu was barely alive after being found July 5, but she is being nursed back to health and is back home with her family, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported. "She means everything," owner Ted Kubacki said. "I have five daughters and they're 4 to 13 years...
Princess Cruises will not add any additional Southeast businesses to its MedallionPay program this summer, taking time after the season ends to better explain to merchants the digital payment system that can be used by passengers to buy goods and services while in port — with a substantial commission retained by the cruise line. The program takes as much as an 18% commission on local purchases. Objections from merchants and the mayor in Skagway were part of the company’s decision to pause adding new Southeast businesses to the payment system, w...
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Southern Resident killer whales of the U.S. and Canadian West Coast have not had enough food for several years, which could affect their already small numbers, according to a study by the University of British Columbia. Researchers looked at requirements and availability of prey for Northeastern Pacific Southern Resident killer whales. The study found a fluctuating level of salmon from spawning areas on rivers had a detrimental effect on killer whale health, threatening a small and fragile group of whales, the B...
It's called Between Worlds. And it features a diving whale. "Peering through the bones of this diving whale pattern is this ancestor with her face and hands pressed against the veil between worlds," Alaska Chilkat and Ravenstail Weaver Lily Wooshkindein Da.Áat Hope said. "Because we talk about the Chilkat dancing blanket as the veil that separates our physical realm to the spirit realm on the other side." Hope and weaving assistant Nadezdha Hughes are working on a full-size ceremonial Chilkat da...
TORONTO (AP) — Indigenous leaders met with Canadian bishops and were told Pope Francis will not add any more stops – despite their request – during his trip to Canada this month, when he will apologize in person for the abuse suffered by Indigenous people at the hands of the Catholic church. Pope Francis, who has been using a wheelchair because of a bad knee, will head to Canada on July 24 and visit Alberta, Quebec and Iqaluit, a small town in the far north that is closer to Greenland than it is to any major Canadian city. The pope will depart...
Howard Starbard knew he had a problem when the pumps couldn’t keep up with the water pouring into his 37-foot commercial fishing boat, Miss Amy. The 63-year-old retired Alaska State Troopers commander couldn’t know he was about to spend 45 minutes in the sea, fighting to stay afloat before a relative, two Good Samaritan vessels and the U.S. Coast Guard intervened to help him survive his boat’s sinking off the Southeast community of Pelican. Starbard was power trolling for king salmon during a commercial opener July 4 with his 13-year-old grand...
