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Social media was astir Monday as word spread about the second stage of a project being undertaken to mitigate contamination at the former Byford junkyard. Notice of a proposed use of Pats Creek Road was submitted to the United States Forest Service late last week, informing Wrangell Ranger District trucks would be making extensive use of the road to shift around 18,500 cubic yards of lead-contaminated soil from the former Byford property near 4 Mile Zimovia to a rock pit just two miles down the...
More than just focusing on the local wildlife, Wrangell's annual Bearfest is also an opportunity to focus on the creative arts. Whether it is judging photographs and paintings at the Nolan Center, a "Bear-oque" classical concert and fundraiser lunch for the Wrangell Chorale, local girls playing their violins during the Saturday market, or judges selecting their favorite pies, there were varied ways last week to highlight the beauty and inspiration that comes from living in rural Alaska....
For the first time since last winter, paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) risk factors for butter clams sampled on beaches near Pats Creek have dropped back to normal. Wrangell Cooperative Association’s Indian Environmental General Assistance Program office made the announcement last week, after samples taken July 24 showed decreased levels of saxitoxin. The cause behind PSP, elevated saxitoxin traces were first discovered at the site in January. Saxitoxin is a deadly neurotoxin produced by phytoplankton of the genus Alexandrium. When a...
July 10 Beau J. Radach, 26, appeared before First District Court Judge Kevin Miller on charges of Assault in the 4th Degree; Driving Under the Influence; and Assault 4 – Cause Fear of Injury, all Class A misdemeanors. He pleaded guilty to those charges, and seven additional counts were dismissed by agreement. For the three counts found guilty of, the defendant was ordered to serve 330 days with 265 suspended, and to pay a $3,000 fine in addition to other surcharges. Prior probation was also ordered revoked for the new criminal charges, with t...
Robert (Bob) Gould, 73, passed away on July 20, 2017 holding the hands of his wife Celine Gould at the family home in Nanoose Bay, B.C. He was born in High Prairie, Alberta, Canada on April 17, 1944. In his own special way, Bob has changed the lives of many. Whether a ride up the River or an argument given, Bob would not shy from any. With a moustached grin and piercing blue eyes, he made you feel important. Bob Gould was a true pioneer of the lower Stikine River and a forever patriot. He was a...
In last week’s issue of the Sentinel, a Dan’s Dispatch entry outdated by some years was run inadvertently. On the topics covered therein, Alaska Wildlife Troopers have long since decided to retain Wrangell’s post and a trooper is currently serving in that capacity. The correct dispatch has been included in this week’s issue....
Later this week, the Legislature will convene for its third (and hopefully very brief) special session to pass a capital budget. Negotiations with the Senate have been completed and I’m confident that a compromised version of the capital budget will pass out of both bodies. It will meet the minimum needs of the state and it’s residents in terms of infrastructure investment. Most generally, the capital budget is how we fund investment in Alaska’s infrastructure for transportation (including the AMHS) and our natural resource development. Over...
Candidates are being sought for Wrangell’s various municipal committees and elected seats. Beginning August 1 and extending through the remainder of the month, the city clerk’s office will be accepting declarations of candidacy and signature petitions for the October 3 ballot. Two three-year terms on the Borough Assembly are coming up for election, with the seats of Stephen Prysunka and Mark Mitchell both expiring. Two seats on the Public School Board – one a full three-year and the other an unexpired two-year term – are likewise up for ele...
In a media release put out by Rivers Without Borders on Tuesday, a proposed buyer for a disused mining operation has reportedly since dropped its interest. Citing unspecified sources, the environmental group reported private investment group Black Loon Metals has dropped its interest in purchasing the Tulsequah Chief mine, located along the Taku River watershed in British Columbia. When asked for comment on the release, Black Loon Metals declined to confirm whether this was the case. Rivers Without Borders had previously announced the Canadian...
The symposium at last week's Bearfest was an opportunity for experts in bear-related research to share some of their knowledge about the different species, as well as highlight the work they have done in their different fields. Lance Craighead of Montana's Craighead Institute has been a longtime supporter of Wrangell's annual festival, which celebrates the area's robust bear population. Speaking last Wednesday, the environmental advocate sought to convey how people directly affect and often thre...
Seafood is Alaska’s top export by far, usually topping $3 billion in sales each year to 120 countries around the world, and comprising 55 percent of our nation’s total seafood exports. Credit for the state’s export sales goes mostly to the international program run by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) which runs eight regional offices in Japan, China, Brazil, London, Spain, France, Germany and Eastern Europe. The Overseas Marketing Reps (OMRs) work under contract with ASMI to coordinate hundreds of seafood promotions each year to bu...
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – A new cruise ship is set for an eight-day expedition exploring Alaska. On Saturday, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic launched the Quest its first ever-new build from Juneau. The ship left from Anacortes, Washington, for a shake-out cruise to Alaska, arriving in Juneau on Friday. Its first passengers boarded at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, the Juneau Empire reported. The 100-passenger vessel originally was expected to debut last Wednesday. But the line scrubbed that cruise, citing problems with a launch attempt. A little o...
On Monday Gov. Bill Walker signed into law a capital budget for the 2018 Fiscal Year, which had been adopted by the Legislature in a brief special session on July 27. The new budget includes $5,000,000 in the Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Fund, precisely what will be needed for Wrangell’s Harbor Department to proceed with an overhaul of the facilities at Shoemaker Bay Harbor. “We’re excited,” said Wrangell harbormaster Greg Meissner. The aging facility has about passed its useful life, with a portion already closed off to moorage. The project...