Articles from the August 22, 2019 edition


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  • National Guard recruiter visits Wrangell

    Caleb Vierkant|Aug 22, 2019

    Sgt. Mario Morales visited Wrangell last week. As a recruiter for the Army National Guard, he said that he and his office partner are responsible for a wide range of Southeast Alaska, from Prince of Wales to Yakutat. He came to Wrangell because he is interested in finding recruits from small-town Alaska. A lot of Alaskan members of the National Guard come from the major cities of Southeast, like Juneau and Ketchikan. He wants to reach out to the smaller towns in the area, as well. "A lot of...

  • Communication and caring for technology emphasized in school orientation

    Caleb Vierkant|Aug 22, 2019

    With the new school year less than a week away, parents and students were invited to the Wrangell High School commons for a short orientation. Largely led by secondary school principal David Macri, and Technology Director Matt Gore, the orientation was an opportunity for everyone to get on the same page about what to expect with the coming year. The emphasis for 2019-2020, it would seem, is on increased communication and proper care for technology. As Macri said in the orientation, this is not...

  • New hires and resignations covered in school board meeting

    Caleb Vierkant|Aug 22, 2019

    Several new hires and resignations in the school district were a big topic of discussion in the Wrangell School Board's last meeting on Monday, Aug. 19. One such hire was Tawney Crowley, who will start this year as both the new high school art teacher and middle school home economics teacher. The school board approved this hire unanimously, with minimal discussion. Crowley has spent the past year working at the Wrangell Sentinel, and also runs a side business making custom artwork that can be...

  • New hospital construction on track

    Caleb Vierkant|Aug 22, 2019

    Construction of Wrangell's new hospital is on track, according to Hospital Administrator Leatha Merculieff. Construction began back in April, as land next to the AICS Clinic was cleared of trees and leveled. An official groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 30. Back in 2018, the old Wrangell Medical Center was acquired by the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. As part of this deal, SEARHC agreed to build a new hospital for the city. Designs for the new hospital will connect to the...

  • Mariners' Memorial fish fry this Friday

    Caleb Vierkant|Aug 22, 2019

    The Wrangell Mariners' Memorial Board will be hosting a fish fry at the future memorial site, by Heritage Harbor, this Friday at 5 p.m. The fish fry is one of the memorial's bigger fundraisers, according to Board President Jenn Miller-Yancey. The event will be pay-what-you-want for a plate of food, she said, but $20 is the suggested minimum. Besides a seafood dinner, Miller-Yancey said that attendees can also participate in a silent auction full of items that the community has donated for the...

  • New playground games fully funded in 24 hours

    Caleb Vierkant|Aug 22, 2019

    Thanks to the generosity of several Wrangell residents, and support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a fundraiser for new games for the Evergreen Elementary School playground was fully funded in a 24 hour window recently. Jenn Miller-Yancey, head teacher of the elementary school, said that the school wanted to get some new yard games for the kids, with the new school year just around the corner. These games include items like giant chess, giant jenga, and a large connect-four game, am...

  • Tires burn in Public Works fire

    Brian Varela|Aug 22, 2019

    PETERSBURG ­– A call was placed to the Petersburg Fire Department at 7:40 P.M. Monday night after residents reported seeing dark, black smoke coming from the Public Works Department lot on 2nd St. Flames were coming from a shed that was filled with large, spare tires for the borough's vehicles. Nearby residents stated they also heard loud popping noises. The fire was contained by about 8 P.M., but firefighters didn't leave until around 9:30 P.M, said Assistant Fire Chief Dave Berg. The cause of...

  • Coming in for a landing

    Aug 22, 2019

    Alaska Airlines' evening flight coming in for a landing around 4 p.m. last Friday, Aug. 16. Wrangell, in general, receives two flights from Alaska Airlines on a daily basis. Wrangell's airport is guaranteed air traffic as part of the Essential Air Service, a government program that ensures small communities that need air travel can receive it....

  • The Way We Were

    Aug 22, 2019

    August 21, 1919 Major Jack Hamilton, “soldier of fortune” and veteran of the late war, who has been travelling through Alaska for the past ten weeks on a lecture tour, arrived here from Petersburg last evening accompanied by Madame Hamilton. He will lecture in Wrangell tomorrow night. Since coming to Alaska Major Hamilton has received considerable publicity through the press of the Territory, and there is probably not a person in Wrangell who is not already familiar with the story of his life and adventure. “Major Hamilton touched on other...

  • Police report

    Aug 22, 2019

    August 12, 2019 Traffic stop: Verbal warning for parking on bike path. Citation issued: Madeleine Hesler, 25. Parking in excess. Theft: Unfounded. Traffic stop: Verbal warning for speed. Agency assist: Fire department. Citizen report of DUI. August 13, 2019 Agency assist: Search and rescue for boat that ran aground. Lost phone. Traffic: Speeding to avoid flaggers. Hit and run. Agency assist: Fire department. August 14, 2019 Citizen assist: Vehicle unlock. Agency assist: Fire department. August 15, 2019 Welfare check. Citizen assist: Unlock...

  • Dan's Dispatch

    Dan Ortiz|Aug 22, 2019

    On Monday, August 19th, Governor Dunleavy released his full list of Special Session budget vetoes. The Alaska Legislature passed two special session budget bills in July with the primary intention of restoring the Governor’s original vetoes and protecting certain funding sources, such as the Higher Education Investment Fund and the Power Cost Equalization Fund. In the original budget passed in June (HB39), we included continued funding for the Senior Benefits Program, the University of Alaska, early learning programs, and the Alaska State Counc...

  • Death Notice

    Aug 22, 2019

    Stephani Ann Ruks, 77, passed away on August 16, 2019. A celebration of life will be held in Wrangell in October. An obituary will follow....

  • Back to school skating party

    Aug 22, 2019

    Wrangell Bible Baptist Church held its annual Back to School Skating Party at Hope Community Church of God's roller rink. Parents and kids from all over town came together to skate, have lunch, and enjoy one of the last few days of summer vacation. The first day of school for Wrangell is Tuesday, Aug. 27....

  • Boot camp to jump start and nurture businesses in communities throughout Bristol Bay, Alaska

    Laine Welch|Aug 22, 2019

    Investment that comes from within, not from without, is the motivation behind a boot camp that will jump start and nurture businesses in communities throughout Bristol Bay. Through September 15 locals with good ideas, start-ups or existing businesses across the region will compete to attend a three day boot camp that provides in-depth business education, networking and advice. First, they must make the grade in a simple application process. The 10 or 12 who make that cut will go to the boot camp and be judged on business feasibility and...

  • TFCU cookout

    Aug 22, 2019

    The Tongass Federal Credit Union held a customer appreciation cookout last Friday, Aug. 16. Everyone in the community was invited to stop by for a free meal of hot dogs, chips, drinks, and cookies. Pictured here (left to right) is Edna Nore, Marisa Fulgham, Arabella Nore, and Kemberly Green....

  • Golf roundup

    Aug 22, 2019

    Smitty’s Carpet and Doug’s Construction sponsored last weekend’s tournaments at Muskeg Meadows Golf Course. On Saturday, Aug. 17, there were 15 participants. First place went to a team consisting of Jerry Bakeburg, Morton Pihl, and Brett Woodbury with a net score of 21 and team handicap of 20. Second place went to a team consisting of Robert Johnson, Blake Forrester, Terrie Cerny, and Ed Rilatos with a net score of 24 and team handicap of 14. Third place went to a team consisting of Doug Nelson, Rita Harms, Faye Kohrt, and Chris Ellis with...

  • Correction

    Aug 22, 2019

    In the August 15 court report, we incorrectly reported that Donavan Bean was found guilty of theft, burglary, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was only found guilty of burglary. The charge of theft was dismissed, and the charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor occurred last year....