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In the early-2000s, the Alaska National Guard (ANG) relied upon a rural presence. Guardsmen of that rural force were deployed to Iraq in 2005 and 2006, which was the first time ANG members were deployed to a combat zone since WWII, according to Guardsman Matthew Duddles. The ANG rural presence sharply declined after the deployments ended, and the decline continues to this day with the 761st Military Police Battalion of the Guard in Southeast scheduled to be deactivated by the end of 2017.... Full story
A project to renovate the facilities at Wrangell's Shoemaker Harbor seems well-placed to receive state assistance, the Port Commission learned this month. Harbormaster Greg Meissner told commissioners at their Nov. 4 meeting the Tier I capital project being proposed to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT) was ranked second for consideration, after a proposal by Kodiak. The DOT 50/50 matching grant program was first approved by the Alaska Legislature in 2006, and... Full story
In the Sentinel 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago. November 4, 1915: The Wrangell Machine Shop is this week overhauling the engines taken from the river boat Winifred, which was recently purchased by the Stikine Mining Company, and the same will be installed in a new river boat which they will build here this winter. The new boat will probably be of the fifteen ton class. It is the intention of the Stikine Mining Company to put in service one more freighter as well as side wheel passenger boat, and have same ready for operation next season. The...
A rescue helicopter was deployed to Zarembo Island on Saturday, after the Alaska Wildlife Troopers received reports of a lost hunter. A 14-year-old boy had gotten separated from his companions and lost his way when he called it in at around 1 p.m. “He had gotten turned around, wasn’t sure exactly how to get back where he started,” Fire Chief Tim Buness explained. Still within cell-phone coverage, the boy helped Troopers pinpoint his GPS coordinates. A ground crew was prepared to boat over to the island, but due to the shortness of dayli... Full story
Monday, November 2 Possible Violation of Restraining Order – Person called and spoke with officer. Agency Assist – Fire Department requested and dispatched. Tuesday, November 3 Agency Assist Ex-Parte – Officer transport. Citizen Assist – Officer unlocked vehicle. Report of Theft. Item Found. Wednesday, November 4 Citations issued to James Holder, 42, for Dog at Large and License Required. Parking Complaint. Agency Assist/Fireworks. Citizen Assist. Thursday, November 5 Citation issued to Travis Bangs, 22, for Speeding. Noise Complai...
Isaac Johan Musser, 28, died on October 27. He was born in Wrangell on October 20, 1987 to Brenna (Ritchie) Musser and Jim Musser IV and lived here until moving to the Seattle area with his family in 1991 and then to Juneau in 1998 where he graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 2006. He was an Inspirational Consultant, Youngevity Rep, Pro Video Gamer and dedicated researcher. He was passionate about environmental issues, self sustainability and looking for ways to improve his own and... Full story
The North End Ferry Authority Board of Directors announced its local three-stop ferry service will resume tomorrow, after its lander underwent engine repairs in Wrangell. The Rainforest Islander departed on Nov. 5, after repairs to an engine and its port-side transmission were completed. Based in Coffman Cove, the ferry service was planned to be a low-cost service connecting communities on Wrangell, Mitkof and Prince of Wales islands. The ferry will begin operating at its reduced winter schedule, traveling Fridays and Sundays only. On both...
Wrangell’s advisory board to the Parks and Recreation Department is exploring options to boost attendance to its annual Tot Gym program, which is set to start Nov. 16. The program offers public playtime geared toward smaller children, with the community center opened several times a week through the season’s end in May. Changes to Tot Gym’s administration have brought about a significant decline in participation over the past two years, a trend the Parks Department would like to curb this year. In her monthly report to the board on Nov. 4, de...
At its monthly meeting for November, Wrangell's City and Borough Assembly put the lights out on a proposal to conduct an electric rate study, deciding it was too expensive. The proposal would have awarded a $24,990 no-bid contract to HDR Engineering to assess the city's capital requirement needs for the next five years, determining whether or not and to what extent it should alter utility rates. The firm conducted a rate study in 2010 for a similar fee, and at the time had recommended that rates remain as they were for the foreseeable future....
Students are getting a technological edge in the Wrangell Public School District, as emphasis is placed on enhancing or else expanding the use of technology in the classroom. To meet the district's information technology (IT) needs, this year two new full-time positions have been established. Cyni Waddington has been hired as the technology coordinator, and Matt Gore began as the school's technology director. Together they improve technical support for the district, fixing issues in-house and...
In last week’s Halloween coverage, Evergreen Elementary School teacher and E.A.T.S. program coordinator Jenn Miller was misidentified as Jenn Davies. The Sentinel regrets the error. Contrary to information provided in a news release on Page 8, Hannah’s Place has since clarified that it does not intend to acquire a fetal heart monitor. The center does not provide medical services, and such needs are referred to Public Health, AICS or the hospital....
The popular January Tanner crab fishery has been called off for the third year running throughout the Westward Region (Kodiak, Chignik and the South Peninsula), leaving fishermen and managers wondering where all the crab has gone. State managers for several years have been tracking a huge plug of crab that appeared poised to enter the 2016 Tanner fishery, but based on this summer’s surveys, the crab have failed to materialize. “In 2013 saw a very large cohort of juveniles in the survey estimated at over 200 million crab, which was one of the...
Wrangell’s high school wrestlers took 10th overall at the Anchorage Christian Schools Tournament over the weekend. Drawing teams from all over the state, Wolves coach Jeff Rooney explained the ACS is a good forerunner to State. “It was a phenomenal tournament,” he recalled. “Of course you know we met some head-on competition there. We had some tough wrestling going on.” Of the 350 or so wrestlers participating in the tournament, three of Wrangell’s nine students ended up taking third placements. J.D. Barratt took third place for the 98-poun...
Wrangell High School played host to the South Seeding Volleyball Tournament last weekend, with six teams competing for the last time before Region V. In its first game on Friday, the Wolves' varsity girls won handily against Metlakatla. Game one was won 25 to 13, and the second 25 to 5. The team's match-up against Craig that evening proved more difficult, with the Panthers winning game one 25 points to 11. The second match was more closely played, but Craig pulled a victory at 25 to Wrangell's 2...
An artifact of local importance was returned to its rightful home in Wrangell Nov. 6, as the Kaach.ádi Clan celebrated the return of its Xixch’i S’aaxw, or Frog Hat. This piece of regalia embodies the history and pride of its clan, Tlingits of the Raven moiety who migrated down the Naas and Stikine rivers and settled in Telegraph Creek, Wrangell and Kake. “The hat represents the clan,” explained Cindy DeWitt, an esteemed member of the Kaach.ádi who came down from her home in Juneau for the celebration. She accompanied representatives of the Ce...
