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Wrangell seems to be in a fine position to prosper as attention in Alaska turns toward strengthening the region's various maritime industries. The Fishing, Seafood and Maritime Initiative (FSMI) has been developed by the University of Alaska and other public and private partners with the intention of supporting a strong and sustainable maritime workforce in the state. With over 500 firms and 70,000 employees, the maritime industry represents Alaska's largest employment sector, and its various "b... Full story
Drawings for the future mariners' memorial at Heritage Harbor were unveiled at Wrangell's monthly Port Commission meeting on Nov. 6 in the City Hall Assembly Chambers. Drawn up by architect Christopher Mertl of Corvus Design in Juneau, the memorial plan calls for a concrete plaza designed to resemble wooden planking, a pavilion and weathered steel patina memorial wall evocative of the prow of a ship. "When it takes that curve it rakes out," explained Harbormaster Greg Meissner, going over the dr... Full story
Many residents in Wrangell woke up Thursday to discover a power outage, following damage caused by a storm to Ketchikan’s Bailey Substation the previous evening. Power across the entire transmission system was down, affecting Ketchikan and Petersburg for most of the morning as well. A storm the previous evening featured winds between 43 and 61 miles per hour by 7 p.m. Gusts topping 90 mph were also reported at Ketchikan International Airport. “We started getting calls in,” recounted Andy Donato, electric division director of Ketchikan Publi... Full story
In the Sentinel 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago. November 12, 1914: Wrangell was visited by one of the worst storms last Sunday that has hit this port for several years. The storm started about two o'clock in the morning following a slight earthquake, and from then on a strong Southeaster was blowing 'til late in the afternoon. Considerable damage was done by the big wind and sea along the waterfront, several gas boats being driven on the shore and smashed more or less. Several shacks in the lower part of town were smashed and other damage was...
With a number of closely-contested initial results for the general elections on Nov. 4, voters and candidates alike may be holding their breath as Alaska’s Division of Elections began counting absentee and early votes Tuesday. The margins for several races remain slim. For a seat in the Senate, initial polling saw Republican challenger Dan Sullivan hold an 8,149-vote lead over Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Begich. In the gubernatorial race, a mere 3,165 votes separate incumbent Gov. Sean Parnell from Independent challenger Bill Walker, w...
Monday, November 3 Report of dog bite. Tuesday, November 4 Agency Assist. Vacation check filed. Report of Theft. Report of Threats. Suspicious Circumstances. Criminal Mischief. Missing Person Reported. Arrested Randall Gordon Radigan, 35, on charges of a Warrant/Failure to Appear. Agency Assist/Fire. Wednesday, November 5 Found Bike. Driving Complaint. Report of Criminal Mischief. Agency Assist-DOT: Caller reported a tree down by Pat’s Creek Bridge was blocking one lane of traffic. Agency Assist-Line Crew: Caller reported a tree has fallen a...
Wrangell High School's volleyball team traveled out to faraway Tok Friday for a weekend tournament, picking up wins against Glennallen, Nenana and Tri-Vallley and getting edged out by Tok High School in a close three-game contest. "The team performed well although they were missing two varsity players," reported the team's coach, Jessica Whitaker. "The girls were able to come together and make quick adjustments." Whitaker said that while passing is improving, the team still needs to increase its...
With November here and Thanksgiving quickly approaching, Wrangell Ministerial Association (WMA) is seeking support for its annual distribution of traditional dinner baskets. “This will be the twelfth year,” said Don Roher, who with his wife, Bonnie, organize the project. Their Thanksgiving Basket drive puts together holiday meals for community members that might need them. An ecumenical coalition of eight churches on the island, the WMA in particular seeks to help families who have experienced a personal catastrophe or are combating ill...
Teleconferencing from the Wrangell and Petersburg assembly chambers last Thursday, members of the Thomas Bay Power Commission (TBPC) decided to call it a year. The TPBC was the acting body for the Thomas Bay Power Authority, operating Tyee Hydroelectric Plant until the operations were transferred this summer to Southeast Alaska Power Authority. Since then, the TBPC has found itself with little to do beyond facilitating that change. But because of the unique connection the commission presents for the communities of Wrangell and Petersburg,...
Children in Wrangell interested in getting a bit of bowling in this winter are invited to come to the Elks Lodge #1595 on Saturday afternoons. The Elks have been active in Wrangell for about 70 years, and the club’s bowling alley has been a long-standing fixture. While they in the past have put on activities for local youth, lodge secretary Shirley Clark said “this is the first one we’ve done as far as bowling.” “It’s for all the kids,” explained Pamela Oglend, the lodge’s bartender. First putting the idea before the lodge board of truste...
Alaska’s largest employer continues to add more jobs to its roster. Commercial fishing jobs grew last year to a level not seen since the year 2000, according to the state Department of Labor. Driven primarily by an increased salmon harvest, notably from the record run of pinks, fishing jobs grew by nearly 2.5 percent last year. That brought the annual monthly average to 8,400 jobs, just 400 shy of the record over a decade ago. Seafood harvesting and processing jobs are a focus of the November Alaska Economic Trends, which breaks down the n...
