Articles from the December 26, 2019 edition


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  • The spirit of giving

    Caleb Vierkant|Dec 26, 2019

    A longstanding tradition for Wrangell High School students is their senior project. As their high school careers begin to draw to a close, WHS students will organize a community service project to help give back to their community, before heading off to their next stage in life. These projects can vary in size and scope. Last year, students volunteered at Christmas Tree Lane, held ACT prep courses, assisted in amphibian research along the Stikine River, and much more. Danika Smith is one of...

  • City holds town hall meeting on tourism industry

    Caleb Vierkant|Dec 26, 2019

    City officials, community members, and local business owners met at the Nolan Center last Tuesday evening, Dec. 17, to discuss Wrangell's tourism industry. This meeting was to cover the recent tourist season, as well as projections for the next one around the corner. The city also wanted to hear people's concerns and priorities when it came to Wrangell tourism. "It's a community discussion because ultimately our docks and our Front Street are community assets," said Mayor Steve Prysunka,...

  • Wrangell resident hit with fine from NOAA

    Caleb Vierkant|Dec 26, 2019

    On Dec. 20, NOAA issued a press release stating they had given a Notice of Violation Assessment to Wrangell resident Sylvia Ettefagh. She was given a fine for failing to offload and report the entirety of a halibut catch. "Officers from the Alaska Division of NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement in Petersburg conducted an investigation," the press release reads. "It revealed that Ettefagh and crew retained 600 pounds of Pacific halibut that was not deducted from their IFQ permit or documented on...

  • Alaska Natives Without Land begin organizing volunteer efforts

    Caleb Vierkant|Dec 26, 2019

    Back at the end of August of this year, Alaska Natives Without Land visited Wrangell to hold a presentation on their organization and mission. The group represents five Alaska Native communities in Wrangell, Petersburg, Haines, Ketchikan, and Tenakee Springs. According to their website, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was passed in 1971. This returned 44 million acres of land and $963 million to 13 newly organized native corporations. However, for no discernible reason according to a...

  • Six Wrangell wrestlers place at state

    Caleb Vierkant|Dec 26, 2019

    Of the 11 members of the Wrangell Wolves wrestling team who travelled to Anchorage for the state championships last weekend, six walked away with placement. As teams, Bethel High School took first place in the boys' championships, while the North Pole Patriots took first place in the girls' championships. Wrangell took eleventh place in state overall in both brackets. "Many goals were accomplished this season with a Region Team Title, 4 Region Champs, and so many State placers," Assistant Coach...

  • Tough start for the Wolves' basketball season

    Caleb Vierkant|Dec 26, 2019

    The Wrangell Wolves had a rough beginning to their basketball season after two losses to the Petersburg Vikings this weekend. In two games on Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21, Wrangell put up a tough fight in two high-scoring games but were unable to keep up with Petersburg. In the first game, Dec. 20, the Wolves managed to take the lead at the end of the first quarter with 17 points to the Vikings' 16. By the end of the first half, however, the Vikings pulled ahead at 35 to 21. They held...

  • Lady Wolves victorious in alumni game and season opener against Petersburg

    Caleb Vierkant|Dec 26, 2019

    The Lady Wolves, Wrangell’s high school girls’ basketball team, held their annual alumni dinner and game last Tuesday, Dec. 17. The game is a tradition where past and present basketball players come together to celebrate the opening of a new season. The team served dinner to attendees, raising money for the Lady Wolves’ trip to Rally of the Regions in Anchorage in January. There was also an auction of several gifts and treats for people to bid on. According to Coach Laurie Brown, they serve...

  • Police report

    Dec 26, 2019

    December 16 Traffic stop verbal warning driving habits. Dog bite citations issued to Lorena Cana, 53, for dog at large and objectionable dog first offense. Suspicious circumstance. Welfare check all was fine. December 17 Agency assist: DOT. December 18 Citation issued to Anna Kleinhofs-Ellender, 57, for illegal parking at the airport. Subpoena service. Subpoena service. Subpoena service. Traffic stop: Verbal warning given for driving habits. December 19 Agency assist: AST. Agency assist: DPW. Suspicious activity. December 20 Traffic complain:...

  • Boat Parade

    Dec 26, 2019

    The Doc Davenport Christmas Boat Parade was held last Saturday evening, Dec. 21. The parade is a decades-long tradition for Wrangell, going back to the 1970s. Boat owners sailed out in the night past City Dock and the city shoreline, decked out in Christmas lights and shooting fireworks. There were three boats in the parade this year, one more than the 2018 Christmas parade....

  • Pancake dinner at Eagle's Nest

    Dec 26, 2019

    Eagle's Nest, the after-school program hosted by Wrangell Bible Baptist Church, held a pancake dinner party to celebrate the Christmas season. Besides dinner, the evening was full of Christmas-themed games and activities. Pictured here is Chandler Roane....

  • Christmas Art Display

    Dec 26, 2019

    Christmas-themed art by Jacquie Dozier is on display at the Nolan Center. This piece was made with mementos from past holidays, according to a placard describing the art piece....

  • Sitka mulls joining tiny house movement

    Dec 26, 2019

    SITKA, Alaska (AP) – Sitka is considering getting into the tiny home movement. The Daily Sitka Sentinel reports the Sitka Planning Commission got its first look Wednesday at how city code could be amended to make room for tiny houses, specifically those on chassis allowing the structures to be moved. “We’re looking to hear from tiny homes advocates in the community,” city special projects manager Scott Brylinsky told the newspaper Thursday. Brylinksy and another planning official plan to reach out to tiny home advocates before the next meeting...

  • The Way We Were

    Dec 26, 2019

    December 25, 1919 E.A. Lindman, secretary of the American organization of Wrangell, recently had occasion to write to Judge Jennings, and in his letter mentioned the fact that Wrangell now has a citizenship night school. Judge Jennings, in his reply, touched upon the subject of citizenship night schools in the following words: Citizenship night schools are the best means that I know of by which persons who wish to become citizens of the United States can be instructed in the principles of our government and the history of our country. We have...

  • A small cod fishery will happen in Gulf state waters for 2020

    Laine Welch|Dec 26, 2019

    They say good things come in small packages and that’s the case for Alaska cod fishermen heading into the new year. A small cod fishery will occur in Gulf state waters (out to three miles) for 2020, putting to rest speculation that no cod would be coming out of the Gulf next year. A catch quota of about 5.6 million pounds, down from 10.2 million pounds, will be split among five regions: Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Kodiak, Chignik and the South Alaska Peninsula, with limitations on gear and staggered openers. That will be a relief to thous...