The way it was in 2011

January

The Wrangell School Board found $128,451 in additional, unspent funding from a federal program. In passing their 2011 budget, the board also accepted an $8,300 grant for the Upward Bound program.

Master carvers Steve Brown and Wayne Price visited Shakes Island to begin discussions on the renovation of the Tribal House and to propose a traditional tools class.

The US Forest Service began a scoping project for an Environmental Impact Study regarding timber sales and road construction for the new Wrangell Island Project.

Wrangell’s DDF team made the finals in two categories of their tournament appearance in Ketchikan. The team of Calleigh Miller, Sydney Reed and Haley Reed competed in Reader’s Theater, while Erin Ellis competed in solo acting.

The Planning and Zoning Commission began the outer borough zoning process to include areas such as Thoms Place, Meyers Chuck and Olive Cove.

The nurses of WMC filed a petition to unionize with the State of Alaska. If approved, the Alaska Nurses Association would represent the nursing staff in all labor issues. The petition will need to be reviewed by the Alaska Labor Relations Board.

Efforts to build the new WMC replacement project have been stalled after the borough declared that a “Certificate of Need” was necessary after floor plans for the new hospital increased by nearly 10,000 feet. The borough said they would not approve any further construction until the certificate was obtained.

Writer, actor and director Oscar DeGruy visited Wrangell to speak to students in grades 5-12. DeGruy starred in the classic sitcom “Good Times” before becoming a motivational speaker. The workshops held by DeGruy focused on relationship building among teens.

The Wrangell Wolves basketball team slammed the Haines Glacier Bears 64-33 and 80-48 in a pair of home games. Senior Alex Buness was 5-6 from the line on Friday night and went 11-12 on Saturday. Buness and fellow senior Eric James both put up 12 points apiece on Friday.

February

Heating for Wrangell High School, the Wrangell Public Safety Building, and the Nolan Convention Center is slated to switch from diesel power to clean, hydroelectric boilers. Funding for the changeover came from a $2 million grant from the Alaska Energy Authority.

The Borough Assembly took up the issue of a Certificate of Need for the Wrangell Medical Center replacement project. The new CON was sought after the size of the project jumped from 38,000 square feet to 55,000 square feet.

Three Wrangell High School students met Governor Sean Parnell in Juneau during a trip to lobby for a cause important to Wrangell’s district. Avery Nore, Lorenzo Silva and Daniel Cole traveled to the Capitol to advocate for the “retire-rehire” program. The program would allow Alaska teachers who retired in the state to be rehired. Currently, only out-of-state retirees can be hired by Alaska school districts.

The Wrangell Senior Center celebrated 35 years of service to the community. According to center manager George Joseph said the facility serves about 70 of the seniors living in Wrangell. Among the improvements at the center in 2011 included a new van and a heating system.

Lovers of chocolate had a lot to be thankful for during the Wrangell Hospital Auxiliary’s “Chocolate Lovers Festival.” Funds raised went to help the nursing department purchase needed items at the hospital.

Vivian Mork opened her store, Cabin Fever, on Lynch Street. The store offers a $25 a month membership fee to rent bicycles, camping equipment, kayaks, and unlimited DVDs. Lindsey Sweat, the owner of Serene Massage also rents a space in the store.

The Alley Cat building was torn down in advance of the Wrangell Roads and Utilities Improvement Project. The property, which is owned by Bill Goodale of the Stikine Inn, may house a mixed-use residential and retail location in the future.

KSTK welcomed Charlotte Duren as their news reporter in late February. Duren, a graduate of Southern Oregon University, had previously worked as a television producer for Medford’s ABC affiliate and for Jefferson Public Radio.

Wrangell Police Department’s annual report showed a three-year decline in alcohol-related and property crimes. According to that same report, traffic citations and crimes against persons saw an increase during 2010.

A fire destroyed a lodge building and damaged a Laundromat in Port Protection. No serious injuries were reported and the Point Baker Fire Department could not confirm the reason for the blaze.

March

The University of Alaska-Fairbanks commissioned a survey to determine if fishing boat skippers are more likely to hire high school graduates or college graduates as deckhands.

The Borough and Visitor’s Bureau websites are set to get a makeover. According to a research paper written by Wrangellite Julie Decker, residents have complained about lack of updates and difficulty in navigability as reasons for building the new sites.

The Wolves basketball squad ended their home season with a pair of wins against the Metlakatla Chiefs. The young men of Wrangell won 83-63 on Friday, with a 91-60 victory on Saturday.

The Mariner’s Memorial project edged forward as the Harbor Department awaits a site approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project began after the 2005 passing of vessel captain Ryan Miller.

The Alaska Virtual Academy enrollment grew to 50 students. The virtual classroom has grown from two students in 2009 and is composed mainly of students from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.

Nettie Covalt assumed the leadership of the Wrangell Presbyterian Church as she took on the position of pastor to the 134-year old church. Covalt will continue to run her daycare on Zimovia Highway.

Wrangell District Ranger Bob Dalrymple asked the Borough Assembly if they would be interested in a workshop on the Roadside project to include contractors from Arizona. Mayor Jeremy Maxand agreed with that idea.

The Lady Wolves won their first game of the 2011 season at the 1A-3A Region V Tournament in Juneau as they beat Mt. Edgecumbe 38-37. The win was coupled with two losses, however, to Petersburg and Haines.

The Northend Port Authority secured funding for a fast ferry that will be used by the newly formed Rainforest Islands Ferry. The financing deal, worth a total of $2.55 million, will cover 90 percent of the cost of the new vessel.

Wrangell saw a slight population increase as a result of the 2010 Census. The official population of the borough grew from 2,308 to 2,369 over the last decade.

“Nolan The Colon” came to the Nolan Center during Wrangell’s Health Fair. As an inflatable, interactive “super colon” it stands more than 10 feet tall and stretches for 25 feet inside the atrium of the center.

April

A Wrangell landmark, the Wilcox Building, was demolished by the borough’s Public Works Department to make way for additional parking in downtown. The building was also known as “Jitterbugs” prior to its removal.

Dr. Greg Salard addressed the Borough Assembly about what he called “concerns” over nursing shortages, deficient patient care and other issues.

In the Borough Assembly, a proposed ordinance that would have allowed the Borough Manager the sole authority to authorize communication between city department heads and attorneys was voted down.

Raquel MingMing and Faith Ivy took home the 2nd and 3rd place prizes at the Alaska State Hoop Shoot competition. MingMing competed in the girls’ 10-11 age group category, while Ivy competed in the 8-9 age group category.

Sunrise Aviation purchased Petersburg-based Pacific Wing. Sunrise began in 1990 with partners Dave Galla and Tyler Robinson. Pacific Wing was based in Petersburg since 1985.

Long Live Wrangell wellness program got underway. The program came about as a way to encourage better health among Wrangellites via weight loss, diet and controlling blood pressure.

Police Chief Doug McCloskey urged residents to lock their vehicles around the borough after a string of thefts struck Wrangell. A number of valuables including iPods, purses and prescription medication were stolen.

Evergreen Elementary School received a Blue Ribbon designation from the Alaska Department of Education. The designation shows that a school is considered “high-performing” or has increased its performance in standard assessments.

More than 100 Wrangellites came out to show their support for the design of the new hospital renovation plan. Nearly 40 people spoke up in support of approving a Certificate of Need for the medical center to be built as a 52,000 square foot facility.

Wrangell hosted a small mill and forest products summit as a platform for future sustainable mill operations in the region. Mayor Jeremy Maxand said the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council would support mill operators and work to strengthen responsible forestry.

May

Mayor Jeremy Maxand and Borough Manager Tim Rooney testified before the Alaska Redistricting Board regarding three plans to carve up the legislative districts of the state. In each of the plans, Wrangell was paired with Ketchikan and Petersburg.

Alaska Airlines Senior Vice President Bill Mackay was in Wrangell to attend the Muskeg Meadows annual dinner and to attend the Alaska Airlines sponsored golf tournament the following day.

The Wrangell Wolves baseball team struggled in Petersburg and Sitka as they dropped both games by losing 12-8 against the Vikings, and falling by the 10-run mercy rule to Sitka’s Wolves.

Wrangell resident George Benson took the Boston Marathon off his bucket list as he traveled to Beantown for the annual event’s 2011 running. Benson, who is 65, qualified for the marathon at the California International Marathon with a time of 4:13:13.

The Borough Assembly approved bids for sewer replacement in the city and playground equipment replacement at Evergreen Elementary School. The assembly also approved requests for the purchase of equipment for Phase III of the Heritage Harbor project.

The Wrangell Search and Rescue teams were kept busy over a weekend as three separate incidents drew upon the staff of the borough police and fire department. The first incident involved an overturned boat where its operator was killed. Two other incidents involved missing persons, but both were found safe.

Two Wrangell High School students were able to learn about the teaching field at the Future Educators of Alaska conference held in Juneau. Aria Lachapelle and Shaleen Kuntz traveled to the capital city.

The Wrangell School Board approved a contract to deliver coursework throughout the state. The board unanimously agreed to enter into an agreement with Chatham School District to provide schoolwork for Angoon, Tenakee, Gustavus and Klukwan.

The Borough Assembly approved their 2011-12 budget without an increase to property taxes. An increase of 13 mills was originally proposed, but ultimately rejected by the assembly.

Wrangell School District superintendent Woody Wilson announced plans to retire in June, after the finish of the 2011 school year. Wilson also served as superintendent from 1997 to 2002 before heading to Haines and Bristol Bay between 2002-2006.

June

The Marine Service Center Phase III and Heritage Harbor projects are both underway and scheduled to be completed by the fall. Harbormaster Greg Meissner said the boat yard project was the most active site under construction with a majority of excavation underway.

Tammi Meissner resigned as the traditional foods project manager for SEARHC after serving in that position since 2009. Meissner cited issues relating to inappropriate management decisions at the SEARHC office in Wrangell.

The Shakes Glacier survey team from Wrangell High School began this month after six years of conceptual development. The program, which was developed by Eric Yancey, is based on a Petersburg group’s mapping of LeConte Glacier.

Loni Buness and Jasmine Hernandez were announced as contestants for the 2011 Fourth of July Royalty court. Both Buness and Hernandez stated they wanted to help the community of Wrangell in their bid for a spot on the court.

The Wrangell Youth Court and Police Department held their annual bike safety rodeo. Although the rodeo had previously lost a state grant to pay for it, members of the Youth Court held a 50/50 raffle and received donations to fund the event.

Chris Guggenbickler won the 2011 King Salmon Derby with a 44.7-pound Chinook. Guggenbickler already had a 3rd place fish on the derby ladder when he took the prize catch near the back channel of Black Can.

The new Alaska Island Community Services clinic construction got underway at its Wood Street location. McGraw’s Custom Construction began work on the 9,380 square foot building that will be located adjacent to the new Wrangell Medical Center.

The commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services approved Wrangell Medical Center’s modified Certificate of Need, allowing construction on the 52,000 square foot facility to continue.

Russell Shilts, 25, was arrested by the Wrangell Police Department in connection with a string of recent thefts. Shilts was suspected in as many as six separate vehicle thefts from downtown, the harbor parking lot and Nine Mile.

The Wrangell Arts Council met for its annual meeting to discuss events and take suggestions for the coming year. One of the events the council declined to pursue was a haunted house due to a lack of manpower.

July

Wrangell came away relatively unscathed after Gov. Sean Parnell shaved $400 million from the state’s capital budget. Wrangell, in fact, netted $6.3 million for improvement projects around the borough.

The Rally For Cancer Care golf tournament added a men’s tournament for its 2011 event. The tournament, which raises money for cancer research, had previously been reserved only for women.

The skipper of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Anacapa, Lt. Mathias Wholley, was permanently relieved of duty after a determination was made that he ordered the vessel to get underway while intoxicated.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ordered a halt to the construction of the new Alaska Island Community Services clinic after special conditions regarding the new facility were not met by a deadline.

A fire at Mike Allen’s 12-mile wood mill caused the loss of approximately $20,000 in wood at the facility. The fire, which began in the early morning, took nearly three hours to extinguish and was caused by the remains of a burn pile.

The SNO Building will receive an upgrade with renovations to its upstairs thanks to an $869,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Jeffrey R. Cox, 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on one count of manufacturing a controlled substance of federal property. An investigation by the U.S. Forest Service led to the discovery of a marijuana growing operation connected to Cox.

Tensions rose during a Borough Assembly meeting over issues related to the Wrangell Medical Center Board of Directors. The issue centered around a letter to the editor in the Wrangell Sentinel stating that hospital board meetings should be moved from the WMC board room to the assembly chambers at city hall.

Wrangell Medical Center welcomed Linnea Berg to the hospital as their new physical therapist. Berg had previously practiced in Florida, South Carolina and Minnesota.

August

Wrangell fared well at the Alaska State Fair with 10 entries being recognized for their arts and crafts. Haley Reed, Caleah Gadd, Sophia O’Brian, Beth Comstock, Chris Ellis, Lenny Peterson, Jeannie Easterly, Edith Grover and Amy Fyno Newport were named as winners.

The Wrangell Chamber of Commerce will be accepting school supplies and donations throughout the month. The chamber has organized a similar drive for the past three years and donations are used to help supply students in need throughout the district.

Bear education specialist Robert Johnson came from Yakutat to provide refresher courses on bear safety during the 2011 Bearfest event.

Dr. Richard Rhodes is settling in as the new superintendent of the Wrangell School District. Dr. Rhodes, who hails from Northern California, was most recently superintendent in the Big Valley Joint Unified School District in the Golden State.

The F/V Time Bandit, of Deadliest Catch fame, was seen in Wrangell on Saturday, Aug. 6. The boat was in town offloading fish at Trident Seafoods.

The Wrangell Chamber of Commerce combined two positions to create a new one – membership director – and welcomed 2006 WHS graduate Tessa Appleman into the position.

Jessica Whitaker was named as the new head coach of the Lady Wolves volleyball team. Whitaker had previously coached both the Lady Wolves and Stikine Middle School teams before taking a break in 2009.

The Wrangell Medical Center received a loan of $5.2 million from the USDA for use in the WMC renovation project. The loan brings the funds available so far for the project to $29.3 million.

The Southeast Alaska summer Dungeness crab season wrapped up with fewer permit holders catching fewer crabs. 141 permit holders, near the end of the season, had taken 1.84 million pounds of Dungeness crab.

The Borough Assembly approved a contract with David E. Johnson Architects of Nashville, Tenn., to serve as architects on the Wrangell Medical Center renovation project. A substantial change from a previous contract involved the type of roof to be used on the new facility.

A class in the ancient art of adzing began in the carving shed behind the SNO Building as master carver Wayne Price began teaching a group of volunteers.

September

Tlingit elders honored and blessed the totems at Chief Shakes Island as they were removed for cleaning and restoration by master carver Wayne Price and his staff of adzers.

Greta von Wrangell, a descendent of Wrangell’s namesake, Baron Ferdinand von Wrangell, was on the island to tour the borough and view the blessing and removal of the Eagle totem at Shakes Island.

Sue Nelson was promoted to the Director of Nursing position at Wrangell Medical Center. Nelson has spent 24 years working at WMC, including 15 years as the Assistant Director of Nursing.

Wrangell’s cross-country teams finished their first meet of the season in Juneau with Kayla Rooney taking the top team spot with a time of 24:25.02, while Kent Johnson led the Wolves’ boys with a time of 19:16.70.

Wrangell experienced its second tax-free day of 2011 with a majority of downtown businesses offering specials minus the borough’s 7 percent sales tax. The date of the TFD matched up with 2011’s Permanent Fund Dividend being released.

Wrangell will soon be home to a new fruit orchard, thanks to winning a contest sponsored by Dreyer’s Fruit Bars and the non-profit Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. The foundation will work with Wrangell Medical Center to determine a location for the grove’s site.

The Wrangell Wolves held their only home cross-country meet at the Wrangell nature trail. Freshman Bailey Thrush, who ran her first race ever, came in with a time of 31:49 – to the cheers of family and friends.

Wrangell Harbormaster Greg Meissner is looking to install closed-circuit cameras at Heritage Harbor. Meissner wants the cameras to assist in catching persons who are illegally using the dumpsters in the harbor parking lot.

The Stikine River crested just short of its 1994 record of 30.60 feet. On Sept. 10, the river was measured at 30.55 at its upstream gauge.

The Wrangell-Kake-Petersburg Resource Advisory Committee met for one of the last times after its yearlong run. The group’s mission was to decide how to allocate funds from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000.

The Borough Assembly sent a proposed ordinance to voters asking for a lien of the new WMC property and buildings in return for a $24.7 million USDA loan. The special election was set for Nov. 15.

October

Voters in Wrangell elected Jake Harris and Dorothy Hunt-Sweat to two open positions on the Wrangell Medical Center Board of Directors. Don McConachie and Wilma Stokes both retained their seats on the Borough Assembly, while Brennon and Susan Eagle remained on the Port Commission and School Board respectively.

Victoria Ingram finished in 5th place at the Juneau DDF meet. Ingram competed for her win in the humorous interpretation category of the meet.

The Alaska Aging Commission met in Wrangell – and held up the borough as a model town for seniors. The commission cited renovations, Elder food programs and transportation offered.

Wrangell was not included in a $2.5 million consent decree fine against Trident Seafoods after the federal government determined a group of Trident facilities had violated the Clean Water Act.

The Borough Assembly approved two contracts related to the new Wrangell Medical Center renovation project. The contracts approved were for American Health Facilities Development and Layton Construction.

ADOT made plans to install closed-circuit cameras on Front Street to monitor progress on the Wrangell Road and Utilities Improvement project.

The Borough Assembly sought to sever itself from an arbitration action between InnoVative Capital and Wrangell Medical Center. The arbitration action revolved around fees InnoVative claimed was owed to them by the hospital.

Wrangell High School hosted wrestling teams from 10 schools across Southeast Alaska at the 2011 Tom Sims Invitational tournament. Kurt Dingwall, Devon Miller, Tanner Thomassen and Lorenzo Silva ended up in the finals of the tournament.

A number of Wrangell residents expressed concern over an application by the Southeast Alaska Power Agency to build a hydroelectric power facility near Sunrise Lake.

Debate turned to raised voices at the bi-weekly meeting of the Wrangell Roads and Utilities Improvement project team. The debate arose over contractors not meeting time deadlines set by their contracts.

November

The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council held a public meeting to raise awareness of mining activities in nearby British Columbia. SEACC claimed that mining could affect fishery health in the Stikine River and other regional waterways.

Krissy Smith recently received a $14,000 grant to begin the Best Beginnings program in Wrangell. The program is for pre-Kindergarten age children in the borough.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a Wrangell man after his boat sank. Lester Kuntz, 47, was rescued after his 22-foot Bayliner went under in Keku Strait south of Conclusion Island.

Wrangell High School held its first Drama, Debate and Forensics tournament in nearly a decade. The tournament hosted seven teams from high schools across Southeast Alaska.

The AICS Crossings program experienced severe staff cuts after Medicaid funding mechanisms were changed at the federal level. A group of nine full- and part-time staffers lost their jobs.

Jeffrey R. Cox was sentenced to three years of probation and 200 hours of community service after he was convicted of operating a marijuana growing operation on federal land near Rainbow Falls.

Wrangell wrestler Tanner Thomassen took home a championship at the Craig High School wrestling tournament after five pins and a single technical pin against his opponents.

The vote on a $24.7 million USDA loan for the new Wrangell Medical Center passed with a preliminary tally of 351-143. Election officials were set to review 93 absentee and 10 questioned ballots.

Dr. Greg Salard was denied Wrangell Medical Center privileges during an executive session meeting of the WMC Board of Directors. Salard retained an attorney and said he would pursue legal action in the matter.

Sen. Bert Stedman stepped into the Wrangell Roads and Utilities Improvement project after letters from a number of Front Street business owners expressed concerns over the slow schedule and state of the roadway prior to the holiday shopping season.

December

A group of Wrangell-based outfitters and tour guides came out against a plan to return hundreds of thousands of acres to Sealaska shareholders as guaranteed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971.

The Borough Assembly voted to terminate a lawsuit they had filed against Wrangell Medical Center and InnoVative Capital. The lawsuit sought to sever the borough from any liability in an arbitration action between the hospital and InnoVative.

Rep. Peggy Wilson announced that she would be running for a seat in District 33. The new district was formed after 2010 Census realigned districts across the state.

Wrangell Harbormaster Greg Meissner traveled to Seattle for the annual Pacific Marine Expo, otherwise known as “Fish Expo.” Meissner manned a booth at the expo that informed other industry professionals about what Wrangell’s harbors and Marine Service Center could offer.

Motivational speakers Bob Lenz and Arden James held a series of assemblies at Wrangell High School to instill hope, teach against bullying, and help students increase their self-confidence.

Two Wrangell wrestlers, Tanner Thomassen and Kurt Dingwall, brought home championships from the Region V wrestling tournament in Sitka.

The Rasmuson Foundation made a $450,000 grant available to the Wrangell Cooperative Association for construction of a permanent carving shed and completion of the Chief Shakes Island renovation project.

Judge Kevin Miller ordered temporary reinstatement of privileges for Dr. Greg Salard at Wrangell Medical Center. The ruling also ordered a hearing to review the status of Salard’s permanent access to WMC.

The Alaska Labor Relations Agency rejected a request by nurses at Wrangell Medical Center to form a union alliance with the Alaska Nurses Association.

Native tribes from the Lower 48 came out in support of the Sealaska land plan. The plan would convey up to 85,000 acres of land to Sealaska under the Alaska Native Settlement Claims Act of 1971.