In the Sentinel 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago.
February 24, 1916: The survey of Dry Straits is the real beginning of the new route across the Dry flats for which the local Chamber of Commerce has worked for the past two years. Dry straits lies between Mitkof Island and the tide flats adjoining the mouth of the Stikine River, running from Kadin Island (High Island), at a point four miles from Wrangell, into Frederick Sound at the northern end of Dry Island, a total distance of nine miles. The Dry Strait channel will not only help Wrangell but is of vital importance to all Alaska; it will shorten the distance from the states to Juneau and will eliminate the dangerous Wrangell Narrows. And for the larger boats that cannot pass through Wrangell Narrows, it will save the 150 mile route around Cape Decision.
February 21, 1941: A new river boat and at least one new barge will be built by the Barrington Transportation Company immediately to take care of the increased traffic on the Stikine this summer, particularly to handle the freight to the Watson Lake airbase project in Canada for which Barrington Co. has the contract, according to Capt. Hill Barrington, who arrived in Wrangell this morning on the Princess Norah. Also on the Norah was purser Dar Smith of the Company and Mrs. Smith, who have been South for the winter. The new boat will be 65-feet long with a 25-foot beam and will be powered with twin 170 horsepower Superior engines, according to Capt. Barrington. The barge will be 65-feet in length with a 29-foot beam.
February 25, 1966: Wrangell Chamber of Commerce “Chambermaids” and the Lions Club “Pussycats” played to a 36-36 tie last Friday night at the Wrangell High School Gym in front of one of the largest crowds of the season. Prior to the main game the Wrangell Little League teams displayed the talent that will make Wrangell one of the top contenders for the state title in the years to come. The teams were equipped with flashy uniforms provided by their sponsor, the Lions Club. Credit is extended to the Lions for their work with the Little League, and to Wally Watts, who coaches the young ball players.
February 21, 1991: City public works officials plan to prepare budget estimates this spring for projects required in the wake of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s demand that Wrangell’s wastewater receive secondary treatment before discharge into Zimovia Strait. City Engineer Jim Pung said officials are working now on various options that can be submitted to the City Council this spring. He and city Public Works Director Bob Caldwell said two basic approaches are available to the municipality now that the EPA has denied the city’s request to maintain only initial wastewater treatment at the sewer plant. The city has been performing primary treatment on sewage, which is discharged into Zimovia Strait at about the location of City Park. That has been allowed under a waiver – called a 301-h waiver – to the national Clean Water Act. That waiver expired last fall, however, and the city asked the EPA for another. The EPA issued a tentative denial of that request, saying fecal matter in the water near the discharge point was too high.
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