Sept. 15, 1921
Dick Howard and James Brison, well-known trappers who left here to spend the winter up the Iskut River hunting and trapping, returned to town this week having lost half their winter outfit last Friday on the way up. They had proceeded up the river to a point above the Quinn Glacier when they encountered a sweeper and their boat capsized. The guns and supplies that were lost in the accident amounted to about $200 and it was necessary to return to Wrangell to replace the lost articles. The men left town again Tuesday.
Sept. 13, 1946
The Wrangell District this week was granted a fishing extension following a trip to Ketchikan by Howard Baltzo, local Fisheries Management Agent, where he went to confer with Fish and Wildlife officials at the request of a group of local businessmen. The extended season opens the entire Clarence Strait, including North Clarence and the South Prince of Wales District known as the West Coast District. These areas opened at 3 p.m. yesterday and will remain open until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. Baltzo further stated that if the run warranted it, further extensions would be probable. This is the first year the Fish and Wildlife Service has carried out this method and policy of opening areas when a run begins to show.
Sept. 17, 1971
James Birkland, an electrical engineer with the state Division of Aviation at Anchorage, was in town this week working on design of the runway lighting system for the airport. The state plans to light both the Wrangell and Petersburg runways. Birkland was unable to estimate when the work will be done. He said both lighting systems are in the planning stages at Anchorage. He was down earlier in the summer to study layouts for conduits and light fixtures and to confer with City Manager Kester Dotts about electrical hookup. Birkland said the possibility of a rotating light for the airport also is being considered by the state. Such beacons flash green and white and pinpoint the location of the airport for incoming planes.
Sept. 19, 1996
Black, yellow, and fuzzy. They’re everywhere. And nobody seems to know why. What are they? For the past month or more colorful, slow-moving caterpillars have been feeding on leafy trees and wreaking havoc on some local gardens. According to the U.S. Forest Service staff, the crawling critters are the larvae of the Tussok Moth. In summer, the larvae spin a cocoon and settle in for the cold winter months, waiting until spring to hatch. Though fun to catch in jars and containers, the caterpillars pack an unpleasant punch when handled — as several Wrangell youngsters and even some adults have learned to their dismay. Judy Mosher of the Public Health Clinic says she is seeing many cases of skin irritation caused by the seemingly harmless larvae. According to library sources, what appears to be soft fur covering the creature is actually a disguised defense mechanism. Much like the porcupine, the larvae’s “fuzz” has a hooked barb that pierces the skin and often causes a rash similar to poison ivy or oak. The tiny barbs’ bite could be particularly bad if suffered on the eyes and face. As a precaution, adults and children should avoid touching the larvae. If contact is made, be sure to check clothing for larvae when you come indoors, then thoroughly wash any contact area with cold water.
Reader Comments(0)