The Way We Were

Dec. 21, 1922

Wrangell basketball fans had an opportunity to see the high school team in speedy action last Friday night when they met the Kake town players. The Kake boys were a stalwart bunch, but they were unaccustomed to the latest rules and had been practicing outdoors instead of in a hall, according to a statement by their coach prior to the game. They were distinctly outclassed. The speed of the Wrangell high team, their teamwork and their superior ability to connect with the baskets made it impossible for the visitors to get more than two points in the first half to 26 for the home boys, and the game ended with a score of 49-7 for Wrangell. The playing of the local boys was highly commended on all sides and promises much for future games. On Saturday night, a good sized crowd witnessed two more victories for Wrangell teams when the Big Five and the All Stars, grade school teams, defeated the Boy Scouts of Petersburg and the Petersburg school team, respectively.

Dec. 19, 1947

The Wrangell Chamber of Commerce, interested in the rounded-out economy of Wrangell, has been concerned with the necessity for increased agricultural development in this district to supply the Wrangell market which is otherwise entirely dependent upon stateside produce shipped in at high cost. The chamber has secured the cooperation of the Alaska Development Board toward investigating and furthering development of farming in this area, with particular regard to the Stikine Flats. Mr. G. W. Gasser, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Agriculture, suggested that in view of Wrangell’s precipitation and low percentage of days of actual sunshine, that horticultural crops could be raised, and said that potatoes and general truck gardening should do well. He said dairying should be successful and peas and oat or vetch and oats could be successfully raised for silage. He also mentioned currants, gooseberries and raspberries could do well commercially.

Dec. 22, 1972

The city of Wrangell will receive $20,365 from the state Department of Highways for construction of local service roads and trails. The funds will be used to provide sidewalks and roads in the downtown fill area and to blacktop roads there, said Acting City Manager Joyce Rasler. Commissioner of Highways B.A. Campbell said that, under the Local Service Roads and Trails Act, all home rule cities and organized boroughs establish their own road or trail building priorities.

Dec. 18, 1997

Tuesday evening the Wrangell city council took concrete steps toward solving a problem that has plagued the community for many years. With strong leadership by a new mayor, and a council willing to make a decision in response to recommendations by City Manager Scott Seabury, the community will accept a five-year contract for shipping its solid waste to a facility in Eastern Washington. Rabanco Inc., has had a contract on the table for some time, and the city council directed Seabury to conduct final negotiations for the per-ton shipping and disposal price, and to enter into the agreement that will provide a temporary solution to landfill woes that have constituted a health hazard to nearby residents and a safety hazard to flights to and from the airport.