Casey Kelly, KTOO - Juneau
Casey Kelly is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
UAS Announces $50,000 Memorial Gift from Widmark Family
The University of Alaska Southeast has received a $50,000 memorial gift from the estate of Emma G. Widmark, given in the name of her father Dr. Alfred E. Widmark.
Crunch Time for Hotly Contested Ballot Measure 2
Ballot Measure 2 on Tuesday’s primary election ballot is the most hotly contested initiative Alaska voters have faced in recent memory. Only the 2008 “Clean Water Initiative” — aimed at stopping development of the proposed Pebble Mine — had more spending for and against. As with that initiative, industry groups are lining up against Measure 2 — outspending proponents by more than seven to one.
Alaska Sea Party, Vote No on 2 Trade Charges of Campaign Disclosure Violations
The groups sparring over a ballot measure to restore the Alaska Coastal Management Program traded barbs Friday, accusing each other of campaign disclosure violations.
Forest Service Seeks Information About Stolen Cedar Planks For Trail Project
The U.S. Forest Service is asking for the public’s help in solving the mystery of the stolen cedar planks. In March, the Forest Service and Juneau Snowmobile Club stashed five caches of rough cut, yellow cedar along Douglas Island’s Dan Moller Trail. The lumber was to be used for a plank replacement project starting this month.
Juneau Plays Good Neighbor, Loans Ambulance To Skagway
Capital City Fire and Rescue is lending a helping hand to one of Juneau’s neighbors. On July 10th, a Skagway Fire Department ambulance crashed on the Klondike Highway, seriously injuring four volunteer paramedics.
Juneau Airport Seeks $2-Million In Left Over FY ’12 FAA Funds
Juneau International Airport is asking the Federal Aviation Administration for $2-million dollars to install additional approach lighting at the east end of its main runway.
Crews Recover Plane Wreckage, Pilot’s Body From Southeast Crash
Authorities have recovered the body of Air Excursions pilot Kevin Murray, along with wreckage of the Piper Cherokee airplane he was flying last Thursday when it went down between Juneau and Gustavus.
Thirteen Lawyers Vying To Replace Justice Carpeneti
Three Juneau residents are among the thirteen applicants to replace Justice Walter “Bud” Carpeneti on the Alaska Supreme Court. Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg, Assistant Attorney General Susan Cox and Administrative Law Judge Terry Thurbon have submitted their names to the Alaska Judicial Council for consideration. Ketchikan Superior Court Judge Trevor Stephens is the only other Southeast resident that applied.
Pilot In Fatal Plane Crash Identified
Alaska State Troopers have identified the pilot who died in yesterday’s plane crash near Juneau. He’s 56-year-old Kevin Murray from Washington state. Family has been notified, and Trooper Tim Birt says crews will attempt to recover the body and plane this afternoon, if the weather improves.
UPDATE: Coast Guard Searching For Missing Plane In Southeast
The Coast Guard and a commercial helicopter company are looking for a small plane that went missing between Juneau and Gustavus Thursday morning. Lieutenant Ryan Erickson with Sector Juneau Search and Rescue says the pilot was the only person on board the plane owned by Air Excursions. It was due into Gustavus at 8:55 a.m., and was the pilot was last heard from at 8:47 a.m. near Point Howard.
Opponents Of Coastal Zone Measure Pick Up Advertising Pace
Opponents of measure 2 on this month’s Alaska primary ballot are using their sizable financial advantage to flood the airwaves. Thanks largely to donations from resource development groups and companies, the “Vote No on 2″ campaign is running TV and radio commercials in addition to print advertising, encouraging voters to say no to the measure restoring Alaska’s Coastal Management Program.
Blessing Ceremony Held For Gastineau Remains
The Douglas Indian Association Tuesday held a blessing ceremony at Gastineau Community School for human remains found during a renovation project.
OCS Grievance System ‘Flawed,’ State Ombudsman Says
The Alaska Office of Children’s Services’ grievance process fails to fairly and adequately respond to citizen complaints. That’s the finding of an eight-month investigation by the state Ombudsman’s office, which resulted in a 94-page report released today (Monday). The report recommends a complete overhaul of OCS agency regulations governing grievances.
Chief Justice Carpeneti Announces Retirement
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter "Bud" Carpeneti of Juneau has announced his retirement, effective January 31, 2013. Carpeneti was appointed to the state superior court in Juneau in 1981 by Governor Jay Hammond. Voters retained him in that position three times - in 1986, 1992, and 1998. Governor Tony Knowles appointed him to the Supreme Court in 1998. He was retained by voters in 2002.
Celebration 2012 Underway In Juneau
Celebration 2012 is officially underway. Southeast Alaska’s largest Native cultural gathering kicked off in earnest Thursday morning with the Grand Entrance Procession in Juneau.
Launching The Trip Of A Lifetime
A group of 20-somethings from Juneau set out on the trip of a lifetime last week. They’ll be kayaking through Southeast Alaska and British Columbia, then hopping on bikes and riding through the rest of the Americas. Their final destination is Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of Argentina.
Arrow Refuse To Offer Curbside Recycling In Juneau
The state-regulated company that collects garbage in Juneau will start offering curbside recycling next month. Arrow Refuse plans to pick up comingled materials, including paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastics, but not glass. Customers can opt-in to the service for $3.11 a month.
Some Federal Unemployment Insurance Payments To End
Some unemployed workers in Alaska are about to lose their unemployment insurance benefits thanks to federal legislation that ties the payments to a state’s unemployment rate.
Group Forms To Oppose Proposed Auke Bay Roundabout
A group called “Friends of Auke Bay” is fighting a state road project to build a roundabout in the small commercial district north of Juneau. Group members say the project would make the area less livable, and destroy DeHart’s – a popular roadside convenience store and gas station in the heart of Auke Bay.
Gov. Parnell, Legislators Demand Justice For Late Sen. Ted Stevens
Governor Sean Parnell and several legislators took part in a rally in Juneau Wednesday, demanding justice for the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens. The organizers want federal prosecutors held accountable for cutting corners in order to convict Stevens of ethics violations in 2008.