Steve Heimel, APRN Contributor
sheimel (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8454 | About Steve
Royal Dutch Shell Reports Spill North of Scotland
Royal Dutch Shell has an oil spill at an offshore platform in the North Sea, about 100 miles East of Aberden, Scotland. The spill appears to be in an undersea pipe, and the company says it shut down production from a well on Wednesday to de-pressurize the pipe.
Plane Crash Between McGrath, Anvik Kills Two
A plane crash between McGrath and Anvik Saturday night took two lives and left a family stranded at the hillside crash site until the next day, when the National Guard could get aircraft in.
Coast Guard Commandant Lays Out Arctic Plans
The most powerful icebreaker in the world is now being built, and it will belong to China. That was among the revelations made by a worried Coast Guard Commandant to a U.S. Senate hearing Friday.
Coast Guard Housing ‘Woefully Behind’
Admiral Papp told the Senate Subcommittee today that the nation needs to do a better job of providing for its Coast Guard Personnel. He called their housing “woefully behind” that of other service branches, owing in part to the remoteness of Coast Guard bases and the small number of people involved.
Two Rescued After Boat Hits Rocks in Southeast
A Coast Guard helicopter pulled two men off a pleasure boat that hit the rocks in Southeast on Thursday. A slight sheen is reported in the water where the Jessie B sank, in McHenry Inlet on Etolin Island. The two rescued were taken to Thorne Bay.
Port Protection Man Found Towing Skiff Containing Dead Body
Sunday Alaska State Troopers arrived at a houseboat near Port Protection, on Prince of Wales Island, to find a drunk man piloting a skiff, towing a second skiff with a dead body in it.
Ben Stevens Will Not Face Corruption Charges
A family member has confirmed that former state Senator Ben Stevens has been told he will not face federal corruption charges. Stevens was named as a bribe recipient in testimony by VECO owner Bill Allen.
Jack-Up Oil Rig Cleared to Move to Cook Inlet
A jack-up oil drilling rig is now moving into position to begin exploratory drilling in Cook Inlet. Steve Sutherlin, Strategic Officer for Texas-based Escopeta Oil, says the company got clearance from Customs and Border Protection to begin moving the rig out of Kachemak Bay early Wednesday morning.
Man Dies in Dalton Highway Accident
A man in a motorcycle tour group died Sunday when his vehicle apparently slipped on the Dalton Highway.
States Offered Waivers From No Child Left Behind Bill
The Obama Administration announced Monday that it plans to start giving states waivers from the No Child Left Behind education reform bill.
Kenai Group Urges Fish and Game Against Sockeye Set-Net Opening
The Kenai River Sportsfising Association is raising the alarm about the late run of Kenai River King Salmon again. Saturday they urged the Fish and Game department to reconsider its Sockeye set-net opening at the river's mouth because an estimate by the Association shows the escapement goal for the Kings will not be reached.
Interior Secretary Salazar Visiting Alaska
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is in Alaska, along with his deputy, David Hayes. They will meet with Alaska businesses this morning and then have a press availability.
Fuel Truck Rolls Over Near Manley Hot Springs
A fuel truck rolled over near Manley Hot Springs Thursday, but the state Environmental Conservation Department says the spill was minor. The semi, belonging to Colville Fuels, slipped off the muddy road into the ditch and the spill was from the cab, not the tank.
Flood Closes Road to Exit Glacier
Tuesday, the National Park Service had to close the road to Exit Glacier outside of Seward because of flooding. Water is over the road and the gate will be shut until it is shallow enough to drive safely through again.
Body of Missing Hiker Recovered Near Herbert River
A hiker was found dead Tuesday near Juneau. James Reese, 42, was reported missing on Monday. His vehicle was found at the Herbert Glacier Trail trailhead and body was found near the Herbert River.
Permanent Fund Dividend Will be Lower than Last Year
Alaskans can expect a lower Permanent Fund Dividend this year. Even though the Fund had excellent earnings in the fiscal year that just ended, most of those earnings stayed in the Fund.
BOEMER Scientist Told Reason of Investigation
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Enforcement and Regulation put him on administrative leave earlier this month and got a letter Friday saying the investigation has to do with the awarding of a sole source contract for counting polar bears.
Man Fatally Shot in Fairbanks
There was a fatal shooting in a wooded area behind a Fairbanks apartment building Monday evening. There is no ID on the victim yet, or the suspect, who reportedly turned himself in Monday night.
Air National Guard Sending Around 30 Troops to Iraq
The Alaska Air National Guard is preparing to send about 30 troops to Iraq. They will be from the 168th Refueling Wing, based at Eielson Air Force Base.
Man Shot After Pointing Gun at State Trooper
A state trooper shot a reportedly inebriated man at the Delta State Recreation Site campground Monday, after the man pointed a gun at the trooper.