Sitka Named Alaska’s First ‘Walk-Friendly’ Community
Sitka has been named one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in America. The city gets about 86 inches of rain each year and nearly half of the city’s incorporated area sits under water – a pair of statistics that, to an outsider, might not suggest a community built for travel by foot. But this year, Sitka became the first city in Alaska to be named a “walk friendly” community.
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Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Extends Emergency Declaration
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly extended an emergency declaration order at its meeting Tuesday night. The move allows for continued efforts for flood relief around the Peninsula.
Legislative Ethics Committee Says Senator Hoffman Failed To Disclose Income
Senator Lyman Hoffman failed to file complete financial disclosures, according to a decision by the Senate Committee on Legislative Ethics. The committee found that Senator Hoffman “knowingly” prepared and filed incomplete disclosures, leaving out a “substantial” amount of income.
Gourds Fly In Bethel With Pumpkin Trebuchet
Less than 48 hours after trick or treating, the sugar buzz should be mostly worn off. But there’s still thrills to be had in the form of launching pumpkins through the air.
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Lawmakers Host ‘Competitive Energy Roundtable’
State lawmakers and the Alaska Independent Power Producers Association plan to host a "Competitive Energy Roundtable" in Anchorage next week. Senator Lesil McGuire will be hosting the discussion on Nov. 12.
Tallyfunder.com – Social Philanthropy in Alaska
Tallyfunder.com provides a new way to support Alaskan non-profit organizations. It is the first crowdfunding site from Alaska, and began funding October 14.
Crowdfunding is very much what it sounds like, a crowd of different people coming together to fund something they care about.
Read more. Measure To Combat Sexual Assault Would Limit Military Commanders’ Power
A group of U.S. senators, including Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, is pressing to strip military commanders of the authority to decide how to handle accusations of rape within their units.
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Fairbanksan Carries Olympic Torch At The North Pole
A University of Alaska Fairbanks administrator has returned from a trip to the North Pole. The journey was sponsored by organizers of the Sochi Winter Olympics.
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Education Funding Lawsuit: What If Ketchikan Wins?
On Monday, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly affirmed that it is moving forward with a lawsuit against the State of Alaska. By voting to hire an Anchorage law firm and appropriate $150,000 toward the effort, the Assembly showed it’s serious about its effort to overturn what some local officials say is an unfair mandate requiring municipalities to fund a minimum level for local schools. The fairness issue aside, though, what will be the Legislature’s response if Ketchikan wins its argument?
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Tlingit Clan Conference Focuses On Language
Scholars and culture-bearers gather in Juneau this week for a clan conference focusing on Tlingit knowledge and traditions. It runs Wednesday night through Sunday morning at the capital city’s Centennial Hall.
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Shrine Celebrates 75 Years Of Retreats And Reflection
The Shrine of St. Therese kicked off a year-long 75th anniversary celebration on Saturday. The cornerstone of the chapel was laid and blessed by Alaska Bishop Joseph Crimont on October 30, 1938.
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Fairbanks Gets First Measurable Snowfall
Fairbanks area residents might be thinking the weather quickly went south. After months of unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of snow, the city had its first measurable snowfall on Tuesday.
Panel Advances Pay Plan For Top State Officials
A panel has advanced a proposal recommending pay raises for Alaska's governor, lieutenant governor and principal department heads.
Sportfishing Advocates Push For Ban On Cook Inlet Set Nets
The Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance submitted signatures from 100 initiative sponsors to the Division of Elections on Wednesday, the first step in the application process. The Alliance is a newly formed group of sport fishermen, river guides and fisheries advocates.
UA Regents To Consider Tuition Hike Wednesday
The University of Alaska Board of Regents could boost tuition rates and approve the next budget Wednesday when they meet at the Anchorage campus.
Red Cross Shelter Open For Flooded K-Beach Homeowners
Roadwork continues along K-Beach Road south of Kenai to try and alleviate some of the flooding in residential areas there. The high groundwater is not only making it difficult to navigate several roads, it’s also left people without water in their homes.
BLM To Write Land Use Plan For 10 Million Acres In Southwest Alaska
The Bureau of Land Management is beginning a four year planning process to set a strategy for over 10 million acres of BLM land across a vast section of southwest Alaska. The Bering Sea Western Interior planning area runs from the coast up the Kuskokwim to Nikolai and follows the Yukon River up to Grayling.
6 Boats Drag Kialik River As Bering Sea Storm Moves In
Six boats are dragging the Kialik River today in efforts to find Nick Cooke and James Napoka. Teams from another two boats continue the search on land. Two teams of specially trained search dogs are set to arrive tonight. They will head to the scene and spend Wednesday searching for the men.
Lynden Completes The Purchase Of Northland Services
One of the major barge companies that serves Western Alaska has been purchased by a major transportation company that serves Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Back in April Lynden, which is a family of freight transportation companies, agreed to buy Northland Services for an undisclosed sum. The transaction is now complete.
Assembly Holds Off Tennis Court Decision
A decision on whether the Anchorage Assembly will accept money from the legislature to build a rec center with indoor tennis courts was put off at Tuesday's regular assembly meeting. Dozens testified mostly in favor of building the facility.