Proposal Would Require Legislative Mine Approval
A proposed ballot initiative would require legislative approval for a large-scale mine in the Bristol Bay region. The "Bristol Bay Forever" initiative application was sent to Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell for review earlier this week.
PenAir Ends Air Service to Akutan
It’s official: “No more flights of the Goose. The Goose is done.” That's the word from PenAir president Danny Seybert. As the Dutch Harbor Fisherman first reported, Goose service to Akutan ended over the weekend.
Congress Waving Wind Energy Tax Credit Goodbye?
Congress will debate whether to extend a whole host of tax credits when it returns a week after the election. One key tax provision could affect the future of wind energy in Alaska.
Finance Reports Show Thomas Far Ahead Of Kreiss-Tomkins
More money is going into the House District 34 campaign than any other race in Southeast. Changing legislative boundaries combined Sitka with much of the old Southeast Islands House District. That’s the one that includes Haines, Craig, Metlakatla, Hoonah, Angoon, Kake and some other small cities.
Palmer Man Dies From Burn Injuries
A 60-year-old Palmer man died of burn injuries earlier this week becoming the state’s 19th fire fatality this year. The man was severely injured while burning trash on Oct. 3.
Environmental Impact Statement Completed For Standalone Gasline Project
The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation has completed the final Environmental Impact Statement for a standalone gas pipeline project in Alaska. The EIS was added to the Federal Register today. Scoping meetings on the project's environmental impact have been ongoing since 2009. If built, the 24 inch, high pressure pipeline will span nearly 740 miles between Prudhoe Bay and Port Mackenzie.
Opening Arguments Begin In Hoonah Murder Trial
Attorneys gave their opening arguments today in the trial of a Hoonah man accused of killing two police officers in 2010. John Marvin Jr. faces murder and weapons charges in the deaths of Sergeant Anthony Wallace and Officer Matthew Tokuoka of the Hoonah Police Department. The two were gunned down in front of Marvin’s home in August 2010.
Troopers Seize 30 Bottles Of Alcohol This Week
In a span of two days, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, officers with the Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics Team, or WAANT, seized some 30 bottles of alcohol bound for dry villages in five separate incidents.
Pet Rat Aboard Deadliest Catch Boat Draws State Scrutiny
A recent episode of the Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch could be used as evidence in a criminal case. The crew of the F/V Northwestern is under investigation by the state and they may have unintentionally ratted themselves out on camera.
$1.2 Billion Spent On Alcohol And Drug Abuse
Alcohol and drug abuse cost Alaska’s economy $1.2 billion in 2010, according to a report released today by the research and consulting firm, McDowell Group.
Alaskans To Decide On Constitutional Convention
On the November ballot, Alaskan’s will vote on whether the state should hold a convention to amend or revise the constitution. The state constitution requires that the question appear on the ballot every 10 years.
District 6 Candidates Battle For Mat-Su Valley Seat
A newcomer to the Matanuska Valley political scene is challenging House District 6 incumbent Republican Eric Feige for his seat in the legislature. Feige, a professional airplane pilot with one House term under his belt, is a self-styled “conservative voice” for the district. His Democratic opponent, Jamey Duhamel, has spent the last year or so working for an anti-coal citizens’ group. But both candidates agree: energy is the big issue.
Fairbanks Area Air Quality Degrades Due To Winter Weather
Fairbanks North Pole area air quality is degraded due to winter like weather, and emissions from heating and vehicles. The fine particulate pollution is happening unusually early.
Division of Forestry Group Handling Proposals For Wood Heat, Power Generation
The high cost of oil has driven many communities in the interior to look for fuel alternatives, including biomass. The state Division of Forestry has put together a group of specialists to handle proposals to harvest timber for heat and power generation.
Local Eats For A High School In Sitka
It’s National Farm to School Month, and a high school in Sitka is celebrating by serving locally grown food to its students. Not only did they get to eat the fresh fare, they also gathered and prepared it themselves.
Bartlett Hospital Board Votes To Terminate Consulting Contract
Bartlett Regional Hospital is severing its longstanding ties with Quorum Health Resources. The Tennessee-based company currently provides discounted supply purchases and management consulting to Juneau’s city-owned hospital. For more than two decades Quorum also employed Bartlett’s chief executive and chief financial officers.
Assembly Gives Final Green Light To Blue Lake
The Sitka Assembly gave final approval Tuesday to begin work at Blue Lake. The dam is one of two hydro projects generating electricity for Sitka. Increasing its height by about 80 feet should boost the capacity to make power.
Juneau Appeals Decision On Petersburg Borough
The City and Borough of Juneau is appealing a decision by the state’s Local Boundary Commission on the northern boundary of a proposed Petersburg borough.
Kayhi Students Host District 33 Candidate Forum
Republican Peggy Wilson, Democrat Matt Olson and Independent Kyle Johansen found themselves on Ketchikan High School’s auditorium stage for a forum Wednesday night. It wasn’t local media or city organizations moderating the question-and-answer session, but rather, Kayhi student body leaders.
Troopers Investigate Fairbanks Double Shooting
State troopers report that two adult men were shot at an apartment complex in the University West area of Fairbanks last night. One man shot the other before turning the gun on himself. Both were transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for immediate treatment. The investigation is ongoing. No identities have been released.