Hoonah Double Homicide Trial To Start Monday
John Marvin, Jr. is competent to stand trial. Superior Court Judge David George made that ruling on Friday afternoon after hearing two psychologists give their opinion of Marvin. They both visited Marvin at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute in Anchorage on Wednesday. That was just days after Marvin’s defense attorney asked for another mental evaluation because he said he had difficulty communicating with his client.
Troopers Advise Public To Avoid Poison Cove After Fatal Mauling
Alaska Wildlife Troopers are asking the public to stay out of Poison Cove, about 30 miles north of Sitka. The request comes as they
continue looking for two bears believed to be responsible for the fatal mauling of a Sitka man.
Young Unalaskans Participate In Statewide “Shakeout”
"Right now, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON." At 10:18 this morning, those instructions blared over the speaker system at the Unalaska City School. In the library, at least a dozen kids huddled under tables and gripped on to the legs. They were taking part in the world’s largest earthquake drill – the “Great ShakeOut.” In Alaska, over 60,000 people registered for the drill, and across the world 14 million people have committed to participate.
AFN Opens With Speeches, Subsistence Concerns
The Alaska Federation of Natives convention kicked off today [thursday] with speeches, fanfare and a bit of fireworks. The annual event, takes place at Anchorage's Denaina Center. This year's theme is "Success Beyond Barriers." Keynote Speaker Carol Wren, a young woman now working with the Cook Inlet Tribal Council spoke about how her life took her from a village background to a job helping other native people achieve success. She thanked those who mentored her along the wa
Subsistence Fishermen To Be Represented Pro Bono
About 25 subsistence fishermen along the Kuskokwim River will soon head to trial for alleged illegal fishing during closures this past summer. Many of them are being represented for free by a civil rights law firm.
Fairbanks Left With Few Options To Reduce Air Pollution
The Fairbanks North Star Borough has fewer local options to reduce air pollution from wood burning following the passage of a citizen ballot proposition earlier this month. Proposition 3 bans the borough from regulating heating devices.
‘Wood Energy Fair’ Reintroducing Sitka Residents To Wood Heat
Wood energy is making a comeback in Sitka. With fuel prices approaching record highs, locals are returning to firewood, and to other forms of wood fuel lumped under the term “biomass.” This Saturday, the community is holding a “Wood Energy Fair” to re-introduce residents to wood heat in the home.
New Weather Station Installed Along Elliot Highway
The National Weather Service, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management installed a new weather station at Wickersham Dome along the Elliot Highway late last month. Before now, there was no available weather data between Fox and Livengood.
Community Art Project Captures Spirit of Native Gatherings
Alaska Natives from across the state are meeting in Anchorage this week. And along with all the serious business of the Alaska Federation of Native's Convention, an Anchorage artist is bringing together people to paint too. At the Elders and Youth Conference earlier this week, Artist Phillip Charette invited attendees to participate in a community art project that captures the spirit of the gatherings.
Senator Murkowski To Host Alaska Native Education Hearing
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski will host a Senate field hearing focused on Alaska Native education during this year's annual convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives. During the hearing, educators from around the state will talk about culturally-relevant approaches for educating Alaskans such as those developed by the North Slope Borough School District and through partnerships with Native organizations. The hearing will take place at 4 pm on Friday in the Dena'ina Center. The AFN convention starts today.
Troopers ID Man Shot In Willow-Area Cabin
Alaska State Troopers have released the name of the man shot in a cabin 25 miles west of Willow, though they still do not have a clear picture of what happened that night. Sixty-one year old John Charles Lamb was shot once at his residence on Hiline Lake. His wife and two young children were present when the shooting occurred. The investigation is ongoing.
Divers Recover Remains Of Pilot Killed In Tikchik Lake Crash
Divers have successfully recovered the remains of the pilot who died in Tikchik Lake just north of Dillingham. Seventy-one-year-old Newt Ball crashed into the lake on Oct. 7 when going out to pick up a hunter and a guide.
Don Young Eyeing Record 21st Term
Representative Don Young is running for his 21st term in Congress. He’s running against long-shot candidate Sharon Cissna, If Young wins reelection, he doesn't plan on changing his legislative ways.
Report: State Should Take Over Tongass Timber Land
The Parnell administration wants to put 2 million acres of the Tongass National Forest into a state-managed logging trust. It’s one of several recommendations released yesterday by the governor’s Timber Jobs Task Force.
Troopers ID Pilot Killed Near Skwentna
Alaska State Troopers have identified the pilot of a downed cargo plane that crashed en route to a McGrath area mine on Monday. The deceased pilot is Peter B. Iversen, Senior, 62 of Anchorage. Iverson was flying the cargo plane from Wasilla to Nixon Forks Mine near McGrath when the plane crashed.
Sanford Calls For Juneau To Lead In Southeast Alaska
Juneau’s new mayor says the Capital City needs to take on a bigger leadership role in Southeast Alaska. Just after being sworn-in Monday night, Merrill Sanford urged his fellow Assembly members to reach out to other communities in the state, especially Southeast.
USDA Grants For Water And Wastewater Projects In Rural Alaska
The federal government is funding water quality projects in more than a dozen rural villages in Alaska.
‘Paris’ Exhibit Celebrates Sitka’s Past And Present
Sitka’s Historical Society and Museum has opened a new exhibit. It’s not your typical show – it reflects a change in direction that some museums are taking, and Sitka’s curator is leading the way.
Funding For Tribal-Run School Running Out
A tribal-run K-8 school near Palmer has made the study of Alaska Native language and culture its cornerstone. But, funding to continue the Ahtna language studies at Ya Ne Dah Ah school is drying up. The school has applied for Bureau of Indian Affairs assistance, but it’s been turned down because of old state education legislation.
Rape, Robbery Up in Anchorage
An annual report on crime in Anchorage reveals the number of rapes and robberies in the city are up. Rapes are up nearly 6 percent from 2010 to 2011. And Robberies are up about 1 percent.