Hovercraft Arrives in Akutan
The hovercraft that will link the village of Akutan with its new airport made the trip down from Cold Bay last week. The hovercraft has a long and storied history operating in the Aleutians, but it’s the only connection between the new runway and the community of 1,000 people.
Police Seize Drugs, Cash, Guns in Friday Search
Ketchikan police on Friday night seized 3.25 pounds of marijuana, about an ounce of methamphetamine, prescription drugs, several guns and $190,000 cash.
Jack Shay Sentenced To 35 Years, 17 To Serve
Longtime Ketchikan resident and public official Jack Shay was sentenced Monday for multiple counts of possessing child pornography.
Kenai King Concerns Prompt Disaster Declaration Request
The concerns over this year’s low return of king salmon to Cook Inlet have made it to the federal level. Governor Sean Parnell sent a letter to the Commerce Department last week seeking a federal disaster declaration for Cook Inlet fisheries.
Shell Drill Rig Departs For Arctic
As promised, one of Shell Oil’s drill rigs left Unalaska Monday and is now bound for the Arctic. The Kulluk drill ship departed early Monday afternoon, along with two of Shell’s tugboats, the Guardsman and the Warrior. Alaska marine pilot Richard Entenmann navigated the Kulluk, and he says the crew seemed happy to be heading north.
Sea Ice Withdrawal Expected To Reach Record Levels
It is more likely than not that the sea ice withdrawal in the Arctic Ocean will break all records this summer. More than half of some 23 computer models surveyed are now predicting the sea ice will pull back as far as it did in 2007 or farther.
Prop 1 Would Allow Local Option Of Increasing Residential Property Tax Exemptions
A measure on next week’s primary election ballot would allow the local option of increasing the residential property tax exemption from the current $20,000 to a maximum of $50,000. If approved, municipal voters would then have to O.K. any change. Local government could also adjust the exemption to reflect increases in the cost of living.
Wildfire Near Fairbanks Grows Over Weekend
A wildfire that sent smoke over Fairbanks this weekend has grown substantially. The Alaska Fire Service reports that the Dry Creek Fire, burning about 25 miles south of Fairbanks is now about 14,000 acres. That’s up from 3,000 acres Thursday.
Wrangell Assembly Wants To Take Away Many Hospital Board Powers
The Wrangell Assembly wants to take away many of the powers of the town’s elected hospital board. It’s the latest development in an ongoing battle between the Wrangell Borough and its publicly-funded hospital.
Project Would Electrify Alaska
"Whether the oil companies or Alaska likes it or not, the North Slope gas is a stranded asset."
No Contest for Unalaska City Races
When Unalaskans go to vote in October’s municipal election, their options will be limited. None of the incumbents running for city council or school board face any competition.
Cleveland Sees 20th Explosion Since Christmas
Cleveland Volcano experienced yet another explosion on Friday morning – its twentieth since Christmas. Cleveland is one of the Aleutian Islands’ most active volcanoes. It’s been on watch for the better part of the past two years, and in June it blew ash 35,000 feet high.
Sightseeing Cruise Strikes Rock, Takes On Water
About 70 people were rescued on Sunday from a sightseeing boat that struck a rock near Glacier Bay waters. The 79-foot Allen Marine vessel Baranof Winds reported it was taking on water Sunday morning. The Coast Guard, National Park Service, and a Holland America Cruise ship responded, said Petty Officer David Mosley with Coast Guard public affairs.
Alaska To Receive $20 Million From DoT
The U.S. Department of Transportation says it has found hundreds of millions dollars which went unspent over three years. Alaska will receive $20 million of previously allocated money for transportation projects.
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.
Sunken Seine Boat Will Remain On The Bottom
The fishing vessel Evening Star will stay at the bottom of Slocum Arm. That’s the word from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation about the vessel that sank in the western Chichagof Island waters earlier this month.
Nome Travelers Stuck Due To Runway Closure
A runway closure in Nome has passengers stuck for days, waiting to fly in or out of the Seward Peninsula community.
Man Pleads Guilty To Disposing Hazardous Waste
An Anchorage man has pleaded guilty to illegally disposing of more than 204,000 pounds of hazardous waste. William Duran Vizzerra Jr. entered his plea Friday in U.S. District Court in Anchorage. Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 14.
Storms Cause Flooding In Northwest Alaska
A series of storms have swollen Northwest Alaska rivers and streams in the Brooks Range, which in turn have caused flooding downstream. The Kivalina and Noatak areas are getting the worst of it, according to Harry Lind a National Weather Service station manager in Kotzebue.
Longtime Alaska Wolf Biologist Passes Away
Longtime Alaska wolf biologist Tom Meier has died. The National Park Service reports that the 61 year old Meir, who worked at Denali National Park, was found dead in his home Tuesday. No cause of death has been released.