Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN - Juneau
agutierrez (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.209.1799 | About Alexandra
Bald Eagles Back On The Attack
Like clockwork, the ominous signs show up every May: “Danger Nesting Eagles.” They’re placed near Unalaska’s clinic and post offices, and they feature a silhouette of a bird extending its talons toward a terrified human being.
Are Alaska’s Teachers Appreciated?
If you use Facebook, you might have noticed your friends giving shout-outs to the teachers who have made a difference in their lives. This appreciation was part of last week’s Teacher Appreciation Week. KUCB’s Alexandra Gutierrez joined a sixth-grade class at the Unalaska City School to get the scoop on what makes a good educator, what challenges they face, and how to keep more teachers in the system.
Scientists Want To Take Eastern Steller Sea Lion Off Endangered List
It’s rare to hear good news when it comes to the Endangered Species list. But today, federal scientists announced one species common to Alaska deserves to be taken off the list.
Controversial Parnell APOC Appointee Withdraws Name
Governor Sean Parnell’s pick for the Alaska Public Offices Commission pulled his name from consideration yesterday because of disparaging remarks he had previously made about Alaska Natives. Read More
AK: Crime Writing
Eagle attacks, drunken mishaps, and intimate encounters gone horribly wrong: These are just a few of the reasons that people across the state look forward to the Unalaska police blotter. But the joy of the blotter isn’t just in the ridiculous items it contains – it’s in the way that Sgt. Jennifer Shockley writes about them. KUCB’s Alexandra Gutierrez introduces us to Alaska’s most literary police officer.
Eagle, Fox and Cat Video Goes Viral
What does it take to have a YouTube video go viral? A woman from Unalaska discovered one recipe this week. KUCB’s Alexandra Gutierrez reports on the unlikely Internet stardom of resident Pam Aus.
Legislature Working to Develop Arctic Policy Commission
The state legislature is making progress toward establishing an Arctic policy commission. At a hearing of the House Finance Committee on Wednesday, Rep. Reggie Joule explained that even though Alaska is the country’s only Arctic state, it’s often left out of conversations about federal policy concerning the region. He thinks that having a body responsible for developing an Arctic strategy would give the state more credibility with regulators in Washington.
Coastal Management Supporters Work To Reinstate Program
Even though Alaska has thousands of miles of shoreline, it’s the only state without a coastal management program. It expired last year after the state legislature and the Parnell administration failed to reach a compromise on how much input communities should have over nearby projects on federal lands. Supporters of coastal management are working on two separate ways to reinstate the program.
Man Dies After Accident On Fishing Vessel
A 39-year-old man died aboard a fishing vessel on Thursday after being struck by a snapped cable.
Washington Man Beaten To Death In Unalaska
A 55-year-old man was reportedly beaten to death on Tuesday night in Unalaska. Jonathan Adams, of Washington, suffered fatal injuries after allegedly being assaulted by co-workers at a local seafood processing plant. Denison Soria, 41, and 35 year old Leonardo Bongolto, Jr., both face charges of murder in the first degree for the crime. The state has set bail for each of them at $250,000.
Adak Expected To Lose Jet Service As Part Of EAS Cutbacks
Last year, Alaska’s congressional delegation fought hard to keep the Essential Air Service program alive. They argued that without it, over 40 Alaskan communities could lose the planes that connect them to the rest of the state.
Coast Guard Rescues Three Fishermen From Umnak Island
Three Seattle fishermen were rescued last night after their vessel went aground on Umnak Island. The crew of the Neptune 1 called the Coast Guard at 11:21 pm, alerting them that their boat had lost propulsion and gone adrift in rough weather. Twenty-five minutes later, the Neptune 1 was on the rocks, and the crew had to swim to shore in their survival suits.
Destination Of X-Band Radar Remains Unclear
The Missile Defense Agency is not saying if its huge X-Band radar is ever going to get to Adak, where it is supposed to be home-ported. It spends most of its time in Hawaii or at sea in undisclosed locations.
Kanaga Volcano Acting Up
For months, scientists have been on watch for a possible eruption at Mount Cleveland. Now, another Aleutian volcano is acting up, too. The Alaska Volcano Observatory issued an advisory for Kanaga Volcano after it experienced tremors and released a small ash cloud on Saturday. Kanaga lies just 16 miles west of Adak, but so far there are no reports that this weekend's explosive activity has affected residents.
PenAir Plan Gets 10-Month Hawaiian Vacation
If you’ve traveled in the southwest part of the state, you’ve almost certainly flown on one of PenAir’s turboprops. But as of this week, the distinctive plane can be spotted in places a little more tropical than Alaska.
Fire Consumes St. Paul’s Trident Warehouse
Anchorage television station KTUU first reported that a warehouse owned by Trident Seafoods erupted in flames at about 10:30pm Thursday. While the fire has continued to smoke through the afternoon, a group of 25 responders, including Coast Guard personnel, have been able to keep it from spreading to nearby buildings.
Timelines Proposed for Impact Statement on Steller Sea Lion Regulations
The National Marine Fisheries Service is asking for at least 15 months to assess the impact of their Steller sea lion protection measures.
Newly Discovered Ledgers Offer Insight Into Aleutian History
Today, AC Value Centers are ubiquitous in rural parts of the state, selling everything from groceries to sporting gear to bedding. But a hundred years ago, the Alaska Commercial Company was a force that played a major role in the early development of Alaska.
Alaska Shows Greatest Potential For Ocean Energy Development
With its lengthy stretches of coast line, rapid currents and big waves, Alaska could be capable of producing about a fifth of the nation’s electricity.
Judge Upholds Fishing Restrictions In Western Aleutians
A federal judge has upheld the National Marine Fisheries Service’s decision to restrict fishing in the Western Aleutians in order to protect an endangered stock of marine mammals.