Casey Kelly, KTOO - Juneau
Casey Kelly is a reporter at KTOO in Juneau.
USPS To Scale Back Hours At Douglas And Auke Bay Post Offices
The United States Postal Service will scale back hours at two Juneau post offices next month. Notices went up at the Douglas and Auke Bay post offices earlier this week. Starting March 4th, the Douglas station will only be open 1 to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Auke Bay will be open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays, and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. That’s a reduction of three and half hours every weekday at Douglas, and an hour and a half at Auke Bay.
Tlingit Elder Clarence Jackson Dies
Tlingit elder and original Sealaska Native Corporation board member Clarence Jackson passed away Thursday at the age of 78. He’s being remembered for his contributions to the Native land claims movement, and for being an ambassador for Tlingit culture in both the business world and his personal life.
Parnell Urges Mining Students To Follow Their Passions
More than 50 high school students taking an “Intro to Mining Occupations” course through the University of Alaska Southeast had quite the guest speaker on the first day of class Tuesday. Governor Sean Parnell urged them to follow their passions, whether they end up working in the mining industry or not.
Hazy Forecast For Alaska’s Economy
Alaska’s economy weathered the Great Recession better than most states, and should hold steady for the foreseeable future. But depending on who you ask, there could be gloom on the horizon. World Trade Center Alaska brought its annual Statewide Economic Forecast Luncheon to Juneau on Thursday, where two economists offered differing predictions for the state’s fiscal future.
Alaska Brewing Company Recycles Grain To Make ‘Green’ Beer
Most people only drink green beer on St. Patrick’s Day. But next time you tip a bottle of Amber, Pale or IPA from Juneau’s Alaskan Brewing Company that’s exactly what you’ll be drinking: Green beer, as in good for the environment.
Retired USCGC Storis Added To National Register Of Historic Places
The retired U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, perhaps bolstering its chances of becoming a museum on Juneau’s downtown waterfront.
Veterans Group Appeals Juneau Planning Commission Decision On Indoor Shooting Range
The Juneau chapter of Veterans for Peace hopes to block a proposed gun store with an indoor firing range from being built near the airport. The owners of the facility, which is under construction, plan to allow customers to fire automatic weapons in the range under the supervision of store employees. The veterans group wants the Juneau Assembly and Planning Commission to take a closer look at the proposal.
Alaska Airlines Diverts Jet With Engine Failure
An Alaska Airlines jet flying from Seattle to Anchorage was diverted to Juneau International Airport late Sunday night. According to a release from the airport, Flight 731 experienced engine failure and diverted to Juneau at approximately 11:10 p.m. with 167 passengers and crew on board. The plane landed without incident. Passengers were re-booked on morning flights to Anchorage.
Fun With Physics At The Roller Coaster Riot
How do you get 135 third, fourth and fifth graders to learn and apply Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion? Have them design and build paper roller coasters.
Juneau Assembly Housing Committee Gets To Work
Juneau has perhaps the tightest housing market in the state. The average assessed value of the Capital City’s single family homes is nearly $350,000. Rents are also among the highest in the state. The average rental unit in Juneau currently goes for more than $1,150 dollars a month.
BRH to Repay Nearly $1 Million in Medicare and Medicaid Billing Errors
Bartlett Regional Hospital must repay the state and federal governments close to a million dollars for six years of Medicare and Medicaid billing errors. The hospital also may have to pay penalties for the errors, which violated federal law.
State Labor Department Official David Stone Dies Unexpectedly
Former Juneau Assembly Member and Deputy Mayor David Stone died unexpectedly Tuesday evening after collapsing at home. He was 55 years old. Former Mayor Bruce Botelho served with Stone for nine years on the Juneau Assembly, starting in 2003. He described him as a bridge builder, who would often mentor new members.
Unattended Candle Cited As Probable Cause Of Gastineau Apartments Blaze
An unattended candle likely caused last week’s fire at the Gastineau Apartments in downtown Juneau. Fire Marshal Dan Jager said an investigation determined the blaze started in the bedroom of an apartment on the fourth floor, in the back corner of the building.
Juneau Assembly Praises Response To Gastineau Apartments Fire
The Juneau Assembly had nothing but glowing reviews for the city’s emergency responders at its first meeting since Monday’s fire at the Gastineau Apartments downtown.
The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday night, but canceled due to the blaze just blocks from City Hall. It was held today yesterday at noon instead.
Despite the praise for firefighters, the incident raised other issues for city officials to deal with.
Cause Of Downtown Juneau Fire Remains Unknown
Fire officials are still working to determine the cause of last night’s fire at an apartment building in downtown Juneau. The four-story Gastineau Apartments will be written off as a total loss. But fire crews were able to keep the blaze from spreading to other buildings along South Franklin Street.
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.
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.
Next Phase Of ‘A Trip South’ Set To Begin
The “Trip South” gang is ready for the next step in their adventure. Back in June, the group of 20-somethings from Juneau launched an epic kayak and bike trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. The paddling portion recently ended in Ladysmith, British Columbia, and after taking a couple weeks off, the group plans to begin the bike portion this weekend.
Alaska VA Stands Down For Southeast Vets
More than 800 military vets attended the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs first ever “Stand Down” in Southeast Alaska last week. “Stand Down” events are designed to give veterans access to health care and housing services, both from the VA and local nonprofits. A new agreement between the VA and Alaska Native health care providers should make it easier for vets in rural Alaska to access those services.
VA To Hold First Southeast ‘Stand Down’ Event In Juneau
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is holding its first ever “Stand Down” outreach event in Southeast Alaska, Friday and Saturday at Juneau’s Centennial Hall.