Taylor Heckart

Jerod Cook opens the door of Bravo’s kennel on Petersburg’s Sandy Beach, releasing the seal back into familiar waters on Oct. 23, 2025.

Environment

A baby seal rescued near Petersburg has been released back into the wild

Taylor Heckart

Over a hundred people gathered at Sandy Beach to see Bravo, now nearly five months old, return to the wild.

Petersburg Public Library Director Tara Alcock pulls up a recent edition of the Anchorage Daily News through the Newsbank database on Oct. 7, 2025.

Latest News

Grant funding will give 15 Alaska libraries free access to many paywalled newspapers

Taylor Heckart

The libraries can now offer online access to up-to-date news, plus an archive of old papers.

A pair of sea otters in the water, holding each other

Environment

Petersburg joins other Southeast Alaska communities in asking for stronger sea otter management

Taylor Heckart

Sea otters were once wiped out in Southeast Alaska due to the fur trade, but their population has skyrocketed since reintroduction in the 1960s.

A window in Teri Toland’s living room is boarded up on June 11, 2025. The Tolands had to cover the window after a bald eagle crashed through it on June 7.

Environment

Petersburg bald eagle dies after crash through living-room window

Taylor Heckart

The eagle flew into Teri Toland's home carrying a fish on June 7. An expert says the birds can get disoriented chasing each other over freshly caught prey.