Tag: Alaska
Wind Power Cuts State Subsidy, Not Residents’ Bills
Powering Rural Alaska is nothing if not complicated. You might think that wind energy would lower bills to residents who live in villages with turbines. But that’s not entirely the case. The alternative energy that many communities are pursuing is more about stabilizing costs for the long term future.
Wet Weather Good News for Interior Berry Crops
There a good chance those of us around the state may be in for more wet weather, before September rains begin in earnest. If all the recent rain is getting you down, it might help to know the moisture is good for blueberries and cranberries in the interior.
Friend Remembers Plane Crash Victim
An investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board is looking into the fatal plane crash that killed two people near McGrath. Clint Johnson says one of the four survivors told him the small aircraft struck the side of a mountain in fog so thick, it created whiteout conditions.
Estimate Released for North Sea Spill
There is an estimate out now of the amount of crude oil spilled from Royal Dutch Shell's offshore platform in the North Sea - about 1,300 barrels. Shell was able to depressurize the leaking pipe and then discovered an undersea valve from the same well was also leaking what it characterized as a small amount.
Crash Survivor Says Visibility Was Poor
A survivor of that plane crash between McGrath and Aniak has told a National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the visibility was very poor when the plane slammed into a hill. The crash killed Aniak pilot Ernie Chase and Anvik teacher Julia Walker Saturday night. A family of two teachers and their children survived and were rescued the next day.
Back to School…Routines
Tuesday, August 6 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Summer vacation is coming to an end and with kids K-12 returning to the classroom it means the whole family will be readjusting daily routines. We're talking about establishing good schedules for: sleeping, eating, homework, after-school activities, weekend chores, family time, sports or music practice, church and of course, getting to school on time. Whew!
Plane Crash Between McGrath, Anvik Kills Two
A plane crash between McGrath and Anvik Saturday night took two lives and left a family stranded at the hillside crash site until the next day, when the National Guard could get aircraft in.
Coast Guard Commandant Lays Out Arctic Plans
The most powerful icebreaker in the world is now being built, and it will belong to China. That was among the revelations made by a worried Coast Guard Commandant to a U.S. Senate hearing Friday.
Coast Guard Housing ‘Woefully Behind’
Admiral Papp told the Senate Subcommittee today that the nation needs to do a better job of providing for its Coast Guard Personnel. He called their housing “woefully behind” that of other service branches, owing in part to the remoteness of Coast Guard bases and the small number of people involved.
State Gets Support in its Fight Against Roadless Rule
The Juneau Chamber of Commerce, First Things First Alaska Foundation and 12 other Southeast businesses and organizations will join in the state’s lawsuit against a federal rule that prevents road construction in certain areas of the Tongass National Forest.
300 Villages: Nuiqsut and Atka
And now it’s time for our weekly trip around the state. This week, we’re heading to some of the most remote corners of the state. First, its north to Nuiqset near the Beaufort Sea and then west- way west- out along the Aluetian chain to Atka.
The Alaska State Fair
Wednesday, August 17 @ 2:00 pm
The Alaska State Fair starts next week, with rides and booths, national headline entertainment, and, of course, gigantic vegetables. Have you ever seen a 19-pound carrot? Or a 76-pound rutabaga? What are you waiting for? We’ll talk about the practicalities of having a good visit to the fair, fun memories, and what makes it so enjoyable.
Yukon Chum Run Stronger Than Forecast
The Yukon River fall chum run is coming in stronger than forecast. Alaska Department of Fish and Game manager Jeff Estensen says 490,000 chums had passed a state sonar counter near the mouth of the river as of Aug. 8. Estensen says that’s better than the historic average of 340,000 chums for that date, and bodes well for the overall return.
Alaska Municipal League Wraps Up in Sitka
Meetings of the Alaska Municipal League wrap up Friday. About 100 mayors, city administrators and other community leaders are in Sitka for the organization’s summer conference, where it lays out priorities for next winter’s legislative session.
State Ferry Fairweather Back in Service After Mechanical Problem
The state ferry Fairweather is back in service after it had to cancel its run to Sitka Wednesday due to a mechanical problem involving steering and staffing. The problem was corrected with a new component in the control system and the Coast Guard cleared the vessel to proceed on Thursday.
Two Rescued After Boat Hits Rocks in Southeast
A Coast Guard helicopter pulled two men off a pleasure boat that hit the rocks in Southeast on Thursday. A slight sheen is reported in the water where the Jessie B sank, in McHenry Inlet on Etolin Island. The two rescued were taken to Thorne Bay.
Coast Guard Commandant Investigating Possible North Slope Installations
Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Bob Papp is in Alaska. He toured the North Slope along with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who left Wednesday.
Study Shows Arctic Sea Ice May Stabilize
A new study shows Arctic sea ice may stabilize or even bounce back for brief periods in the coming decades.
ADF&G Will Remove Invasive Sea Squirt From Sitka Harbor
The State of Alaska plans to remove an invasive species of sea squirt from Sitka’s Whiting Harbor. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game will slip bags over nearly 100 nets that are part of an oyster farm in Whiting Harbor.
Point Baker Considers Post Office Loss
What’s a post office mean to a small community? Just ask folks in Point Baker, a Southeast fishing town threatened with the loss of one of its few institutions.