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Rain Game Classic just kicked off. The Petersburg Chamber of Commerce 50/50 contest lets residents guess how much precipitation will fall this year. The past rainfall amounts have been 110.19 in 2013, 108.82 in 2012 and 125.52 in 2011. An average over the past six years has been 110.82. The way the contest works is participants buy as many tickets as they would like for $2 each and guess the amount of total rainfall. If there are multiple correct answers, the payout goes to the first ticket purchased. The winner, with the closest guess,...
When students return to Rae C. Stedman Elementary School next week, they will experience a lot more than just a bump up in grade. The exterior walls of the 45-year-old building have all been replaced and new windows have been added, making the school bright, warm and energy efficient for the first time. Alaska Community Contractors was wrapping up work on the project this week with a few finishing touches such as painting and fixture installation. The project was not just a cosmetic upgrade,... Full story
There are new salmon eggs in the incubators of Crystal Lake hatchery, although the facility is undergoing reconstruction. The hatchery, which is located at the 17.5 mile marker of Mitkof Highway, suffered a devastating fire in March with the loss of 1.2 - 1.3 million eggs, valued at around $1 million. Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association manages the hatchery, and on Tuesday returned eggs to the incubator here. The eggs came in from the Whitman Lake facility also run by SSRA. “Construction is ongoing, we're happy with that,” sai...
Dozens of dogs and their human handlers gathered on a rainy Saturday morning over the weekend for the Doggie Dash, a fundraiser for the Petersburg Humane Association. The event, organized by Lanette Smith and Samantha Kivisto and sponsored by the local branch of First Bank, brought in $382 in entrance fees and donations. First Bank will match those donation, organizers said. The participants gathered at Petersburg Dog Park at 9 a.m. and either ran or walked a 2-mile loop that included Dump Hill...
There is still time to register for one of the 18 remaining candidate positions before the deadline Tuesday. There are 37 positions total to fill on the Oct. 7 ballot. There have been no new filings for Borough Assembly since last week. Two 2-year terms and two 3-year terms remain without candidates. For the school board there are three vacancies—a 3-year term, a 2-year term and a 1-year term. As of Wednesday, no one had filed for the board seats, said Petersburg Borough Clerk Kathy O’Rear. Since last week, Chris Fry has filed for a 3-year ter... Full story
Three Petersburg School Board seats are up for grabs during this year’s Borough election and all remain vacant, though the three incumbent board members said they would run for their seats again at Tuesday's meeting. Vice-President Sarah Holmgrain, who has been on the board since 2008, said she would like to run again for a 3-year term. Board member Megan Litster, who was appointed to a vacant seat in May, said she would like to run for the 2-year seat. And Jay Lister, also a board member since May, said he could run for the 1-year term. A...
The beginning of the new school year has brought an old debate to the fore, of whether or not school nurses could provide pre-enrollment physical examinations for students. During the Petersburg School Board meeting on Tuesday, Board President Jean Ellis brought up the debate over who the state will allow to perform pre-enrollment physical examinations. According to Alaska State law, school districts require incoming students must receive physical examinations and parents, or guardians, are responsible for paying for the exams. The 61 year-old...
Attorneys in the Superior Court in Juneau recently argued over the fate of a collapsed house in Petersburg. The borough wants the house demolished, citing it is a dangerous structure, but the homeowners are fighting for more time to improve the property. The house at 1011 Wrangell Avenue is owned by Fred Triem and Karen E. Ellingstad and has been the subject of some controversy since last December when the borough ordered the house to be demolished within 30 days. Triem appealed to borough... Full story
For the next two years, the newly formed Tongass National Forest Advisory Committee (TAC), under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, will advise the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS) timber sale management program in the transition from old-growth to new-growth timber management. A transition that will take 10 to 15 years. With nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass is one of the world’s largest intact rain forests. USFS announced its intention to form the federal advisory committee back in January. “The Committee will be expected to provid...
Musicians and singers, ages 8 to 18, attending the second annual Bluegrass Camp have been practicing at the middle school all week for performances today and Friday. Camp Organizer Dan Sullivan and several out-of town music teachers have been working with students in intensive music lessons since Monday. Performances include busking-street performances- around town at 3 p.m. today. Small bands will play for change in front of Inga's Galley, Coastal Cold Storage, the Fabric Basket and other...
New Strata, a solo show by Petersburg artist Polly Lee opened Friday, Aug. 1 at the Clausen Museum with an artist reception that included about 100 attendees. "These aren't your usual flowers and landscapes," Lee said of her paintings. The show features several new oil paintings and ten pastels that are a part of a body of work called "Passages," said the 91-year-old artist. Each bold piece features an earth-tone palette and a bold "V" shape. "Several years ago on a road trip in the Southwest,...
A partnership between Petersburg Mental Health and W.A.V.E. (Working Against Violence for Everyone) is sponsoring a trauma support group for survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence, which uses an online video program that is specially designed for “telemedicine.” The support group began in July and uses VSee, a free app available on tablets or home computers, which allows those logged on to see each other yet maintains the privacy of a visit to a doctor or therapist’s office. VSee was designed specifically for people in remote locat...
The Petersburg and Wrangell Boroughs are a few steps closer to completing the transfer of Operations and Maintenance of the Tyee Lake hydroelectric facility from Thomas Bay Power Authority (TBPA) to Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) after a meeting last Thursday. Thursday's regular session meeting brought representatives from the Thomas Bay Power Commission (TBPC) and the Petersburg and Wrangell Boroughs together to elect a new commission chair and secretary, work towards finalizing the SEAPA transition document and discuss the future role... Full story
Two dozen daring dancers braved torrential rains to participate in National Dance Day on Saturday at the ball field. The pitching mound may have been soaked, but the dancers scored a home run with their interpretation of this year's advanced dance routine set to Mark Ballas' single "Get My Name." This is the third non-consecutive year Petersburg dancers have participated in the national event. The videos of this and past years' routine can be viewed on YouTube. This year's event was organized... Full story
After 14 years on the Petersburg Medical Center Board of Directors, Tom Abbott tendered his resignation, saying that the hospital was "in a good place" and that he was ready to leave. Abbott, who has served as board president, an elected position, notified Borough Clerk Kathy O'Rear in a letter stating, "The community has an excellent medical center with a professional staff providing quality healthcare to all in our community. The integrity of the staff ensures the public will be treated with... Full story
The Physical Therapy department at the Petersburg Medical Center has recently ordered new equipment that will assist in helping clients. An anatomical model of a shoulder was purchased with funds from the Petersburg Community Foundation. The fully flexible model shows the scapula, clavicle, and a portion of humerus and joint ligaments. Models of knee and hip joints are on order, Ellie van Swearingen, department head, told the PMC board during a meeting July 24. The models make it easier for...
Dozens of youngster challenged themselves to read books this summer. Dozens of local businesses donated prizes, and it all concluded at a big pool party at the community gym on Tuesday. More than 40 children participated in the public library’s Summer Reading Challenge, competing for 64 prizes from local donors. The challenge began on May 29 and ended July 19. Participants earned points by reading books and testing their comprehension of the themes, characters and plot of the story. This year's participants earned between ten and almost 200 p...
Designer-builder, sailor, skier and mountain climber, Dieter Klose, has best left his mark on Petersburg in the form of distinctive architecture. From the cantilevered Troll Bridge of Sandy Beach Park to the numerous homes, businesses, and even a church, Klose uses his expertise in building, his passion for natural landscape and an eye for detail, to make the most of each building he creates. To understand Klose’s designs, it’s best to look back at the architectural inspiration of the community...
Rexanne Stafford isn’t planning on retirement just yet, but she did plan, and build, her own home for when that time comes. The 62-year-old mother and grandmother recently moved into her new two-story, cottage-inspired home at the top of Gjoa Street. Stafford wanted a home that would not only suit her needs now, but would also not need to be modified as she gets older. “What I did not want was a large house. And I really did not want to build a house, when I first decided to downsize ... but...
The Petersburg Medical Center Board voted on Thursday to repay a $1.2 million credit line to Wells Fargo bank; a loan that was initiated in 2006 to pay for equipment and meet payroll needs. PMC has recently come under scrutiny after Petersburg voted to become a borough and it came to light that for public entities, such as PMC, borrowing money without a public vote is not allowed under the state constitution. PMC Board President Tom Abbott said paying back the loan is “in keeping with state law.” The loan will be paid back by using reserve fund... Full story
Two weeks following the change of command ceremony for the USCGC Anacapa, another change of command on Friday, welcomed a new skipper to the Elderberry. The ceremony, held at the Sons of Norway Hall, recognized outgoing Chief Warrant Officer Daniel T. Burke and welcomed Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate Randall L. Burr. Captain Scott W. Bornemann, Commander for Coast Guard Sector Juneau officiated. Commanding officer Lt. Kathryn Cyr and the crew of the the Anacapa were in attendance as well as s... Full story
The Alaska Redistricting Board on Sunday approved a new Concept Plan with new District Map lines. The Concept Plan is slated for judicial review this week. The Alaska Supreme Court last year allowed for an interim map to be used during the 2012 elections. The Court also ordered the map be redrawn to address some key issues including one of compactness. The new Concept Plan makes some notable changes including grouping Petersburg in with 23 other communities to form House District 35. The... Full story
Kake Access Committee Chair Cindi Lagoudakis updated the Assembly during Monday night's meeting regarding the latest progress in the Kake Access Environmental Impact Study and Purpose and Need draft. The Kake Access project is to bring better access to the community of about 500, and could include the construction of a new road, the development of new ferry connections, or a combination. The State in 2012 appropriated $40 million for the project. A project to bring more affordable power to Kake is also in the works as part of support to the... Full story
The Borough Assembly voted to award the gymnasium floor refinishing contract to Alaskan Industries based on a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Dept. Alaskan Industries is the company that has worked on the floor for the last 15 years, said Parks and Recreation Director Donn Hayes. The cost for the floor refinishing will be $32,400, or $35,900 with the Petersburg branded logo installed in the middle of the gymnasium floor. Part of the funding, $13,000, has been provided by a grant...
The ball field bathrooms will be closed until further notice due to damage caused by fireworks that were set off in the bathroom, Petersburg Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht reported to the Assembly during Monday’s meeting. “Somebody decided that was a good way to get rid of some firecrackers and it destroyed one of the toilets ... [The firecrackers] caused a fair amount of damage,” Giesbrecht said. An estimate of how long it will take to repair the bathrooms, and how much it will cost, is in the works. Giesbrecht also updated the Assem...
