Articles from the January 16, 2014 edition


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  • Harbor ramp installation

    Jan 16, 2014

  • Elementary school renovation begins in spring

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    Rae C. Stedman Elementary School will get a face lift after the school board awarded a $2.3 million exterior wall renovation project to Alaska Community Contractors last week. Daniel Tate, director of maintenance, said the project will better insulate the school’s paper thin walls, a need which is a long time coming. “This building really fluctuates with the weather,” Tate said. “If it’s a sunny day the folks on this side of the building just cook and if it’s gray out it gets cold and the building has a hard time keeping up with that becaus... Full story

  • New Year's baby born to Hammers on Tuesday

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    Jake and Kacey Hammer gave birth to Nicholas Edward Hammer-Petersburg's first newborn of the year-at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. Nicholas was born on his actual January 14th due date at 1:26 a.m. He weighs eight pounds eight ounces and is 21 inches long. The family is expected to return to town early next week. Nicholas' local family ties are his sister Isabelle, Grandpa and Grandma Ken and Rachel Hammer, Nana Kathi Hammer, Uncle Jens and Aunt Jocelyn Hammer. His local cousins include... Full story

  • Police looking for man who escaped custody

    Jan 16, 2014

    The Petersburg Police Department issued a statement yesterday morning asking for any information related to the whereabouts of nineteen year old Chase Martin. Martin escaped from custody at around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday evening while being evaluated at Petersburg Medical Center for possible medical issues. Martin was being held on charges of Theft and Violating Conditions of Release. Police believe Martin is still in Petersburg and is asking for anyone with information to contact PPD dispatch at... Full story

  • School superintendent to retire in June

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    Petersburg School District Superintendent Dr. Rob Thomason announced his retirement last week. Thomason began working for the PSD in 2009. Jean Ellis, school board president, said he was instrumental in changing the district for the better. "I've been trying to talk him out of leaving," Ellis joked."When he became the superintendent he was the sixth one in eight years. People were becoming dispirited with superintendent turnover." Ellis credited his people skills and positive attitude as main...

  • Yesterday's News

    Jan 16, 2014

    January 10, 1914 – The Co-operative Wharf Company, being desirous of pleasing its many patrons, the management has decided to put in an electric light plant. This plant will be installed in the near future and will light the wharf, scow, slips and approach, making a very convenient landing. Another improvement in which the accommodating wharfinger is quite interested in, is the telephone connection which is to be made with the bank. January 19, 1984 – Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission members tested local opinion waters Friday to...

  • Chinese medicine clinic opens downtown

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    Former Petersburg resident, Jasmin Jones, moved back to town to open an acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine clinic earlier this month. Jones most recently worked as an acupuncturist on a cruise ship line based out of Spain. She also practiced acupuncture for several months in Nepal. Jones earned a master's degree in Chinese Medicine and Herbology from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York City and San Diego. "What acupuncture does from the Western point of view, which is... Full story

  • Two contestants win Rain Game Classic

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    Hilary Bell and Helen Boggs won Petersburg’s first annual Rain Game Classic—a guessing game in which contestants estimate the total amount of annual rainfall in Petersburg. Chamber of Commerce Director Cindi Lagoudakis said this year’s rainfall totaled 110.19 inches according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data. Both Bell and Boggs guessed closest at 110.2 inches. Both turned in their tickets on the same day at the same event after receiving free tickets at the Chili Cook Off at the Sons of Norway Hall. “I don’t k...

  • New library usage nearly doubles

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    The new library is buzzing since its opening last fall. “It’s been pretty steady,” said Borough Librarian Tara Alcock. “Some days are pretty manageable and other days we’re screaming busy.” As of October through December of 2013, the library checked out 18,679 items—a 40 percent increase compared to 2012. The average number of people coming into the facility has roughly doubled as well. Alcock said the most noticeable increase has been with teens stopping by after school. “The teen-room is pretty much packed,” Alcock said. “And we actually obse...

  • Letters to the Editor

    Jan 16, 2014

    Thank you Petersburg Letter to the Editor: The Petersburg School District would like to thank our community for supporting the 10th Annual Little Norway Invitational Basketball Tournament that took place in December. The tournament is a high school basketball invitational tournament in memory of Jerry Dahl, Sr. The committee, composed of the family of Jerry Dahl, Sr., Rick and Dino Brock, Jaime Cabral and Rick Dormer, has worked to bring teams from varying areas to town for three days of competition at the beginning of the HS basketball...

  • The Vikings Homecoming Court

    Jan 16, 2014

    From left to right: Juniors Sven Heinrich and Summer Morton, seniors Fran Abbott and Michael Brock, Senior King and Queen Abby Taylor and Max Henshaw, seniors Cole Somerville and Robyn Schwartz, sophomores Adanna Kvernvik and Tucker Hagerman and freshmen Abigail Bennett and Blaine Volk. (Ms. Kaija Wood and Mr. Cadum Whitethorn are the little ones who presented the crown.)...

  • Police reports

    Jan 16, 2014

    January 8 A caller reported the theft of a purse on South Nordic Drive. January 9 A caller reported found explosives. A caller reported a possible DUI. Police arrested David Estes, 23, for Failure to Appear for a Felony First hearing. A caller reported theft on Skylark Way. An individual came into police department with trash found in the Borough Offices parking lot. Police arrested William J White, 53, on a DUI charge. January 10 A caller reported litter from a burn barrel in a ditch. An officer responded to a report of theft. The officer...

  • Courts

    Jan 16, 2014

    January 6 Sara Peak appeared before Magistrate Judge Burrell to request her name be changed to Sara Pawlisa-Duke. The court recommended to superior court to grant the request. January 9 David Estes appeared before Magistrate Judge Burrell after being taken into custody on a warrant that was issued after he failed to appear in court after being served a summons on two counts of Misconduct Involving Weapons in the 3rd degree. The court set bail at a $500 cash only performance bond among other conditions of release. Samuel Jensen appeared before...

  • Lady Vikings dominate Wolves at home

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    The Lady Vikings put the pressure on the Wolves last weekend and came out with two wins-putting the squad at 7-1 for the season. The squad beat the Wolves 49-36 Friday night. Head Coach Dino Brock said his team controlled the pace of the game from the get go. The Lady Vikings lead by 20 points during several different points of the game. "The key to the game was our defensive pressure," Brock said. "We were able to put enough pressure on Wrangell so we could get some steals and run." Grace...

  • Vikings wrangle Wolves at homecoming

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    The Vikings basketball squad nailed down two big wins against the Wrangell Wolves last weekend. The Vikings defeated the Wolves 47-35 Friday night and again 52-32 on Saturday night. Head Coach Rick Brock said his squad did well defensively against the Wolves during Friday night's game but needed to do a better job of setting the offensive pace of the game. "There were times in the game where we had opportunities to take a 10 or 11 point lead and stretch it out to 15 or 16, which is real...

  • PMC board requests continuing autonomy from borough

    Kyle Clayton|Jan 16, 2014

    The Petersburg Borough assembly and hospital board met last week to discuss proposed changes to the Petersburg Medical Center’s charter code as well as a recent memorandum written by the borough’s attorney regarding the relationship between PMC and the borough. The memo details the attorney’s opinion on various questions assembly members posed about hospital policy. Assembly and PMC board members spent much of the time discussing the question of whether or not PMC employees are borough employees—a contentious issue many of the PMC board m...

  • Fishing vessel drill conductor training class

    Jan 16, 2014

    AMSEA will offer a one-day fishing vessel safety and drill conductor course Sun., Jan. 26, 8 am-6 pm at the Tides Inn. Course meets the training requirements for commercial fishing vessels. Free for commercial fishermen, a fee will be charged to all others. Contact AMSEA at 907-747-3287 or www.amsea.org to register....

  • Walmart gets schooled on Alaska seafood sustainability

    Laine Welch|Jan 16, 2014

    Walmart reps were in Juneau last week to learn more about Alaska’s salmon fisheries, and to make sure management is up to snuff with the company’s sustainability criteria. Alaska’s salmon industry opted out of the high priced certifying program that Walmart uses as its seafood purchasing standard (London-based Marine Stewardship Council). Alaska instead adopted the UN sanctioned Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) program for ‘well managed’ certification, a label that has become practically a requirement in most seafood buying and selling to...

  • Obituary, Orin F. Piatt, 75

    Jan 16, 2014

    Orin F. Piatt, 75, died of cancer December 21, 2013 at his home in Soldotna surrounded by his family. Piatt was born May 26, 1938 in Orofino, Idaho to Bill and Tana Piatt. Just a month shy of his ninth birthday, his parents moved the family to Wrangell, Alaska. Working as a teenager he spent time on tugboats, fishing boats, mailboats, logging tugs and barges. In his twentieth year, he met Evelyn Nore, the woman who was to become the love of his life. In May of 1959 they married in Petersburg... Full story

  • School News

    Jan 16, 2014

    Montana State University Hugh Fleming was named to the Montana State University Dean's Honor Roll for fall 2013. University of Idaho Gina Meucci has been named to the University of Idaho Dean's List for the Fall 2013 semester....

  • Stork report

    Jan 16, 2014

    Jens Thomas Hammer was born on December 19, 2013.He weighed 5lbs 7oz and was 18.5 inches long. He was born to Joceyln and Jens Hammer in Portland, Ore. Nicholas Edward Hammer was born on January 14, 2014 to Jake and Kacey Hammer. He weighed 8 lbs., 8 oz and was 21 inches long....

  • Wrangell bar goes smoke-free

    Jan 16, 2014

    WRANGELL (AP) — There’s only three bars open year-round in Wrangell, and one of them has gone smoke-free. Wrangell isn’t the type of town where going smoke-free would be an obvious choice. When people walk into a bar, you'd see a cigarette in the hands of customers, sometimes the majority of customers’ hands, KSTK reported. But Reme Privett, the owner of Rayme’s, said the bar went smoke-free on New Year’s Day. “It’s more of a trend. It had nothing to do with health. My employees down there, they’ve never voiced an opinion either way,” he s...

  • Crowning the king

    Jan 16, 2014