Articles from the February 22, 2024 edition


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  • Flat state funding complicates ongoing teacher negotiations

    Olivia Rose, Pilot Writer|Feb 22, 2024

    The Associated Teachers of Petersburg (ATP) and Petersburg School District are negotiating the next labor agreement that will take effect in the fall of 2024 and span three school years through spring 2027. Past negotiations between the teachers union and the district, which occur every three years, have largely focused on updating the contract language. This year, however, ATP and PSD are focusing more on when, where and how to allocate what limited money the district has to work with. ATP is...

  • Blind Slough closed to king salmon sport fishing this summer

    Orin Pierson, Pilot editor|Feb 22, 2024

    The fresh waters of Blind Slough will be closed to sport fishing for king salmon this summer, from June 1 through July 31, according to the sport fishing regulations for the Wrangell Narrows and Blind Slough terminal harvest released this week by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG). However, in the salt waters of the Wrangell Narrows, king salmon fishing will be open. Both residents and nonresidents will have a bag and possession limit of two king salmon greater than 28 inches long and two less than 28 inches from the salt waters of...

  • For the Rights of All

    Feb 22, 2024

    Last Friday morning, students at Rae Stedman Elementary listened closely to local author and actor Diane Benson explain the importance of Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Benson worked as a researcher and writer for the PBS documentary "For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska." She also acted in the film, portraying the part of Elizabeth Peratrovich. During Friday's presentation she shared a scene from the documentary that was filmed in the same legislative gallery where the Alaska...

  • Yesterday's News News from 25-50-75-100 years ago

    Feb 22, 2024

    February 22, 1924 – Salmon may migrate distances of 1,000 miles or more, it was proved in an experiment conducted by the United States Bureau of Fisheries and recently reported to Dean John N. Cobb of the College of Fisheries. A number of salmon, each identified by a tag, were planted during the year of 1922 in waters near Alaska by Dr. C.H. Gilbert, professor of zoology at Stanford University. A Siberian fisherman reported that one of the salmon had been caught in the Pankara river on the coast of Siberia, more than 1,000 miles from the c...

  • Ordinance would allow sale of borough property below assessed value for public benefit

    Olivia Rose, Pilot writer|Feb 22, 2024

    An ordinance amending Petersburg municipal code to allow borough land to be disposed of for less than assessed or appraised value when deemed for a “public benefit purpose” passed in its first reading Feb. 5 at a Petersburg Borough Assembly meeting. Amending the code will allow the assembly to dispose of borough land at a lower price for projects deemed more valuable to the community than revenues from a sale at full-value. The municipal code currently has a mechanism for disposal of borough real property for less than the assessed value to...

  • Permanent Fund leaders propose to borrow up to $4 billion for investments

    James Brooks, Alaska Beacon|Feb 22, 2024

    The leaders of the $76 billion Alaska Permanent Fund voted unanimously on Friday to adopt a strategic plan that calls for borrowing up to $4 billion in order to increase the amount of money available for investments. Friday’s vote has limited effect: The borrowing could take place only if the Alaska Legislature and Gov. Mike Dunleavy change state law to allow it. “It’ll start out as a legislative effort, then it would take a bill,” said Paulyn Swanson, communications director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., which manages the fund. The Ala... Full story

  • To the Editor

    Feb 22, 2024

    Blind Slough King Salmon To the Editor: ADFG will not be opening Blind Slough freshwater king salmon sport fishery in summer 2024. They are expecting low returns based on the previous poor returns to the Crystal Lake Hatchery. What is most interesting is they will still allow the sport saltwater fishery to continue with no restrictions. First, closure of the freshwater king salmon fishery will not solve the problem. The vast majority of kings are harvested in the saltwater. Removing the handful of local freshwater anglers will simply provide...

  • Guest Editorial

    Larry Persily, Wrangell Sentinel Publisher|Feb 22, 2024

    Risky business not the state’s business The advice for Las Vegas gamblers is don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. It’s generally the same advice for investors: Don’t take more risk than you can afford, even when the riskier bets look like they could pay off the same as 21 at the blackjack table. The six members of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board of trustees are not gamblers but they are getting a little too aggressive in accepting risk as they chase after higher investment returns. Most every investment is a gamble — company s...

  • Police report

    Feb 22, 2024

    February 14 – An officer conducted a welfare check on South 3rd Street. An officer responded to a parking complaint on Dolphin Street and a vehicle was moved at the direction of an officer. Jose Acuna was cited for driving with a suspended license. Robert Brooks was cited for failure to carry proof of motor vehicle liability insurance. An officer provided a civil standby on Haugen Drive. February 15 – An individual requested extra patrols on Lumber Street. Jared Nicholas Burns was charged with probation violation and violating conditions of...

  • Dunleavy proposes crackdown on unpermitted public protests

    Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon|Feb 22, 2024

    Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration introduced legislation on Wednesday that would criminalize unpermitted street protests and other activities that block passage through public places. Certain types of protest could be counted among the state’s most serious crimes. Dunleavy said the proposal is aimed at increasing public safety. Civil rights advocates say the potential infringement of Alaskans’ First Amendment rights is concerning. House Bill 386 would impose penalties for obstructing highways, navigable waterways, airport runways and other pu... Full story

  • USDA commits to big purchase of Alaska salmon and pollock for national food programs

    Yereth Rosen, Alaska Beacon|Feb 22, 2024

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase about 50 million pounds of Alaska seafood to use in national food and nutrition-assistance programs, state officials said on Tuesday. The seafood purchase is to benefit needy children and adults and school lunches, said the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, which announced the department’s plans. The purchases are authorized through a portion of federal law called Section 32, which allows the department to buy surplus food products, and through the department’s Commodity Credit Corp., a gov... Full story

  • Vikings work overtime on the road in Metlakatla

    Liam Demko, Pilot writer|Feb 22, 2024

    Petersburg’s Varsity Vikings basketball squad took on Metlakatla for two games last week, resulting in two losses against their tough competitors. After a difficult day of traveling the Vikings fought hard in both games on Thursday and Friday with each match ending in a close finish against their competitors in Metlakatla, who have been ranked number one in their conference this season. The Vikings intended to travel down to Metlakatla Wednesday afternoon, but issues with air travel forced them to take a series of boat trips on Thursday which b...

  • Lady Vikings have a rough trip to Metlakatla

    Liam Demko, Pilot writer|Feb 22, 2024

    After a difficult trip down to Metlakatla the Lady Vikings fought their hardest during their two matches on Thursday and Friday. Up against Metlakatla -- one of the best teams in the conference—the Lady Vikings struggled to take much ground leading to two losses. Things started off on the wrong foot for the Petersburg athletes. “It was a challenge. We went from ready to go down there, to almost mentally deciding that we aren’t going, to meeting at the school at 5 am the next morning to take a nine-and-a-half-hour boat ride down,” said head co...

  • Haines loses appeal of Census which showed 500 resident drop

    Lex Treinen, Chilkat Valley News|Feb 22, 2024

    The U.S. Census Bureau rejected Haines' appeal over the 2020 population count, which showed Haines’ population dropping by around 500 residents. “I’m deeply disappointed. I really thought that our response was compelling,” said borough clerk Alekka Fullerton, who worked on the appeal. “I was mad – it’s a big deal to our community.” The bureau counted 2080 residents in Haines in 2020. The borough appealed that number in June. Fullerton said a few weeks ago, she realized the borough still hadn’t received a response about its appeal. She reach...

  • Wrangell officials concerned about ongoing population decline

    Larry Persily, Wrangel Sentinel Writer|Feb 22, 2024

    Wrangell borough officials are concerned that Wrangell continues to lose population, while those who stay in town grow older and leave the workforce. As a whole, the state has lost more residents than it has gained in new arrivals every year since 2013, with only the birth rate keeping Alaska from showing a population decline. However, unlike the statewide totals, Wrangell recorded more deaths than births between 2017 and 2022, adding to the community’s overall population decline. The state’s latest estimate for Wrangell’s population, as of las...

  • Independent Grocery Alliance Retailers of the Year

    Feb 22, 2024

    IGA President John Ross presents Hammer & Wikan General Manager and CEO Jim Floyd with the USA Retailers of the Year award in Hammer & Wikan grocery store on Feb. 8, as board members and staff look on proudly. Pictured, left to right, are Jennifer Toyomura, Terri Faulter, Bruce Westre, Laron Martin, Sharon Wikan, Gainhart Samuelson, Katrina Miller, Audrey Samuelson, Jim Floyd and John Ross....

  • George Willard Curtiss, 88

    Feb 22, 2024

    George Willard Curtiss was born March 28, 1935, in Dallas, Oregon to Burt and Beulah Curtiss. He was the oldest of five children. George grew up in Dallas and spent his early years there hunting and fishing with his dad. George was a standout basketball and football player during his high school years. After graduating he entered the Marines and served during the Korean War. Upon returning to the states he married Nancy Mishler in October of 1955 and they began their family in Corvallis, Oregon,...

  • Stork report

    Feb 22, 2024

    Alice and Cody Wegener are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter Charlotte Brooke Wegener. She was born at 6:16 p.m. on January 30, 2024, at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska, and was 6 pounds 12 ounces, 19.25 inches....

  • Alaska House rejects per-student school funding increase

    Andrew Kitchenman, Alaska Beacon|Feb 22, 2024

    The Alaska House of Representatives voted on Wednesday against increasing the amount written into law saying how much the state should spend per student in public schools. Wednesday’s action isn’t final, and the House could change course as soon as 11 a.m. Thursday, when debates are scheduled to resume. House Minority Leader Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, said it would be accurate to consider things in a holding pattern. “Obviously, we haven’t come to a deal yet. But the bill will be in second (reading) tomorrow. So we’ll still have the opportuni... Full story

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