Articles from the July 2, 2020 edition


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  • One new case of COVID-19 locally

    Brian Varela|Jul 2, 2020

    A traveler coming into town through the James A. Johnson Airport has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a joint statement between the Petersburg Borough and Petersburg Medical Center released on Wednesday afternoon. The individual is a guest at Rocky Point Resort and has been at the lodge since his arrival from out of state earlier this week, according to the press release. The lodge guest did not have symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving in Alaska. This new case of COVID-19 brings the...

  • Peratrovich mural to be unveiled

    Brian Varela|Jul 2, 2020

    The Petersburg Arts Council and Petersburg Indian Association will be unveiling a mural of Elizabeth Peratrovich on Saturday at 10 A.M. that will hang in front of the Petersburg Courthouse. The unveiling of the mural will coincide with Peratrovich's birthday on July 4 and the release of her 2020 Native American $1 coin. Plans for a mural of Peratrovich first began to form about two years ago when news broke that she would be appearing on a U.S. coin. At the time, Malena Marvin, of the...

  • Is there a point to the police report? 

    Lori Thomson|Jul 2, 2020

    Editor's Note: Reprinted from the Petersburg Pilot in 1995. See letter to the editor on page 4. We at the Pilot and Sentinel admit to including the occasional pink-tutu sighting or pooch-on-the-loose as some comic relief in the police report. But the real intent of the weekly police and court reports is not to fill empty space. Nor is it so that the Petersburg Pilot gets mentioned in Dave Barry's national humor column, as it was several weeks ago. Instead, the police and court reports are...

  • Pandemic brings son back to family business

    Brian Varela|Jul 2, 2020

    Freddy Yip was on vacation with his family in Oakland, California in January when news of the COVID-19 virus spreading out of Wuhan, China began circulating. Yip said his family has historic ties to that region of China and followed the subject closely. When it became clear to him the virus was going to reach pandemic levels, he began working with his parents, Laney and Wamen Yip, owners of Joan Mei Restaurant, on strategies that the business could take. It was the first time that he had ever...

  • Lopez takes on PCOC administrator role

    Brian Varela|Jul 2, 2020

    Mindy Lopez has taken on the role of chamber administrator with the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, a position she said allows her to support local businesses at a time when they may be reeling from the financial setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We all go through difficult times in our lives," said Lopez. "Sometimes it feels good to have someone walking with you in those hard times." Before joining the chamber in early June, Lopez had been working with Petersburg Mental Health doing...

  • PMC board passes tight operating budget

    Brian Varela|Jul 2, 2020

    The Petersburg Medical Center Board of Directors approved the hospital's fiscal year 2021 operating budget last Thursday that has a bottom line of $24,592. "We have come up with a very conservative, break even budget," said PMC Controller Rocio Tejera. PMC is expecting the hospital's total operating revenue to be $18,865,470 in the upcoming fiscal year, though that number will likely change as the year progresses. The budget also recognizes $3.8 million in government relief under operating...

  • PMC ends May with 343 days cash on hand

    Brian Varela|Jul 2, 2020

    Petersburg Medical Center ended May with 342.9 days cash on hand, according to PMC Controller Rocio Tejera at the board of directors meeting last Thursday. The total days cash on hand is how many days the hospital is able to operate without incoming revenue. At the start of the 2020 fiscal year, PMC only had 134.7 days cash on hand, which includes operating cash and investments. At the end of May, that number had shot up to 342.9 days cash on hand with operating cash and investments. Tereja said...

  • Home health services up at PMC, others remain flat

    Brian Varela|Jul 2, 2020

    Petersburg Medical Center CEO Phil Hofstetter gave an executive report to the PMC Board of Directors at their meeting last Thursday, and noted that while most services offered by the hospital have decreased by 35 to 50 percent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, home health has seen an increase in patients. In his report to the board, Hofstetter said that service volumes increased slightly in May, but have remained flat in June, but home health was able to increase its number of patients up...

  • Alaska salmon: Bristol Bay opens with Pebble Mine decision pending

    Laine Welch|Jul 2, 2020

    The biggest red salmon run in the world is building at Bristol Bay. Up to 50 million fish could surge into its eight river systems in coming weeks, on par with past seasons. When it's all done, the fishery will provide nearly half the global supply of wild sockeye salmon. But this summer is different. Not only due to the restrictions and fears and economic chaos caused by Covid-19. At the height of the fishery, fishermen will learn if a massive gold and copper mine that's been hanging over...

  • Questions remain around former Wrangell police officer

    Caleb Vierkant|Jul 2, 2020

    WRANGELL - In early June, the Wrangell Sentinel received several emails regarding one of the city's police officers, Paul Jay Huerta. One of these emails linked to a news article and video, alleging that Huerta left his previous job in California for harassing a suspect. Recently, city officials informed the paper that Huerta was no longer employed by the Wrangell Police Department. However, the city has not provided information as to why he resigned. A July 9, 2018 article by the Desert Sun...

  • Three injured when boat, humpback whale collide in Alaska waters

    Jul 2, 2020

    JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Three people on a recreational boat were injured, one seriously, after it collided with a humpback whale, authorities said Monday. The collision happened Saturday just outside Auke Bay, north of Juneau, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries said in a statement. The Coast Guard relayed information to NOAA that the boat immediately returned to shore, where some family members were transported to Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. Hospital spokeswoman Katie Bausler said three people were taken to the h...

  • Yesterday's News

    Jul 2, 2020

    July 2, 1920 The big party of Shriners who are making the tour of Southeastern Alaska this week on the steamers Jefferson and Spokane were entertained by the people of Petersburg on their way north on Tuesday. The entertainment took the form of a luncheon served at the S. of N. Hall, the main part of which consisted of fresh shrimp salad. For several days before the arrival the men and women were busy decorating the hall with bear skins, goatskins, deerskins, fox skins, mounted heads and when the Shriners were here the hall presented a very att...

  • To the Editor

    Jul 2, 2020

    Turbulent Times To the Editor: We live in turbulent times. Everywhere in the lower 48 it seems monuments and statues are being toppled. Even in Alaska I've heard talk of removing certain statues of historical figures, and many worry that vandalism or some form of statuary dismemberment may be perpetrated I hope our local constabulary is keeping close watch on our own local statue, that bronze likeness of Bojer Wikan that dominates the Memorial Park. In his lifetime he frequently expressed his...

  • The statewide count rises

    Ron Loesch Publisher|Jul 2, 2020

    While the Petersburg Covid-19 infection count remains at 4, the statewide count continues to increase. Alaskan resident cases increased by 38 yesterday, a new daily high. Statewide the cumulative count to-date is 978. While Petersburg residents continue to grumble about Petersburg's mandates and the power the Petersburg Borough Assembly confers to the Emergency Operations Center officials, our infection rate remains flat. To us it means we are lucky. It also means that enough of us are...

  • Police report

    Jul 2, 2020

    June 24 — Sebastian Carroll, 20, was issued citations for driving without liability insurance, driving in violation of instruction permit, failure to transfer title/registration and violating conditions of release. Authorities responded to a report of theft at a location on S. Hungerford Hill Rd. Extra patrols were requested on S. 6th St. and on Lake St. Suspicious activity was observed at a location on 4.5 St. A disturbance at a location on Haugen Dr. was reported to authorities. A dangerous driver was reported at the two mile mark of M...

  • Court report

    Jul 2, 2020

    June 22 – Dustin Delong entered a not guilty plea to a charge of theft in the 2nd degree. He was released O.R. with conditions. The court removed a PED supervision requirement for Jeffrey Allen Mitchell. June 23 – Robert Brooks was sentenced after pleading guilty to an assault in the 3rd degree charge. The court sentenced the defendant to 36 months in jail with 30 suspended, 3 years probation and $300 in surcharges. Other charges were dismissed. A charge of failure to stop was dismissed for Fred Haltiner after he entered a guilty plea to an...

  • An ocean star

    Jul 2, 2020

    A starfish was spotted during low tide on Saturday just off the shore of Portage Bay....

  • Black bear lesson 101

    Jul 2, 2020

    A bear cub clings to the side of a tree Wednesday morning near Cabin Creek Rd. Out of the frame is its mama who is on the ground staring at photographer Jenny Annett Stocks....

  • Tami Jean Vincent & Drew Ralin Ware wedding announcement

    Jul 2, 2020

    Tami Jean Vincent, the daughter of Doug and Christi Burrows and Gene Vincent, was married to Drew Ralin Ware, the son of Doug and Shelley Ware on June 12, 2020 beside Petersburg Creek. The couple chose a Viking theme for the wedding. The wedding was officiated by Jake Hammer. The flower girl was Isabelle Hammer and the matron of honor was the bride's aunt, Jean Hammer. The bride was given in marriage by her uncle Roger Hammer. The best man was Brian Richards. A reception and wedding trip will...

  • Stork report

    Jul 2, 2020

    Natalie Christine Sheldon was born on June 9, 2020 at 8:27am to Julie and Matt Sheldon. She weighed 7lbs 11oz and was 19.5in long....

  • Artifact Archive: Ancient Petroglyphs

    Jul 2, 2020

    Petroglyphs are always a fascinating find in Southeast Alaska, conjuring images of people and events that have been carbon-dated to at least 1,000 years old. Their exact meaning is not known but they are usually found at or near shorelines. This rubbing was made in 1990 at Sandy Beach, in close proximity to a Native fish trap. These days, archaeologists advise people not to touch petroglyphs to prevent darkening due to skin oils; and rubbings are discouraged to avoid abrasion damage. When...

  • School News

    Jul 2, 2020

    Nels Evens and Gillian Wittstock have earned placement on the Gonzaga University President’s List for spring semester 2020. UAS recently announced that for the 2020 spring semester, Petersburg residents Debra R. Eddy was named to the Chancellor’s List and Brandy M. Mulbury was named to the Dean’s List. Kake resident Shaelene G. Moler was also named to the Dean’s List. Hannah Pfundt graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science, Health Science degree from Whitworth University....

  • Fourth of July parade cancelled

    Jul 2, 2020

    With the second positive test result for COVID-19 in two days and a lack of participation, this year's Fourth of July parade has been cancelled, according to a joint statement between the Petersburg Borough and the Petersburg Medical Center released Friday, July 3. The most recent case of the virus was confirmed Thursday evening. According to a separate joint statement between the borough and PMC, the person had developed symptoms and was evaluated by Petersburg Medical Center. A test was perfor... Full story