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  • Mayfest mayhem arrives in Alaska's Little Norway

    Olivia Rose, KFSK Radio|May 15, 2025

    May 17 is Norway's Constitution Day, and in "Alaska's Little Norway," it's a big deal. Every year around this time, Petersburg holds a week-long festival to celebrate its Norwegian heritage. Hundreds of people flock to the Southeast island town for the experience. Festival celebrations date back to the late 1950s. Some traditions have grown and morphed over the decades, with new ones entering the mix as well. But the Norwegian Dancers have always been a fixture. Brandi Thynes is a volunteer on...

  • The Full PDF of this week's Petersburg Pilot

    May 15, 2025

    Subscribers log in for access to this week's PDF .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Subscribers, click here for the Full PDF of this week's Petersburg Pilot...

  • Rate study urges increases to local wastewater, water, electrical utility rates

    Orin Pierson|May 15, 2025

    At the Petersburg Borough Assembly meeting on May 5, the results of recently completed five-year utility rate study were presented, and borough residents can expect utility rate increases in the coming fiscal year as officials adjust for rising operating expenses and debt service for capital projects across water, wastewater, and electric departments. The suggestions based on the rate study include: Water: 3% annual increases from FY2026 through FY2030 Wastewater: 25% increase for FY2026, then...

  • Trump budget would cut in half longstanding air service subsidy

    Larry Persily|May 15, 2025

    President Donald Trump’s budget proposal would cut funding by more than half for the Essential Air Service program, which has ensured daily jet service to Wrangell, Petersburg, Yakutat and Cordova for almost 50 years. The program covers 65 small communities in Alaska — which includes 11 in Southeast — and 112 communities in the Lower 48, Hawaii and Puerto Rico as of late last year. Congress created the Essential Air Service subsidy in 1978 to ensure a minimum level of service for communities that otherwise might receive no regularly scheduled f...

  • NAPA Auto shop rolls open its doors in Petersburg

    Orin Pierson|May 15, 2025

    Outside the brand-new facility on South Nordic Drive, the scent of grilling burgers and hotdogs lingers in the air as community members stream through the 16-foot bay doors of High Tide Auto. Close to two hundred people dropped by to congratulate Wes and Angie Davis and have a look inside their brand-new NAPA auto service center, according to Kimberly Simbahon who was dropping visitors' names into a blue bucket for the door prize drawings. "It's been a little stressful," Angie admitted,...

  • Mitkof Mummers bring melodrama back to the festival

    Lizzie Thompson|May 15, 2025

    A Mayfest favorite is back! The Mitkof Mummers will present a villain, a hero and a heroine for the audience to admonish with boos, admire with harrahs or adore with ahs when they take to the Wright Auditorium stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for a fun-filled production of the melodrama "The Treasure of Huckleberry Ridge... or Hey Jude." Longtime director Irene Jo Littleton is working alongside current director Tiffany Glass with a star-studded Petersburg cast, a 10-person chorus...

  • Family-friendly ventriloquist coming to town

    Orin Pierson|May 15, 2025

    Rare entertainment opportunity alert - on Tuesday, May 20, Petersburg Arts Council is bringing a full-time professional ventriloquist to Petersburg for a performance in Wright Auditorium. Michael Harrison, of Vancouver B.C., who appeared on NBC's "America's Got Talent" and has performed over 3,500 shows in more than 40 countries, will be en route to Alaska soon to share his twist on the classic art form of ventriloquism. "The show that I do is sort of multi-disciplinary ... with a combination...

  • Federal funding cut puts Tlingit & Haida seafood distribution on hold

    Larry Persily, Wrangell Sentinel|May 15, 2025

    After losing more than $500,000 in federal funding, the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska has put on hold this year’s community food distribution of herring roe and salmon. The Southeast tribal nonprofit’s Traditional Foods Security Department had planned to use the money to continue the program, which over the past three years has distributed more than 52,000 pounds of herring roe on kelp, 120,000 pounds of salmon and 31,000 pounds of black cod to the tribe’s 21 recognized communities. Wrangell is among the commu...

  • Petersburg Borough presents a balanced budget for FY26

    Orin Pierson|May 15, 2025

    The public hearing for the Petersburg Borough's FY26 budget is coming up on Monday, May 19. The borough presented a balanced budget draft on May 5 that projects $13.54 million in general fund revenues and $13.51 million in expenditures - a small surplus of $24,168 compared to the last year's $42,271 shortfall. Revenue from property taxes is expected to grow by more than $570,0000 reaching a total of $4.76 million. Property taxes now account for more than one-third of general fund revenue. Other...

  • U.S. House panel passes GOP plan that cuts Medicaid by $625B, adds work requirement

    Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom|May 15, 2025

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. House panel in charge of overhauling Medicaid by cutting hundreds of billions in federal spending wrapped up debate on its bill Wednesday, following a 25-hour session. The Energy and Commerce Committee voted 30-24 along party lines to sign off on the legislation, sending it to the Budget panel, which is expected to bundle it together with the other 10 measures Friday to create Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill.” The full House is set to vote on that package next week, though GOP leaders need to make sure nearly all of...

  • Petersburg continues to grow and strengthen track program with intersquad home meet

    Aiden Luhr|May 15, 2025

    This past weekend, the Mitkof middle school and Petersburg high school had an opportunity to come together for an intersquad track and field meet. Historically, Petersburg's track program has lagged behind when it comes to track facility and equipment. From a gravel oval space for running to a rigid, old boardwalk connecting with a rough sandpit for long jumpers, the conditions have not been ideal. But some improvements have been made in recent years. "We brought in some new rock two years ago...

  • Borough approves expanded Airport Addition Subdivision development

    Orin Pierson, Pilot writer|May 8, 2025

    The Petersburg Borough Assembly unanimously approved Resolution #2025-08 on April 21, formalizing the expansion of the Airport Addition Subdivision that will double the project to 22 borough-owned lots to be developed in partnership with the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA). The amendment to the January 7 agreement adds 11 additional lots to the project, bringing the total development to 22 residential parcels. In exchange for financing and constructing the infrastructure...

  • One claim left in police chief's lawsuit: Kerr v. Borough of Petersburg

    Olivia Rose, KFSK Radio|May 8, 2025

    Petersburg's police chief is suing his employer, the Petersburg Borough, and a federal court in Juneau has dismissed two of the three claims. The remaining claim, which may go to trial this summer, concerns the police chief's First Amendment rights. How it started In the midst of the pandemic, Petersburg Police Chief Jim Kerr criticized a masking mandate during a borough assembly meeting on Nov. 17, 2021. Kerr began his virtual testimony by saying, "This is my personal statement, and not the...

  • Petersburg Friends and Neighbors rally on May Day

    Olivia Rose, KFSK Radio|May 8, 2025

    May Day, also known as International Workers Day, recognizes the historic movement for labor rights around the globe. But this May 1, people in Petersburg joined thousands nationwide to stand not only in support of the working class, but also against what they say is responsible for terminating jobs, funding and uprooting the lives of their colleagues and neighbors: the Trump Administration. About 60 locals rallied in the pouring rain at Buschmann Park in downtown Petersburg. Among the...

  • Forest to Sea: Local chefs unite for Rainforest Festival fundraiser

    Orin Pierson, Pilot writer|May 8, 2025

    Six talented Petersburg chefs are coming together next Wednesday for a unique culinary event that aligns with the Little Norway Festival, celebrates local foods, and helps raise funds to revitalize the Rainforest Festival which aims to return to its former glory this fall. "Forest to Sea: A Local Culinary Journey," scheduled for May 14 at the Elks Lodge, will feature a six-course Norwegian-inspired meal showcasing locally harvested ingredients-from foraged foods to fresh seafood. The event... Full story

  • Sather's novel: a love letter to Petersburg

    Lizzie Thompson, Pilot writer|May 8, 2025

    Former Petersburg resident Lynda Sather will present an author's talk and sign copies of her first novel, A Slap of Jellyfish: Fear, Fish and Finding Yourself in Alaska, at the Petersburg Public Library on Thursday, May 15, from 3 – 4 p.m. The novel, which Sather says she wrote as a thank you and a love letter to Petersburg, is set in 1973, just before the salmon season opens. After college graduation, Maddie Maguire only knows what she doesn't want to do: move back to Los Angeles, start a c...

  • PHS students make art and learn new techniques at Artfest

    Aiden Luhr, Pilot writer|May 8, 2025

    This past weekend, Petersburg's high school art program brought their talent and work to the annual Artfest, in Wrangell – a four-day series of workshops, creativity and fun. "I brought an acrylic painting of a whale tale with a bunch of flowers on it," said sophomore Rebecca Midkiff, who has been working on the whale tale since the beginning of the year. "I did an acrylic painting of Ketchikan – a board walk with houses," sophomore Ali Kittams added. Senior Becky Fisher brought one of her for...

  • Alaska Senate approves pared-down budget draft

    James Brooks, Alaska Beacon|May 8, 2025

    Members of the Alaska Senate issued warnings Wednesday as they approved a draft operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Senators’ draft, which includes an estimated $1,000 Permanent Fund dividend for eligible Alaskans and a small year-over-year increase for K-12 education, also cuts services. The proposal would cut proposed funding increases for early education programs, reduce funding for state prisons, eliminate the state’s office of citizenship assistance, mostly defund the state militia, reduce road maintenance, and deny salary inc... Full story

  • State House asks Congress to prevent major health insurance cost hike for Alaskans

    James Brooks, Alaska Beacon|May 8, 2025

    The Alaska House of Representatives has approved a formal letter asking Congress to extend a series of Affordable Care Act tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year. Unless the credits are extended, Alaskans insured through the federal health insurance marketplace — about 25,000 people — could see their rates rise by an average of 67%. The House passed House Joint Resolution 9 by a vote of 26-14 on Monday. It is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Health and Social Services Committee on Tuesday. If approved by the Senate, the... Full story

  • Holmgrains bought the Narrows Inn; major renovations are underway

    Orin Pierson|May 1, 2025

    Petersburg's Assembly unanimously approved a lease for Nordic Real Estate LLC to use a narrow strip of borough land adjacent to the Narrows Inn, clearing the way for further rehabilitation of the nearly 60-year-old apartment complex. Nordic Real Estate LLC, owned by Sarah and Randy Holmgrain, purchased the 27-unit building in January 2025 and has begun an ambitious renovation project that they hope will help improve Petersburg's housing stock. Originally built as the King Salmon Motel in the...

  • New director on the job at Clausen Museum

    Orin Pierson|May 1, 2025

    Sarah Pederson has taken the reins as the new director of the Clausen Museum, bringing with her a wealth of experience in community building and a passion for local history. Originally from Michigan, Pederson is no stranger to Southeast Alaska, having lived in the region for more than 20 years. She and her husband Cody moved to Petersburg about a month ago after he accepted a position as the new manager at the SSRAA Crystal Lake Hatchery, replacing the retiring Loren Thompson. "We've been living...

  • After governor's veto, Alaska Senate approves smaller education boost

    James Brooks, Alaska Beacon|May 1, 2025

    Alaska’s public schools might get more money, after all. Nine days after Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a significant increase to the state’s K-12 public school funding formula, the Alaska Senate has approved a compromise education bill that includes a smaller increase. The bill includes some — but not all — of the policy changes that Dunleavy said were necessary to prevent another veto. House Bill 57, originally drafted to restrict public school students’ cellphone use, was amended by the Senate before being approved on a bipartisan, 19-1 vote... Full story

  • Petersburg library navigates funding reductions while maintaining services

    Orin Pierson|May 1, 2025

    Petersburg Public Library will reduce its Monday evening hours starting in May. The library will now close at 4:00 p.m. on Mondays instead of remaining open until 8:00 p.m., a change Library Director Tara Alcock describes as a careful compromise to meet borough-wide budget constraints while minimizing impacts on patrons. "We're still open a fair amount for a library of our size and a community of our size," Alcock explained during a recent interview with the Pilot. "We'll still be open three...

  • First cruise ship of the season docks in Petersburg

    Orin Pierson|May 1, 2025

    A group of Gortex-clad visitors step out of the chilly spring rain on Friday afternoon and enter the Clausen Memorial Museum. From the window of the museum a ship is visible in the distance, tied up at Petersburg's drive-down dock. It's the National Geographic Sea Lion, operated by Lindblad Expeditions, and they are the first cruise ship of the year to visit Petersburg. As some passengers browse through downtown shops, others cross the Wrangell Narrows in one of the cruise ship's zodiacs, or...

  • Public media is in the crosshairs

    Nathaniel Herz|May 1, 2025

    Should public media be spared the budget cutting axe of President Donald Trump and the congressional allies of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE? I’m not going to directly answer that question myself, because I’m not an unbiased observer: I’ve worked for years as a reporter and contractor for Alaska Public Media, Anchorage’s public radio and television station. I also have close friendships and working relationships with many of the reporters across the state whose jobs could be at stake. I do, however, feel confident in saying... Full story

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