Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 5690
Subscribers log in for access to this week's PDF .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Subscribers, click here for the Full PDF of this week's Petersburg Pilot...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
For Petersburg families wondering what their children will do this summer, Petersburg Medical Center's Youth Programs are offering more activities, more accessibility, and more options than ever before. After a six-month effort to secure critical funding streams, the programs have achieved a milestone that will help ensure more families can participate, regardless of financial circumstances. PMC Youth Program administrators have spent months advocating for access to state child care assistance...
Kinder Skog mentor and Mitkof Dance Troupe teacher Kaili Watkins has been named an Alaska Afterschool Superhero, one of five educators recognized across the state this year by the Alaska Afterschool Network. The press release on Monday described the recognition as "a highly competitive, statewide award that recognizes spectacular afterschool professionals ... Kaili has gone above and beyond in her role, building relationships and learning about the individual needs of youth." Watkins was...
The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted Monday to direct Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht to enter into negotiations with Greg and Heidi Johnson for the sale of nine borough-owned lots intended for residential property development, effectively overriding a recommendation from the Petersburg Planning Commission. The properties in question include lots six through ten in block 255 of the Northeast Subdivision and lots two through five of the unrecorded Scenic View Subdivision. The Johnsons...
The Petersburg Borough is the closest it's been in years to owning a well-used portion of tidelands south of town. The State of Alaska is considering giving the borough ownership over specific tidelands on Mitkof Island, located dockside of the Papke's Landing neighborhood. The local borough has plans to develop the waterfront area and improve the infrastructure there for mariners. "We've got lots of ideas," said Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht. "But it's just a matter of trying to make some of...
Three sets of stairs have provided access from North Nordic Drive down to the beach near Hungry Point. A few years ago, the wooden stairs closest to town were replaced with new treated lumber. The middle set of stairs was blocked off to discourage use. And the third set of stairs, closest to Hungry Point, was determined to be hazardous and in need of removal or replacement. "We decided to do both!" Aaron Marohl, Petersburg's Assistant Public Works Director told the Pilot. The existing concrete s...
Petersburg Police Department officers executed a search warrant Monday evening in an operation that yielded multiple drugs, cash, and a firearm. The April 14 search on South Second Street resulted in the seizure of approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine packaged for sale, along with heroin, cocaine, prescription medications including methadone, oxycodone and suboxone, approximately $3,800 in cash, and one firearm. The seizure also included drug paraphernalia such as a digital scale, numerous...
"The Senate's new education bill is a joke!" declared Governor Mike Dunleavy in a social media post last week. "It does absolutely nothing to improve educational achievement... Welcome to Alaska: 51st in the nation in educational outcomes. In what world does one write a blank check with no expectations?" The governor's comments came as the Alaska Legislature passed House Bill 69 on Friday, April 11, which would increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA) by $1,000 per student. Dunleavy...
The Petersburg School District presented its draft budget for the 2026 fiscal year at Tuesday's school board meeting, April 15, revealing a major budget deficit and the strategic use of the fund balance to maintain educational services amid uncertain state funding. PSD Finance Director Shannon Baird presented a draft budget projecting total revenue of $9,876,947 against expenditures of $11,426,685, creating a deficit of approximately $1.5 million. This shortfall would be covered by spending...
