July

Paine & Partners, LLC of San Francisco entered into agreements with two different groups to sell Icicle Seafoods.

The Petersburg Public Library expanded its collection by 1.7 million titles after it joined a consortium of libraries across the state called the Joint Library Catalogue.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Peter Vermeer took command of the USCGG Anacapa, replacing Lt. Kathryn Cry.

The Alaska Department of Transportation cancelled the scheduled summer sailings of the M/V LeConte that would have utilized the South Mitkof ferry terminal due to maintenance-related delays of the Alaska Marine Highways System's vessels.

The Petersburg Pilot won second place for Best Local News Coverage in the National Newspaper Association 2015 Better Newspaper Editorial Contest. Reporter Mary Koppes also received two honorable mentions for her writing and photography.

Researchers re-spotted a humpback whale off Cape Fanshaw that was first sighted in Lynn Canal in 1972. The whale now known as "Old Timer" by researchers is the longest re-sighting span of an individual humpback in the world.

August

Lack of community participation forced the first cancellation of the Humpy 500 in 20 years.

Police arrested PFI cannery worker Mark Diega, 50, on a charge of Terroristic Threatening after he allegedly threatened to kill PFI staff and went shopping at the Trading Union Hardware store for a gun and ammunition.

The Petersburg Economic Development Council and other ommunity members donated more than $47,000 to the Children's Center to help with its facility expansion.

Petersburg resident Mark Weaver was sentenced to five years probation and a $10,000 fine after detonating unregistered commercial grade explosives in a local rock quarry.

The City of Kupreanof celebrated its 40th anniversary of incorporation.

Seine fishermen and women netted less than half of the summer's pink salmon harvest forecast of 58 million fish.

The Petersburg Borough Assembly unanimously passed an ordinance to create a local exemption to the state's financial disclosure requirements for public officials that would allow voters to make the final decision on the subject in October.

September

Previous PFI worker Mark Diega pled guilty to Disorderly Conduct after threatening fellow employees and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and one year probation.

Construction of a new tub and shower room in the Long Term Care unit at Petersburg Medical Center commenced with the help of $15,000 of Paddle Battle funds, a fundraiser where local residents paddled up the Wrangell Narrows.

Icicle Seafoods owner Paine & Partners announced the cancellation of the sale of the company to buyers Dominion Catchers, LLC and Convergence Holdings, Inc.

The state of Alaska announced the $2,072 Permanent Fund Dividend, the highest PFD on record.

The Department of Environmental Conservation issued a warning to Sandy Beach park users of elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria in marine water near the beach, although researchers weren't sure if the results were caused by the waste spillage earlier in the year. Studies would continue the following spring and summer.

October

The Petersburg Cross Country girls took first place at the Regional Tournament in Juneau.

Voters approved the financial disclosures exemption for local public officials on this month's only ballot measure.

Local Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff considered an emergency moose hunting closure after an additional six moose were harvested illegally bringing the total number up to 13 in three weeks.

Two days saw record highs and warmest lows after Hurricane Oho brought warmer tropical weather to the region.

The newly constructed portion of the Raven's Roost Trail opened to the public.

Scientists identified the carcass of an offshore killer whale north of Petersburg near Portage Bay.

Moose hunters harvested 103 moose this season making it the third highest on record.

The Petersburg High School volleyball team went 6-0 in the Northern Seeding Tournament and won the All Comers Tournament in Juneau.

November

Viking swimmers Izabelle Ith and Ben Higgins qualified for two events at State in Anchorage.

A Mitkof Island timber sale proposal was withdrawn after five environmental groups brought a lawsuit against the United States Forest Service to block the sale.

The Hammer and Wikan grocery store hoped to purchase land from the Petersburg Borough in order to expand the square footage of their grocery store.

The Petersburg High School volleyball team won the Regional Tournament in Skagway and qualified for the state tournament in Anchorage.

A NASA scientist found evidence a meteor sliced through the skies above Petersburg after a loud explosion and a fireball woke up many Petersburg residents one early morning.

Middle and high school students on the Devil's Thumb Shooters brought home a first place team trophy from the first annual Juneau Trap Tournament.

Pilot File Photo

Newly constructed Raven's Roost Trail opens to the public in October, replacing the narrow planks previous in place.

December

The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in favor of keeping the Petersburg Borough's northern boundary intact after a long legal dispute with the City and Borough of Juneau.

The Petersburg High School volleyball team took third place at the state championship in Anchorage.

Viking wrestlers took third among 2A teams at the Region V Tournament in Petersburg.

Icicle's F/V Gordon Jensen ran aground near Bella Bella and was escorted to Ketchikan for repairs.

The Petersburg Vikings boy's basketball team took second place at the Little Norway Tournament.