By Editor, on May 15th, 2012 by Becky Bohrer | ADN
JUNEAU — The Alaska Redistricting Board on Monday made what its executive director called significant changes to Southeast Alaska’s political boundaries in an effort to win court approval for the plan.
Taylor Bickford said the board adopted new districts that pair state Reps. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, and Bill Thomas, R-Haines, together. Reps. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, and Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, who had previously been paired, would no longer be. Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, and Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon, would remain paired.
Read the full story in the Anchorage Daily News.
By Roger Maynard, on May 14th, 2012 HAINES–The Haines Planning Commission will host two town meetings to invite public comment on the draft Comprehensive Plan this week. The comprehensive plan is the “roadmap” for future borough decisions and is valid through 2025, and your public comment on this document is important in the implementation process.
The first meeting, in Haines, will be Wednesday May 16 from 6-8 p.m. in the Haines High School Commons.
The second meeting will be at the Mosquito Lake School, May 17, from 6-8 p.m.
The draft Comprehensive plan can be downloaded by going here. (Warning: 292 pages)
By Editor, on May 12th, 2012 Alaska Dispatch
Consider yourselves warned, chronic texters and Facebookers.
Governor Sean Parnell on Thursday signed into law a bill that bans texting and other kinds of non-voice communication while driving in Alaska.
Read details in the Alaska Dispatch.
By Editor, on May 11th, 2012 AMHS Press Release
JUNEAU–The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) announced today that the M/V Matanuska continues to sail its scheduled service after the May 7 allision with the Ocean Beauty Seafoods dock in Petersburg, Alaska.
“We are particularly thankful that there were no injuries resulting from the accident,” said Michael Neussl, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Deputy Commissioner for Marine Operations. Read more->
By Editor, on May 9th, 2012 by Kyle Hopkins | ADN
ANCHORAGE–Assembly Chairman Ernie Hall says he’s tapped former Superior Court Judge Daniel Hensley to conduct the review, which has been requested by the ACLU of Anchorage, the city clerk who oversees elections and scores of angry voters.
A recent Election Commission review found that ballots ran dry at 65 of 121 precincts on Election Day.
Read the full story in the Anchorage Daily News.
By Editor, on May 8th, 2012  By Mark Thiessen | AP
PETERSBURG — One of Alaska’s largest state ferries hit a seafood processing plant’s dock head-on Monday, causing significant damage, officials said.
The 408-foot Matanuska ferry hit the dock belonging to Ocean Beauty, said Jeremy Woodrow, a spokesman for the Alaska Department of Transportation.
Read the full article in the Juneau Empire.
See more pictures at Juneautek.com.
Editor’s note: At the time of this post, the AMHS website does not show any ferry schedule changes as a result of this incident.
By Editor, on May 7th, 2012 by Becky Bohrer | ADN
JUNEAU — A U.S. Postal Service spokesman says a moratorium on closing postal facilities is still scheduled to end May 15, despite calls from senators to extend it.
Read the full article in the Anchorage Daily News.
Editor’s note: The comments following this article in the ADN contain informative arguments on both sides.
By Editor, on April 18th, 2012  by Andrew Halcro
JUNEAU–As the Alaska State Legislature begins a special session today on oil tax reform, things are a little chilly in the Capitol. Between the House, the Governor and the Senate, there are more ill feelings than in all of Bartlett Memorial.
The biggest sticking point of the two year battle over oil tax reform has been the debate over the legacy fields on the North Slope. While the Governor and the House want to include these fields in tax reform, the Senate has balked thus creating a show down.
Read Andrew Halcro’s full opinion piece at andrewhalcro.com.
By Editor, on April 16th, 2012 From Rep. Bill Thomas:
HAINES–The Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation will be hosting a public workshop on April 17, 2012 at the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The purpose of the workshop is to gather public input on Chilkoot River corridor management recommendations and improvements planned for the area. There will be representatives from various agencies available at the workshop to answer questions and discuss corridor concerns.
To learn more about the project, visit:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/plans/chilkootlk/chilkootriver.htm
By Editor, on April 6th, 2012 By Lisa Demer | Anchorage Daily News
As an internal city review of what went wrong in Tuesday’s Anchorage election moves forward, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska is calling for a special counsel to investigate the matter.
So far, 59 of 121 voting precincts have been reviewed by the city clerk’s office and just over half, 31, ran out of the preprinted ballot cards at some point, according to the clerk’s office.
A vote for mayor and a hotly contested, emotional gay rights measure were among the issues on the ballot.
Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2012/04/05/2409681/aclu-calls-for-special-counsel.html#storylink=cpy
By Editor, on April 6th, 2012 ALASKA DISPATCH
The Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, an energy megaproject in Canada’s North that has been proposed and debated for decades, is on hold again.
The 743-mile line would have transported natural gas from the Beaufort Sea to North American markets. Low natural gas prices forced the halt of the $16.2 billion project.
ConocoPhillips said Thursday that the five partners in the energy-development consortium have suspended funding for the project, which would have transported up to 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day.
Read full article in the Alaska Dispatch.
By Editor, on April 6th, 2012 By Jill Burke | ALASKA DISPATCH
Alaska’s heavy snow pack, coupled with cooler-than-average temperatures, is a recipe for flooding this year. Hydrologists with the National Weather Service delivered the news during a roundtable discussion on the issue Thursday morning in Anchorage with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
“This winter has been very much a see-saw. November was cold, December was warm. January was cold, February was warm. March was cold, and now the question is: ‘What’s April going to be?’,” said Scott Lindsey, a hydrologist with the weather service’s river watch program in Anchorage.
Read the full story in the Alaska Dispatch.
By Editor, on April 1st, 2012 by Dermot Cole | FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS-MINER
FAIRBANKS — The Wall Street Journal put a overoptimistic spin on the Point Thomson announcement Friday by Gov. Sean Parnell and the letter from three oil companies, claiming it “clears the way” for a natural gas pipeline.
However, the letter about natural gas signed by the chief executives of ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and BP makes no commitments.
Read full article in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
By Editor, on April 1st, 2012 Press Release
ANCHORAGE–The Alaska Redistricting Board today adopted, by unanimous vote, a new plan for the redrawing of Alaska’s state legislative districts.
“We believe that the new plan deviates from the requirements of the Alaska Constitution to the least degree reasonable necessary to ensure compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act,” said Board Chairman John Torgerson.
A preliminary statewide map is available for download here*. Additional maps and data will be added to www.akredistricting.org and distributed via email on Monday, April 2nd.
The Board intends to meet via teleconference next week to formally adopt a new Proclamation of Redistricting and accompanying report along with findings as mandated by the Court.
*All district boundaries are subject to technical changes pending staff and legal review prior to the formal adoption of a new Proclamation of Redistricting.
###
Editor’s note: None of the Southeast Alaska districts were affected by this action.
By Editor, on March 31st, 2012 PRESS RELEASE
ANCHORAGE–ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, BP and TransCanada, through its participation in the Alaska Pipeline Project, announced today that they are working together on the next generation of resource development in Alaska.
The four companies have agreed on a work plan aimed at commercializing North Slope natural gas resources within an Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) framework. Because of a rapidly evolving global market, large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from south-central Alaska will be assessed as an alternative to a natural gas pipeline through Alberta.
Read more->
By Editor, on March 30th, 2012 By Corey Allen-Young | KTVA.com
Qualifying individuals who haven’t applied yet for their slice of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend are in danger of missing out.
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, and the PFD office is closed on the weekends.
That makes Friday do-or-die time if you want to file in person.
Read full article at KTVA.com.
By Roger Maynard, on March 27th, 2012 HAINES–Mark Earnest announced his resignation from the position of borough manager effective June 1, 2012. In an email addressed to Mayor Scott and members of the Assembly yesterday, Earnest wrote, “I need to spend more time with my family, particularly with Matthew in this formative and transitional year ahead.”
Earnest sees a lot of “very positive opportunities on the horizon for Haines,” and offered his best wishes. In his resignation letter he thanked the Mayor and Assembly for the opportunity to serve, and offered to do all he could to assist with the transition.
The Haines Borough Assembly meets at 6:30 this evening (March 27, 2012) in the assembly chambers.
By Editor, on March 27th, 2012 Public Information Release
JUNEAU–MV LeConte will not sail round-trip from Juneau to Haines on Tuesday, March 27th due to a mechanical issue. Technicians are on-board working on a resolution to the problem, AMHS staff will contact affected passengers. For more information, please contact your local ferry terminal or the Central Reservations office by dialing 1-800-642-0066.
This information has recently been updated, and is now available at FerryAlaska.com.
By Editor, on March 27th, 2012 by Jeff Richardson | FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS MINER
FAIRBANKS—A new survey on Alaska tourism has some in the industry worried. The survey shows that the once-common sight of RVs driving Alaska’s roads and highway is becoming more of a rarity. Read more->
By Roger Maynard, on March 20th, 2012 HAINES: On 3/19/2012, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., issued a preliminary permit to Goat Lake Hydro (AP&T) to complete a feasibility study of their proposed Connelly Lake Hydro project. Additionally, the permit gives Goat Lake Hydro a priority over other companies to develop this particular resource.
The permit is not a license to construct a hydro project, but a preliminary step in the process that allows in-depth studies and planning to proceed, and a significant step toward adequate hydropower for northern Lynn Canal.
To view the document for this Issuance, click here
http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20120319-3027
By Editor, on March 16th, 2012 JUNEAU–The proposed Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) schedule for the fall, winter, and spring 2012-13 seasons has been placed on the AMHS website for public review. These documents can be accessed through a link on the homepage at FerryAlaska.com or directly through the following address:
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/share/schedule/considerations.pdf
Read more->
By Editor, on February 28th, 2012 SEARHC Press Release:
The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium has named a new medical director for their Community Health Care Services division.
Dr. J. Russell Bowman was promoted on Thursday to that position. Bowman was the deputy medical director of the same division.
He replaced longtime medical director Dr. David Vastola who recently returned to the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital as a practicing pediatrician.
Bowman’s experience includes six years as the medical director for the clinic at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Air Station Sitka and also worked as a flight surgeon for the Army National Guard in West Virginia.
He has been with SEARHC since 2007.
By Editor, on February 21st, 2012 Jill Burke, Shawna Williard-Burke | ALASKA DISPATCH
It’s probably the last thing hospital-goers expected to see Sunday on their way into a hospital in Alaska’s largest city: a moose standing in the hallway.
No, not a stuffed or mounted moose. This particular moose was a live ungulate on the move.
See the video and read the full story in the Alaska Dispatch.
By Editor, on February 20th, 2012 From KINY News:
Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski will tour a host of Southeast Alaska communities over the President’s Day recess.
According to a press release from Murkowski’s office, the Senator will kick off her Southeast swing Tuesday in Skagway for a roundtable discussion there.
From Skagway, Murkowski will travel to Haines on Wednesday for another roundtable discussion at the Bald Eagle Museum before heading to Yakutat where she will meet with state and local officials at the ANB Hall there.
Senator Murkowski will visit Juneau on Thursday for her annual address to the Alaska State Legislature before leaving for Ketchikan for a press conference on Friday.
By Editor, on February 15th, 2012 Public Information Release
Due to the slowdown of activity in Ocean View / Lutak Road Slope Movement, the Command Center will be shutting down until new activity warrants re‐activation.
This will be the last update until further notice Comments or concerns that may be helpful regarding this event should be directed to Brian Lemcke, Director of Public Works at 766‐2257.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐2256
|
|
| Nate Beeler
The Columbus Dispatch
May 16, 2012
|
Lynn Canal Map & Marine Traffic (refresh for current ship positions)
Publisher Information:
Publisher Information:
Alaska Alliance for Commerce, Inc. (AAFC)
P.O. Box 784
Haines, Alaska 99827
Editor:
Roger L. Maynard
P.O. Box 784
Haines, Alaska 99827
editor@hainesnews.net
The Haines Alaska News is a public information service of the Alaska Alliance for Commerce, Inc., a grassroots movement organized to advocate for small business and a free market economy in Alaska.
The AAFC is organized under section 501(C)(4) of the U.S. Tax Code; contributions are not tax deductible. |
|
| Help us keep you informed.
See complete publisher info at the bottom left sidebar. |
"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."
Ecclesiastes 10:2 NIV
|
-- 
