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 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 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 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 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 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 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
By Roger Maynard, on February 14th, 2012 Public Information Release
Daily monitoring with survey equipment shows very little movement in the slump area since a week ago Saturday, February 4th. Heavy runoff water continues to be noted in the drainage ditch along Lutak Road.
The history of this area has been a problem with the drainage of surface water, and soft and sloughing bank materials for the last 50 years according to former DOT employees who have maintained the ditches and slope of the hillside in this area. Humps and dips located in the same area they are now, have caused pavement to be removed and repaired in past years.
We anxiously wait the results of the ongoing testing and measurements, for the engineers to determine possible solutions. In the mean time, we hope the movement stays at a minimum.
Next update is scheduled for Tuesday February 14th.
___________________
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.
By Editor, on February 11th, 2012 Public Information Release:
HAINES–Movement in the slump area continues to show very little visual activity. Road & shoulder repairs to the damaged areas of Lutak and Ocean View roads have been completed, to provide safe passage through these areas.
State DOT drilling operations continue along Lutak and Front Street roads. Soil samples are taken every 5 foot in bore holes that average 40 – 50 feet. The Borough has agreed to share the surveying and drilling information collected from their contract engineers, PND, with the State DOT geologists and engineers. Results are still at least 2 weeks out as they wait for the data being collected by the State DOT drilling operations.
Next update is scheduled for Monday February 13th.
___________________
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.
By Editor, on February 10th, 2012 Public Information Release
Nice weather and another day of minor movement in the slump area welcomed the DOT drilling crew who began drilling a series of test holes this morning.
Read more->
By Editor, on February 9th, 2012  Alaskan Dream Cruises in Tracy Arm, ADC photo. Press release:
SITKA–Alaskan Dream Cruises, one of the newest small-ship cruise lines sailing in Southeast Alaska, is announcing three new itineraries, additional ports of call and ship renovations.
Alaskan Dream Cruises is owned and operated by an Alaska Native family in Sitka. The company will operate its second season from May through September.
The 42-passenger Alaskan Dream will sail on three new itineraries in 2012: an eight-day trip that focuses on many less-explored destinations, including Hobart Bay and Kasaan, and two more comprehensive 11- and 13-day trips through the Inside Passage.
The three itineraries also include new ports of call for the cruise line: Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Thorne Bay, Kasaan, Wrangell and Gustavus. Read more->
By Editor, on February 8th, 2012 Public Information Release
HAINES–Activity in the slump area was very quiet again today. The Borough crew, conducting the daily surveying, received additional prisms and materials to set up a couple additional points to increase the area that the data is being collected.
The State DOT drilling crew arrived on the ferry today and met with Borough officials to lay out the bore hole locations to avoid all buried utilities. Drilling will begin tomorrow morning, Thursday, and continue until they complete six drilling sites. Drilling is planned for four holes along the Right of Way on Lutak Road, and two on Front Street. Expect lane closures and traffic control for single lane traffic.
Next update is scheduled for 3 pm Thursday February 9th.
___________________
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.
By Editor, on February 7th, 2012 Public Information Release
HAINES–Cooler drier weather has given us another day of calm in and around the Slump Area, with very little movement detected. Crews took a couple of manual measurements along the top of the slide in the Ocean View area today which shows horizontal movements of 8 to 9 inches over the last week and a half. We are still waiting for accurate information from the contract engineers. Read more->
By Editor, on February 7th, 2012  SEARHC Press Release:
SITKA, Feb. 7, 2012 — The SEARHC WISEWOMAN Women’s Health Program and Bartlett Regional Hospital are happy to announce the Spring 2012 schedule for the mobile mammogram program.
The mobile mammography van will visit Haines, Kake, Gustavus, Skagway, Yakutat and Angoon this spring and early summer. The van is scheduled to visit Kake on May 1-4, Haines on May 9-22, Angoon on May 24-30, Skagway on June 4-7, Yakutat on June 13-18, and Gustavus on June 22 (no weekend appointments). Women are encouraged to contact their local clinics prior to the scheduled visit because they will need to receive a clinical breast exam before they can get their mammograms. Read more->
By Editor, on February 6th, 2012 Public Information Release
Activity in the slump area seemed to slow down with the change in the weather. Daily monitoring continues for control point data that is sent to the engineers in Seattle. We are still waiting for results of the data sent to the engineers last week. We will report on those findings as soon as they are available.
The City Borough Juneau sewer jetting and vacuum crew has been put on hold until local sewer crews get a better look and the amount of debris coming into the manholes from the sewer line break, and may be taken care of locally.
Residents are advised to contact the Command Center if you are concerned about, or have questions regarding the elaborate stories circulating about the slump area, and we will share the facts we have gathered.
Next update is scheduled for 3 pm Tuesday February 7.
___________________
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.
By Editor, on February 5th, 2012 Public Information Release
HAINES–Emergency repair work to the sewer main running through the center of the slump area was completed around 3:45 pm Friday afternoon. Residence of the Highland Estates & Skyline Drive area can resume normal usage. Thank you for your patience. Read more->
By Editor, on February 4th, 2012 Public Information Release
HAINES–A Resolution to declare a disaster and requesting state assistance was adopted in a special meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly today at 1:15 pm. The situation was elevated to this point when the main sewer line from 125 homes on the hillside of Highland Estates and Skyline Drive was broken by the slide activity.
Crews from Southeast Road Builders Inc. and the Borough Water & Sewer Department started emergency repairs to this line before light this morning. Work is ongoing as of this report (3:00pm Friday afternoon) PSA’s asking residence above this area to restrict their use of water going into the sewer until crews finish emergency repairs today. [Borough officials] will place an announcement on KHNS when the work is completed and normal usage can resume. Crews will continue working until repairs are finished today. Thank you for your patience.
No update is scheduled for the week‐end unless there are major changes to report.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐22567
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.
By Editor, on February 3rd, 2012 PUBLIC NOTICE
HAINES BOROUGH ASSEMBLY SPECIAL MEETING NOTIFICATION
Location: Borough Assembly Chambers, February 3, 2012 at 1:15 pm
PURPOSE: Consider Resolution 12-02-330 Declaring a disaster and requesting state assistance.
According to the agenda, “The slump in the Oceanview Drive/Lutak Road area continues to move and has breached the sewer line. It is anticipated that the area will continue to move and destroy public facilities. The manager has deemed it necessary to declare a disaster and request state assistance at this time.”
The Haines Alaska News will post more information as it becomes available; readers can also check the Haines Borough Website for updates.
By Editor, on February 3rd, 2012 Public Information Release
HAINES–6 PM Revision–Melting snow revealed an old manhole, not showing on any as builts, or known by local maintenance officials, during dye testing of the sewer line running through the middle of the slide area late this afternoon. This manhole is being compromised by the ground shifting close to a crack near the top of the slide area. Plans are being put together this evening to remove that manhole and to re‐connect the sewer line. This damage appears to be from earlier shifting in this location but has been buried under the snow, keeping it from detection.
Activity in the active area of the slope movement appeared to calmed down today with very little new visual movement detected.
The command center has been receiving very detailed information from several State and Federal offices in an effort to help in our planning efforts. Some of it is so detailed that we have to filter through the information to determine what is relevant to our event. If you have questions about any information you may be hearing rumors about, please contact the command center at 766‐2258.
Warmer weather will still be with us for a few more days, which is helping melt the snow, but also brings added concern to the area that is already over saturated.
Next scheduled update will be 3 PM Friday afternoon.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐22567
Click here to view all official updates on the Haines Borough Website.
By Editor, on February 3rd, 2012 There was a sudden increase of movement in the slide area beginning around 7:30 pm which aroused residents nearby. Upon investigation, the shifting that had occurred at the large cracks at the top of the slide in Lutak Road, was very visible. There was an approximate horizontal shift of 8 inches, and a vertical drop of near 4 inches. Residents in the immediate area were notified of the increased activity, as well as appropriate State agencies.
The State DOT survey crew finished setting additional control points surrounding the whole area, and plan to be back in two weeks to check for any differences.
Haines DOT/PF crews ground the remaining hump in the north bound lane today with Southeast Road Builders re‐claimer. Borough Maintenance crews filled the cracks in Lutak road for the State who were busy grinding the pavement of the bump and the bottom of the active area.
Next scheduled update will be 3 PM Thursday afternoon.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐22567
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| Nate Beeler
The Columbus Dispatch
May 16, 2012
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Lynn Canal Map & Marine Traffic (refresh for current ship positions)
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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.
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