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 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 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 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 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 Beth Bragg | ADN
The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog race served up mystery on both ends of the trail Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Read more in the ADN
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 9th, 2012 by Cliff Groh
ANCHORAGE–U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ordered today the release on March 15 of the special counsel report into misconduct by federal prosecutors in the trial of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R.-Alaska).
Read more in Cliff Groh’s Alaska Political Corruption blog.
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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)
Publisher Information:
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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. |
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