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 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
By Editor, on January 28th, 2012 By Brian Edwards | ACCUWEATHER
Alaskans have been experiencing the most brutal winter conditions of anybody in the United States this season. Thanks to cold being bottled up across the Northwest Territories and Alaska, the season has been chock full of snow, frigid temperatures, and plenty of ice fog to go around.
Read the full story at Accuweather.com.
By Editor, on January 28th, 2012 Public Information Release
The boring of 5 test holes was completed before noon today by Denali Drilling, to collect samples of materials in and around the slump area down to 40’. The material samples will be taken back to the lab for testing that will help provide information for the cause of the slope movement.
Survey points were completed today to daily track the amount, and direction of movement in and around the active area. Baseline numbers were collected and recorded for daily movement monitoring.
Local State DOT is making plans to cut out the hump and the bottom of the slide area as early as Monday. Until then, please use caution going over the hump near the intersection to Front Street, as it is getting pretty severe.
Next scheduled update will be Monday afternoon.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐2256
To view all updates: http://www.hainesborough.us/slopemovement.html
By Editor, on January 27th, 2012 Public Information Release:
Denali Drilling from Anchorage has completed three (3) of the five (5) test holes scheduled by 2:30 pm, and plan to complete the forth test hole on Mathias today as well. The last test hole is scheduled for tomorrow morning, Friday, in Lutak Road which will require a lane closure. One lane will be left open, and expect traffic control and flaggers through this area tomorrow morning.
Core samples of the materials are being collected by PND geo tech engineers that will be taken back to their labs for analysis.
A surveyor for PND continued to set up reflector targets, and survey points that will allow more accurate collection of data to study the daily movement. The surveyor is training employees how to set up the equipment and collect the data on a daily, or as time allows basis.
Because of all the activities happening today with the large snow fall, water line breaks in Highland Estates, drilling test holes and setting up survey equipment, we were not able to measure or report the amount of movement since yesterday.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐2256
To view all updates: http://www.hainesborough.us/slopemovement.html
By Editor, on January 25th, 2012 By Tom Patrick | YUKON NEWS
Whitehorse’s Jarrid Davy hurtled down the Haines Highway at near record speeds at the Alcan 200 International Snow Machine Road Rally on Saturday.
Averaging a speed of 191 kilometres an hour, Davy was about two kilometres an hour from the record. (Average times include fuel stops.)
Though just off the record, his speed was enough to win his second straight title in the 651cc-open class, one of four divisions won by Yukoners this year.
Read the full article in the Yukon News.
By Editor, on January 25th, 2012 Public Information Release
Denali Drilling from Anchorage began drilling test holes around noon today, starting on Ocean View Drive. They will be drilling a series of holes above and below the slump area to provide PND Geologists and Engineers with soil samples of the area. Borough Sewer & Water employees worked with PND engineers set up control stations to collect accurate measurements of the movement in the active slide zone, as well as data of the area above the “cracks” of the active portion of the slump. Work will continue Thursday & Friday, with a planned lane closure for drilling in Lutak Road on Friday morning.
The recent storm hindered the mechanical measurements of the movement over the last 24 hours, but the activity we could see where the snow was plowed out for the drilling crew appeared to be about the same; from 1 –2 inches.
Next update will be approx. 3 PM tomorrow.
Command Center – 766‐2258 Roc Ahrens ~ Emergency Coordinator
DAILY Update Recording – 766‐2256
By Editor, on January 25th, 2012 By Becky Bohrer | AP
JUNEAU–Some Alaska lawmakers, hoping to make a point about federal encroachment on state rights, are urging the federal government take over New York City’s Central Park and designate it as a wilderness area.
Read more in the Anchorage Daily News.
By Roger Maynard, on January 25th, 2012  Overall winners, left to right: Randy Martin #3, Craig Hill #2, Jarrid Davy #1. Photo courtesy of Karen Hess. Saturday’s Alcan 200 snowmachine road rally on the Haines Highway from the Canadian border to Dezadeash and return was won by Jarrid Davy of Whitehorse for the second year in a row.
According to race organizer Karen Hess, the race was fast but no new records were set, “This year there was $1,500 for the fastest local to finish and that was Chris Brooks. The money came from $1,000 Mary Miles in memory of Dennis, $200 Fogcutter Bar & $300 Howser’s IGA. The odd thing is that he won because he wasn’t the fastest but the only local to finish. There were two locals and Jack Smith Jr. didn’t finish, so the money went to Chris. Chris also got the RED LANTERN AWARD, for the last racer to finish the race in 2:46:10, with an average speed of 56.”
Overall winners:
Jarrid Davy 1st overall / Whitehorse / Time 1:18:11 / avg. speed 119.
Craig Hill 2nd overall / Fairbanks / Time 1:21:08 / avg speed 114.6
Randy Martin 3rd overall / Fairbanks / Time 1:31:10 / avg speed 102.
Read more->
By Editor, on January 25th, 2012 Public Information Release
Weather continues to plague efforts to get drill rig parts and transportation for engineers that are still trying to make it to town.
Monitoring of daily movement showed a slight increase in the rate we have been seeing, with a 4” crack in the Ocean View Drive road area, that is new from yesterday, and cracks re‐opening in Lutak Road that had been filled by DOT. We are anxious for the engineers and equipment to arrive that will help us collect more accurate data. Read more->
By Editor, on January 21st, 2012 Public Information Release:
HAINES–DOT/PF crews filled cracks and dip in the pavement, making travel through the problem area safe and smooth. Our thanks to the crew for their concerns and efforts to keep this portion of the road safe for our use.
Even though we continue to record slow movement in this area, PLEASE check with the Command Center in Brian Lemcke’s office, or at least check the latest update on the Borough website or the PSA’s on KHNS before running with the wild rumors that are circulating. These updates will be posted daily, or when necessary to report.
Lutak road is not closed, nor are there any plans at this time to do so. Any such information will be posted to the website as soon as possible, so we can all know the truth at the same time.
Haines Borough Command Center – 766‐2258
Link to Haines Borough updates on this issue.
By Editor, on January 20th, 2012 SEATTLE–Alaska Airlines reports flight cancellations are expected to continue through Friday.
Travelers are advised to check your flight status before leaving for the airport and visit Alaska Airlines’ advisory page for rebooking options and more info. For more information, see the Alaska Airlines website.
By Editor, on January 19th, 2012 By Michelle Theriault Boots | ADN
In a state that expects to see more than 400 cruise-ship sailings with nearly a million passengers this summer, it’s difficult to look at the images of the Costa Concordia and not wonder: Could it happen in Alaska?
“It kind of gives us a little wake-up call,” said Rick Janelle, a civilian U.S. Coast Guard employee based in Juneau who acts as an adviser on cruise ship safety.
Read full story in the ADN.
By Editor, on January 18th, 2012 Part of the Lutak Road in the vicinity of Ocean View Drive has settled several inches in the past few days, and state and borough investigators are trying to determine the cause so that corrective action can be taken. Meanwhile, drive carefully on the way to the ferry terminal–there are a couple of new bumps in the road.
The following update is from Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest: Read more->
By Editor, on January 10th, 2012 by Doug O’Harra | ALASKA DISPATCH
ANCHORAGE–Alaska just experienced its third warmest December on record, with temperatures averaging about 8.7 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, according to the latest analysis posted by the National Climate Data Center. At the same time, the state was splattered with the fifth “wettest” December – most of that precipitation piling up in big white drifts that blocked on-street parking and choked residential streets to single lanes.
Alaska’s weird warm-wet month was so unsettling, the climate agency listed it as one of the month’s most significant weather events in the nation.
Read full story in the Alaska Dispatch.
By Editor, on December 30th, 2011 AAA press release:
HELENA, Mont. (12/29/2011) – With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, AAA is reminding celebrators to plan ahead and find a safe way to get home this holiday weekend. Read more->
By Editor, on December 30th, 2011 By: Travel World News Editor
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, Alaska. The company will operate its second season from May through September 2012.
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 the full story in the Travel World News.
Visit Alaska Dream Cruises website.
By Editor, on December 29th, 2011 By Hope Yen | AP
Texas, Utah and Alaska were the fastest-growing states in 2011, according to new Census Bureau estimates. Alaska’s population grew 1.8 percent from April 2010 through June 2011, double the nationwide average. Alaska’s estimated population on July 1, 2011, was 722,718, a gain of about 12,500, reports the Census Bureau.
Read full story in the Anchorage Daily News.
By Editor, on December 29th, 2011 SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington state ferry service isn’t going to start turning away hefty passengers, but it has had to reduce the capacity of the nation’s largest ferry system because people have been packing on the pounds.
Coast Guard vessel stability rules that took effect nationwide Dec. 1 raised the estimated weight of the average adult passenger to 185 pounds from the previous 160 pounds, based on population information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
…The new stability rules may have a bigger impact on the smaller charter fishing boats, such as those that take anglers fishing out of the Pacific Ocean ports of Westport and Ilwaco, Young said. Any vessel that carries more than six paying customers has to be inspected and certified by the Coast Guard as a passenger vessel.
Read full article in the Seattle PI.
By Editor, on December 29th, 2011 By Diane Cardwell and Rick Gladstone | NY TIMES
The United States economy managed to cope this year despite triple-digit prices for barrels of oil. The lessons may come in handy, economists say, because those prices will probably be sticking around.
With Iran threatening to cut off about a fifth of the world’s oil supply by closing the Strait of Hormuz and unrest in Iraq endangering the ability to increase production there, financial analysts say prices for two important oil benchmarks will average from $100 a barrel to $120 a barrel in 2012.
Read full article in the New York Times.
By Editor, on December 26th, 2011 JUNEAU–MV Kennicott will delay departure from Juneau/Auke Bay terminal today; Monday, December 26th by 24 hours due to severe weather. For more information, please contact your local terminal by dialing 1-800-642-0066.
At this time, Kennicott is scheduled to depart Juneau/Auke Bay on Tuesday, December 27th at 4:30pm for an arrival in Yakutat on Wednesday, December 28th at 9:30am.
For more info or updates, see FerryAlaska.com.
By Editor, on December 20th, 2011 Jill Burke | ALASKA DISPATCH
It’s nearly guaranteed to be a monumental showdown, the kind Alaska seems to spawn regularly. On Wednesday, a handful of lawyers will volley before a federal judge over whether the U.S. government properly chose to shut down cod and mackerel fisheries in Southwest Alaska, giving the well being of an endangered marine mammal preference over the livelihood of scores of fisherman.
Read the full article in the Alaska Dispatch.
By Editor, on December 13th, 2011 Alex DeMarban | ALASKA DISPATCH
The National Marine Fisheries Service has renewed plans that may lead to a listing of the ribbon seals under the Endangered Species Act, bringing to three the number of ice-dependent seals in Alaska that could be protected by the act.
The agency rejected a ribbon-seal listing in 2008 but said new information warrants a second look. That’s disappointing news, said Rick Rogers, executive director with the pro-industry Resource Development Council in Anchorage.
The combined population of ribbon, bearded and ringed seal populations in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas exceed 1 million animals, so why should they fall under the act’s protections, he wondered.
Read full article in the Alaska Dispatch.
By Roger Maynard, on November 24th, 2011  Connelly Lake outlet, photo by Danny Gonce Paid commentary:
As you all probably know, AP&T has filed an application for a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Connelly Lake Hydroelectric Project (Project). We have read all of the comment letters that have been submitted to FERC as of November 21, 2011, and it seems like there are a few misconceptions about our plans. We’d like to take this opportunity to clarify a few matters regarding our interest in the Connelly Lake site. We have structured this as a series of questions and answers. Read more->
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| Scott Stantis
Chicago Tribune
Feb 4, 2012
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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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