Darren Schweinefus had a close encounter with a wolf in late September. He was headed to take a tree stand down at a spot across the Chilkat River from about Mile 12 of the Haines Highway. Schweinefus, who has a video of the incident, was in the woods at about 11 a.m. and when he got to his tree stand saw movement in the brush on a nearby ridge. He made some noise and a white and grey wolf, less than 75 yards away, responded. In his video, it howls and barks at him but does not come any closer. Because it didn’t show any aggression, Schweinfus continued on his mission, climbed the tree and disassembled his hunting perch while the wolf walked down and rejoined what sounded like the rest of its pack – they howled together. Eventually the wolf made its way back to him, posturing, barking and howling until Schweinefus left with his stand.
Gabe Thomas and Brandie Weldon welcomed Aasira Jade Thomas into the world on Sept. 17 at about 9:30 p.m. at a hospital in Sitka. Thomas said both Weldon and their new daughter are healthy and that Aasira is already putting on weight. “She’s already gained a pound and four ounces in two weeks, he said. This is baby number four for Thomas, and number two for Weldon, so they both have experience with the lack of sleep that comes along with caring for a newborn, he said.
Haines Packing Company has moved to a new Main Street location next to The Hair Shop. The business announced plans to stay open year-round at its new site.
The Tongass Federal Credit Union reports raising $1,192 for the Haines Salvation Army through its Cash for Cans fundraiser in Southeast Alaska. The fundraiser is supposed to help combat food insecurity in the region. All told, the organization reports raising $14,966 for Panhandle communities.
A GoFundMe organized by seasonal resident Kenneth Ashbrook to support families who lost their homes in a weekend fire that claimed the Haines QuickShop and three other stores in addition to four apartments, has raised more than $5,865 as of press time.
Haines Huts and Trails reports that the Tukga Hut, a cabin on Mount Tukgahgo, is open for reservations. The cabin, which sits at about 3,200 feet, is the only public use cabin in Haines and is available for winter bookings from Nov. 16 through May 1. It is a two-story cabin with an outhouse, propane heater and room for up to 12 people. Reservations can be made online at haineshuts.org/huts
Two Haines cross-country runners qualified for the state meet in Anchorage over the weekend. Racing against the other Division III schools, Camelia Bell placed 10th, running 5,000 meters in 22:56.6, while Andrew Hansen placed eighth with a time of 18:19.3.