If history is any indication a recount of the narrowly defeated ranked choice repeal ballot measure won’t be successful, but it will be colorful to observe. Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom on Monday announced an intent to recount the votes for Ballot Measure 2, which was defeated by 664 votes in a margin of 49.9%-50.1% in […]
Posted inNews, Economy
Alaska seafood processing workers made more money in 2023, but there were fewer of them
Alaska seafood processors hired fewer people in 2023 but paid them more and relied more on nonresidents to fill the jobs, a state analysis shows. The employment trends are what would be expected in an industry struggling to find workers, said Dan Robinson, the state economist who wrote the analysis for the Alaska Department of […]
Posted inLocal News, Wildlife
What killed a harbor seal found headless at Letnikof Cove? It’s a mystery, federal scientists say.
A recently dead harbor seal at Letnikof Cove is missing its head. Well, most of it. The skull bones are still there and intact. The phenomenon has appeared a few times throughout the state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s regional stranding coordinator said they have not quite figured out what is killing the seals, […]
Posted inNews, Government & Elections
Fed’s recent rate cuts could improve borrowing options for state and local government projects
The Federal Reserve’s second consecutive key rate cut could mean more than just lower borrowing costs for the average consumer — state and local governments stand to benefit, too. Lower interest rates may bring changes for housing development, tax revenue, debt refinancing and bread-and-butter projects like roads, water and sewer, state and local government officials […]
Posted inLocal News, Wildlife
Mud Bay residents say ‘smart’ bear has damaged dozens of cabins, buildings
Residents in Mud Bay are reporting bear damage to dozens of homes, cabins and outbuildings over the past few months. The culprit, or culprits, seems to be a bear that may have learned to break in when people are not around. “I don’t think there’s been a single place that was actually occupied at the […]
Posted inNews, Health
Alaska’s gonorrhea rate is the nation’s highest and chlamydia rate is third highest
Alaska had the nation’s highest rate of gonorrhea last year and the third-highest rate of chlamydia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The rankings are from the CDC’s newest annual report on sexually transmitted infections, which was released last week. Nationally, gonorrhea rates dropped 7% from 2022 to 2023, the CDC reported. Alaska’s 2023 rate was […]
Posted inPublic Safety, Local News
Chilkat Valley’s only Trooper has moved to Juneau
The Chilkat Valley is trooper-less for the time being after wildlife trooper Colin Nemec relocated last month. Nemec, who has been in Haines since 2020, moved to Juneau but is still answering Haines-area calls. In response to questions about whether the staffing shift was permanent or if the position would be filled again, Alaska State […]
Posted inHaines Herring
Prime Minister Admits Canadian Thanksgiving A Hoax
OTTAWA, Ontario — Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, after weeks of controversy from a leaked private phone conversation, held a press conference Sunday admitting that “Canadian Thanksgiving was a hoax all along.” According to the official government statement, the holiday was created in the 1940’s by the Big Pilgrim industry in the United States as […]
Posted inInside CVN
Meet our new ad manager!
Hello, Polly Palmieri here! As many of you know, I have lived in Haines for most of my life and have been the advertising manager at the Chilkat Valley News for the past year. When my husband and I made the decision to move back to beautiful Haines – I found myself in need of […]
Posted inBlotter
Police Blotter: Nov 18 – Nov 23
Monday, November 18 Caller reported a brown bear in the raspberry patch on First Avenue. An officer responded but the bear was gone. A driver was given a verbal warning for no headlights and taillights on Haines Highway. Tuesday, November 19 A driver was given a verbal warning for speeding on Main Street. Caller turned […]