In the late 1960s, Cheryl Stickler’s family moved to the Chilkat Valley. She attended kindergarten through the third grade in town. She was young, but Stickler remembers a different landscape in Haines at the time. “I remember walking to school by the big, scary woods,” she said. “ I remember there were so many children […]
Posted inLocal News, Elections
After a stint on the planning commission, Clement sets his sights on the assembly
Richard Clement was born into a large family between Seattle and Tacoma. “I’m one of nine kids,” he said. “My parents didn’t have any money. But, I mean, they raised me really well – and I just kind of found my way and I found what interests me. I went to college when I could, […]
Posted inHaines Borough, Local News, Elections
After one year on the Assembly, Dawson says she has more to accomplish
Natalie Dawson was born and raised in a suburb of Detroit. She first started coming to the Chilkat Valley more than two decades ago doing fieldwork as a wildlife biologist. She spent some time in the Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park and trapping along the Chilkat corridor while also studying essentially the retreat of ice sheets and […]
Posted inElections, Corrections
Longtime Haines resident and local politician Schnabel seeks re-election
Debra Schnabel has lived in Haines since she was 11 days old. She left for a period of time to go to college and then to pursue a career in broadcasting – but she got caught up in the family business. Her father, John Schnabel, was involved in timber, and mining, and a lot of […]
Posted inLocal News, Elections, Haines Borough
Political newcomer Zimmerly wants younger generations to help shape the future of the Chilkat Valley
Nora Zimmerly first came to Haines in 2017. It was a stop-off during a journey to Skagway to work for Sockeye Cycle. “I really enjoy it,” she said. “I feel like a lot of the things that brought me here in the first place, or a lot of things that I was drawn to, about […]
Posted inLocal News, Elections
Smith aims to bring professional military, medical experience to the assembly
Assembly candidate Mark Smith was born and raised in Alabama, where he went to college and then onto a military career spanning more than three decades. Smith, who retired a colonel and doctor in the army, did not start out to be a doctor. “I started off as a combat officer, he said. “I was […]
Posted inLocal News, Elections, School Board
After nearly decade on the school board, Wald seeks another term
Like many others who end up on the school board, Michael Wald started in Haines as a parent looking for a community where he could raise his children safely. Wald and his partner moved from Fairbanks to Haines about 15 years ago. They still run a wilderness guide service called Arctic Wild, taking travelers through […]
Posted inLocal News, Elections, School Board
After a year as an appointee, Johnson seeks elected term on the school board
Kari Johnson grew up in Haines. She graduated from high school, left for college and worked for nearly 20 years in sports medicine at Central Washington University. But, when it came time for her and her husband to decide where they wanted to raise their kids, they moved back to Haines. “We just really wanted […]
Posted inLocal News, Elections
Hylton aims to bring hands-on learning and community connections to Haines schools
Rebecca Hylton first moved to Haines 28 years ago to work as a seasonal employee at Chilkat Guides. She wasn’t planning to stay and make the community a permanent home, but she said she fell in love with the way of life here. Hylton, who is in the running for one of the three open […]
Posted inBlotter
Police Blotter: Sep 15-21
Sept. 15 A caller reported a limping brown bear in the area. The bear is not doing anything. Haines Volunteer Fire Department staff and borough police responded to the report of a death. A caller requested a welfare check on her mother. The caller did not know where she lives and had not heard from […]