A phone message from Sen. Lisa Murkowski this month alerted Haines High School senior Blake Hamilton of his acceptance into the United States Naval Academy. Hamilton, 18, found the call almost too good to be true, but then he started to inform family and friends that he reached his longtime goal. “For one, if it […]
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Light clinches Haines’ Triple Threat victory
Haines High School freshman Devin Light drained two free throws late to seal the win that closed out the annual Triple Threat Tournament last weekend at the Haines School. Basketball players from about 25 teams represented Haines, Juneau, Skagway and Whitehorse in “A,” “B” and “C” divisions, for boys and girls. Teams ranged from fourth […]
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Hotch tourney starts Thursday
The Dick Hotch Memorial Basketball Tournament is set for a four-day slate of games next week at the Haines School. Organizer Larry Sweet said nine adult teams are expected for the Feb. 24-27 tournament, from Haines, Juneau, Klukwan, Sitka, Skagway and Whitehorse. “A lot of the guys didn’t like using the little gym last year, so […]
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‘Poker Ride’ canceled
This weekend’s snowmachine “Poker Ride” has been canceled. “The weather conditions are just not conducive this year,” said Karen Hess of the Chilkat Snowburners. “If it snows, you just go right through the snow, and there’s no base; it’s just bare ground underneath.” The 14th annual event had been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 19, at River […]
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Thomas’ APOC issues iced until session ends
The Alaska Public Offices Commission last month filed a complaint against state Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, for improperly transferring campaign funds. According to the complaint, following the 2008 election, Thomas transferred $15,291.40 in campaign funds to a future campaign account, exceeding a $5,000 transfer limit. “They called me and said I had too much money in […]
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Borough buys ‘lawn tractor’ for $18K
The Haines Borough Assembly on Feb. 8 authorized the purchase of a lawn tractor from Bigfoot Auto Service for a cost not to exceed $17,985. It replaces a riding lawn mower. The borough also received a bid of $18,545 from Craig Taylor Equipment of Anchorage. “How big is this thing?” asked assembly member Scott Rossman. “I didn’t […]
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Major heli-ski issues up in air
With less than a week until possible adoption of a revised helicopter skiing ordinance, a mayor-appointed work group has yet to reach consensus on its most controversial elements, including numbers of skier days, a map of permitted areas, and allowing a third operator. “These are all contentious issues that will require a lengthy public process,” […]
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Town a ‘lifeline’ when artist needed restart
Artist and gallery owner Debi Knight Kennedy believes in intuition. Her first connection to Haines came in 1980, when a friend from Juneau took out a map of Alaska and Knight Kennedy pinpointed Haines and said, “That is where I am supposed to be.” There were “crazy zigzags” getting here, she said in a recent […]
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English teacher wins $19K for high-tech idea
Haines High School English teacher Rene Martin has secured a $19,200 state grant, including a $10,000 award toward new technology in her classroom, for an idea of creating an online, “wiki-style” study guide. Martin’s proposal was one of eight receiving awards of 68 submitted to the state’s educational technology program. Haines principal Cheryl Stickler said […]
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Skagway makes rec center work
As MRV Architects of Juneau proceeds with a study to measure demand for a potential Haines community recreation center, the Skagway Recreation Center is entering its second decade. “Although it is highly unlikely that user fees alone will ever be able to cover the cost it takes to maintain and run the facility, our elected […]