A Haines Borough committee meeting to discuss possible penalties for heli-ski firm Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures Tuesday became a closed meeting with an attorney when the firm delivered a letter challenging the borough’s right to regulate the industry. The letter, from company owners Scott Sundberg and Nick Trimble, says the borough did not have a vote required […]
Posted inNews, Elections, Haines Borough
Cone, Geise, Winge take on incumbents Ballot set for borough election
It’s looking like a lopsided race for two open seats on the Haines Borough Assembly. Following Tuesday’s filing deadline for candidates, incumbent assemblyman Steve Vick will face challengers Linda Geise and John Winge, while newcomer Greg Goodman will run uncontested for an assembly seat formerly held by Norm Smith. For the borough school board, there is one contested race. Sean […]
Posted inNews
‘End of an era’ for Helen’s Shop
The gifts are all gone from Helen’s Shop. The Main Street landmark closed its doors Monday, ending 56 years of local service. “I’m ready to take a lot of days off,” said Sandra Martin, sole proprietor for the past 32 years. Before Martin took over, her mom, Helen Fenn, operated the store for 30 years, […]
Posted inNews
Late-night eats? Bear visits downtown ‘den’
The place has stuffed bears, carved bears, bear photos and paintings and a fearsome looking fiberglass bear on its awning out front. So it was probably only a matter of time before a real bear came to call at “Bear-ritos,” the restaurant inside Main Street’s Bear Den Mall. “He walked in like he owned the […]
Posted inNews, School Board
Five new teachers on board for 1st day at Haines School
Students returning to the Haines School this week were greeted by five new teachers. Kristina Mulready is the school’s new music teacher, providing instruction and leading bands in grades 5-12. For the past 10 years, Mulready taught elementary bands in grades 4-6 in three schools in Fairbanks. “It was fun. I got to know three […]
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Pair replaces Hedrick at KHNS helm
John Hedrick resigned as manager of public radio station KHNS effective Monday due to “management differences,” according to Lynn Canal Broadcasting board chair Russ Bowman. He declined to elaborate. “That’s all personnel stuff I can’t get into.” Hedrick couldn’t be reached before press time Wednesday. Friction between Hedrick and board members was evident at the board’s Aug. […]
Posted inNews
Craftsmen swap out stylish creations
Two years ago, residents Rob Goldberg and Burl Sheldon hatched a plan for a trade – a boat for a guitar. Sheldon, who has built boats, was a “great musician without a great guitar,” according to Goldberg. Goldberg, who has a guitar shop, was tired of borrowing boats for family subsistence outings. They each purchased […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Should ambulance charge fee for calls?
Should the Haines Borough charge for ambulance service? The borough assembly recently directed staff to investigate what other like-sized Alaska communities charge for an ambulance call in the wake of a $41,000 deficit for the service in the current fiscal year. Member Jerry Lapp, who chairs the borough’s finance committee, said a $50 fee for an ambulance call […]
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‘Bear jams’ and crowd control at issue
Volunteers and some residents who live near Chilkoot River are calling on law enforcement officials to start ticketing bear-viewers and motorists who disregard the area’s rules. State lawmen responsible for the area, however, are resisting that approach. Bob Deck, a state campground host at Chilkoot, said traffic jams caused by bear-viewers, or “bear jams,” have […]
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Assembly will pay for Mosquito Lake heat project
The Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday voted 5-1 to use $65,000 in borough funds to pay for the Mosquito Lake School heating system. Two-thirds of the cost of the $186,550 project will be paid by a state grant. The decision keeps intact a contract with Dawson Construction and moves the project ahead, effectively bypassing objections by the borough school […]