This article is sponsored by Takshanuk Watershed Council by Derek Poinsette In our last Watershed Weekly column, we talked about the life cycle of the Chilkat River king salmon, and recent Alaska Department of Fish and Game management actions that aim to protect the population from extinction and restore it to sustainable levels of production. […]
Posted inNews, Local News, Business & Commerce
Fireweed announces summer closure, highlighting tough season for restaurants
One of the staples of the Haines summer food scene says it’s closing for good. Fireweed Restaurant owner Sarah Jaymot wrote in a public Facebook post that she wouldn’t open this summer because of the conditions of the building she had been operating in, located in Building #37 of Fort Seward. Jaymot said she had […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Assessment fixes will add to budget
The work of Haines citizens and the Haines Borough Assembly to improve the local property tax assessment rubric is truly to be applauded. It’s very important work, but will probably create a larger administrative budget, including new borough staff. For example, the ad-hoc committee is advocating that systems used in “Anchorage, Kenai and Mat-Su” boroughs […]
Posted inPublisher's Column
Assembly sets a poor example when it ignores legal advice and meets in secret
Late Tuesday night the Haines Borough Assembly voted to go into a closed-door executive session which generally requires everyone – except one or two city staff – to leave the room so the assembly can talk in private. But, the meeting wasn’t exactly secret. Instead, they invited 21 members of the Chilkat Valley Rural citizens, […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Chose scaled-down Lutak option
Dear Haines Community, Including Mayor Morphet, Borough Assembly Members, and Borough Administration: Please choose a scaled-down Lutak Dock alternative 3B that will provide continued freight and fuel service to Haines, without throwing open the door for large-scale ore export. We are tired of over-built infrastructure projects based on predetermined designs in search of after-the-fact justifications. […]
Posted inLocal News, News, Southeast News
Haines Huts hires coordinator as borough refocuses on recreation
For the first time, Haines Huts and Trails has hired a paid coordinator to manage its project to develop public recreation infrastructure around Haines. Erik Boraas, who previously directed the Juneau trail nonprofit Trail Mix was hired in the beginning of March on a two-year grant through the Denali Commission. “It’s so exciting to have […]
Posted inSports, Local News
Heliskiers hope for stable conditions — and stable future — in Haines
On a recent weekday at the Powdah Mountain Lodge, a handful of out-of-state visitors are getting antsy. There’s thick, wet snow falling outside and low clouds, meaning no helicopter flying today for Alaska Heliskiing. Guests here have to find their own entertainment. “I hate it,” said Ed Irons, a 60-year-old electrical engineer from Las Vegas […]
Posted inNews, Southeast News, Local News
Blessing of the fleet asks for good weather, safety, and courage for Chilkat Valley fishermen
On a bluebird Sunday, a few dozen people gathered at the Small Boat Harbor for the Blessing of the Fleet. There was some confusion among people who attended about when exactly the tradition started in Haines – but many said the weather was the nicest it has been in years on the day of the […]
Posted inLocal News
Service officers plan in-person visit for Chilkat Valley veterans soon
The Chilkat Valley’s nearly 180 veterans will have some extra help navigating the complex world of healthcare and retirement benefits soon. Veteran Service Officers from the American Legion and the Veteran of Foreign Wars, VFW, will be traveling in Southeast Alaska throughout April. They’ll be in Haines at the American Legion Post on: It’s been […]
Posted inNews, Southeast News, State of Alaska, Alaska Marine Highway System, Housing
Crew shortage continues to limit operations at state ferry system
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s ongoing crew shortage has eased up for entry-level steward positions but remains a significant problem in the wheelhouse and for engineers, likely keeping the Kennicott out of service again this summer. As of March 8, the state ferry system was short almost 50 crew of what it would need to […]