Emergency federal government assessments are being sought for a spill of more than 105,000 gallons of tailings slurry at the Kensington Mine that occurred Jan. 31, although officials with mine owner Coeur Alaska say no damage to nearby salmon habitats occurred and there are “no long-term effects from this spill.” The spill occurred at a […]
Posted inNews, Local News
Deadline for Lutak Dock project pushed back three years
This story has been updated. A looming deadline to sign a grant agreement for the controversial Lutak Dock project has been pushed back by three years. The news could upend debates about the need to make a quick decision to approve the $25 million project to shore up the aging dock that is the entry […]
Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough, News
Assembly briefs: Changes to property tax assessments, restrictions on engine brakes, and a crowded executive session
Changes to the property tax assessment Much of the meeting was dominated by public testimony from members pushing the assembly to adopt changes proposed by an ad hoc committee it created in 2023 to look into the borough’s tax assessment process. The borough faced a lot of pushback after last year’s assessments when some people […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Legislature, State of Alaska, Police
Alaska House votes to give police warrantless emergency access to cellphone location data
Under legislation passed Thursday by the Alaska House of Representatives, police searching for a lost hiker could obtain cell phone and satellite phone location data without a warrant. The House approved House Bill 316 by a 38-1 margin after moving it forward with unusual speed, and the Senate has referred to its state affairs committee for further […]
Posted inEducation, News
With deadline looming, more than half of Alaska’s relief funds for homeless students are unspent
There are more than 3,000 students known to be experiencing homelessness in Alaska, and the number has grown over the last five years. It is also likely to be a 50-100% undercount, according to advocacy group SchoolHouse Connection. In an Alaska Senate Education Committee meeting on Jan. 29, Barbara Duffield, SchoolHouse Connection’s executive director, said student homelessness affects things […]
Posted inNews, Local News, Environment, Chilkat Weaving
Chilkat weaving project kicks off with focus on salmon and sharing knowledge
Dozens of people turned out Thursday at the Haines ANB/ANS Hall for a community potluck and ceremony introducing the Salmon Protectors Robe project. The project aims to raise awareness about the need to protect salmon and the Chilkat River. Over the next two years, Lani Hotch Saantaas’ and four apprentices will design and weave five […]
Posted inEvents & Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Local News, News
Barbra Lica brings genre-less ‘dweeb’ vibes to main stage
Singer and songwriter Barbra Lica isn’t the music star you might imagine from an award-winning Torontonian. While many entertainers cultivate a cool air for their stagecraft, Lica leans into her inner “dweeb.” “I’m supposed to be cool, but I’m mostly concerned with my comic book collection,” said the performer in a phone interview from Toronto. […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: Bike relay sign ups, mascot contest and Peru meet-up
The Haines Glacier Bears were in the running for SBLive Sports’ 2024 NCAA tournament-style best high school mascot match-up. The Glacier Bears (No. 16-seeded) faced off against the Hollister California Haybalers (No.1-seeded) in a matchup that concluded Wednesday, March 20. The winner will either face the Colon Michigan Magi or the Orofino Idaho Maniacs. As […]
Posted inNews, Events & Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Local News
Fair organizers hope summer concert series will boost Dalton City
Organizers at the Southeast Alaska State Fair are hoping to bring residents to Dalton City each Thursday through a free, weekly live music series beginning in May. Fair director Amanda Randles said organizers have already been in talks with several bands, and have even booked a big name in the Alaska music scene to play […]