An Alaskan is someone physically present in the state who intends to remain permanently and make a home here, the Alaska Supreme Court concluded in a split opinion published Friday. Residency can begin even if someone leaves the state before moving all of their belongings here, the justices said. Friday’s opinion has implications for a variety […]
Posted inNews, Local News
Haines sophomore wins for pantomime performance at state champs
Haines sophomore Maddox Rogers’ solo pantomime performance about a cowboy duel took the top spot at the state 2024 Debate, Drama and Forensics Championships in Anchorage. Rogers developed the piece — a short comedy of errors about a standoff in which “one of the cowboys keeps failing miserably in a series of escalating comedic situations.” […]
Posted inNews, Obituaries, Local News
Former Haines dentist Jim Nelson dies at 84
Fresh out of Loyola dental school in Chicago, Jim and his first wife Sharon Shaver moved to Haines in 1968 after buying William Sieg’s dental practice in the old medical building above the harbor. An ancient hand crank dental chair, outdated dental instruments and an unpredictable furnace didn’t dampen his enthusiasm. But when Dr. Stan […]
Posted inLocal News, News
Planner to step down after less than a year
Andrew Conrad didn’t comment on his departure, but city manager Annette Kreitzer said “personal insults” and “disrespect” towards the planner by certain Haines residents was a big issue in the borough.
Posted inNews, Local News
Bill would put more guardrails on property assessments in Alaska
This story was published by KTOO and reprinted with permission. Many residents in both Juneau and Haines saw a jump in their property assessments last year. Now, an Alaska Senate bill would require state accreditation for tax assessors and prevent municipalities from raising the assessed value of properties during an appeal process. Sen. Jesse Kiehl, a Juneau […]
Posted inNews, Local News, Housing
Interview: The draft 10-year comprehensive plan is out. Here’s what that means.
A draft plan is out for the Haines Borough’s new comprehensive plan. The document outlines community priorities for the next decade based on surveys, community forums and individual interviews that began in the summer of 2023. The plan is expected to be completed later this spring after the contractor incorporates community input from a visit […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: Rayna born, basketball returns from Petersburg, middle school wrestlers shine
Macky Cassidy, Jake Bell and Rune Lou Bell welcomed Rayna Lynn Bell into their lives at 5:42 a.m. on Feb. 15 at Bartlett Hospital in Juneau. She was 8 pounds, 4 ounces and 21 ½ inches long when she was born. Also in attendance were nurse midwife Kayla McMaster, nurse midwife and grandmother Mary Lou […]
Posted inNews, Local News
Assembly hires firm to help with Porcupine Road FEMA appeal
Borough assembly members voted Tuesday to spend $5,000 on an Anchorage-based firm’s review of its appeal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Porcupine Trail Road repair funds. Borough officials have been working on an appeal to FEMA’s decision to claw back nearly $1.5 million in funding for repairs to Porcupine Trail Road after the […]
Posted inBlotter
Police Blotter: Feb. 18-24
Sunday, February 18Caller reported seeing a plane circling the airport.A bicycle was reported stolen. Monday, February 19A lost wallet was reported. Tuesday, February 20Caller reported an unleashed dog attacked their leashed dog on 4th Avenue.A fuel spill was reported on the roadway. Wednesday, February 21A welfare check was requested on an elderly resident. Thursday, February […]