The community voted overwhelmingly for change when they elected three new assembly members and the mayor in 2023. Transparency was promised and the assembly began delving into details of issues to keep the public informed. This assembly intended to drive the bus. However, the failure of the manager to provide them critical information has hamstrung […]
Posted inThank You Letters
SnowSchool was a success
This year Takshanuk Watershed Council’s SnowSchool program served 236 youth in preschool through eighth grade in Haines and Klukwan. Every student participated in either an hour-long snowshoeing field trip or a day-long cross-country ski outing at 25 Mile. This tremendous effort to get our youth outside and engaging with the watershed in the winter wouldn’t […]
Posted inThank You Letters
Outgoing public facilities director says thanks, farewell
Roselina and I are leaving Haines after five great years. We came here in 2019 to retire after working at the Kensington Gold Mine near Juneau and on significant engineering and construction projects in remote locations worldwide.Soon after we had settled in, the borough advertised the public facilities director position. Roselina suggested I apply. I […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Bald eagle advisory council was a privilege
I am aware of the proposed elimination of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council. I served as the Park Ranger in Haines for years and had the privilege of being a member of the council. I want to thank all of the participants that made the council possible during my tenure in Haines. […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Let’s put brakes on modern tech in Haines
I’m sure I’m not the only one in Haines who sees that we’re developing a perfect storm: digging deep in the earth not far from water to mine ore — what could possibly go wrong? Transporting ore on earth’s surface over a highway bordering a river and through town– what could possibly go wrong? Transferring […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
First Amendment already well-protected
Free speech was on full display during the Feb. 13 Haines Borough Assembly meeting. For 3.25 hours, your mayor and assembly covered soup to nuts: snow-plowing, roof repairs, Port Chilkoot floating dock, truck noise, BLM lands and an upcoming committee of the whole meeting on the new Board of Equalization, Lutak Dock and much more. […]
Posted inNews, Local News
Feds won’t allow $10 million steel purchase; are ‘extremely concerned’ borough won’t meet Lutak Dock deadlines
This story has been updated. A representative from the U.S. Transportation Department said he’s “extremely concerned” Haines won’t meet a deadline for completing environmental reviews required to move forward with its $25 million Lutak Dock rebuild project. The news came in a Friday letter from David Bohnet, a grants supervisor for the Transportation Department. He […]
Posted inNews, Events & Entertainment, Local News
Haines visitor center turns to social media influencers. Will it pay off?
“Let me take you to one of my favorite places in Alaska that you’ve probably never heard of,” says Danielle Marie Lister in a recent Instagram video. Lister wears black bibs, a purple down jacket, and thick white boots as she skips along the Haines Highway below the snow-covered Three Guardsmen Mountain along with soft […]
Posted inLocal News, Environment, News
Ground-penetrating mapping data released for Haines
Haines will soon have a better idea of its landslide risk, thanks to data collected by a ground-penetrating laser technology known as LiDAR. LiDAR allows scientists to detect soil types and disturbances below trees and other obstacles. Scientists with the state Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys recently published data for the Haines area based […]
Posted inLocal News, News, Sports, Events & Entertainment
Winterfest organizers say event was a success
Organizers of the weekend’s Winterfest say they’re happy with how the event turned out. The Chilkat Valley avoided major weather systems, and skiers and snowmachiners got some snow on the ground — though not as much as they might have hoped. “It seemed well-attended to me, but I really don’t have anything to base it […]