The Haines Borough has begun imposing new penalties on boats moored in the Small Boat Harbor that are not seaworthy. The regulations were first put into place in August, requiring boat owners to prove their vessels could go to sea under their own power. Boats that can’t are moved to transient moorage and owners are […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly Briefs: Recognitions, sales tax, Chilkoot, nonprofits
Recognition for Stuart, playground dedicated Borough Finance Director Jila Stuart has been named Alaska’s Municipal Employee of the Year by the Alaska Municipal League. In a memo, mayor Tom Morphet praised Stuart’s depth of expertise and commitment to transparency, writing that Stuart “is a public servant in every sense.” The borough also officially voted to […]
Posted inLocal News
Successful appeal returns $1.4 million to borough
After twice deciding it would penalize the Haines Borough by withholding $1.4 million, the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) has now reversed course and will reimburse the borough for repairs to Porcupine Trail Road. The successful appeal was the second time the borough had challenged the agency’s decision to withhold the funding. It’s a boon […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly rejects controversial heli-ski regulations
With allegations of “eco-terrorism” raising the tenor of the conversation, the assembly Tuesday voted unanimously to hold heli-ski regulations largely static, and deny legislation to collect daily GPS data from heli-ski companies. As it stands, the companies provide a mix of location data to the borough government. Some of it is self-reported, including general lists […]
Posted inPublisher's Column
Sixty years in and still a community effort
In case you haven’t heard, the Chilkat Valley News is turning 60 next year and it’s coming up fast. Our official birthday is Jan. 3, 1966, when the first edition was published. On the front page of that first paper, were stories about a new sawmill venture in the Port Chilkoot-area, the ferry schedule , […]
Posted inNews
Alaskans targeted by scammers posing as government officials, FBI warns
The Federal Bureau of Investigations’ office in Anchorage issued an alert warning Alaskans of scams impersonating law enforcement or government officials demanding payment. Alaskans lost an estimated $1.3 million due to this type of government impersonation scam in 2024 — more than five times the previous year’s losses. Officials say Alaskans should not respond to calls claiming […]
Posted inLocal News
Gov. proposes budget that would spend $1.5 billion in savings
Gov. Mike Dunleavy last week released a proposed state budget which would hold funding mostly steady for many borough priorities — but only by spending half the state’s remaining savings. Under the state budgeting process, the governor is tasked with penciling out the starting point for the annual spending plan in December. In January, the […]
Posted inMilitary, News
Alaska Native veterans and heirs race to apply for Native allotments
For those who haven’t filed for their Native allotments, Alaska Native veterans don’t have much time to claim 160 acres of federal land. The window for applications closes permanently on Dec. 29. ANCSA ended 1906 Native allotment program The land grants were part of a government program created over a hundred years ago, to promote […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Environment
Heat pump grants start going out in coastal communities
A program run by a pair of Alaska nonprofits has started paying out grants for new electric heat pump installations in homes from Metlakatla to Kodiak, with Wrangell also on the eligibility list. The grants range from $4,000 to $8,500 per household, depending on income, and are intended to reduce home heating costs while also […]