The University of Alaska’s President Pat Pitney announced on Thursday she will retire at the end of the spring term, in May 2026, after almost 30 years in public service in Alaska and five years as university president. “For over three decades, I’ve seen how the University of Alaska empowers this state,” Pitney said in […]
Posted inBlotter
Blotter: Sunday Oct. 20-Friday Oct. 25
Sunday, Oct. 20 Multiple callers reported that the school zone lights were not activated on the Haines Highway. A borough police officer and public works were notified. A caller requested a welfare check on the Haines Highway. The Haines police department, Alaska State Troopers and Alaska State Parks were notified. Haines police and state parks […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Thank You Haines
The recent Alaska Bald Eagle Festival was a wonderful reminder of what makes Haines so special. Events like this don’t come together through the efforts of just one person or organization—it takes an entire community. From local businesses and volunteers to the attendees and supporters who showed up with enthusiasm, every contribution mattered. Rather than […]
Posted inLocal News
Citizen group assists with childcare startups
A citizen group working to increase childcare availability is finding some early success, but says a far more significant intervention is still needed. The Chilkat Valley currently has four licensed childcare providers: Head Start, Chilkat Valley Preschool, pre-school at the Klukwan school, and longtime home-provider Kim Larson. But many people say that’s not enough. A […]
Posted inLocal News, Environment, Mining
A year after buying it, American Pacific sells the Palmer Project
After less than a year of owning the Palmer Project, American Pacific Mining announced Monday that it had sold the project to Vancouver-based Vizsla Copper. American Pacific is taking $15 million in equity in the company, essentially betting on Vizsla’s future stock value rather than taking cash. “We end up owning roughly 19.9% of a […]
Posted inLocal News
Eagle Festival weathers storm, early attendance worries
In a year of decreased attendance for big-ticket tourism events like Beerfest and the Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay, there was concern that last weekend’s Alaska Bald Eagle Festival would be more of the same. Festival organizers at the American Bald Eagle Foundation and borough tourism department saw slow ticket sales in the lead-up to […]
Posted inLocal News
Lutak dock mediation fails, lawsuit to come
The Haines Borough has failed to come to an out-of-court agreement with former Lutak Dock contractor Turnagain Marine. A previously-paused lawsuit filed by the contractor against the borough last year will now resume. Turnagain filed suit almost exactly a year ago, on Nov. 11, 2024, alleging unreasonable delays and unpaid invoices by the borough in […]
Posted inLocal News, Environment & Natural Resources
‘We have a responsibility to take care of it’ Lani and Jones Hotch honored for Chilkat Valley conservation
Despite the heavy, wet snow making roads throughout the Chilkat Valley difficult to traverse, about 40 people trickled into the Haines library to honor Klukwan couple Jones and Lani Hotch on the last day of the bald eagle festival. The ceremony is in its third year. It honors Chilkat Valley residents for their conservation efforts, […]
Posted inCommentary
Candidates should pay a penalty for false promises
A lot of time, energy and legal fees have been spent on political and court fights to limit donations to political campaigns. Supporters of campaign contribution laws say unlimited donations buy favorable treatment for people and business that write the big checks — effectively buying elections to protect and promote their own interests. Opponents of […]
Posted inSoutheast News
Wrangell rejects Tlingit and Haida communications tower near 13-Mile
In a 3-1 vote, the planning and zoning commission responded to concerns and opposition raised by residents and denied Tidal Network’s application for a conditional-use permit to erect a 230-foot-tall telecommunications tower near 13-Mile Zimovia Highway. “My brain is telling me yes. My heart is telling me (vote) no,” said Jillian Privett, one of three […]