Eldred Rock Lighthouse, a lone figure in the middle of the Lynn Canal, has been officially out of commission since 1975. Now 120 years old, the lighthouse is being restored by a non-profit, the Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association (ERLPA), who hope to open it to the public next summer. For now, the visitors to […]
Posted inLocal News, Environment & Natural Resources
Chilkoot sockeye to miss escapement; disagreement about cause
The Chilkoot River sockeye run will miss the state escapement goal this year for the first time in almost a decade. With this drop in the river’s sockeye return, local commercial fishermen say they are concerned about the long-term outlook — for the fish, and for the fishery. As of this week, the state Fish […]
Posted inLocal News
Amid staff turnover, H.A.R.K. unable to euthanize pets
The Haines Animal Rescue Kennel can no longer perform a difficult, but necessary, task in animal care: euthanasia. Without staff certified to administer the drugs, the community’s only shelter is unable to help pet owners facing end-of-life decisions or emergencies involving fatally injured animals. For years, former managers Stacey Clark Cureton and CaSandra Nash held […]
Posted inLocal News
Perennials purloined from police station, Realtor’s office
For the second September in a row, flowers have been quietly plucked from porches, planters and even the public safety building, leaving residents wondering who is responsible for the string of botanical burglaries. Local nursery owner Sabine Churchill still can’t believe the audacity. “They took a hanging basket of flowers from the public safety building, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Southeast News
Carvers, apprentices from Southeast collaborate on totem pole project
Haida master carver Lee Wallace and his apprentices were working in Wallace’s Saxman home carving shed on Aug. 18, filling the air with the scent of red cedar shavings and an aura of joyful creativity. Wallace was chosen to create one of 30 totem poles planned for the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Kootéeyaa Deiyí totem pole trail being […]
Posted inEnvironment, News
Alaska officials impose statewide ban on two kinds of invasive berry-producing trees
State officials have barred the import, transport and sale of two fast-growing invasive species that were once popular garden ornamentals but have now wreaked havoc on natural vegetation. The Alaska Division of Agriculture on Friday said it issued a quarantine for the two species: Prunus padus, commonly known as the European bird cherry tree or mayday tree, and Prunus […]
Posted inCourts, Public Safety, News
Alaska’s decision to seize a bootlegger’s plane could end up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court
In 2012, Alaska State Troopers arrested Fairbanks pilot Ken Jouppi and seized his aircraft after charging him with bootlegging for shipping beer into the dry community of Beaver. Now, after 13 years of legal disputes, the state’s decision to seize Jouppi’s airplane could be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Institute for Justice, a libertarian-leaning […]
Posted inEducation, Southeast News
Ending affirmative action, concerns about federal funds on UA Board of Regents agenda this week in Juneau
Eliminating affirmative action in hiring and evaluating various threats to funding — both in response to Trump administration policies — are among the agenda items for the University of Alaska Board of Regents during meetings in Juneau this week. The proposed changes and funding concerns are part of an ongoing process for the university and […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Transportation
LeConte out of service until at least Thursday due to repairs
The LeConte state ferry is expected to be out of service until at least Thursday following a mechanical breakdown during the weekend, state transportation officials announced Tuesday. The LeConte should be repaired in time to ferry people and their vehicles from Juneau to Skagway on Friday for the annual Klondike Road Relay, Shannon McCarthy, a […]
Posted inLocal News, Public Safety
Warrant issued after Haines man allegedly made threats to SEARHC clinic staff
A 63-year-old Haines man faces charges of making a terroristic threat after police say he made threatening statements to staff at the Southeast Alaska Regional Healthcare clinic, which then went into lockdown Aug. 25. Haines borough police responded to the SEARHC clinic after a staff member reported when she was not able to answer his […]