David Cesar, 56, broke down in tears. Sitting in his recumbent trike and hand bike, his helmeted head in his hands, he sobbed, “Last March I slipped a little bit…” He was referring to his battle with alcohol. His son Michael Cesar, 25, put his hand on his father’s shoulder, comforting him. On this ride […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: Books, betrothal
The Haines Borough Public Library has wrapped up the summer reading program for the season. Holly Davis says that over 100 kids received certificates of completion and prizes, including coupons for Rusty Compass, donated by Lee Robinson. For every 10 books that a child read, they received one to keep. The readers enjoyed hotdogs, cookies, […]
Posted inLocal News, Haines Borough
Assembly members say they misunderstood lobbyist vote
Some assembly members are hoping to reconsider their vote last week to hire a new federal lobbyist after learning that the candidate they thought they were voting on is not a lobbyist at all — and is also the managing director of a mining company. Since 2022, the borough has paid federal lobbyists $3,000 per […]
Posted inObituaries
Justine Ostlund remembered for love of mysteries, cooking and gardening
Justine Ostlund passed away peacefully Aug. 2. She was born April 4, 1938, in Haines, Alaska. She was the oldest daughter of Raymond and Emma Smith. Justine met Gary, who served in the United States Army, stationed in Haines, and they were married in 1958. They shared 67 wonderful years together. The Army took them […]
Posted inCommentary
Good pay, free housing, free parking, 4-year contract
Help Wanted: Unique opportunity to lead the largest state in the country, with more miles of coastline, taller mountains, more fish and game, more dreams and less reality than those other 49 pipsqueaks. Dynamic, convincing decision maker with strong personality needed to lead the second youngest state in the nation into the future, albeit without enough […]
Posted inCommentary
Students plan their future roles in Alaska
You think you know what you want to do after high school. But you may not know how to acquire the education you need to get there. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Upward Bound and Teaching Through Technology Alaska programs have teamed up once again to help high school students from across Alaska prepare for life after graduation. Through […]
Posted inLocal News, Public Safety
Coast Guard rescues two after plane hits log in Chilkoot Inlet
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka helicopter picked up two people in good condition Monday after their small plane hit a log while landing in Chilkoot Inlet near Haines, the Coast Guard said today. No serious injuries were reported, but the two on the plane were flown to Juneau where they were met by EMS […]
Posted inSoutheast News
July heat wave triggers king salmon die-off in front of Petersburg hatchery
Hatchery managers had hoped that June’s steady rainfall would spare them from having to intervene in this year’s king salmon run, allowing fish to reach the Crystal Lake Hatchery in Petersburg naturally, without the stress of human handling. Those hopes evaporated in late July when a few hot days right at the wrong time caused […]
Posted inHealth, Southeast News
Rising summer case counts puts Southeast No. 1 in the state for COVID-19
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, new strains of the virus continue to develop and adapt. Similar to national trends, cases in Alaska — especially the Southeast — have risen over the course of the summer. Positive test rates in Southeast Alaska — according to CDC figures — dropped significantly between October […]
Posted inLocal News, Alaska Legislature
Alaska Legislature gavels in and out, taking no further action in special session
The Alaska State Legislature gaveled in and out Tuesday as a technical step in running down the clock on a special session, slated to end Aug. 31. Legislative leaders say they’ve already accomplished their priorities — successfully overriding two vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy — and have no interest in taking up further business this month. Dunleavy […]