Why a “No Kings” protest? Perhaps your pro-Trump “news” hasn’t revealed important issues such as, but not at all limited to: He seeks to suspend habeas corpus (a legal procedure that allows a person to challenge their unlawful detention or imprisonment in court, and is in the Constitution), despite federal judges rejecting his contention that […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Oppositional concerns over TWC composting facility are misplaced
I am sadly not surprised at how politics can override common sense and decency. The dispute over Takshanuk Watershed Council’s (TWC) community composting facility is a blatant example. After discussion of the planning process, space at the cemetery and the issue of respect, opponents admitted to the truth of the matter. They don’t agree with […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: It’s time to hire a reliable, local fire chief
I am an 18-year year-round resident of Haines and am concerned after reading the June 26, 2025, Chilkat Valley News article regarding the upcoming hiring of a Haines fire chief.The out-of-state applicants for our public official positions rarely work out, if they even show up. We don’t know them, usually. They often resign before too […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: Keep the Chilkat Valley pristine for generations to come
Want to know the biggest draw for raising kids in the Chilkat Valley? We’ll give you a hint: it’s not the ease of modern amenities. We are raising our kids here because it is unlike any other place. It’s a place where we can escape into nature with an infant or toddler on our backs, […]
Posted inLocal News
Stuck in traffic? Here’s what everyone else is doing
It’s not so common these days to have a minute to stop, to listen, to sit. That is, unless you’re driving out the highway this summer, in which case it’s quite common to not just have a minute, but 10, 15, or 25 minutes, all without cell service. As another summer of highway construction goes […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted: Basketball, biking, tardiness, marriage, chess
The Head Coach of UAF basketball, Frank Ostanik, was in town conducting a basketball clinic at Haines high school. He brought his star player Mike Miller to wow the kids, and share some new skills. The event hosted 2nd graders to 12th grade and totaled 51 students. Ostanik held a separate 10 hour clinic for […]
Posted inLocal News
Borough, voters consider adding seasonal sales tax
The borough assembly is considering adding a seasonal sales tax proposal to the ballot in October in an effort to increase borough revenue. In the past year, the borough has seen major revenue streams drop off, including federal stimulus funding, school funding from the state, and property tax revenue lost to the borough’s newly-increased property […]
Posted inLocal News
Grocery store stocks returning to normal after June cyberattack
A June cyberattack on a major grocery distributor affected three Haines grocers, resulting in shortages and empty shelves that are only this week filling back up. The town’s major grocery stores, Howser’s IGA, Olerud’s and Mountain Market, all order at least a portion of their stock from grocery distributor United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), which […]
Posted inLocal News
Guide remembered for ‘ love in her heart for the river’ and the people she cared about
Just over a week ago, a group of employees from Alaska Mountain Guides went on a guides-only rafting trip down the Blanchard and Tatshenshini rivers. One of the four rafts flipped and longtime whitewater guide Marin Pitt died. Evie Hagan, 21, was also in the boat that flipped. Hagan, who is herself an experienced whitewater […]
Posted inLocal News
Kroschel, staff, say close to 20 animals missing after raid on wildlife center
An abandoned mink, a wolf who died during a roundup, and a snowy owl who was euthanized after transport were among the dozens of animals caught in the middle of a years-long dispute over the conditions at a Mosquito Lake wildlife facility. Staff at the 60-acre Kroschel Wildlife Center estimate at least 20 animals are […]