When Chris Metz showed up to the Chilkat Challenge Triathlon with an inflatable Costco paddleboard no one knew how the eight-mile journey across Mosquito Lake and down the Chilkat River would turn out. But, as it turns out, though it was Metz’s first time in Haines and on either body of water, the paddleboard turned […]
Posted inBlotter
Police Blotter: May 11-17
Sunday, May 11 A caller reported a parking violation on Main Street. An officer was advised. A caller on Lutak Road reported trespassing on private property. An officer responded. Monday, May 12 A driver was given a verbal warning during a traffic stop on Haines Highway. Wednesday, May 14 A caller reported a vehicle accident […]
Posted inShared Futures, Local News
Shared Futures: Graduating senior hopes teachers choose Haines as their forever home
In the four years of my high school career, I have had five different science teachers. Although this sounds impossible, it did happen. Every time a new teacher arrived, we would reset. The techniques and methods used to teach us, as well as the material, was as different as the summer and winter seasons of […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
On the work to retain vital education funding in the Chilkat Valley
If you live in Haines, I don’t have to tell you how important the Secure Rural Schools program is. It helps ensure your schools are well-staffed and that your communities have the resources to maintain roads and provide emergency services. Right now, though, there’s a problem. Congress hasn’t reauthorized SRS, and we’re on the verge […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
The Baby Brown Timber Harvest makes no sense
Why are we allowing clearcutting of our watershed and views along the Chilkat Range? The impending Baby Brown timber harvest essentially destroys a big draw of our one thriving industry – visitors. And, it potentially threatens our forever industry – fishing. Do we really think that visitors paying good money would want to look at […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Denied: Glass Blowing Classes in Haines
On May 15th, the Planning Commission denied the glass-blowing permit, cutting off a meaningful, small-scale art opportunity for the community. This letter isn’t to blame—just a sincere expression of disappointment. We worked in good faith to address concerns from neighbors. We cut from 500 to 180 guests, limited to four at a time, and total […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Thank you for another successful marine debris cleanup
Wind and rain made the 2025 marine debris removal program challenging! However, Takshanuk Watershed Council, partners and volunteers still managed to remove more than 1,000 pounds of trash from local beaches. This wouldn’t be possible without support from the Chilkoot Indian Association. Thanks to Liam Wirak-Cassidy for providing jetboat support and Jake Bell for providing […]
Posted inThis Week in History
This Week in History: Haines teachers, a top teacher award,
10 Years Ago Haines teachers reject negotiated contract offer By an 80 percent margin, Haines Borough teachers last week voted to reject a compensation proposal negotiated between union representatives and the school district. The borough school board had better luck with non-teaching employees, approving a two-year contract with those workers Tuesday that includes about a […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
AmeriCorps and USAID cuts are unconscionable
AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty. President John F. Kennedy originated the idea for VISTA, which was founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993. The AmeriCorps name was chosen to exemplify the similarity with the U.S. Peace Corps. […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
In response to the May 8th edition Speak Out, Stop the Steal letter
Let me try to dissect this rambling and disjointed diatribe against conservative fiscal policies. Whatever the writer chooses to call Alaska’s current financial condition is irrelevant, in reality we’re in deep trouble. Soon after the discovery of oil our government went on a spending spree growing itself in size exponentially and making decisions guaranteed to […]