A proposal that would do away with restrictions on how two local sales taxes are spent could face voters in the fall. Currently, the Haines Borough levies a 1% sales tax that can be spent only on tourism and economic development and a half-percent tax designated for emergency medical service. Last year, the borough collected about $677,000 […]
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Bed tax hike proposed
Haines voters will be able to decide whether or not to increase the tax for short-term rentals including hotels and AirBnBs if the assembly passes a new proposal. The proposal would bump up the daily dollar amount the borough charges for nightly rentals from 4% to 6% per, on top of the 5.5% sales tax. […]
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Ground-truthing: Palmer Project work comes under fire
Two Haines residents are asking the state to put the brakes on an amended permit for Constantine Metals Resources Palmer Project, citing evidence of inaccurate stream mapping on the company’s application and trails built wider than is allowed in state forests, and other concerns. “I wasn’t expecting to find what we found, but I wasn’t […]
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Borough budget boosts playground, nonprofit funding
The Haines Borough Assembly passed a $12 million spending plan for the coming year on June 13, adding in money for Jenae’s Playground and grants to nonprofits while approving its first full-time, paid fire chief position. The budget includes $2 million for local schools, almost $300,000 for the swimming pool, $88,000 for parks, and $54,000 for road […]
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Kiehl, Story provide legislative wrap up at town hall
Speaking at the American Legion Hall Thursday, the Chilkat Valley’s legislative representatives gave a generally positive presentation on the recently concluded legislative session including a budget that boosts schools and provides a $1,300 permanent fund check without cutting into the state’s savings accounts. “With a moderate oil price forecast, we won’t have to draw from […]
Posted inLetters
Stand with Klukwan, Salmon Strong
Permanently storing toxic mine waste near the Klehini River? Many thanks to Haines Borough Assembly Members Debra Schnabel and Ben Aultman-Moore for hand digging through a pile of double speak and conflicts of interest. Might Dowa-Alaska’s new proposal for drilling and seismic testing near the Klehini River relate to siting a future mine tailings facility? After about ten minutes […]
Posted inLetters
We’re concerned about mining impacts
This week the CVN was flooded with more letters than I can recall ever being submitted. In order to save space, we grouped letters according to their subject matter under one headline. -Kyle Clayton This is just a reminder that mining remediation is forever. As a former resident of Haines, I still care about the […]
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Assembly rejects call to extend comment period
By Lee Zion About 40 people showed up for the Haines Borough Assembly meeting Thursday night, most of them seeking the same thing. They wanted to slow down the process of modifying the permit for mining exploration at the Palmer Project. Residents felt the permit amendment was so different from the original project that it should be […]
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Twenty one graduate from Haines High School
The Haines High School Class of 2023 tossed their caps into a shower of green and gold confetti at the May 23 commencement ceremony, moments after receiving their long-awaited diplomas. “Graduates, the same feelings your parents and caretakers had on your first day of school, they feel again today,” said superintendent Roy Getchell, whose daughter […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
More than 50 bridge players from Haines, Juneau, and Whitehorse played in an annual tournament at the American Bald Eagle Foundation this weekend. Haines players included Jim Wilson, Debra Schnabel, Stan Jones, Anne Quinlan, Greg Bigsby, Henry Wong, Joseph Orlando, Fred Shields, Roger Schnabel, Bob Lix, Sally Lix, Kyle Clayton and Michael Stark. Wilson and Schnabel earned two second-place finishes and […]