In the wake of continuing police call-outs for bears in garbage, some residents are pushing the Haines Borough to adopt tougher regulations on securing residential trash. Pam Randles, president of the the Chilkoot Bear Foundation, said her group is seeking a borough ordinance similar to one adopted in Juneau in 2002 because other efforts, including public education, […]
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Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Borough workers get 3 percent-plus raise
The Haines Borough Assembly last week unanimously approved a three-year contract with its employees’ union, including an immediate 3 percent raise for all positions and smaller raises the next two years. The contract also includes raises larger than 3 percent for 26 of about 75 borough jobs. They include 15.5 percent for pool custodian, 7 percent for […]
Posted inNews
Police: Taser works on downtown bears But officer needs cover for safe use
Local police have added a Taser to their tools for chasing off bears, but say there are limits on its use. Last year, Sgt. Jason Joel was at a Ripinsky hillside home on Mathias Street frequented by a 200-pound black bear. On previous visits, he’d used his siren and rubber bullets to shoo the bear off, but […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Drunken driving, fights punctuate dual holidays
Calls about a street fight on Main Street and a felony assault at a motel twice brought out the entire Haines Borough police force during the holiday weekend. Chief Gary Lowe said a dispute between people who’d been drinking at a bar spilled out onto Main Street at about 10 p.m. Saturday, where a Canadian and a local man […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Motorized bikes raise concerns
Haines Borough police will enforce traffic violations by motorized bicycles, chief Gary Lowe told the assembly June 22. The issue was raised by assemblyman Norm Smith, who voiced safety concerns about bicycles traveling up to 45 mph. “I saw one guy going up the hill at the Fort. I knew he wasn’t pedaling and he was going way over […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Former butcher joins Haines police force
A familiar face from behind the meat counter is the new man behind the badge. Simon Ford, who has worked here five years as a grocery store butcher, was sworn in this week as the Haines Borough’s fifth police officer. “Knowing the town will make my training easier. As a meat cutter, I could be […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Fair gets borough funds for hall work Last-minute budget plea nets $175K
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday approved its $11.7 million budget for the coming year, including a $175,000 appropriation to the Southeast Alaska State Fair to help renovate Harriet Hall into a convention center. Discussion of the fair appropriation came at the last of three public hearings on the budget, following Gov. Sean Parnell’s veto of $277,000 […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Boy, 14, drowns within view of crowds at PC Dock beach
Haines Borough officials were scheduling a meeting this week among emergency responders, social workers, and school officials to make sure witnesses to a drowning Saturday at Port Chilkoot Dock have access to counseling. Andrew Williamson, 14, drowned in about 10 feet of water 100 feet offshore on a warm afternoon as 50 or more people at […]
Posted inNews
‘Gentlemen’s agreement’ at Chilkoot?
A dispute between tour operators and lodge owners Fred and Sue Folletti about the use of Chilkoot River Road which flared last summer hasn’t gone away. Some tour operators are questioning a Haines Borough request that they not pull over in front of the Follettis’ lodge there. Borough officials, including police chief Gary Lowe, made the request at […]