Using a prepacked bag, multimedia and over a decade of training, local avalanche expert Jonny Bomber led a group of more than 20 participants through a backcountry skills workshop at the Haines Borough Public Library on Monday. According to Bomber, Alaska is second only to Colorado in avalanche-caused fatalities. The states’ mountain regions are most prone to […]
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Tourism operators oppose proposed permit fee increase
A proposed $225 annual increase in the base permit fee for tour operators created tension at the borough Commerce Committee meeting Tuesday, up from $25. The Tourism Advisory Board recommended halving the fees for tour permits from borough manager Debra Schnabel’s suggested annual base fee of $250, with a maximum additional $1,000 fee for tours […]
Posted inNews, School Board
School board discusses new active shooter response plan
Some school board members wanted to learn more about the school district’s “Run. Hide. Fight.” active-shooter response plan proposal. At Tuesday’s board meeting, Principal Rene Martin outlined the basics of the philosophy, which replaces the outdated “lockdown” response. “Hide might be the right decision,” Martin said. “That’s traditionally what a lockdown is. It’s hunker down. It’s hide […]
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Planning commission overturns manager’s decision on AMG permit
The planning commission voted Thursday to overturn the borough manager’s decision to deny Alaska Mountain Guide’s request to add additional employee housing on the company’s Sawmill Road property. Sean Gaffney, AMG executive director, applied for an accessory use permit in October 2018 for a bathhouse and five to seven camping spots for employee vehicles and/or […]
Posted inSports
New after-school wrestling, boxing clubs popular with students
Throwing punches and landing tackles are newly approved after-school activities after two grants have allowed Jordan Baumgartner and Brandie Stickler to start wrestling and boxing clubs. Baumgartner, a lifelong wrestler, was awarded an $11,000 Crossett Fund grant to begin a middle school sports program, which he has implemented with wrestling and will eventually include cross […]
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Attorney to troopers: borough declines to violate its own charter
The borough assembly voted unanimously to send an at times biting letter penned by its attorney to the acting director of the Alaska State Troopers saying that the assembly “respectfully declines the request to continually violate its own charter by regularly providing law enforcement services outside the Haines townsite service area.” A nearly two-year dispute […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Residents petition borough for drug-sniffing police dog
The Haines Borough Assembly will be asked to revisit its spring decision not to seek funding or research the efficacy of a drug-sniffing dog for the Haines Police Department. A petition seeking the reconsideration is now being circulated, and about 50 residents from various segments of the community have signed, said organizer JoAnn Ross Cunningham. “We believe that for […]
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Fort Seward photograph hangs in Hampton Inn hotels
A mural-sized photo of Fort Seward is gaining national exposure for Haines, but in an anonymous way. The black-and-white photo decorates the reception desk area of Hampton Inn hotels all over the country, but the scene is not identified. Instead, the only writing accompanying the photo is a superimposed, single-word inspirational message, alternately “explore,” “enjoy,” […]
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Planning commission approves phase two of Haines Highway project
The Haines Borough Planning Commission approved the Haines Highway reconstruction project phase two design plans despite staff objections. Borough planner Holly Smith’s and public facilities director Brad Ryan’s recommendation comes after the Chilkat Access Working Group identified historical access points along the highway where construction will take place next spring. The planning commission and Alaska Department of […]
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Heliski company offers terrain near Petersburg
Beginning in January, adrenaline junkies heading to Alaska for heliskiing can now launch off a boat moored at the foot of untouched mountains in Petersburg. After three consecutive bad winters, Southeast Alaska Backcountry Adventures (SEABA) has secured a two-year permit with the U.S. Forest Service to operate in Petersburg and partnered with a boat to […]