Carolann Wooten will take over as Haines Borough tourism director this month, hoping to use tourism as a “bridge builder” between differing interests in the community. “I’m going into this open minded,” Wooten said. “It’s a perspective I bring from outside, the hope that anything is possible.” Wooten doesn’t have experience in the tourism industry. She said […]
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Posted inNews
Pool sauna project nears construction
After years of planning, the Haines Pool is inching closer to having a sauna. Haines Borough Public Facilities Director Brad Ryan said the borough is waiting on fire marshal approval before construction can begin. The idea for a sauna at the community pool came about in 2013. After several planned locations were deemed unsuitable by pool […]
Posted inNews
Assembly censures Morphet
With little discussion, the Haines Borough Assembly unanimously voted Tuesday to censure member Tom Morphet for violating code and the borough’s contract with its union by releasing complaints about the Haines Police Department he had compiled from members of the public. Morphet submitted the complaints to interim manager Brad Ryan in April, then released them to reporters a week […]
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Winter, night service to be part of Uber, driver says
Alaska became the last state in the nation to allow transportation apps last month, and Uber was quick to roll into Haines. Gov. Bill Walker signed House Bill 132 in June that permits ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft in the state. Smartphone users can download an app that allows them to order a personally-owned […]
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Borough at low risk of ‘takings’ rulings
Risk that the Haines Borough would have to compensate landowners for prohibitions on resource extractions is low, a borough attorney recently said. But although findings of takings are unlikely, they are still a possibility. The borough asked attorney Patrick Munson to analyze the question of whether a complete prohibition of resource extraction activities would require compensation of […]
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Parks committee seeks Mosquito Lake privy
The Haines Borough Parks and Recreation Committee recommended Thursday that borough staff work with the Division of State Parks to fund, install and maintain an outhouse at Mosquito Lake State Park. The committee has been discussing solutions for months to put a bathroom at the popular recreation site. But state parks did not want to be responsible […]
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Size of spaces vexes parking lot planners
The Portage Cove harbor parking lot may have to be bigger than planned after the Haines Borough Planning Commission discovered a discrepancy in parking space size. PND Engineers presented three conceptual design options for a boat launch and harbor parking lot at a community meeting Wednesday, June 28. They differed in what is to happen with Lookout […]
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Fireworks bomb injures river guide
A river guide suffered severe facial injuries after approaching a homemade “sparkler bomb” while shooting off fireworks at Jones Point Monday night. Kris Rath, 27, of Sumner, Wash. reportedly also lost a section of his calf in the explosion. He was listed in fair condition at the intensive care unit of Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center […]
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Borough Digest
Maidy named to open seat on assembly The Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday appointed resident Sean Maidy to an open assembly seat after members questioned the preferred candidate’s availability. Assembly members said last week that James Hart was their preferred applicant to take Margaret Friedenauer’s open seat until the October municipal election. Hart was unable to call in […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Food donations boost senior center
On behalf of the Haines Senior Center, I want to give a huge thank you to all the people who help support the center. Recently, Dr. Stan Jones donated some wonderful fresh fish and we received 12 big fresh salmon from Bill Thomas. We also benefit from and appreciate the fresh fruits and veggies from locals […]