Resident Norm Smith recalled a Boy Scout campout in the early 1960s, when a Scout leader took him and others out to Chilkoot Lake in an old school bus. “We tried setting up tents. It was raining so hard and it was so cold, we climbed in our sleeping bags and got back in the bus. A couple of […]

Casting a tie-breaking vote, Haines Borough Mayor Stephanie Scott stopped an assembly motion Tuesday aimed at extending manager Mark Earnest’s contract through June 2014. With Scott’s vote, the assembly agreed, 4-3, to postpone the matter to Nov. 6, when Earnest has been asked to make a formal proposal. “My concern is that it’s a big decision,” Scott said. “I’m […]

Renovation of an historic, self-propelled steam drill on display for 30 years at Portage Cove is nearing completion. David Pahl took apart the six-ton machine last winter, replacing fir timbers, grinding and repainting its iron wheels and carriage, and adding a chimney to its steam boiler. He recently reassembled it on a new, concrete foundation […]

Democratic challenger Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins assailed state Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, and Republican funding of education at a debate Monday in Haines. State Sen. Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon, also spoke at the debate. Kookesh’s Republican opponent, Bert Stedman of Sitka, did not participate. Schools aren’t staying even with inflation, but they could for about $40 million more in […]

The Haines Borough Assembly voted Tuesday 4-2 to introduce an ordinance that would charge heli-ski companies a $5 per skier-day fee and allow fines up to $1,000 per day for permit violations. Establishment of the fee would not be effective until the 2014 season. Under current borough law, fines are limited to $300. Members Jerry Lapp and Norm Smith voted in […]

In the wake of concerns about government secrecy, the Haines Borough will ask its Haines Port Steering Development Committee to review a proposed memorandum of understanding and confidentiality agreement with Wellgreen mine developer Prophecy Platinum Corp. at its meeting Oct. 25. Prophecy is considering Haines as a transshipment port for nickel ore from Burwash Landing, Y.T. ore […]

A $2.5 million upgrade of the planned Wells Bridge replacement and a certain amount of public support may be necessary for mines in the western Yukon Territory to use Haines as an ore transshipment site, local leaders heard at a “Minerals, Natural Gas and Transportation Summit” last week. About 20 officials, including ones from mine […]

Incumbent assembly member Joanne Waterman cruised by challenger Jim Studley and former City of Haines Mayor Dave Berry topped Jono Greene for an open seat in Tuesday’s Haines Borough election. Voters also exempted local political candidates from State of Alaska financial disclosure requirements. The vote tally was 457-362, or 56 percent approval. The vote was the third ballot measure on disclosure […]