The Haines Borough ranks among the wealthiest communities on the West Coast in per-capita income, according to a federal compilation included in the draft Haines Borough Comprehensive Plan. The federal Bureau of Economic Affairs compiled the ranking, derived by taking the total income to Haines residents – $154 million in 2010 – and dividing by a population of 2,508, […]

How are your rubber boots holding up? Complaints about poorly made Xtratuf boots, published in coastal Alaska newspapers in recent months, also extend to Haines. The familiar brown and yellow knee boots with a grippy sole are favored by commercial fishermen, river guides and woods dwellers. “I quit wearing them,” said John Winge, a Haines […]

Mayor Stephanie Scott said she was enthused 21 residents turned out Aug. 2 for a meeting on wind power potential in the Chilkat Valley, but she isn’t expecting utility-scale development of the source any time soon. “I think the sense of the group is that it wasn’t feasible to do this,” Scott said. Scott paraphrased comments at […]

After edging toward $5 per gallon, the local price of unleaded gasoline dropped last week about 25 cents. It was selling at between $4.66 and $4.72 at area stations this week, with diesel ranging from $4.81 to $4.94. The previous price for diesel was $5.20 or more for several months and unleaded was $4.96. Fred […]

Unexpected, asbestos-laden materials and flaws in an original, concrete slab pushed up the cost of replacing the school’s gym floor $134,000, according to Haines Borough director of public facilities Brian Lemcke. Haines Borough Assembly members approved the extra funding last week, along with $22,000 for renovation of the school’s art room into district offices, including wiring changes […]

Representatives of four Haines service organizations met Wednesday and discussed pooling volunteers and partnering to keep groups and events afloat in the face of aging memberships, declining volunteerism and a tightening economy. The meeting drew about 15 representatives of the American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Emblem Club and Uglys of Haines, as well as Haines Borough mayor Stephanie Scott and […]

The Haines Borough will crack down on use of municipal equipment for private purposes by employees following a recent fire that stemmed from after-hours use of the public works shop. Brian Lemcke, director of public facilities, said private use of the public works shop will be discontinued, and that he intends to extend the policy to other […]

Incumbent Daymond Hoffman won’t seek re-election to the Haines Borough Assembly. Instead, former City of Haines Mayor Dave Berry Jr. and tour boat captain Jonathan “Jono” Greene will vie for his vacated seat. “I need to spend time with my kids and my family,” Hoffman said this week. “The assembly takes a lot of time. It’s something I’m going to […]