Mary Price is home after six months spent in Anchorage recuperating from a broken hip and other complications. She’s “extremely happy to be home,” said daughter Cindy Clifton, home for a week with son Conner to visit Mary and help around the house. Mary’s daughter Nadine Price Schruefer is also in town, with Mary’s great-granddaughter Zhamirah. They attended the Memorial Day service […]
Search results
Posted inNews, Housing
Developer tax exemption pushed to third hearing with amendment
A proposed tax exemption for subdivision developers will go to a third public hearing on March 8. The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-3 on Tuesday to amend the proposed ordinance that would establish a five-year property tax exemption on unsold and undeveloped lots in new subdivisions. Originally the exemption would have applied only to long-plat subdivisions of […]
Posted inNews
Valley mountain goat researcher departs Fish and Game
The upper Lynn Canal’s leading mountain goat researcher, who has spent the last 12 years collecting data and providing analysis to Haines officials during heliski discussions, left the Alaska Department of Fish and Game about three weeks ago. Biologist Kevin White has been working on a long-term study that involves collaring, monitoring and mapping goat populations in […]
Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
House speaker questions ferry system’s hiring expectations
Officials lose hope in expanded summer service State Department of Transportation officials last week told legislators the ferry system needs to quickly hire at least 166 new crew in order to meet minimum staffing levels for this summer’s schedule starting in May. The state has been planning to bring the flagship Columbia back to service […]
Posted inNews
Proposed increase to water, sewer rates moves to public hearings
The Haines Borough Assembly introduced an ordinance that would raise water and sewer rates by 5% each year for the next four years, starting in July. Borough staff proposed the rate hike earlier this month to compensate for state funding cuts and a sharp rise in water fund expenses over the last four years. The Finance Committee […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Clarifying the “Yurt Ordinance”
Since the 1960’s Haines has not allowed mobile homes or RVs as residences outside of permitted mobile home or RV parks. Why? Because they do not age well. They are impermanent. Yet, all these years, Borough code has allowed impermanent structures such as tents, teepees, and yurts as residences. This inconsistency in code was the […]
Posted inNews
Borough revamps website
The Haines Borough gave its website a new look this month. Staff rolled out the updated site, which has a more modern look and a number of new features, on Feb. 7. “I felt like our website looked like it was from the 70s,” borough clerk Alekka Fullerton said. “We made a number of changes to try […]
Posted inNews
Protesters gather outside school to oppose mask mandate
A handful of protesters gathered in front of the Haines School every day this week, before and after classes, to voice opposition to the school’s mask mandate. The demonstrators – no more than five or six – displayed numerous signs, with such phrases as “My Body, My Choice,” “Make School Great Again” and “Unmask the Kids.” […]
Posted inNews
Borough staff propose rate hike for water and sewer
A rate hike for utilities could be on the horizon. Haines Borough staff on Tuesday proposed increasing water and sewer rates by 5% each year for four consecutive years. The hike, which staff originally planned to propose in 2020 but waited due to the pandemic, would compensate for a combination of ballooning water and sewer fund […]
Posted inNews, Housing
Assembly passes restriction on yurts, container homes
In a 4-2 vote, the Haines Borough Assembly adopted an ordinance on Tuesday that defines yurts and container homes and restricts their use in some zones of the townsite. The final ordinance included an amendment to allow yurts and container homes in more places than would have been allowed by the original draft ordinance, which would have […]