Should the Haines Borough have more dry cabins? Tax incentives for developers? Another low-income apartment complex? These are among the questions preoccupying members of the borough’s new housing working group, which met for the first time on Dec. 1. The group, which was created this fall by the Finance Committee to address the borough’s housing needs, identified […]
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Hot-mic remark causes concern
Assuming he was muted on Zoom at a Nov. 29 heliski Committee of the Whole meeting, Eric Holle said, “I’d like to kill Liz Cornejo.” Cornejo had just given a public comment in which she critiqued Holle’s use of the word “critical” to describe mountain goat habitat that the state hasn’t designated as “critical.” Earlier in the […]
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Heliski focus shifts to limiting helicopters
As the Haines Borough Assembly weighs a draft ordinance that would eliminate a cap on heliski tour permits in the borough, a new idea has piqued the interest of assembly members. The borough could limit the number of helicopters per operator and abolish its current restriction on skier days. The idea, which emerged in a version of the ordinance […]
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Memorial event scheduled for Saturday
An anniversary memorializing the Dec. 2 flooding and landslides that killed two and displaced dozens last year will be held Saturday, Dec. 4 at 1.30 p.m. at the small boat harbor, the same location that last year’s candlelight vigil was held. “It’s a time to remember and a time to also realize and celebrate how […]
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Excursion Inlet plant to stay closed
Haines Borough fish tax revenue likely to stay low in 2022 For the second consecutive year, OBI Seafoods’ Excursion Inlet cannery won’t process fish next summer. The plant’s continued closure likely will mean another year of relatively little raw fish tax revenue for the Haines Borough. “Our plan for next season is going to be similar […]
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Hospital’s plan for mental health care office delayed indefinitely
Juneau’s Bartlett Regional Hospital announced plans over the summer to open an outpatient mental health care office in Haines, but due to turnover at the hospital’s highest level of management, the plan has been delayed indefinitely. In mid-August, Haines Borough Mayor Douglas Olerud sent a letter to Bartlett’s CEO Rose Lawhorne requesting assistance with mental healthcare to meet […]
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AIA, borough tentatively agree to general terms for Parade Grounds transfer
The Haines Borough and Alaska Indian Arts (AIA) have agreed to general terms regarding the borough’s possible acquisition of the Parade Grounds at Fort Seward. According to a memorandum of agreement, which has yet to be finalized, AIA would cede the seven-acre Parade Grounds property to the borough but retain a one-acre commercial parcel within the Parade […]
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Dozens of open seats on borough advisory boards
The Haines Borough Board and Committees Fair, an event scheduled to raise awareness of the various ways to be involved in local government, drew few interested residents Tuesday night, but borough clerk Alekka Fullerton says she’s not worried about filling empty seats. More than 45 seats are open on 15 borough committees and boards including the Parks […]
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Former park ranger starts as police officer
Travis Russell turned in his badge and gun with Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation a few weeks ago, but he wasn’t off duty or unarmed for long. Russell joined the Haines Borough Police Department on Nov. 15, marking the beginning of a new era for the sturdy and affable man who worked as Haines’ state […]
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Federal COVID-19 grant funding boon to Haines public library
The Haines Borough Public Library will upgrade its community room, increase internet capacity, add new e-books and purchase more lending materials after receiving $33,000 in American Rescue Plan Act grant funding. The federal grants are funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and roughly $2.2 million went to the Alaska State Library. The State Library […]