Milk shelves at all three local grocery stores were empty this week due to a coronavirus outbreak and “a comedy of errors” at a major distributor’s warehouse in Centralia, Washington, according to Haines grocers. “It’s the lowest our inventory has been in 20 years,” said Kevin Shove, manager of Howser’s IGA. “This week we actually […]
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Students return to school with a greater sense of normalcy
Although pandemic mitigations are still in place, Haines School’s first day back Tuesday was more jovial than last year when elementary students were lined up, six feet apart, by grade, and led into the building by teachers. On Tuesday, children played on the playground, and the hallways were abuzz as students checked out each others’ […]
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Data scarcity muddles heliski policy
As Haines Borough Government Affairs and Services (GAS) Committee members decide whether to change code to allow a fourth heliski operator in the borough, they have to weigh a variety of concerns: skier safety, environmental impact, neighborhood noise and the industry’s needs. But a researcher in the Lower 48 says a major obstacle stands in the legislators’ way: there’s […]
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Canadians rebuffed by U.S. border another month
Canada opened its border to fully vaccinated Americans more than two weeks ago, but last week the U.S. extended its ban on Canadian travelers at the border for at least another month, citing COVID-19 concerns. “To minimize the spread of COVID19, including the Delta variant, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at […]
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Assembly scraps seasonal sales tax
The assembly voted unanimously to scrap a proposed seasonal sales tax ordinance. The sales tax issue will go back to the finance committee for further discussion. Assembly member Paul Rogers called the ordinance “kind of convoluted” at Tuesday’s regular meeting. “We need more clarity on what we’re really thinking of doing and how we’re going […]
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School to open with mask requirement
The Haines Borough School District Board Aug. 12 unanimously approved back-to-school plans that included universal face coverings for the start of the year and to reassess as risk levels change. The Haines Borough is still considered a high-risk community, said interim manager Alekka Fullerton. As of Wednesday evening, there were 47 active cases that resulted from community spread after […]
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Does Haines have the largest population decline in Alaska?
Does Haines have the largest population decline in Alaska? Census data released last Thursday show the Haines Borough had its largest population decline in history and the largest of any Alaskan borough or census area over the last decade. But the census count stands in stark contrast with state estimates and PFD data. According to the census, […]
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Haines misses out on vaccine incentive program, economy boost
While most communities across Alaska took advantage of vaccine incentive programs that also injected thousands of dollars into their local economies, Haines missed out. Funded by the Alaska Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, local chambers, tribal organizations, municipalities and borough governments applied for grant funding that awarded gift […]
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Southeast Conference plans for inperson event
The regional business meeting Southeast Conference, scheduled to take place in Haines in mid-September, is still on schedule, said executive director Robert Venables. “Today’s answer is we’re still coming,” Venables said this week. “Unless there is different word from the borough, our hope and prayers are that this latest spike comes down as fast as […]
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Why does Haines limit heliski permits?
In June the Haines Borough denied a permit application for a fourth heliski operator because borough code sets a limit at three operators per season. Borough assembly members are asking: why is there a limit? It depends on whom you ask. The borough codified the limit in 2011 after Alaska Mountain Guides applied for a third heliski tour permit. At the […]