The transition to Zoom meetings as a COVID-19 precautionary measure has been somewhat bumpy for the Haines Borough. On top of the routine “You’re still muted” and “I can’t tell who’s raising their hands” issues that come with the platform, this fall, the borough began receiving complaints from residents after it switched the assembly meeting format […]
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Fish and Game advisory group asks state, BLM to restrict heliskiing
Asks borough to request flight path data The Upper Lynn Canal Fish and Game Advisory Committee (ULCFGAC) Monday voted 6-2 to ask state and federal land managers to restrict heliskiing in the Takhinsha Mountains and Kicking Horse region in an effort reduce mountain goat population decline. According to protocols outlined in the Bureau of Land Management’s land […]
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Bear activity persists despite early snow
Two bears were shot in the Haines Borough this past weekend, both by homeowners defending chickens. Although bear-related calls to the police dipped after last week’s record-setting snowfall, the recent activity suggests this year’s Bearpocalypse is not yet over. As of Nov. 5, the Haines Police department had received 421 bear-related calls for service, up more than 200% from […]
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New assembly tackles manager hiring question
The Haines Borough Assembly’s on-again, off-again manager hiring process is on again, again. At a meeting Tuesday, members restarted the discussion about the steps needed to advertise for the position. “I asked Alekka to put (the hiring discussion on the agenda). I know the Personnel Committee came up with a new manager (job) description. Where do we […]
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Borough sales tax down, but not as much as anticipated
Sales tax in the Haines Borough this year is down 31% through August, according to a recent report. The borough had collected $1.7 million in sales tax by the end of August this year, compared to $2.4 million by the same time in 2019. According to the report, sales tax revenue for January, February and March of […]
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Chilkat Center to host singing competition
Haines singers will have a chance to compete and display their vocal talents in December for the first-ever “Haines Has Voice” contest organized by Tod Sebens. Sebens has traditionally directed plays during the winter, but this year the pandemic has made that option unlikely. “I always want to do a play every winter but that […]
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Architecture firm will begin work on public safety building design
Bettisworth North Architects, Inc. has been awarded a contract not to exceed $338,167 to plan and design a new Haines Borough Public Safety Building as part of the assembly’s ongoing quest to bring the project to a “shovel-ready” stage. The assembly unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday approving the contract. “Shovel-ready” means the design, permitting and preparation for […]
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SEARHC changes free weekend COVID-19 testing to Saturday only
The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is making changes to its free, weekend COVID-19 testing schedule. The Haines Health Center will continue to offer testing in Haines on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but, moving forward, will no longer offer testing on Sundays. It will continue offering free tests on Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. […]
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Assembly standing committee appointments finalized
New Mayor Douglas Olerud finalized appointments to the Haines Borough Assembly’s standing committees. The assembly adopted these appointments at a meeting Tuesday. The assembly has four standing committees that meet on a monthly basis—the Personnel Committee, the Commerce Committee, the Finance Committee and the Government Affairs and Services (GAS) Committee. Each consists of a chair and two additional members. […]
Posted inNews, Public Safety
Avalanche center releases winter course schedule
The Haines Avalanche Center kicked off its winter education schedule last week, hosting two companion rescue practices on Nov. 5, one outside the Haines Borough Public Library and the other at the Mosquito Lake Community Center. The avalanche center is offering 15 courses and workshops this winter. The large number of educational offerings is a response to […]