After a month without much movement, Haines’ census response rate is now 27%, more than twice what it was a week ago. However, this is still 35% below the national average. The census, mandated by the U.S. Constitution, is a population count of everyone living in the United States that is used to determine congressional […]
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Final hour budget cuts reduce funding for museum, police
On Tuesday, the Haines Borough Assembly passed a $19.7 million operating and capital budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, including $1,860,626 in CARES Act Funds and $7,209,000 in state and federal grants for capital projects. The budget’s final passage was marked by a number of last-minute amendments. This year, the borough faced unexpected shortfalls including […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at the Presbyterian Church for former town librarian and longtime resident Marge Matthews. Matthews died May 8 in Boise, Idaho. She was 91. A full obituary will be published in next week’s CVN. Haines Borough tourism director Leslie Ross led a group of national media representatives on […]
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Borough’s virus blocker screens emails from residents
In March, responding to a rise in coronavirus-related cyberattacks, the Haines Borough put in place a filtering system to screen emails containing words like “COVID-19.” The system was effective, screening out countless messages containing malware, but it also screened out a number of messages from Haines residents trying to contact government officials in the midst of a […]
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Assembly narrows down use of $2.1 million in federal funds
The Haines Borough is inching toward a finalized plan for how to spend roughly $2.1 million in federal CARES Act funds. In total, the borough is expected to receive $4 million in CARES Act funding in three installments during the course of this year. The borough must spend 80% of its first installment before it receives the […]
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Assembly will begin manager hiring process
The Haines Borough Assembly plans to discuss hire of a new borough manager at the end of this month. At Tuesday’s assembly meeting, members added the topic as an agenda item for the June 23 personnel committee meeting. Also Tuesday, assembly members approved a manager evaluation form and a timeline for conducting annual manager evaluations. Under the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arts Outlook
Artists assist borough with COVID-19 outreach Seven Haines artists painted signs posted throughout town that aim to provide COVID-19 outreach through public art. Haines Borough Emergency Operations Command (EOC) assistant public information officer Margaret Friedenauer helped organize the effort after the signs posted at the airport and near the ferry terminal directing travelers to self-quarantine became […]
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Governor removes major obstacle for cruise ships coming to Southeast
Beginning June 6, travelers entering Alaska can opt out of the state’s 14-day quarantine if they consent to be tested for COVID-19. The policy, announced by Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a May 29 press conference, increases the likelihood of Haines receiving port calls from small cruise ships this summer. At a May 26 Haines Borough Assembly meeting, […]
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More stores, borough facilities reopen
The Bookstore opened its doors Wednesday for the first time since March 15. Owner Amy Kane, who recently purchased the business, was only open for a week before COVID-19 restrictions forced non-essential businesses to close. Kane had about a dozen customers by mid-day Wednesday. “It’s been so exciting,” Kane said. “I’m excited to see people.” […]
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Assembly begins work on ballot measure
On Tuesday, the Haines Borough Assembly’s finance committee gave chair Brenda Josephson the authority to work with staff to draft language for a ballot measure asking voters to approve a draw from the borough’s permanent fund. Assembly member Zephyr Sincerny, who proposed the measure, said the intent is to ask voters to approve a $450,000 draw, roughly […]