In the face of two appeals citing conflicts of interest, the Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday voted unanimously to delay the controversial process of redrawing recreational helicopter flight and landing paths until next summer. A newly-formed advisory panel will have more data on the plan’s effects on mountain goats and denning grizzly bears and have time to review […]
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Posted inNews, Courts
Court rejects heliport appeal
A Juneau Superior Court Judge ruled against a bid to operate a heliport on Chilkat Lake Road, the latest twist in years-long attempt by a Haines outdoor recreation company to land helicopters at 26 Mile. Judge Phillip Pallenberg’s Dec. 6 decision upheld the Haines Planning Commission’s denial of a heliport permit requested by Scott Sundberg, the owner of Big […]
Posted inNews
Assembly to tackle big agenda Tuesday
The Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday will issue a six-month report card for newly-arrived manager Bill Seward to determine whether any course correction is necessary for one of Haines’ newest public officials. The item is part of an already jam-packed agenda that became more crowded when the assembly’s Nov. 29 meeting was postponed due to bad weather […]
Posted inNews
Tourism marketing money in cross-hairs
Haines small business owner Rhonda Hinson takes every advantage she can to bring tourism dollars to her arts-and-crafts store on Main Street. As proprietor of a small retail shop, she knows the borough’s full-page ad in The Milepost, the glossy Alaska road guide is good for Haines and good for Alaska Rod’s. “If we did […]
Posted inNews
Assembly members dig into how to fix budget
Amid another troubled season of state budget slashing, the Haines Borough Assembly held a sometimes-tense workshop Monday night to target its budget priorities for the next fiscal year. Unlike years when Alaska oil was king and state money flowed, the fiscal forecast is ominous. “We’re going to have to redo the way we run our government,” said […]
Posted inNews
Assembly to take up budget Monday
The Haines Borough Assembly will start discussing its budget priorities for next fiscal year at a workshop Monday. Subjects will likely include staffing, police protection, where to find money for fixing Lutak Dock, taking care of the Portage Cove Harbor, and routine road and sewer maintenance. Borough manager Bill Seward has until April 1 to submit his proposed fiscal […]
Posted inNews
Push on for expanded breakwater
The Ports and Harbors Advisory Committee last week voted unanimously to ask the Haines Borough Assembly to re-examine what they consider a critical $385,000 piece to the Portage Cove Harbor Expansion project. It’s a 33-foot-long segment of the steel breakwater barrier that both local fishermen and harbor officials say would not only better protect the boats moored […]
Posted inHaines Borough, News
Assembly approves first harbor contract
A slightly trimmed Portage Cove Harbor Expansion now enters its first phase. “I believe this is one of the biggest and best projects we’re going to see,” said Mayor Jan Hill. The Haines Borough Assembly approved 5-1 Tuesday a contract with Pacific Pile & Marine to install a steel breakwater barrier and fill up the harbor’s uplands area with […]
Posted inNews
Evidence issue behind reduced charges
This is a story about a crush on a woman. About an alleged drug deal that no one wants to publicly discuss in detail. About a marijuana advocate and a police force that just don’t like each other. But mostly this is a story about why four drug charges were quickly reduced to two misdemeanors. […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly rejects letter on future of trooper job
The Haines Borough Assembly decided not to send a preemptive letter to the state government in response to a rumor that the borough might lose one of its two state troopers. The assembly voted 4-2 Tuesday against a proposal by assembly member Tom Morphet that a letter should be sent to the Alaska State Troopers to request […]