Heliport rehearing Controversy surrounding a 26 Mile heliport, and likely litigation too, will continue after the assembly on Tuesday denied appeals from both the borough manager and heliport owners George and Lynette Campbell. The requests for appeal followed a Haines Borough Planning Commission meeting last month in which the commission voted to deny the Campbells […]
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Posted inLocal News
Local organizations rush for large state pot before deadline
The state has been promised a more-than-quarter-billion dollar windfall, and some of it could end up in the Chilkat Valley. The $272 million materialized in Juneau just before New Year’s for the Rural Health Transformation Program — part of the Trump Administration’s tax and spending bill, often referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill, […]
Chilkat Valley Newsletter Friday March 6
Twenty years ago, a small brown bear cub was picked up near Mud Bay. Wildlife biologists discovered it had been fed dog food at a local home. The orphaned cub eventually left Alaska, becoming part of a trio of rescued bears who would spend their lives together at a major zoo exhibit thousands of miles […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
LCC criticism ignores the facts
I commend those assembly members and the mayor who maintain civility and open-mindedness when considering public comments. Aggressive, vitriolic, misinformed attacks by any borough representatives against citizens or organizations are unacceptable. Respectful listening and response to all constituents must be the rule. Recent unfounded diatribes against Lynn Canal Conservation have not met that standard. Rather […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly Briefs: Porcupine Road, ski permits, public use cabins, infrastructure
Small Tracts water main goes ahead Small Tracts is on its way to getting borough water. The borough approved a contract with HiEx Construction to take on the water-main extension project, which will be funded by a forgivable loan from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The borough received two bids on the project, one […]
Chilkat Valley Newsletter Friday Feb. 20
They crossed the finish line nearly an hour ahead of the rest of the field, but that doesn’t mean it was easy. In this week’s newsletter, we’re sharing a conversation with Kat to Koot winner Erik Stevens, who says the crust on this year’s snow was “one of the worst” he’s ever skied. He and […]
Posted inLocal News
Peratrovich Day in Haines highlights decades of civil rights work
Tuesday’s Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration brought a new first, at least in recent memory: the Haines and Klukwan schools joining together to celebrate the Alaska Native civil rights pioneer. But by and large, much of the celebration has become familiar, and a yearly tradition for the current generation of students. It wasn’t always that way, […]
Chilkat Valley Newsletter Friday Feb. 13
Haines’ newest special education teacher is leaving mid-year after her work permit was denied and the district says it won’t pursue visa hires going forward. Stacey Spencer moved from Trinidad and Tobago to rural Alaska looking for a new chapter in a long career living and working in the U.S. Now that future in the […]
Posted inLocal News
A few questions for Doug Olerud, who also has questions
Former mayor and local business owner Doug Olerud has launched a new podcast called “Doug Has Questions.” The first episode came out Nov. 30, 2025, and he has released a dozen more audio and video interviews since, primarily of Chilkat Valley locals. Olerud sat down with the Chilkat Valley News’ Rashah McChesney to talk about […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Some cell tower impacts area not debatable
Cell tower companies are pushing to install giant towers throughout our valley, on the Chilkat Islands, and along the west side of Lynn Canal, without any regard for how it will affect our community. The health impacts of 5G may still be unsettled within the scientific community, but the impact of towers approaching 200 feet […]