Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration this year revitalized a long-running proposal for a road up the Lynn Canal, pitched as a way to better connect the state capital in Juneau to the surrounding region. The proposal has, over the span of multiple decades, proved extremely resilient. It has returned again and again in the wake […]
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Posted inLocal News
Friends of Eileen Wafer again seek memorial for her near the cruise ship dock
Friends of a teenage murder victim whose case has remained unsolved in Haines for decades are again asking for a memorial to be placed where her body was found. Midge McClellan Clark sent a letter to Mayor Tom Morphet in August, asking him to help find a memorial spot for Eileen Wafer, a 14-year-old who […]
Posted inLocal News
For the first time in 3 years, bald eagle preserve advisory council to meet
There are still two vacant seats, but the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council is scheduled to convene in mid-October. At minimum, the 12-member council is supposed to meet quarterly, but it hasn’t had a meeting since 2022 according to a state meetings database. The governor appoints people to the council, which is made […]
Posted inLocal News, Elections
Listen: Assembly candidates consider issues during forum
The Chilkat Valley News and KHNS hosted a live candidate form on Friday, Sept. 26 in the Chilkat Center. Moderators Will Steinfeld and Melinda Munson questioned four candidates for two open assembly seats for about an hour. The Chilkat Valley News has profiled each of the candidates and they’ve also answered questions readers submitted. Editor’s note: […]
Posted inLocal News, Economy
Haines sues Tlingit & Haida over unpaid taxes
The Haines Borough has filed a claim in court for unpaid sales tax from The Central Council of Tlingit & Haida, and in response, Tlingit & Haida is asking that tribal-government-owned businesses be exempted from borough sales tax. Tlingit & Haida currently operates The Gathering Place, a short-term rental location on Lutak Road. According to […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Alaska Marine Highway System
Canadian officials back Prince Rupert ferry
Top Canadian officials are quietly supporting efforts to restore ferry service between Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and have given local leaders there permission to work behind the scenes to solve the policy issues that stalled progress for the past three years, the mayor of Prince Rupert said on Tuesday. BC Mayor Herb Pond spoke during […]
Posted inLocal News, Business & Commerce
The Bottom Line
Regal Realty A longtime real estate agent in Haines has opened her own brokerage – and a new physical office – near downtown. While Mandy Reigle technically launched Regal Realty in January, a physical location was under wraps for most of the summer. The windows of her Second Avenue building were covered in newspaper, sporting […]
Posted inLocal News, Tourism
‘It is much friendlier here than on the boat’ cruise passengers stranded in Haines, sheltered by locals
In some respects, Wednesday wasn’t Haines at its best. Roughly 250 Holland America cruise ship passengers were met on shore by rain blown sideways by gusting wind. Then, after cold, wet tours, many sat inside tenders knocking against the dock, or waited on the dock itself, until they were told they wouldn’t be heading back […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: Vote with your voice on October 7
We have a voice with our votes at the Oct. 7 election to stem the incivility that has crept into our borough assembly. The assembly members who currently treat our mayor with disrespect at the dais, and those who refuse to acknowledge the existence of citizens they disagree with (me, among others) have chosen a […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly Briefs: Historic preservation, meeting limits, cell towers, sales tax
Historic Preservation Committee PausedA plan to make Haines buildings eligible for federal historical preservation funds remains a controversial, and at times heated, topic.An assembly vote to designate Haines as a “certified local government” with the National Park Service, and establish a historic preservation committee, would, proponents say, be a no-risk way to bring in extra […]