This article was reported and published in collaboration between the Chilkat Valley News and the Alaska Beacon. Skagway’s former paramedic is alleging wrongdoing by the Southeast Alaska town, saying in a newly filed lawsuit that she was illegally fired after submitting a grievance against the city’s fire chief and deputy fire chief. In a lawsuit […]
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Posted inLocal News
Borough to put Lutak Dock advisor role out for bid, outlook challenging
Old contractors and old designs are out on the Lutak Dock; a new adviser bearing a new plan may soon be coming in. Roughly a month ago, the borough terminated its contracts with Turnagain Marine and owner-adviser R&M Consultants. As the two firms went out the door, so too did Turnagain’s design for the dock […]
Posted inLocal News
Citizen group assists with childcare startups
A citizen group working to increase childcare availability is finding some early success, but says a far more significant intervention is still needed. The Chilkat Valley currently has four licensed childcare providers: Head Start, Chilkat Valley Preschool, pre-school at the Klukwan school, and longtime home-provider Kim Larson. But many people say that’s not enough. A […]
Posted inLocal News, Environment & Natural Resources
‘We have a responsibility to take care of it’ Lani and Jones Hotch honored for Chilkat Valley conservation
Despite the heavy, wet snow making roads throughout the Chilkat Valley difficult to traverse, about 40 people trickled into the Haines library to honor Klukwan couple Jones and Lani Hotch on the last day of the bald eagle festival. The ceremony is in its third year. It honors Chilkat Valley residents for their conservation efforts, […]
Posted inCommentary
Candidates should pay a penalty for false promises
A lot of time, energy and legal fees have been spent on political and court fights to limit donations to political campaigns. Supporters of campaign contribution laws say unlimited donations buy favorable treatment for people and business that write the big checks — effectively buying elections to protect and promote their own interests. Opponents of […]
Posted inSoutheast News, Environment
‘Explosion’ of invasive European green crabs reported in Southeast Alaska
When a young Sealaska intern walking a beach in July 2022 found the first evidence of European green crab presence in Alaska – a discarded shell on a beach on Annette Island in the state’s far southeast corner – it was an ominous sign about the invasive species’ northward spread. Since then, the Metlakatla Indian Community, the tribe […]
Posted inLocal News, Environment & Natural Resources
24-mile boat launch could shut down
The popular 24 Mile boat launch could be shut down, Alaska Department of Fish and Game officials say, after an inspection showed the launch area and its access road run through salmon spawning habitat. The area has been used as a boat launch for decades — at least 40 years, local sportsmen say. It’s not […]
Posted inObituaries
Olerud left his mark on Haines
Dave Olerud, 88, died Oct. 3 at home of natural causes. He was born Oct. 17, 1936, in Boyd, Minn., and came to Haines in 1964 to teach school. Olerud founded the Alaska Bald Eagle Foundation and the family owns Olerud’s Market Center and the Alaska Sport Shop on Main Street, businesses that he and […]
Posted inLocal News
Assembly Briefs: heated debate, new appointments, Lutak Dock, and Mosquito Lake School
Morphet chooses committee member Diana Lapham was appointed by mayor Tom Morphet to fill a vacant seat on the Ports and Harbors Advisory Committee, but only after lengthy and heated debate. Lapham, who previously served six years on the committee, was one of two candidates who expressed interest in the open seat, which was previously […]
Posted inLocal News
November bald eagle festival returns
The 29th Alaska Bald Eagle Festival will draw raptor enthusiasts to Haines in early November, though it’s not clear how many people will show up as organizers say event registrations are slow. The Chilkat Valley is known as being home to one of North America’s largest congregations of bald eagles due to a late chum […]