Mayor Tom Morphet will meet with Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska president Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson this week about a dispute that has the borough and tribe headed to a hearing in Alaska Small Claims Court. The stakes, at least in court, are relatively small: roughly $7,500 in sales tax […]
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Posted inLocal News
Working group discusses lack of childcare options in the Chilkat Valley
A childcare working group facilitated by the Haines Economic Development Corporation met for the second time on Tuesday for a discussion about the state of childcare in Haines and efforts to improve access. Haines Mayor Tom Morphet chaired the meeting, which featured a roundtable of around five people, including local business owners and stakeholders from […]
Posted inLocal News
State information session recalls decades of Juneau Road debate
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 […]
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 […]