Posted inDuly Noted

Duly Noted: A death, an absence, a week honoring veterans, and a voucher program

Betty Ewing Dewitt, 89, died on Oct. 20. Dewitt, her husband and three children moved to Haines in 1962. A full obituary will be included in a future edition of the Chilkat Valley News.  Gov. Mike Dunleavy is set to issue an executive proclamation declaring Veterans Small Business Week. Visiting Haines Rep. Andi Story shared […]

Posted inThis Week in History

This Week in History: Veterans Village, bears after anglers, Berger hearings

10 years ago Soboleff-McRae Veterans Village officials don’t think property tax should be levied on the second floor of their building. The Haines Borough manager disagrees. At manager David Sosa’s recommendation, the assembly last week declined to introduce an ordinance which, if passed, would have granted a “community purpose exemption” for the residential floor, relieving […]

Posted inLocal News, Government & Elections

After closed-door session, new assembly fires borough clerk

After just 11 weeks on the job, Kristine Kennedy is out as borough clerk.  The Haines Borough Assembly fired her during its Oct. 22 meeting without cause after a closed-door executive session.  Initially, Kennedy said her preference would be to have the meeting in public.  The assembly justified going into executive session by citing an […]

Posted inLocal News, Wildlife, Haines Borough

New signs warn people away from borough land along the Chilkoot corridor

When Rebecca Hylton first moved to Haines 28 years ago, she said it was pretty well understood that people did not go into the woods along the east side of the Chilkoot River.  “I mean, you can during the hooligan run when the bears aren’t around, that’s totally fine. The river is super low and […]

Posted inThis Week in History

This Week in History: The road, ancient remains, and a cruise ship oil slick

10 years ago DOT: Road will boost economy After crunching numbers, updating studies and considering an additional alternative, the Alaska Department of Transportation is still convinced building a 50-mile road from Juneau to the Katzehin River is the best option for transportation in the Lynn Canal. DOT released its delayed Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Sept. […]

Posted inThis Week in History

This Week in History: Property rights, a tax exemption, and a local moose hunt

10 years ago The Haines Borough Assembly decided a Beach Road man can keep the personal shooting range he’s maintained at his residence for 28 years.   The assembly voted unanimously to reverse manager David Sosa’s order for Gary Keller to stop using his backyard shooting range. Though discharging firearms is prohibited in the townsite, Keller […]

Posted inLocal News, Tlingit Language, Haines Borough

Assembly Briefs: Deishú signage, changes to the junk car disposal program, a new head tax, and a burn permit overhaul

Welcome to Haines/Deishú round two? In his report to the assembly, Mayor Tom Morphet wrote that interim manager Elke Doom and he met with Chilkoot Indian Association tribal administrator Harriet Brouillette and – among other things – spoke about the borough placing signs reading “Deishú” in parentheses, under the “Welcome to Haines” signs currently sitting […]

Posted inLocal News, Elections

After a year on the planning commission, Sargent seeks another term

Incumbent Eben Sargent is running for a Haines Borough Planning Commission seat for a year. He was among those elected to the planning commission during the 2023 local election – a first for the borough. Previous commissioners were appointed by the mayor.  Born and raised in northeastern Vermont, Sargent grew up in a small town […]