After months of debate, the Haines Borough Assembly granted a heliski tour permit to a fourth operator in the Chilkat Valley. The Jan. 11 decision came three weeks after the assembly, in a 4-2 vote, adopted changes to the borough’s heliski code, raising a cap on tour permits for three years and replacing regulations on skier days with a limit on […]
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Posted inNews, Alaska Marine Highway System
AMHS adds two sailings with private ferry
Following complaints about diminished ferry service to the upper Lynn Canal, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) added two January sailings between Juneau, Haines and Skagway on a private catamaran. The passenger-only ferry will be operated by Goldbelt Inc., the Juneau-based Native corporation. The ship will leave Juneau at 8 a.m. on Jan. 24 and Jan. […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly approves motorized trail application, introduces yurt ordinance
The Haines Borough Assembly in December approved an application for a state grant to fund a motorized recreation trail near Lily Lake Road. The assembly voted 4-2 in favor of the application, with assembly members Caitie Kirby and Tyler Huling opposed. The trail would be a two-mile loop geared towards residents learning to ride ATVs, snow machines, […]
Posted inNews
Harbor board won’t pursue free but aging breakwater float
Harbormaster Shawn Bell reported that there would be too many issues with an aging breakwater float from Ketchikan that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had offered for free to protect Letnikof Harbor. “I love the idea of getting some protection out there. And I’m hoping to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to […]
Posted inNews
2021 sees rebuilding, recovery from disaster, pandemic
Recovery and rebuilding were the watchwords of 2021 as residents navigated life in Haines among the wreckage left by the December storms and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Also in this year’s news, the borough secured a $20 million grant to repair the Lutak Dock, a new borough manager was hired, incidents of bear and human interactions, including […]
Posted inNews
Ripinsky’s notary stamper found
The Haines Sheldon Museum recently acquired the notary public stamp of pioneer Mayor and postmaster Solomon Ripinsky. The cast-iron and steel embossing device used for notarizing official documents is engraved with the words, “Sol Ripinsky – Notary Public – District of Alaska.” It’s the first personal possession of Ripinsky the museum has acquired, said Niall Hackett, operations and education manager. The embosser […]
Posted inNews
Hot-mic remark causes concern
Assuming he was muted on Zoom at a Nov. 29 heliski Committee of the Whole meeting, Eric Holle said, “I’d like to kill Liz Cornejo.” Cornejo had just given a public comment in which she critiqued Holle’s use of the word “critical” to describe mountain goat habitat that the state hasn’t designated as “critical.” Earlier in the […]
Posted inNews, Local News
Speakers address trauma, recovery at December storm anniversary memorial
The anniversary memorial of the Dec. 2 storm drew more than 150 residents to the small boat harbor and Picture Point on a cold and sunny Saturday where they heard remarks from pastor Matt Jones, Mayor Douglas Olerud and heard songs from Holly Davis and the Haines Threshold choir. Speakers focused on attempting to find meaning amidst […]
Posted inNews
Memorial event scheduled for Saturday
An anniversary memorializing the Dec. 2 flooding and landslides that killed two and displaced dozens last year will be held Saturday, Dec. 4 at 1.30 p.m. at the small boat harbor, the same location that last year’s candlelight vigil was held. “It’s a time to remember and a time to also realize and celebrate how […]
Posted inNews
Hospital’s plan for mental health care office delayed indefinitely
Juneau’s Bartlett Regional Hospital announced plans over the summer to open an outpatient mental health care office in Haines, but due to turnover at the hospital’s highest level of management, the plan has been delayed indefinitely. In mid-August, Haines Borough Mayor Douglas Olerud sent a letter to Bartlett’s CEO Rose Lawhorne requesting assistance with mental healthcare to meet […]