Presenting a range of alternative plans, being more objective and formulating processes for vetting ordinances and a feeling of mistrust between borough staff and the assembly were among the topics discussed during the assembly’s annual evaluation of borough manager Debra Schnabel. Four assembly members and Mayor Jan Hill met Wednesday to evaluate Schnabel’s performance. On the whole, assembly members […]
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Posted inNews
Man dies during Alaska Excursions canoe tour
A Nevada pastor celebrating his wedding anniversary with a cruise to Alaska died at Glacier Point Monday after a canoe capsized during a trip with Skagway-based Alaska Excursions—a tour company that faced public scrutiny this spring when former employees alleged poor maintenance habits and unsafe tour practices. Steven Todd Willis, 50, was one of 10 […]
Posted inNews
Assembly delays manager evaluation
Haines Borough Assembly members needed more time to provide feedback for manager Debra Schnabel’s first evaluation. Assembly members were recently tasked with filling out an evaluation form with feedback on several questions about Schnabel’s performance since she started as manager in June 2017. Questions included identifying the manager’s strengths, performance areas that need improvement and […]
Posted inNews
Southeast Alaska State Fair celebrates 50 years in Haines
The Carnival of Casseroles and Salad Parade, Licorice Ice Cream Eating Contest, the Alaskan Racing Pigs, the Table Setting Contest and the Cannon Duel. Those contests and events, some a reflection of their time, others more short-lived, have come and gone from the Southeast Alaska State Fair since its inaugural event at the American Legion […]
Posted inNews
Ballot measure would change charter to allow areawide policing
The Haines Borough Assembly narrowly approved introducing two ordinances for public hearings that, if advanced, would allow voters to decide whether or not they want to expand police services beyond the townsite. But which one voters will decide is drumming up debate reminiscent of consolidation. One ordinance would allow voters who live outside the townsite service area […]
Posted inNews, Courts
Court adjusts to state budget cuts
Haines District Court continues to feel the squeeze of state budget cuts. Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg held a meeting Monday to hear from the Haines community about local court services. Representatives from the state public defender’s and district attorney’s offices in Juneau, and Haines court, police department and borough officials spoke on several issues […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
Brian and Jacqui Clay of Haines are proud grandparents. McKinley Grace Elizabeth Jones was born 8:11 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Parents are Samantha Clay and Nathan Jones of Haines. Six Haines High School graduates were among the graduates of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz., last weekend. Ryan […]
Posted inNews, Timber
Assembly at odds over university timber
Assembly members, meeting as a committee of the whole June 19, debated whether the borough was misrepresented in information University of Alaska staff presented to the board of regents earlier that day regarding the school’s timber sale in the Haines area. Mayor Jan Hill, not the borough, was listed as supporting the sale in material for […]
Posted inNews, Timber
University approves moving ahead with Haines timber sale
The University of Alaska Board of Regents has directed staff to proceed with negotiations for a timber sale in the Haines area, with final contract terms expected to come to the board for approval in late July or August. Allowing for permitting and work-plan approval by state regulatory agencies, the earliest timber harvesting could start […]
Posted inNews
Local idea for UA lands too late
A potential investor interested in purchasing some of the University of Alaska land slated for a proposed timber sale approached the Haines Economic Development Corp. for assistance last week — but nothing came of the meeting, corporation board members said. The HEDC board of directors met in executive session June 8 to discuss “recent developments […]