An assembly recall campaign and a new effort targeting underage drinking punctuated the year 2011 in the Chilkat Valley News. Extreme weather and some unusual wildlife encounters delivered doses of excitement. The local economy stayed afloat, buoyed by a strong commercial fishing season, increased visitation by foreigners, construction projects and a $13 million distribution by […]
Search results
Posted inNews
High winds whip town
Three separate incidents of high winds since Nov. 28 knocked down trees, downed at least 14 sections of power lines, and blew out a landmark sign downtown. Multiple power outages came when wet snow and strong winds combined early on Thursday, Dec. 1, taking down trees that hit power lines in Highland Estates, and on […]
Posted inNews, Search and Rescue
Rescued hiker returns to mountain, labor jobs
Ten months after breaking his back during a fall off Mount Ripinsky, Keith Hutchins has returned to the peak on regular hikes. A 41-year-old deckhand and construction worker, Hutchins figures he has been to the top about 15 times since the accident that led to his dramatic, aerial rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard. He was […]
Posted inDuly Noted
Duly Noted
Gunshots, thunder or explosives? Those were among theories circulating to explain a series of loud booms heard around town early Tuesday morning. As many as 10 booms were heard around 5:30 a.m. by residents in an area that stretched at least from Piedad Road to 1 Mile Mud Bay Road. Some guessed the sounds were […]
Posted inNews
Two wildfires reported Tuesday
Fire officials responded to two wildfires this week. A small fire at Taiyasanka Harbor was reported Tuesday morning, according to forester Roy Josephson. He said it was about a quarter acre and probably originated from a campfire not extinguished properly. “The conditions are so dry right now, if a fire gets started, it burns readily,” […]
Posted inNews
Rain, rain, don’t stay away
Haines is not experiencing the usual and near-constant bouts of rain Southeast Alaska communities are known for in the summer. The National Weather Service says Haines over the past 12 years, has averaged 3.9 inches of precipitation between May 1 and July 16. This year during that time, the area received only 1.45 inches, the […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Holiday events “spectacular”
The Haines Chamber of Commerce greatly appreciates all the folks who helped make the Fourth of July events a spectacular success. We would like to thank the following individuals and organizations who contributed time and/or event prizes: the American Legion for the flag raising and lowering; the American Legion Auxiliary for the delicious breakfast; Paul […]
Posted inNews
Town booms for festive Fourth of July
Fourth of July in Haines began with a chilly morning, blossomed into a bright, warm day and ended with a light drizzle as fireworks lit up the sky. Joan Carlson of the Haines Chamber of Commerce said the weekend of activities went “very, very well.” The Mount Ripinsky Run had a record field of 31 runners; the […]
Posted inNews
Deep freeze: Frost line still down
A deep frost continues to hamper utility services around town. At least 18 water lines are frozen around town, Haines Borough water and sewer operator Scott Bradford said this week. A majority of those are against the Mount Ripinsky hillside, where rocky, exposed soil is more susceptible to cold. Borough crews have been able to flush major culverts with […]
Posted inNews
Signs more than a pole in ground; Finding way not so obvious to newcomers here
The Haines Borough Assembly in a 4-2 vote March 8 authorized $14,052 to MRV Architects of Juneau for final design on a signage project that aims to more effectively direct visitors throughout town. “We just completed a downtown revitalization planning process, which cost us $40,000,” borough staffer Debra Schnabel said in an interview last week. “One of the major […]