Articles from the February 28, 2024 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 30
Trident expects to double last year's hiring for summer season
After a scaled-back reopening last summer following a three-year closure of its Wrangell processing facilities, Trident Seafoods anticipates having 200 to 240 workers on the job during the peak salmon months this summer. That would be about double...
Governor threatens veto of school funding increase
Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an ultimatum to state legislators on Tuesday, saying he will veto a multipart education funding bill unless lawmakers pass separate legislation that contains his education priorities. Speaking from his office in Anchorage,... Full story
Head Start teacher will 'miss those hugs' when she retires
Sandra "Sandy" Churchill didn't expect to get her first paid position in 1998 at the Head Start program as a teacher's aide/cook. "There's hardly ever any openings here," she said. "I was so...
Wrangell loses three cruise ship stops to Klawock
Wrangell has lost three cruise ship stopovers this summer to Klawock, where a partnership of three Native corporations is developing a tourist destination with facilities, shore excursions and other activities for passengers. The 746-passenger Seven...
The Way We Were
Feb. 28, 1924 Wrangell’s champion basketball team returned Monday afternoon on the Alameda from their two-week trip throughout Western Washington; a trip that demonstrated that basketball in Alaska is on par with that of the states. Even during t...
State, tribe and borough wait on federal disaster funding
The borough is waiting on a federal disaster declaration to cover the expense of power line repairs and other immediate and near-term costs from the Nov. 20 landslide at 11.2-Mile Zimovia Highway. The Wrangell Cooperative Association is seeking...
Borough looks to short-term use of 6-Mile mill property
The borough has been looking for a developer or long-term tenant after paying $2.5 million for the former 6-Mile sawmill property in June 2022, but now is turning its attention to short-term leases to generate income and jobs until something bigger...
Wrangell firefighters step up for cancer research fundraiser
Wrangell firefighters will join the 33rd annual stairclimb competition in Seattle next month to raise money for the fight against leukemia and lymphoma. Clay Hammer, Dustin Johnson and Steve Prysunka are taking part in the Leukemia and Lymphoma...
WCA tribal citizens elect four council members
Wrangell Cooperative Association tribal citizens last week reelected two members and voted in two other members for the tribal council. Tribal citizens on Feb. 20 reelected Frank Churchill and Edward Rilatos to two-year terms on the council, said...
It's a competitive business that Wrangell cannot afford to lose
It’s nothing personal, just business. But it still hurts. Wrangell has lost three cruise ship stops this summer to Klawock, where a partnership of Native corporations is developing a visitor destination complete with a deepwater dock, retail s...
Make all schools better, not just some
The governor’s growing obsession with charter schools is frightening for the future of public education in Alaska. He talks as if charter schools are by far the best answer to the state’s low student test scores. He has told Alaskans he would not...
Aleutian waters warmest in more than a century; cod most vulnerable
The waters off the Aleutian Islands registered the warmest winter temperatures last year in over a century, part of a decade-long period of warming, according to a report issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The record-high... Full story
Student hopes to restructure senior projects for the future
Alicia Armstrong's senior project is unique in that it could change the timing of future senior projects, which are a requirement to graduate from Wrangell High School. She wants to make the concept...
Financial Reality program teaches students to handle curveballs
The Get REAL Financial Reality Fair for high school students isn’t just about learning to balance a checkbook, manage money and handle credit cards. It’s also about learning what their parents deal with in managing the family’s finances, said Maris...
Senate committee advances measure to reject governor's takeover of ferry advisory board
A state Senate committee has advanced a measure that would block an executive order giving the governor total appointment authority over the entire Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board. State statute currently provides that House and Senate...
Feds buy Alaska seafood for national food programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase about 50 million pounds of Alaska seafood to use in national food and nutrition-assistance programs, state officials said on Feb. 20. The seafood purchase is to benefit needy children and adults and... Full story
Clan advisory group will help tribe select totems for restoration
The Wrangell Cooperative Association has established an advisory council of clan leaders and representatives, in particular to help the tribe with a totem restoration and replacement project. Feedback from the advisory group will help WCA determine...
Alaska Airlines flight attendants authorize strike, but nothing planned
Flight attendants with Alaska Airlines have voted to authorize a strike for the first time in more than 30 years. News of the vote emerged as more than 60 flight attendants protested for better pay outside the Ted Stevens Anchorage International...
Veteran and former KSTK radio host Jack Pino dies at 72
Jacobus "Jack" Pino, 72, passed away peacefully on Jan. 26, 2024, in Wrangell. No funeral or memorial services are planned. Jack was born in Gouda, Netherlands, on June 1, 1951. "Jack as bigger than... Full story
Former resident Robert James Shilts dies at 87
Robert James "Snuffy" Shilts Sr., 87, passed away peacefully on Feb. 1, 2024, at home surrounded by family in Ketchikan. No memorial services are planned. Born Dec. 28, 1936, in Greenville,... Full story
Lady Wolves get a split in tight games against Craig
The Wrangell varsity girls split against Craig in tight games last weekend, ending their nine-game losing streak in the second game. The team ended the regular season with a 3-and-9 record. Craig hosted Wrangell on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23 and...
Wrangell varsity and JV boys enjoy double victories at Craig
The Wolves varsity team scored decisive victories in their final regular-season games this past weekend as the visiting team against the Craig Panthers. It makes three wins in a row for Wrangell, now at 6-6 for the season. Craig hosted Wrangell on...
Juneau plans consolidation into one high school to save money
Facing a multimillion-dollar budget hole, the Juneau school board has approved a plan to consolidate the district’s two high schools into one, close its two middle schools, close an elementary school and rearrange where sixth, seventh and eighth g...
Police report
Monday, Feb. 19 Agency assist: State Office of Children’s Services. Tuesday, Feb. 20 Violating conditions of release: Unlawful contact. Bird complaint: Dead crane. Agency assist: Ambulance. Unattended death. Motor vehicle accident: Arrest for d...