Articles from the February 8, 2023 edition
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State Senate proposes sizable boost in public school funding
A proposal to boost state funding for public schools by about 17%, increasing the current $5,960 per-student formula by $1,000, was unveiled Feb. 1 by state Senate leaders as the “beginning of the beginning” of a long debate about the future of edu...
Petersburg wolf stops by Wrangell on long swim to Etolin Island
Wolves are social, territorial animals that educate their young, care for their injured and stick with their close-knit family groups - most of the time, that is. In the past few months, a wolf from...
Former Sentinel reporter produces podcast about life 'Before Me'
As most journalists will tell you, it can sometimes take a while to earn a person's trust. But what if that person is your mom? For six years, Lisa Phu, a Wrangell Sentinel reporter from 2005 to...
Nolan Center seeks cast members for spring musical, "Annie"
Wrangell’s rendition of “The Sound of Music” sold out twice last December, but thanks to the Nolan Center and a host of dedicated community members, the curtain won’t stay closed for long. Last Tuesday, Nolan Center Director Cyni Crary announc...
The Way We Were
Feb. 8, 1923 The opening of the Million Dollar Club in Wrangell Saturday night will without doubt be one of the greatest pleasure events in the history of Southeast Alaska. The thrilling life of bygone days of the Klondike will be lived over again as...
Trident responds to market, plans to freeze more pinks at Wrangell plant
As the market continues to shift from canned salmon toward more frozen product, “the company wants more frozen pinks,” said Trident Seafoods Southeast regional manager John Scoblic. Which means Trident will freeze pinks along with chums at its Wra...
Southeast Natives find little land available in federal allotment program
Einar Haaseth served in Vietnam from September 1964 to December 1965, and never received his entitlement of up to 160 acres of land under the 1906 Alaska Native Allotment Act. The program has reopened, but for Haaseth, and other Native veterans...
Work gets started to build up seaweed, shellfish farming industry in Alaska
Organizers are creating programs to start using a $49 million federal grant and $15 million in matching funds to grow Alaska’s shellfish and seaweed farming industry. The money will go toward a statewide effort, though more permit applications w...
Trident reopening welcome news for town
Wrangell has come up short in good economic news in recent years, what with business closures, the loss of Alaska Crossings a year ago, not-so-great salmon runs and crab harvests, rising consumer prices and worker shortages. So it was especially...
The Fourth of July depends on royalty
It’s ironic that Wrangell’s Fourth of July depends on the money raised by royalty candidates who sell raffle tickets, lunches, baked goods and a lot more so that the community can enjoy fireworks, street games and other events packed into sev...
The math is easy; the politics are hard
Getting caught between a rock and a hard place is easier. At least you can rent a backhoe and move the rock. Getting politically caught between more money for public schools and even more money for the Permanent Fund dividend will be the hardest plac...
Ortiz says school funding, child care and the state ferries are his priorities
The legislative session has begun, and I am back in Juneau working for you. As we dive into hearing proposed bills and dig into budget details, I want to share my priorities and remind you to reach out to me anytime. One of my biggest priorities...
Community council thanks Rushmore for her enthusiastic willingness to help
As Wrangell Tlingit and Haida Community Council president, I want to thank Carol Rushmore, the borough’s economic development director, and wish her the best for her retirement coming up in April. In January 2018, Tom Gillen Sr., our council m...
WCA tribal council candidates share their views on serving
Wrangell Cooperative Association members will vote later this month to fill four seats on the eight-member tribal council, which oversees decisions for the tribe. Council members must be members of th...
Port Commission discusses possible rate increases, vessel insurance requirement
Thanks to its aging infrastructure and pricey upcoming projects, Port and Harbors is the least financially sustainable of all the borough’s enterprise funds. Last Thursday, the Port Commission met with Finance Director Mason Villarma and Susan E...
Wireless internet service expected to start later this year
Wireless internet service for areas of Wrangell with limited or no access to high-speed downloads should be in operation later this year. The broadband service initially will start with transmitting a...
Here's the tipoff: Celebrity team coming to Wrangell
Communities without 70,000-seat stadiums don’t often get visits from professional athletes, but later this month Wrangell will become an exception to the rule. Players from Team Hollywood celebrity streetball will visit Feb. 21 to share i...
Chamber seeking royalty candidates for annual July 4 fundraising
It’s still early but the chamber of commerce is wasting no time in finding candidates for its annual royalty competition. Each year, candidates sell tickets through door-to-door sales or at food booths to raise money to fund the following year’s Fou...
High school boys sweep Craig, while girls teams struggle
Coordinated plays, three-pointers galore, solid defense and near misses defined Wrangell High School basketball teams’ games against Craig High School last Friday and Saturday. The boys varsity and junior varsity teams each won both of their games a...
NOAA rejects commercial fishing in Bering Sea crab area
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has rejected a petition from crab fishers to bar all commercial fishing for six months in an area of the Bering Sea designated as a special protective zone for red king crab, which have suffered a... Full story
Senior puts laser focus on project to raise money for shop class
The high school shop class shapes more than wood, metal and other materials for a myriad of uses. It also shapes young minds and abilities to invest in the future. Kyle Hommel is a good example of...
Coast Guard makes special delivery to help communities
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Pike went on a BRAVE mission last Wednesday. Though the vessel is often engaged in patrolling the waters around Wrangell and Petersburg and performing search and rescue...
Sitka McDonald's will close this summer after 35 years
After more than 35 years as Sitka’s top spot for a fast-food fix, McDonald’s on Feb. 1 announced that its Sitka restaurant will close this summer. An announcement posted on the bulletin board at the Sitka McDonald’s said the restaurant would “ceas...
Services planned Feb. 18 for Dennis Berkeley
Former Wrangell resident Dennis Robert Berkeley, 76, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Dec. 7, 2022, in Sitka, his family reported. He was surrounded by family and friends, and was... Full story
Commercial shrimp fishermen frustrated with change to May season
The 2023 commercial pot shrimp fishery in Southeast Alaska will open May 15. Fishermen targeting pot shrimp missed out on their usual October opener last year following a season change set by the Alaska Board of Fish. Fishermen expressed frustration...
