Articles from the April 26, 2023 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 34
New cost estimate for wastewater disinfection more than double
The borough has been preparing to make costly updates to its wastewater treatment plant, but recent estimates suggest that the multimillion-dollar project could be over twice as expensive as anticipated. Late last year, borough officials placed the...
Students learn first-hand about ocean food chain
If there's one thing fourth graders can count on each year, it's that they will see a dead animal inside and out. Teacher Brian Merritt uses various animals to teach about science, whether biology,...
Governor tells legislators he will introduce state sales tax
Gov. Mike Dunleavy told legislators in a pair of closed-door meetings last week that he will introduce a state sales tax as a component of a budget-balancing, long-term fiscal plan. But with just three weeks left in the legislative session, with no...
Villarma closes the book on library career after 34 years
The Irene Ingle Public Library has undergone countless changes in the past three decades, from the digitization of its catalog to major building renovations to the advent of e-books. Library Director...
The Way We Were
April 26, 1923 The Wrangell Commercial Club recently undertook to offer better advantages to fishermen, and arrangements have been made for keeping on hand a constant supply of bait and ice on the dock. Glacial ice is being brought in by Harry...
Polynesian paddlers plan to pay visit to Wrangell in June
It is a voyage of 43,000 miles encompassing the Pacific Ocean, and it begins in Southeast. The Hawaiian canoe Hōkūleʻa and its crew will set sail from Juneau in June to circumnavigate the vast, blue body of water over the course of four years. On...
Shooter drills not active part of Wrangell schools safety protocol
Active shooter drills have become as commonplace in schools across the country as fire drills. However, that is not the case in Wrangell just yet. At the school board meeting on April 17, Devyn Johnson, a parent with two children enrolled at Evergree...
Do it for those who live here and for visitors, too
Residents will have two opportunities in the next couple of weeks to pitch in, bend down, pick up, lift and carry in a collective effort to make the community cleaner and greener for the summer. The annual community events are a source of pride for r...
Governor's sales tax doesn't make sense
Alaska is 30 years into state budget deficits, borrowing billions from savings to pay the bills. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is five years into the job, still pledging mega Permanent Fund dividends even if the money isn’t there. Three months ago, Dunleavy i...
International bird-tracking project alights in Wrangell
Wrangell may not be on the road system, but that doesn't mean it's not connected to the rest of the world. Last week, a U.S. Forest Service project put Wrangell on the map - the Motus map. The Motus...
Borough to spruce up downtown in 'community collaboration'
It’s spring cleaning season, and while individual households may wash their baseboards and dust their blinds, it isn’t just private residences that benefit from a thorough seasonal cleanse — Wrangell’s public spaces need love too. Next...
Last year's Southeast salmon harvest was 69% of 10-year average
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced this month that commercial salmon fishermen across all gear groups caught a total 31.7 million salmon in Southeast Alaska during 2022. Last year's all-species harvest was low, Fish and Game reported....
Diamonds shine
Delilah Roane, 11, sweeps a dugout last Saturday as part of the volunteer effort to clean up the baseball diamonds at Volunteer Park. The batting cages were weeded and raked, while the fields were...
Tour operator sets up shop indoors
Mia Wiederspohn, left, makes a purchase at Breakaway Adventures last Friday at the grand opening of the tour company's brick-and-mortar location, while Jaynee Fritzinger works behind the counter. The...
New business brings art to people's fingertips
Whether you prefer dainty French tips or long metallic claws, dayglo colors or classy neutrals, Wrangell's newest nail technician is ready to help you manifest your wildest manicure dreams. Recently...
State budget battle comes down to school funding and dividend
The budget battle between the Alaska House of Representatives, the Senate and the governor is shaping up as a fight between the size of the Permanent Fund dividend and a proposed increase to public school spending after years of flat funding. Dozens...
Sweet Tides to reopen Thursday
After being delayed one week and one day to reopen, Sweet Tides will again welcome customers on Thursday. The bakery has been closed since early March to expand its storefront and offer specialty coffees in a café atmosphere. Due to a backlog in...
Legislator wants to limit interest rate on high-cost payday loans
Alaskans who need cash quickly can go to a payday lender for a short-term loan of up to $500, handing over a check or access to their bank account to cover the entire loan repayment just as soon as they get paid at work or their pension arrives. But...
E-cigarette use by young Alaskans tripled between 2016 and 2021
Alaska posted the nation’s highest rate of increase in electronic cigarette use by young adults from 2016 to 2021, according to a report tracking patterns in all 50 states. The rate of e-cigarette use by Alaskans in that age group more than... Full story
Legislators amend bill, making it easier for schools to teach financial literacy
Rather than requiring a specific course in financial literacy for high school graduation, lawmakers have amended the legislation so that school districts could incorporate the same information into one or more classes as long as the material is...
Senators move legislation to help low-income Alaskans with legal services
Legislation that could boost state funding to assist more low-income Alaskans needing help with civil law issues has advanced through its second state Senate committee and is waiting for a vote by the full chamber. The measure would more than double...
Bill would amend state corporate taxes to capture more from digital businesses.
The state should change its tax code to increase corporate income tax collections from out-of-state businesses that sell goods or services to Alaskans, particularly digitized services, according to a legislator promoting the revisions. “The world...
Severe staff shortage delays state approval of occupational licenses
After waiting six months for a license to operate, an Anchorage psychologist asked Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel for help. But when the Anchorage Republican called the licensing office, she was greeted by voicemail. The person in charge of... Full story
Hawaii lawmakers consider charging visitors to use parks and trails
HONOLULU — Repairing coral reefs after boats run aground. Shielding native forest trees from a killer fungus outbreak. Patrolling waters for swimmers harassing dolphins and turtles. Taking care of Hawaii’s unique natural environment takes time,...
Alaska Supreme Court rules political gerrymandering of election districts unconstitutional
In a landmark decision, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled last Friday that partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional under the Alaska Constitution’s equal protection doctrine. The decision follows a contentious reapportionment cycle after the 2020...