Articles from the May 17, 2023 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 40
Legislators likely headed into overtime, unable to agree on PFD
Alaska lawmakers have been spending the final days of the 121-day legislative session disagreeing over the amount of this fall’s Permanent Fund dividend. As of Monday afternoon, the House and Senate appeared unable to agree on state spending for th...
Wrangell trollers criticize court ruling that could close king salmon fishery
Like other trollers in the region, Wrangell fishermen are critical of a Seattle-based federal judge’s ruling that could shut down the Southeast commercial king salmon fishery, which supports about 40 trollers in town. Brian Merritt is a troller...
WCA prepares for tourism season, hires coordinator
As the first cruise ship of the season arrived in town last Thursday, the Wrangell Cooperative Association's new tourism coordinator, Brooke Leslie, gave visitors an informative presentation inside th...
Toothbrushes and toilet seats tools of the trade for gardeners
Southeast Alaska's near-constant blanket of clouds and its frequent rains that wash nutrients from the soil make gardening in the region notoriously difficult, even for people with the greenest of...
The Way We Were
May 17, 1923 Never before in the history of navigation on the Stikine has the first voyage of the season been such an eventful one as this year. The 25 mining men on the passenger list and the large quantity of mining machinery and other equipment...
Alaska's newest 737 takes Indigenous art to new heights
Alaska Airlines last week unveiled a new design that replaced the popular Salmon Thirty Salmon jet. The new art still features salmon, but this time from an Indigenous perspective. Crystal Kaakeeyáa... Full story
Board of Equalization settles final property assessment appeals
The borough completed its unprecedented mass review of all property values on the road system last week, with only seven of the initial 179 assessment appeals going to a formal hearing before the Board of Equalization. All the other cases were...
Correction
Correction The Sentinel incorrectly reported in a story about the borough’s new downtown restrooms on May 10 that Kate Thomas is director of the Parks and Recreation Department. That was her former job; she is now director of the Economic...
High school graduates show us the way
The honesty of the younger generation reminds us of what is important in life. It should prompt everyone to pay attention to what teenagers say. It will be their community and their world, so their opinions matter. Wrangell High School seniors are...
Exaggerated claims don't help anyone
Elected officials, ballot initiative supporters and opponents, campaign managers and anyone else who writes, texts or tweets outlandish claims and promises should be required to stay after the election and write on the blackboard (remember those)...
Most survey respondents favor scaling back PFD to help pay for public services
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete my 2023 Legislative Budget Survey. It was a straightforward questionnaire: Do you support decreasing the Permanent Fund dividend to balance the state budget? If yes, by how much? If no, what cuts...
State sales tax to cover larger PFD is a bad idea, distracts from real needs
The support from our governor and some legislators for levying a statewide sales tax on all Alaskans defies logic. Nor does it even make horse sense. As the Legislature enters its final days, the governor says he supports a $2,700 Permanent Fund...
Lack of child care remains problem for working parents in Wrangell
Parents looking for someone to watch their children so they can earn a living may have to keep looking for the time being. Efforts to find solutions to a lack of child care locally and statewide continue to move forward, but providing the service is...
EPA focused on new wastewater discharge requirements throughout Southeast
Alaska’s coastal communities are home to more than a third of the U.S. wastewater plants still allowed to treat their sewage at the lowest and most basic level. But six cities in Southeast Alaska, including Wrangell, may soon have to invest in impr... Full story
Tlingit and Haida Central Council quits Alaska Federation of Natives
The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, based in Juneau and representing more than 35,000 tribal citizens, and the Tanana Chiefs Conference, based in Fairbanks and representing 42 villages, announced they are leaving...
Frank Duane Kelly dies at 86
Frank Duane Kelly, 86, of Wrangell, passed away April 30 in Wrangell after battling a long illness. He was born in North Dakota on Feb. 23, 1937. He enlisted at a young age and served four years in... Full story
Constance 'Connie' Mae Buness; Jan. 16, 1934, to April 14, 2023
It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and dear friend Constance (Connie) Mae Buness on April 14, 2023. Born to Bonita... Full story
Elementary school kids dig nature on Sea Day, literally
How many times can you tell your kid to go play in the ocean and mean it? At least once a year for U.S. Forest Service and school staff. On May 9, teachers, parents and Forest Service employees...
Cardinell resigns from jet boat association, trains Galla as replacement
Since 2019, Caitlin Cardinell has worked as the liaison between members of the Stikine River Jet Boat Association and cruise lines to schedule tours and advocate for the organization. After 10 years...
Police report
Monday, May 8 Illegal parking: Citation issued for blocking roadway. Agency assist: Alaska State Troopers. Agency assist: Alaska Department of Transportation. Violation of conditions of release. Tuesday, May 9 Dead animal: Porcupine removed from...
Judge rules Ketchikan schools can display tribal values posters
A state judge has ruled that Southeast Traditional Tribal Values posters may hang throughout the Ketchikan School District, rejecting a lawsuit that sought to ban the posters. The judge’s ruling also allows the schools to continue using the tribal...
Classified ads
FOR SALE Two Stikine River properties on King Slough: 200-foot frontage, 6-plus acres, $80,000; 8-acre backlot, lots of good access, $60,000. Willing to finance. Call 907-518-0101. FREE ADS Do you have something to sell? Having a garage sale?...
Legislation would allow subscription-style health care services
Alaskans would be able to more easily get subscription-style health care from their doctor or dentist if a bill passed by the Alaska Senate last week moves through the House next year and becomes law. Under a “direct health care agreement,” also... Full story
Legislation could expand availability of at-home care for seniors and disabled
Senior citizens and people with disabilities who need extra care would be able to get help at home under a bill passed by the Alaska Legislature and on its way to the governor for signature into law. The state House voted 39-1 to approve Senate Bill... Full story
Legislation eliminates 1-year wait for commercial driver's license
Newly arrived residents and newly licensed drivers would have an easier way to get a commercial license under a bill passed by the Alaska Legislature. In a 40-0 vote last Friday, the Alaska House approved Senate Bill 123, which would repeal the... Full story