Articles from the November 10, 2021 edition
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 29
The Way We Were
Nov. 10, 1921 The longest period of waiting for mail from the south that Wrangell has experienced in a long time, 17 days, ended Tuesday morning when the mail brought by the Spokane was received. Postmaster Stedman had 100 sacks of mail to distribute...
Petersburg hit by COVID outbreak
While Wrangell has counted 11 new COVID-19 infections in the past week, Petersburg was at 69 active cases as of late Monday, with a mandatory face mask order in place and public buildings closed. Almost 20% of COVID tests administered in Petersburg...
Borough resumes utility collections
The finance department has decided the borough will resume collection efforts and power disconnects for severely delinquent residential utility customers after COVID-era payment moratoriums and grace periods have ended. The borough on Tuesday shut...
Opioid, substance abuse recovery center looks at former hospital site
An addiction recovery center operator is interested in possibly buying the former hospital to open a residential and outpatient treatment center in Wrangell. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida-based Regard Recovery Centers planned to send a representative,...
SEARHC vaccination clinic for children Thursday
Wrangell’s first clinic for children ages 5 through 11 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is set for Thursday at the Wrangell Medical Center. Additional clinics will be scheduled. Parents and guardians can register online at searhc.org, or call the...
Food pantry prepares to distribute holiday food boxes
Lt. Jon Tollerud and his wife, Rosie, along with a handful of volunteers have begun preparations for The Salvation Army's Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes and toy drive programs. Depending on...
Educators urge more oversight in social media use to curb bad behavior
Technology has made access to information and connection with people around the world instantly possible. It’s a valuable teaching tool for educators. But that same technology has a dark side, causing kids to misbehave and use social media...
Federally funded program provides free health screenings for women
A free health screening program for women who are underinsured, uninsured or income-eligible has plenty of spots available. The Wisewoman Women's Health Program was created to establish a tradition...
Just as bad an idea now as it was last time
The Alaska Constitution requires that every 10 years voters consider whether it’s time to elect and convene a group of several dozen Alaskans to rewrite all, some or none of the state’s guiding principles, the laws that govern all other laws....
Accuracy and fairness count in headlines, too
About 40 years ago, the Sentinel published a news story about how the U.S. Forest Service was going to start moving against illegal squatter cabins on the Stikine River. Seemed reasonable that the agency would enforce the law and evict people who...
Now is the time to create a state ferry corporation
By Frank Murkowski There has been a concentrated effort the past few years to develop a long-term solution to the many problems of our ferry system. The effort has been led by the Alaska Department of Transportation. The department has hired several...
River advocates push for cleanup of Tulsequah mine
The Wrangell borough assembly recently passed a resolution calling for a pause in mine development in the British Columbia/Alaska transboundary region until a binding international agreement on watershed protections is developed that would ensure...
Unruly behavior prompts parks and rec to adopt updated policy
The parks and recreation department has approved an updated behavior policy, with consequences for violations. The policy was drafted after unruly behavior at open swim sessions led to some participants getting kicked out, Kate Thomas, parks and...
Obstacles remain in filling jobs, despite efforts
Wrangell has work, but the workforce is lacking. Since the end of September, the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce has been posting its members’ job openings to help get companies staffed and people working. In the five weeks, three people have come in...
Wrangell remains in legislative district with Ketchikan
The Alaska Redistricting Board has adopted a new map of legislative districts for the state, keeping Wrangell and Ketchikan in the same district. The board had considered other proposals that would have put Wrangell in with Sitka, not Ketchikan, alon...
Borough seeks input for tourism best practices guide
The Wrangell Convention and Visitor Bureau is trying to finish a draft of its tourism best management practices. The renewed push comes after the effort to adopt best practices was waylaid by the onset of the pandemic almost two years ago. The...
Sledding hill will be ready for winter
As winter approaches, the Wrangell parks and recreation department has plans to clear a sledding hill popular with children. The hill is beyond the covered playground near the elementary school. Alder trees are encroaching on the area, limiting the...
Positive COVID test forces swimmer to bow out of state competition
The state high school swim meet in Anchorage was derailed for Wrangell’s competitors last weekend when senior Renée Roberts tested positive for COVID-19. Head coach Jamie Roberts (Renée’s mom) reported the test came back positive an hour...
Liana Carney pins first place in Anchorage invitational
The Wrangell Wolves wrestling team traveled to Anchorage last weekend to compete in the Anchorage Christian School invitational tournament. Several team members placed in their weight classes, with...
Alaska joins another lawsuit against federal vaccination requirement
Attorneys general in 11 states, including Alaska, filed suit last Friday against President Joe Biden’s administration, challenging a new vaccine requirement for workers at companies with more than 100 employees. The lawsuit filed in the St....
Juneau may extend tax collection to sales aboard cruise ships
The Juneau assembly will consider an ordinance that would amend the borough’s sales tax code to collect on goods and services sold aboard cruise ships, whether tied to the dock or anchored in front of town. The ordinance would amend a provision in...
Bob Wickman remembered for his laugh and compassion
"It is with great sorrow that we share the death of Robert Wickman III, 58, on Sept. 21, 2021, in Anchorage, from complications of COVID-19," his family wrote. "A resident of Ketchikan, he was... Full story
Salmon catch third largest, third most valuable since 1975
It’s a fish trifecta for Alaska’s 2021 salmon season. The fishery produced the third-highest catch, fish poundage and value on record dating back to 1975. According to preliminary harvests and values by region from the Alaska Department of Fish...
State sues over halt to ANWR lease activities
JUNEAU (AP) — The state corporation that paid $12 million in public funds for federal oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the final days of the Trump administration is suing federal officials over what it calls improper...
Even at $17 an hour, Juneau child care can't find workers
JUNEAU (AP) — Tribal and municipal government programs are trying to help child care providers in Juneau, but challenges remain even with higher wages and bonuses covered by the financial aid. Little Eagles and Ravens Nest Child Care Center has...