Articles from the November 23, 2017 edition


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  • Wrangell court temporarily closed over air concerns

    Dan Rudy|Nov 23, 2017

    Until further notice is given, the clerical offices and courtroom at the Wrangell Public Safety Building have been closed down temporarily. The closure began Monday morning, with the Alaska Court System citing air quality concerns for staff using the premises. The space is rented from the city, which maintains the entire facility and surrounding property. "We've got some water issues that need to be addressed," explained Neil Nesheim, area court administrator for the First District Court. He...

  • Hospital submits letter to assembly on partnership

    Dan Rudy|Nov 23, 2017

    Following talks earlier this month with the city, the hospital board drafted a letter requesting that it move forward with finding a third party partnership. At their November 15 meeting, Wrangell Medical Center governing board members discussed the pros and potential cons of partnering up with another organization. A major reason for considering the move is seeking out project support for construction of a new medical facility, an elusive goal for much of the past decade. Among the board’s more immediate concerns is maintaining cash flow to t...

  • Report: Alaska Marine Highway System should increase rates

    Nov 23, 2017

    KODIAK, Alaska (AP) _ A report by Alaska's Southeast Conference calls for the state marine highway system to increase its ticket prices. The recommendation is part of a 25-year plan that Gov. Bill Walker asked the conference's stakeholders to put together for the struggling Alaska Marine Highway System, the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported Thursday. The major part of the plan is to turn the marine highway into a public corporation. The system's Reform Steering Committee is pursuing legislative changes to make that happen. Stakeholders estimate...

  • Report: Management, labor issues complicate ferry service

    Nov 23, 2017

    KODIAK, Alaska (AP) _ A report by an Alaska regional development organization indicated that the success of the state ferry service could hinge on repairing the troubled relationship between its management and labor force. The Southwest Conference found that the relationship was strained, inefficient and ineffective, causing financial problems for the Alaska Marine Highway System, the Kodiak Daily Mirror newspaper reported Friday. ``Management and labor need to have a realignment so they're working toward a common goal,'' said Robert Venables,...

  • Trooper Report

    Nov 23, 2017

    November 14 Erik Vocelka, 34. of Wrangell, was contacted by Alaska Wildlife Troopers regarding his license. Investigation had determined Vocelka purchased a 2015 resident hunting and fishing license after receiving a resident hunting license from another state within the previous 12 months. Vocelka was issued a $310 citation in the District Court in Wrangell for giving a false statement on a license application....

  • Court Report

    Nov 23, 2017

    November 14 Brett L. Woodbury, 47, was given a suspended entry of judgment after pleading guilty to Failure to Stop for School Bus, a Class B misdemeanor. Judicial Officer Leanna Nash ordered that the defendant pay $150 in fines and surcharges with $100 suspended. Woodbury has been placed on six months’ probation, after which if the court deems the period has been completed successfully a judgment of guilt will not be entered, and the proceedings dismissed. Leroy Jonathan Hughes, 55, was given a suspended entry of judgment after pleading g...

  • Police report

    Nov 23, 2017

    Monday, Nov 13 Citation issued to Brett Woodbury age 47, for driving through school bus red light. Concerned Citizen: Report smell of burning plastic: UTL. MVA: Officer responded. Parking complaint. Tuesday, Nov. 14 Found property: Phone found in road: Owner picked up. Lost cell phone. Lost wallet. Found Property: Debit card turned in: Owner notified. Suspicious person: Officer responded. Citizen Assist: Caller reported their car broke down: Officer assisted. Citizen report of DUI: Unfounded. Wednesday, Nov. 15 Nothing to report. Thursday,...

  • Corrections

    Nov 23, 2017

    In last week’s issue of the Sentinel, the mayor’s selection of SEAPA board alternates was misreported. Voting members will be Stephen Prysunka and Clay Hammer, while alternates will be city finance director Lee Burgess and city manager Lisa Von Bargen. They begin their duties at the power agency’s first board meeting of the 2018 calendar year, on a date still to be determined....

  • Obituary: Kaye M. Taylor, 77

    Nov 23, 2017

    Kaye M. Taylor, 77, a resident of Mount Vernon, Washington and former Wrangell resident, passed away at her home on Nov. 1, 2017. Kaye was born on Feb. 13, 1940 in Beloit, Wisconsin, the daughter of Lester and Darlene (Polglaze) Buckwalter. She was raised and obtained her education in Beloit, graduating from high school with the class of 1958. Her parents separated when she was a child and her mother later married Harold Kelton, who was a loving step-father. She worked for Avis Car Rental in Atlanta, Georgia and for the Lighthouse Travel...

  • Several dramatic entrants

    Nov 23, 2017

  • Reflections

    Nov 23, 2017

    A film about the life of Baha’u’llah, Prophet and Founder of the Baha’i Faith, will be shown on Fri., Nov. 24, at 6 pm in the Stikine Fireview Room. This is a follow up event in recognition of the 200th anniversary of His birth, held October 20. The purpose is to acquaint people with His life and teachings as they impact our modern world. The evening will begin with a potluck dinner. Everyone is welcome. Activities will be provided for children. Wrangellites joined millions of others around the world in celebrating this event. Our progr...

  • Volleyball team takes second at regions, headed to state

    Dan Rudy|Nov 23, 2017

    After a rollicking three days in Petersburg for Region V, the Lady Wolves volleyball team will be headed to State next weekend. Twelve Wrangell students headed to the tournament, seeded third among their division's teams after a hard-fought season. "Everybody got to step onto the court over the weekend," said Jessica Whitaker, Wrangell's head coach. Her girls began their tournament against Haines on November 16, starting off with a strong 25-9 win. The second match came out more closely at 25-18...

  • Alaska Fish Factor: Summit to build fisher skills

    Laine Welsch|Nov 23, 2017

    The biggest year classes of Alaska fishermen are phasing out of the business and fewer young cohorts are recruiting in. The Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit has convened over a decade to help stanch that outward flow, and facilitate a future for fishing leaders. The average age of a commercial fisherman in Alaska was 50 in 2014 compared to 40 in 1980. At the same time, the number of Alaskans under 40 holding fishing permits fell to just 17 percent, down from nearly 40 percent of total permits across the state. The Summit coming up this year A...

  • Thanksgiving drive serves up dinners for over 200 people

    Dan Rudy|Nov 23, 2017

    Meals have been brought to 74 families’ tables for Thanksgiving this week through the efforts of a local charity drive. The annual Thanksgiving basket drive organized by the Wrangell Ministerial Association has for each of the past sixteen years provided traditional meals to hundreds of residents. Donations of cash and goods from community members are pooled together to assemble turkeys, dressing, vegetables and other sides for a family feast. Don and Bonnie Roher, Damon and Eva Roher, and Mike and Jennifer Bates this year packed and d...

  • Legal workaround possible for crime reform bill

    Nov 23, 2017

    JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – While constitutional questions swirl around a crime bill recently passed by the Alaska Legislature, the director of the state Department of Law's criminal division thinks the courts will work out a solution. John Skidmore said courts will find a way to interpret the law in a way that avoids constitutional issues, KTOO radio reported. But Tara Rich, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, believes the courts will invalidate a provision dealing with Class C felonies. She also expects legal c...

  • State takes mining concerns to State Sec. Tillerson

    Nov 23, 2017

    JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Officials in Alaska want the U.S. State Department to raise with the Canadian government concerns about the impacts of British Columbia mining on waters that flow across the border. Gov. Bill Walker, Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott and Alaska's congressional delegation also asked Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to determine if the concerns should be brought to a special international commission. The commission gets involved when asked to do so by the national governments. The congressional delegation made similar requests under t...