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The annual Wrangell King Salmon Fishing Derby has been set for two weekends in June. Rather than have the competition run over a full two weeks from mid-June to the beginning of July, it is scheduled for June 16, 17 and 18 — Father’s Day weekend — and the following weekend June 23, 24 and 25. Fishing derby committee members met May 30 to discuss details and even whether or not to hold the event. “People are going to be really disappointed if we cancel ours,” said Luana Wellons, assistant executive director of the chamber of commerce, which org...
The chamber of commerce is getting a bailout from the borough as it prepares to put on the community’s elaborate Fourth of July festivities. However, these funds may be the last that the chamber gets for the next few years, as the borough encourages the organization to become self-sustaining. At its May 23 meeting, the borough assembly approved the chamber’s request of up to $25,000 to help fund Fourth of July festivities. All assembly members except David Powell voted in favor of the additional contribution. Assembly Member Brittani Rob...
The annual Wrangell King Salmon Derby is tentatively set for June 15 through July 2. Though the chamber of commerce, which is still organizing the event, hasn’t officially set the dates or prizes, the derby typically runs for about two weeks, with prizes for the largest fish and other categories. Entry fees also have not yet been determined. In past years, there has been a kids 12-and-under category, and the adult category encompasses ages 13 and up. Entrants need to have a state sportfishing license and a state king salmon stamp. Alaska r...
As Wrangell prepares for its biggest event of the year - the Fourth of July - one teen has taken it upon himself to ensure that the celebration will be prosperous for years to come. Though Ander Edens is the only contestant in this year's royalty fundraising competition, he is setting his sights on a record-breaking run. The ticket sales are the main fundraiser for the chamber of commerce, which organizes the holiday festivities. The current fundraising record is $126,408 in raffle ticket sales...
As the school year wraps up and learning winds down, students were recognized for their outstanding achievements. The annual academic and scholarship award ceremony held on May 16 in the Wrangell High School gym highlighted the hard work put in by eighth through 12th graders. Teachers, administrators, community and business leaders gathered to present the students with certificates, plaques and checks. Awards were given in the areas of general education, shop class, finance, student government...
After the chamber of commerce received an anonymous tip two weeks ago that elements of its ongoing $10,000 raffle were against state law, the organization is taking steps to bring the fundraiser into compliance. The chamber held an emergency meeting May 2 to establish an end date for the raffle and discuss its financial needs in advance of the Fourth of July celebration, which it funds and organizes. As originally designed, the chamber’s raffle did not have an end date. Tickets would have been drawn and the $10,000 prize would have been a...
The borough assembly at a special meeting Monday evening considered a $25,000 appropriation to help the chamber of commerce afford this year’s Fourth of July celebrations. However, assembly members voted unanimously to postpone the decision until the May 23 meeting, saying they wanted to hold a public hearing. The chamber requested the $25,000 in addition to the $27,000 that the borough contributed to the chamber’s general budget this fiscal year. “We have a lot of concerns moving forward,” said Borough Manager Jeff Good, including what th...
May 3, 1923 Just after the Sentinel was issued last Thursday, word was received from Washington that the Wrangell breakwater had been included in the federal Rivers and Harbors Appropriation and that $50,000 was available this year. This is the most gratifying news that Wrangell has received lately. The breakwater is something that is most urgently needed, and will be of great benefit. As everyone who lives here knows, the Wrangell harbor opens to the northeast. A very large number of small fishing craft are in the habit of using this harbor...
In light of the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce’s operating deficit over the past six years, it has sought to cut costs and find added revenues to continue the popular Fourth of July celebration. To that end, the chamber board of directors will be asking the borough’s economic development department to support funding for this year’s event. The borough this fiscal year contributed $27,000 toward the chamber’s general budget — not specifically designated to the Fourth of July. That is a small increase over $23,000 in the previous year. At a work...
No question about it, Wrangell loves its Fourth of July celebration. Residents, families and visitors all gather downtown to watch and participate in the games and races, enjoy the food and, hopefully, some summer sunshine, though that is the least predictable of the festivities. Putting on the days of the Fourth is not cheap for the chamber of commerce. The celebration totals somewhere around $115,000 for fireworks, event expenses, insurance, prize money, running the royalty fundraising raffle and everything else that everyone enjoys every...
There isn’t another business in this town, bar none, that looks out for its citizenry the way River’s Mouth does. That is the most important thing I have to say, so I’ll repeat it, and hold that thought. But first let us take a peek at this endearing little place on Earth that we call home. In Wrangell, as residents we fall into one of those two categories: buyers and/or sellers. We are all in this together. We are all trying to survive in this day and age while inflation is eating us alive and the almighty dollar buys nothing. Enter the solut...
Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he does not support a request to add millions of dollars to the state budget to help child care providers, instead announcing the formation of a task force to examine the issue and provide policy recommendations by the end of the year. Child care, expensive and in short supply in Alaska, has benefited from more than $50 million in federal pandemic aid paid as grants to providers since 2020. With the end of federal funding, child care advocates have asked legislators to add $15 million to the state budget to boost...
From sponsorships to rental fees for Fourth of July event booths, the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce is doing what it can to make sure the organization no longer operates at a deficit. In a work session on March 24, chamber leadership looked at various ways to raise funds and cut costs where possible. “Basically, we’re trying to break even,” said chamber board of directors president Bill Burr. “The chamber has been running in the red for quite some time. We can’t. We’re at a point where breaking even is fine, but we can’t go backward.” Th...
It’s been seven years since the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce operated in the black. Each year since, it’s run a budget deficit covered by savings. Declining membership renewals and falling revenues from other sources has left the organization struggling to operate, and its board is working to find funding solutions. In 2016, the chamber’s revenues totaled $266,169 and its expenses were $205,502, producing $60,667 in income to add to savings. Since then, operating expenses have been higher than income, with the nonprofit in the red thousands of...
March 22, 1923 The Wrangell Shellfish Cannery, F.E. Gingrass owner, started operations yesterday morning when a crew went to work picking shrimp. This new enterprise is one that is welcomed by the community, and there is every reason to believe that it will prove a financial success. March 19, 1948 At its meeting last night at City Hall, a letter from Highway Patrolman Adolph Lubcke was read in which Mr. Lubcke made recommendations for improving the town’s traffic situation. It was moved by Councilman Barlow and seconded by McCormack that the c...
National Reading Month is in its final week, and some of the community’s literature lovers are sharing their favorite books for anyone who wants to add to their list — this month, or any month. The month was first celebrated in March of 1994 to commemorate the contributions of author and illustrator Dr. Seuss, who helped foster enthusiasm for reading in American youth by producing children’s books that were engaging despite their simple language. Every year in March, readers celebrate by picking up their favorite novels, visiting their local...
March 15, 1923 Wrangell basketball boys faced an assembly of 900 in Olympia, Washington, on Tuesday and gave detailed reports of Alaska. Wrangell lost the game to Olympia on a canvas floor. Then Wrangell lost to Everett, 19-18. The Seattle Chamber of Commerce is giving a big feed to the boys Friday. The Pacific Steamship Co. arranged to take the Wrangell boys on a free excursion including a big dinner. The Seattle Chamber of Commerce made arrangements for the boys to go through the Navy Yards at Bremerton, with all expenses paid from Seattle....
March 1, 1923 As a means of stimulating interest and learning the sentiment of the community in regard to the proposed new playground for the school, the PTA is offering four worthwhile prizes to pupils for essays on the subject, “Will the proposed new playground benefit the school and how can it be improved?” Two prizes will be awarded for essays by high school pupils and two for grade school students. The essays will be read at the next PTA meeting. Feb. 28, 1948 Superintendent of Schools Geo. Fabricius, speaking to members of the Wrangell Ch...
"Alaskans are such go-getters. If we don't have access to a service here, we either live without it, or make it happen," said Shawna Buness, co-owner of Sweet Tides Bakery. Buness and her partner Devyn Johnson are among the self-employed people who comprise about 9% of Alaska's workforce. The percentage is higher in Wrangell, where one in eight workers is his or her own boss, according to a report in Trends, a monthly magazine of the Alaska Department of Labor. Wrangell was in the top third of...
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 several days of fun. Ironic because the holiday celebrates the Declaration of Independence, when the colonies told England that Americans did not need royalty to throw a tea party. Wrangell, however, needs all the help it can get from the annual royalty fundraising competition, and the royalty candidates nee...
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 Fourth of July festivities. Sales in 2022 totaled $56,260, which is about $30,000 shy of what the organization needs to cover costs. Candidates have until May 30 to sign up to vie for the titles of king, queen, prince and princess. Last year, only one candidate, Tyson Messmer, signed up. Typically, the...
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 “cease operations no later than 7/31/23.” The announcement indicated the decision came from McDonald’s headquarters, and not from the franchise holders, Mike White and Bill Laliberte. “As a franchisee of McDonald’s we understand the business decision but find it hard to leave a community that we have be...
Jan. 25, 1923 The cost per capita of schools in incorporated towns and school districts in the territory last year was $97.31, and of schools outside of such towns and districts was $103.14 according to a recent statement made by Commissioner of Education L. D. Henderson. “Alaska boasts of a teaching force,” according to Mr. Henderson, “which is more highly trained and experienced than that of any state in the union. The average teaching experience of Alaska teachers is eight years.” A total of 67 schools were maintained, 17 in incorpo...
A pair of Holland America cruise ships — each with capacity for more than 2,700 passengers and crew — are scheduled to call on Wrangell in 2024. Each will make one visit. Each visit will more than double the community’s population for the day. And each visit will provide the town with a great opportunity to market itself — though also requiring a lot of work to get ready. It’s the first time the major cruise line has included Wrangell in its pre-season advertising. “We decided to add several ports that we have not typically visited to add vari...
For the 10th year in a row, more Alaskans moved out last year than new residents moved in. That’s a draining fact, with no real plan to plug the leak. To confirm the Alaska Department of Labor’s statistics about population and persistent out-migration, drive no farther than U-Haul. America’s do-it-yourself movers reported this month on its annual numbers for traffic into states and one-way rentals leaving each state. The traffic count for Alaska is not good. The state fell 25 spots in the nationwide ranking of growth states, from 16th place...
