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Dec. 21, 1922 Wrangell basketball fans had an opportunity to see the high school team in speedy action last Friday night when they met the Kake town players. The Kake boys were a stalwart bunch, but they were unaccustomed to the latest rules and had been practicing outdoors instead of in a hall, according to a statement by their coach prior to the game. They were distinctly outclassed. The speed of the Wrangell high team, their teamwork and their superior ability to connect with the baskets made it impossible for the visitors to get more than...
The halls of the American Legion were decked out for the Christmas party last Saturday - wreaths and lights covered the walls, wrapped presents hung from the ceiling and children walked through an inflatable candy cane archway to receive their gifts from Santa. Putting on this annual event takes months of careful planning and hard work, explained Jenny Mork of the American Legion. The Legion fundraises throughout the year and parents request specific gifts for their children when they sign up...
We have noticed and cherished day by day: The generosity of spirit shown by many in fundraising to provide meals for families, music for all at the park, at the pavilion and at the Fourth of July. The thoughtfully designed Mariners’ Memorial, contributed to by so many. The heartfelt dedication service presenting it as a gift to the community. Our much-loved teachers, coaches, athletes, musicians, artists who brought forth countless wins and successes for Wrangell. A testimony of devotion, dedication, encouragement, tenacity, and a vision of w...
Dec. 14, 1922 Last Sunday evening, a service of more than common interest was held in the Presbyterian Church. Though erected 43 years ago and occupied continuously as a place of worship, the building had never been formally set apart as a house of worship. In the years immediately following the building’s construction, there was no audience family with the functions to officiate a church dedication. During the past summer, while the old church was in the course of a thorough renovation, it was decided that the Rev. S. Hall Young, who had b...
The cost of preschool child care is a growing problem in Alaska, one of 33 states where the annual cost of day care exceeds the cost of college tuition. The University of Alaska Fairbanks charges $9,870 per year; the latest available estimates of child care costs predate the COVID-19 pandemic and range between $10,000 and $14,000 per year. In forums, debates and questionnaires, Alaska’s four candidates for governor have been asked what they would do to address the problem: In the past two years of incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s ter...
For about four and a half years, Twisted Root supplied Wrangell residents with organic and natural foods which could be difficult to find in larger grocery stores. That came to an end when the shop closed on Tuesday. The closure highlights the challenges of owning a small business. While the economic climate has led to some owners taking down their shingle, others have been able to open or expand. Twisted Root, owned by Sierra Roland, of Moose Pass, on the Kenai Peninsula, was open for almost...
As some of you may have already heard, Wrangell is losing yet another downtown storefront business. Twisted Root Market has announced its closure. Twisted Root was dedicated to providing Wrangell with fresh, organic produce. Its mission was to keep us healthy with a variety of nutritious food options, while also partnering with local farms, bakers — and they sold local eggs. It is truly a devastating loss for our community. Closing a business is an incredibly difficult process. I ask that the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce rally around Twisted R...
The chamber of commerce’s annual Pumpkin Patch event will start at 11 a.m. Saturday at the downtown pavilion. In addition to orange, white, blue and pink pumpkins for people to pick up and take home, the event will include a bake sale, chili feed and face painting, said Luana Wellons, of the chamber. Lynch Street will be closed to traffic and the pumpkins set out in the street for kids to make their selections. They will be sold by weight. The Girls Scouts will run the bake sale and Saint Frances Animal Rescue will staff the chili feed, both a...
Oct. 5, 1922 The following letter received by Mrs. Josephine Mason refers to work allotted to the local Red Cross women last spring for convalescent hospitals. Twenty-two suits of pajamas and 12 convalescent robes were made. For a few weeks a few women remained faithful to the work, sacrificing home and social duty that the work might be finished in the allotted time. “The report of production on your letter notifying us of your shipment, safely at hand. We want to tell you how very grateful we were for this wonderful work for our disabled m...
Wrangell’s Native community is critical of last month’s chamber-sponsored economic forum for its lack of tribal presentations on the agenda and the offensive comment of a speaker. The chamber of commerce organized the five-hour session to spark a discussion about Wrangell’s economic future and create a space for business leaders to share their perspectives. However, key players in Wrangell’s economic landscape — particularly representatives of the tribal government — were not offered the opportunity to present. Esther Aaltséen Reese, triba...
After a dismal 2020 and cautiously optimistic 2021, the economic outlook in Wrangell is improving, according to survey data collected by the Southeast Conference. Economic director Carol Rushmore presented the data at the chamber of commerce’s economic forum last Friday. The event was intended to bring Wrangell business leaders, state and municipal government officials, and concerned citizens into conversation about economic problems facing the community. Rushmore said her presentation offered a “30,000-foot summary of the economics of Wra...
Sept. 28, 1922 A party of prospectors came into town last week with an extensive collection of samples of various kinds of ore taken on the Iskoot in British Columbia. Some of the metals were gold, silver, lead and copper. The samples were forwarded to the government assay office at Victoria, and there is no doubt that the returns will show high values. While the samples brought in from the Iskoot attracted some attention, they caused no great surprise locally. There is little doubt that the Iskoot district is as highly mineralized as the...
Esther Ashton sees an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between the school district and entities such as the borough and U.S. Forest Service. She is running unopposed for a one-year seat on the school board. Ashton, 45, is the tribal administrator for the Wrangell Cooperative Association and had held the position for five years. She's been with the WCA since 2014. She has also served on multiple parent committees and is the chair for the Indian Education Committee. In the past, she was on...
In a Sept. 21 candidate forum hosted in Fairbanks by the Alaska Chamber of Commerce, Democratic governor candidate Les Gara and independent candidate Bill Walker said that if elected they would seek new state revenue to pay for a variety of projects and reverse years of cuts to state services. Both men are seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has advocated cuts to public services and opposes any new taxes unless approved by a statewide vote of the public. Also competing in the Nov. 8 general election is Republican...
Brittani Robbins is running for borough assembly to bolster Wrangell's economic development and stem the out-migration of families and youth from the island. Robbins, 37, is executive director of the chamber of commerce. She has one year of experience in public office as a member of the school board. She was elected to the board last October and intends to keep her seat if elected to the assembly. As a school board member, Robbins said she advocates for students and for non-certified staff,...
Democratic candidate for governor Les Gara and independent candidate former governor Bill Walker said that the best candidate is the one who shows up for public forums. The two had the stage to themselves at a Sept. 7 event sponsored by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce. The other two candidates did not attend. Incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy was absent, as was Republican Charlie Pierce, who last month resigned his job as Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor at the request of the borough assembly after an investigation determined...
Two of the races on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot are contested: There are two candidates for mayor and three candidates to fill two three-year terms on the borough assembly. The other three races on the ballot — for port commission, a one-year school board term and two three-year school board seats — are all uncontested. Absent a surprising write-in turnout, the candidates on the ballot will win those elections. Patty Gilbert and Terry Courson are competing to succeed Mayor Steve Prysunka, who decided not to seek reelection to a thi...
Sept. 7, 1922 A seaplane arrived here last night piloted by Roy Jones of Ketchikan. It alighted beautifully near the dock of the Alaska Sanitary Packing Co. Mr. Jones has made several flights today, taking up local people. Among those who have enjoyed the thrill of soaring in the air thousands of feet above the Earth are Leonard Campbell, Alex Vreatt, Grover Foster, Dr. R. J. Diven, Ole Johnson, Misses R. J. Coulter, Katherine Harvey and Elwina Bradseth. Sept. 5, 1947 Two senatorial parties who visited Wrangell last Saturday night, the Small Bu...
In their first time sharing a debate stage, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and her Trump-backed challenger Kelly Tshibaka presented their visions for representing Alaska as Republicans. And the differences were just as pronounced in style as they were in policy. Murkowski highlighted her 20-year tenure as a moderate dedicated to advancing resource development while maximizing federal funding for Alaska. For Tshibaka, it was a vision of resisting the Biden administration’s energy policies and federal largesse, epitomized by this year’s inf...
Aug. 31, 1922 A call for a meeting for the purpose of organizing a rod and gun club was made two weeks ago, but there was such a small turnout that those present thought it better to defer the matter of organizing until there could be a more representative gathering of those interested in such an organization. An organization can accomplish things that the individual cannot. Organizations in Wrangell and other small towns will tend to crystallize public sentiment and make it possible to check the wholesale slaughter of game animals that is now...
Given my aversion to long planning sessions, whiteboards with erasable markers and consensus building exercises, I can’t believe I am saying this: The town needs a plan for its economic future. A forum to start making that plan is a good beginning. Wrangell’s economic future is as cloudy as a fall day in Southeast, as uncertain as the state ferry schedule, and as chancy as winning a raffle. Improving those dreary odds can’t be based on hope. Wrangell needs a realistic plan. The chamber of commerce is sponsoring an economic forum on Sept. 30 at...
At the start of the final week to file for borough assembly, school board or port commission, Wrangell was still short of candidates to fill half of the open seats. The deadline to file for the Oct. 4 municipal election is 4 p.m. Wednesday. As of Monday afternoon, candidates had filed paperwork for four of the eight races on the ballot. Patty Gilbert, who serves on the borough assembly and previously served on the school board, has filed to run for mayor. Steve Prysunka, in his sixth year as mayor, has decided not to seek another term....
At noon on Sept. 30, business-minded residents will gather in the Nolan Center classroom to discuss the economic future of Wrangell. The chamber of commerce will host the economic forum, where speakers will present research on the challenges facing the Wrangell economy and discuss possible solutions. The chamber aims to create a space for engaged citizens and key players in the business community to exchange ideas. For Jeff Good, borough manager, the forum will be an opportunity to listen to the community and better understand its needs....
While the twinkling lights, bright colors and resounding explosions of the Fourth of July fireworks put the community in a celebratory mood last month, they have also put a dent in the pockets of the chamber of commerce. Though chamber Executive Director Brittani Robbins declined to release the exact amount of money she will need to raise before the chamber can afford next year’s fireworks, she called the sum “significant.” A variety of factors contributed to the chamber’s financial straits, including a lean year for royalty fundrai...
Patty Gilbert, who serves on the borough assembly and previously served on the school board, has filed her candidacy papers to run for mayor in the Oct. 4 municipal election. Steve Prysunka, in his sixth year as Wrangell mayor, has decided not to seek another term. Gilbert currently serves as vice-mayor on the assembly. Her term ends in October. She served on the school board 2019-2021, and served on the borough assembly 2016-2019. The deadline to file for municipal office is 4 p.m. Aug. 31 at City Hall. In addition to the mayor’s job, two b...