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On a rainy Sunday afternoon, a lively gaming session took place at the new location for AK Hobby R.A.W.K.S. in the Churchill Building at 321 Front St. At one table, a group of high schoolers played Dungeons and Dragons, while at two neighboring tables grade schoolers played Disney Lorcana, a popular trading card game released last fall. Owner Wesley Seward said a weekly tournament will be held every Sunday, with the winner to receive a trove pack of the game that features card storage, a...
Alaska's two leading U.S. House candidates are offering significantly different views on the role of federal spending, a cornerstone of Alaska's economy. Speaking to members of the Alaska Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 10 in Fairbanks, incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola promoted her support of big federal infrastructure bills that have brought billions of dollars to Alaska. Republican challenger Nick Begich criticized that legislation and voiced concerns about the size of the federal deficit,...
The Nolan Center isn’t old enough to drink but that will not stop its supporters from raising a champagne toast to celebrate the building’s 20th birthday. The party is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14. “It’s really a cultural hub for our community,” Nolan Center Director Jeanie Arnold said of the multi-purpose waterfront building that houses the Wrangell Museum and also serves as a movie theater, stages community theater productions, provides space for conferences and is home for multiple community events and dinners every year. Admission...
Voters approved a $3 million bond issue for repairs to the water-damaged Public Safety Building by a 3-1 margin on Oct. 1. Residents re-elected Patty Gilbert as mayor over challenger David Powell; re-elected incumbent school board member Angela Allen and elected newcomer Dan Powers over incumbent board member Brittani Robbins; and re-elected Chris Buness to the port commission along with newcomer Eric Yancey over challengers Antonio Silva and Tony Guggenbickler. In a close 36-ballot margin, voters rejected a proposition to amend the municipal...
FALL STORYTIME for children 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays at the Irene Ingle Public Library. Stories, crafts and snacks. This week’s theme is pumpkin pals. HAUNTED HOUSE 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12, at the community center. All proceeds will go to The Salvation Army’s youth program. If you can help as a scare actor or help with setup, contact Damon Roher at 907-305-0844. TECH SAVVY SENIORS 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Irene Ingle Public Library. High school student government volunteers will help senior citizens with tec...
The Wrangell birthday calendar is reborn for 2025. After a one-year hiatus the chamber of commerce — under new leadership from executive director Tracey Martin — is bringing back the printed birthday calendar, which had been a community tradition since the 1950s until it was dropped for 2024. It costs just $1 to reserve a date on the calendar. Anyone can reserve a listing for a birthday, anniversary or to memorialize someone’s passing. Families do not need to pay more than $15 for listings, meaning that if a family wants to reserve 20 or 30 spo...
The Wrangell boys cross-country team finished third in the state championship meet while the girls finished eighth on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Bartlett High School in Anchorage. For the boys, Daniel Harrison was Wrangell's highest finisher. The senior finished just outside the top 10 with a time 18:41.0. Junior Ian Nelson and sophomore Jackson Carney crossed the finish line one after the other in 14th and 15th. Jackson Powers finished 31st of the 85 runners with a time of 20:00.04. Everett Meissner...
The Wrangell girls volleyball team attended its first tournament of the season over the weekend in what head coach Brian Herman called a “hit and miss” series of six matches against five opponents. Hosted by Juneau-Douglas High School, the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza gave Wrangell a rare peek outside the Southeast conference during pool play on Friday, Oct. 4, and the subsequent seeded tournament on Saturday, Oct. 5. The wolves opened their season with a 1-1 split against Metlakatla, before Mount Edgecumbe “handed them their hat...
Third-year head coach Jack Carney feels good about his team, and he's got his eyes fixed on a handful of state titles. "We're in a high point," he said. Carney expects 22 wrestlers for the 2024 season: eight girls and 14 boys. There will be just three seniors on the roster, including returning standout captain Della Churchill. A two-time region champion, Churchill was voted Outstanding Female Wrestler of the tournament at the Southeast championships last year. This year, her coach hopes she can...
A new documentary, "Sugarcane," recounts the searing, traumatic history of colonization and forced assimilation of British Columbia's Indigenous people through a network of what are known as Indian residential schools. The film features former students and their descendants seeking truth, reconciliation and healing from the nation's legacy of those schools - institutions that the Canadian federal government now says carried out a "cultural genocide" through physical and sexual abuse. After...
Most Wrangell students are insufficient in English language arts, math and science, according to the state standardized test scores that the Alaska Department of Education released over the summer. The results are an amalgamation of two tests: the Alaska Science Assessment, which assesses fifth, eighth and 10th graders science skills; and the AK STAR, which assesses third through ninth grade students in their English and math proficiency. The Wrangell school district’s proficiency levels are 10 percentage points above state average in both m...
Oct. 2, 1924 The Wrangell schools have taken a forward step this year in incorporating a course of religious education in the high school curriculum. The course, which is elective, provides for one hour’s work each week and carries a fourth of a credit each year. The work is given under the instruction of the local ministers during the last period on Wednesday afternoons. Sept. 30, 1949 The first fall meeting of the Wrangell Health Council, Red Cross and Tuberculosis Association combined was held Tuesday, Sept. 27, in the health center. Nine me...
NOLAN CENTER THEATER “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” rated PG-13, at 6 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4-6. The dark comedy fantasy horror film runs 1 hour and 45 minutes; tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children under age 12. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. COMMUNITY MARKET from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Nolan Center. Check out the locally grown and handcrafted item. FALL STORYTIME for children 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays at the Irene Ingle Public Library. Stories, crafts and snacks. This wee...
In House District 1, which includes Ketchikan and Wrangell, there is a three-way race to replace Rep. Dan Ortiz who served as the district's House member for a decade. The race is between Republican Jeremy Bynum and independents Grant EchoHawk and Agnes Moran. All three candidates are Ketchikan residents, as is Ortiz. A Wrangell resident has not held the House seat since Peggy Wilson a decade ago. Ortiz is not seeking reelection, citing health reasons. The former educator caucused with the...
The Alaska Children's Trust, a statewide nonprofit that works to prevent child abuse and neglect and advocate for children, youth and families, honored Wrangell resident Kay Larson with its Champion for Kids Award Saturday evening, Sept. 28, at the Nolan Center. Kaila Pfister, the trust's director of community engagement, who has worked with Larson the past four years, talked about the need for positive role models in the lives of children and how the award honors the contributions of such...
More emergency kits to save victims of opioid overdoses are on their way to Alaska schools, in accordance with a new law. It requires schools statewide to have kits on hand, with trained people on site to administer those kits if needed. Although the new law does not go into effect until late November, the state Department of Health has already begun shipping out kits with overdose-reversal medicine and associated gear. The law is the product of House Bill 202, which Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed in late August. As of early last month, about 200 of...
HELP WANTED Wrangell Public Schools is accepting applications for the following positions for the 2024-2025 school year: - Activities Director: The Activities Director organizes and administers the district’s program of interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities including the development and support of school “spirit.” This is a contracted position with the district. The successful applicant should expect to work some evenings and weekends to support the activities program as needed and is expected to travel to regional event...
Voters by almost a 3-to-1 margin Tuesday approved a $3 million bond issue for repairs to the water-damaged Public Safety Building. Residents re-elected Patty Gilbert as mayor over challenger David Powell; re-elected incumbent school board member Angela Allen and elected newcomer Dan Powers over incumbent board member Brittani Robbins; and re-elected Chris Buness to the port commission along with newcomer Eric Yancey over challengers Antonio Silva and Tony Guggenbickler. Voters rejected a ballot proposition to amend the municipal charter, which...
Borough Manager Mason Villarma stopped his truck at the top of St. Michaels Street when a car driving down Church Street whizzed by him going 40 miles per hour - 15 mph over the speed limit - in a school zone, nonetheless. "We need to slow things down here," Villarma thought to himself this summer. In response, he reached out to other borough officials to see what could be done. The result is a four-way stop at the intersection of St. Michaels and Church streets, next to the Stikine Middle...
Registered voters in Wrangell have several decisions to make in this year’s municipal election — not just deciding their choices for seven elected offices and two ballot propositions, but when they want to vote. The polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Nolan Center. But for people who like the convenience of voting early, or will be out of town Oct. 1, they can choose to stop by City Hall weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. though Monday, Sept. 30, to cast an early ballot. All of the ballots will be tabulated at the sam...
NOLAN CENTER THEATER - no movies until October. RUMMAGE SALE 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Lutheran Church. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD CELEBRATION to honor Kay Larson, founder of BRAVE, one of five Alaskans to receive this year’s Alaska Children’s Trust Champion of Kids award. At 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Nolan Center. Light refreshments provided; potluck dishes appreciated but not expected. PET BLESSING 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 29, at St. Philip’s Church. Open to all critters and their people. FALL STORYTIME for children 10...
Chris Buness, who is finishing up her first term on the port commission, is running for reelection to another three-year term. One thing she would like the commission to take on is an in-depth review of every provision in the municipal code governing the port and harbors. "Some sections need a deep dive" and some are out of date, she said. A thorough review could answer the question for every section of the code: "Does this still make sense for doing it this way in Wrangell." It's all about...
Port commission candidate Eric Yancey would like to see a second boat launch ramp constructed at Heritage Harbor, "right alongside the one that is there." The ramp can get busy and backed up, he said. "One thing would be nice during the summer over at Heritage ... a second boat launch." The 20-year-old harbor has a large parking area and is popular with people who trailer their boats in and out of the water. It's much closer to town than the launch ramp at Shoemaker. Another pinch point for...
Contrary to mud-caked impressions, the Capital City Invite was not an officially organized mud run, but it certainly wasn’t a fast and dry high school cross-country meet either. Held in Juneau on Sept. 21 with teams from 10 Southeast high schools, the Capital City Invite went forward as scheduled despite the slow and muddy conditions. In speaking to the Juneau Empire, Sitka senior Marina Dill reflected on the course’s condition. “Through my entire years of running, I’ve never run on something this muddy,” she said. Over 200 runners competed...
State health officials have recorded 234 cases this year of whooping cough — also known as pertussis — through Sept. 9, more than were reported over the past seven years combined. About three-quarters of this year’s cases came in the past three months. Of the statewide total, SEARHC reports 11 in Southeast from June through early September, Lyndsey Y. Schaefer, communications director for the health care provider, said in an emailed statement Sept. 12. Privacy rules prevent SEARHC from disclosing the communities with whooping cough cases...