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Assembly approves $1.6 million for schools; max allowed under state law
The assembly on May 10 unanimously approved $1.617 million as the borough contribution to the school budget for the 2022-2023 academic year, more than $300,000 higher than this year's local funding...
Legislature in final steps before adjournment
The borough and Wrangell schools could receive about $4.5 million in state funds, and individuals could receive a fall dividend at least more than double the amount of last year’s payment as the Legislature is in the final day of its regular...
Borough will auction off former hospital
The borough assembly on May 10 approved a resolution to put the former hospital building up for auction, with the borough running the sale rather than turning it over to an online surplus property vendor and paying a 5% commission. Assemblymember...
Water study highlights importance of cleaning up after pets
A group of high school students delved into scientific research while earning college credits as part of the Rural Alaska Students in One-Health Research (RASOR) program. The University of Alaska...
Wrangell receives $1 million toward domestic violence prevention
A Ketchikan nonprofit has helped the Wrangell tribal council secure a $1 million federal grant toward domestic violence and sexual abuse prevention, and advocacy for survivors. Agnes Moran, executive...
Foundation seeks to make new Friends through membership drive
Since the onslaught of COVID-19 two years ago, the Friends of the Museum lost more than half its membership due to various reasons and has struggled with bringing in needed donations. The nonprofit...
Motor fuel tax holiday bill could die in state Senate
It’s up to the Senate in the final days of the legislative session whether Alaskans will get a year of gasoline and diesel at the pump without the state tax of eight cents a gallon. The House by a 36-2 margin on May 4 passed the measure — which...
SEARHC negotiated payments in lieu of property taxes back on assembly agenda
The borough assembly was scheduled to hold a special meeting Tuesday evening to consider an agreement for the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium to make voluntary payments on tax-exempt property it owns in town. A draft agreement had been on...
Volunteers aid in effort to keep downtown looking good
Volunteers cleaned up 14 garden beds along Front Street, from the Stikine Inn down to Rayme's Bar, last Saturday to keep downtown looking nicer for tourists and residents alike. The annual cleanup...
Alaska Airlines says flight disruptions will continue until June
SEATTLE (AP) — In a message to Alaska Airlines employees last Thursday evening, and later sent to customers, CEO Ben Minicucci said the high level of flight cancellations since April will continue throughout May but that stability should return to...
Columbia's return nowhere on the horizon
The largest of the state ferries, the 499-passenger Columbia, was still listed as inactive on the Transportation Department website as of Monday, with no indication it will go back to work this summer as was planned nine months ago. Last August, the...
Meet the class of 2022
As the Wrangell High School class of 2022 prepares to graduate on Friday, the Sentinel asked them to reflect on the past four years and how they would advise the class of 2023. Jimmy Baggen What are...
Award ceremony highlights student achievements, scholarships
Plenty of foot stomping, hand clapping and cheering punctuated the accolades bestowed on Wrangell High School students last Friday, making the auditorium a celebratory club for an hour. Eighth through 12th graders gathered along with community...
Library reading program for children starts June 1
Summer is more than just playing outdoors for children — it can be about reading books and winning prizes, including a pool and pizza party. The Irene Ingle Public Library’s summer reading program is open to children entering kindergarten...
Legislature closer to passing tribal recognition bill
JUNEAU (AP) — The state Senate passed legislation last Friday to formally recognize tribes in Alaska, which supporters say is an overdue step that would create opportunities for the state and tribes to work together. The measure passed 15-0 and...
Chamber picks July 4th logo design winner; still looking for royalty candidates
When Kitty Angerman caught wind of the chamber of commerce logo design contest for the Fourth of July, she smelled inspiration right away. That inspiration - the scent of the Stikine River - won her...
Salvation Army offers summer lunches for children
The Salvation Army is working with Wrangell businesses and community donations to provide free weekday lunches for 50 children again this summer. The program starts June 1 and will run through July 29, Lt. Jon Tollerud of The Salvation Army said...
Interior Department report says there were over 400 Native boarding schools
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A first-of-its-kind federal study of Native American boarding schools that for over a century sought to assimilate Indigenous children into white society has identified more than 400 such schools that were supported by the...
Report details collaboration in boarding schools between government and churches
A new Interior Department report on the legacy of boarding schools for Native Americans underscores how closely the U.S. government collaborated with churches to Christianize them as part of a project to sever them from their culture, their...
Cruising into the season
The 342-foot cruise ship Ocean Victory awaits passengers to return after coming into port at the City Dock last Thursday. It was the first official cruise ship in Wrangell for the tourist season, and...
U.S. commercial fishing harvest fell 15% in value in 2020
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — America's commercial fishing industry fell 10% in catch volume and 15% in value during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal regulators said last Thursday. The 2020 haul of fish was 8.4 billion pounds, while the...
Democrat files to run for Murkowski's Senate seat
A retired Matanuska-Susitna Borough teacher has filed to run as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in Alaska. Pat Chesbro filed candidacy paperwork with the state Division of Elections on May 11. She would join a crowded field of 16 candidates in the Aug. 16...
Cruise ship knocks Sitka mooring dolphin out of commission
The cruise ship Radiance of the Seas struck a Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal mooring dolphin on May 9 as it was preparing to dock, limiting the facility to one berth instead of two until repairs are completed in a few weeks, terminal manager Chris...
Bestowing blessings
Pastor Sue Bahleda of the Island of Faith Lutheran Church and Lt. Rosie Tollerud (right) give the Blessing of the Fleet last Sunday at the Mariners' Memorial at Heritage Harbor. Girl Scouts presented...
Trident will keep Wrangell plant closed another year
Seattle-based Trident Seafoods will not open its Wrangell processing plant this summer, the third year in a row the operation has been closed. As in the past two years, the company cited weak chum salmon returns for its decision not to run the...