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Arson attempt on
school grounds investigated by police
An attempted arson on the grounds of Thunder Mountain High School
is under investigation by Juneau police.
On Friday at about 11-20 a.m. administrators from the Thunder
Mountain High School called the Juneau police reporting it
appeared somebody had tried to light a fire inside several garbage
cans placed on the school grounds outside the building.
An officer from JPD responded to the school to investigate, as
well as the CBJ Fire Marshal.
They located two, crude, home-made incendiary devices in two
garbage cans.
According to police, the devices had what appeared to be fuses
that had been lit, however the devices did not burn as intended
and failed to ignite the garbage inside the cans.
No property was damaged.
The investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to telephone the JPD at
586-0600, or Crime Line at 586-4243.
Cell phone ban while driving among pre-filed bills
Among the pre-filed pieces of legislation in advance of the start
of the legislative session January 19 is one that prohibits the
use of cell phones while driving.
The sponsor of House Bill 257 is Spenard Representative Mike
Doogan.
There
were 51 measures released in today's initial package of pre-filed
bills.
Representatives filed 28 bills and three constitutional amendments
while Senators submitted 19 bills and one constitutional
amendment.
Another batch of pre-filed bills will be released next Friday,
January 15.
Dems file bill to prevent
utilities from increasing rates to cover losses due to negligence
Four Democratic legislators have announced they are filing
legislation to prevent utilities from billing consumers for
negligent or reckless conduct.
This summer Enstar sought permission to charge Anchorage-area
consumers $5.7 million for a billing error the utility failed to
notice for 6 years.
From 2002 to 2007, the company charged the Fort Richardson laundry
facility for 10 times more gas than it used.
When the company finally discovered the error it resulted in a
refund to the federal government.
Enstar then asked the Regulatory Commission of Alaska for a rate
increase to cover the costs.
That's rewarding negligence according to one of the bill's
sponsors, Anchorage Senator Bill Wielechowski.
Wielechowski says that in the U. S. and most other countries people
aren't rewarded for negligent or reckless behavior.
Enstar's John Simms says the company views the bill as an
inappropriate attempt to influence the decision that's currently
pending before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.
The other three bill sponsors are Anchorage Representatives Pete
Petersen, Chris Tuck and Les Gara.
Probe reopned in Tongass whistleblower case
MARY PEMBERTON - Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Federal prosecutors who investigate the
treatment of whistleblowers are reopening the case of Glen Ith.
Ith was a federal biologist who successfully sued the U.S. Forest
Service in 2006 over road repairs and bridge building in the
Tongass National Forest, only then to be reassigned, suspended and
his job eliminated. He died four days later of a heart attack.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, an independent government
agency enforcing the Whistleblower Protection Act, announced
Friday that it is taking a second look at Ith's case. The
investigation had been closed when Ith died.
The agency said Friday it is investigating further to
determine if prohibited personnel practices were committed against
Ith and if disciplinary action needs to be taken.
Former NANA official sentenced for mail fraud
SEATTLE (AP) — A former chief financial officer with an Alaska
native corporation has been sentenced in Seattle to 21 months in
prison for mail fraud in an embezzlement scheme.
The U.S. attorney's office says 45-year-old Clyde Thomas Beard,
formerly of Anchorage, used his skill as a CPA to cover up
charging his corporate credit card for computers, travel, a
diamond ring, TV, Seahawks merchandise and to pay his cable bills.
Beard was fired in February 2008 from NANA Services, a subsidiary
of NANA Development Corp.
He pleaded guilty Sept. 29, 2009, and was sentenced Friday in
federal court. He also was sentenced to three years of supervised
release and ordered to pay $188,000 in restitution.
The case was investigated by the Postal Inspection Service.
State health department survey measures at risk behavior by
Alaska's youth
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has released
two Youth Risk Behavior surveys.
One is for traditional high school and for the first time, the
other covers alternative high schools.
Survey Coordinator Patty Owen says 1,373 students from 43
traditional high schools and 1,020 students from 15 alternative
high schools were surveyed.
She says the results of the survey, which is conducted every two
years, is similar to what they found out in 2007.
Owen says the survey determined that suicide is a leading cause of
death in Alaska in the ages of 15 to 19.
The results revealed that 11.7 percent have made a plan on how
they would attempt suicide and 8.5 percent have attempted suicide
one or more times in the past 12 months.
She says the good news is that many of the risk taking behaviors
such as contemplating suicide, smoking, drinking alcohol and
taking drugs have gone down since their first survey over 14 years
ago.
But, in general, she says the figures are still alarming with too
many kids at risk.
For the first time, the survey posed a question about using
prescription drugs, such as Oxycontin and other pain killers
without a prescription.
What they found out was that about 21 percent had used
prescription drugs without a prescription one or more times during
their lives.
She says the survey results will help those programs that address
the health risks facing Alaskans in that age category.
Anchorage youth center above number average for sexual abuse
A federal study found a rate of sexual abuse at McLaughlin Youth
Center in Anchorage above the national average, including contact
by staff members.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that 15 percent of
juveniles held at the facility reported sexual abuse, or 1 in 7.
The national rate for similar facilities is 12 percent.
One in 10 juveniles at McLaughlin say they were victimized by
adult staff.
McLaughlin Superintendent Dean Williams says he's surprised how
much was going on without management knowing about it.
A survey by the state Division of Juvenile Justice found just 4
percent reported sexual abuse.
There was one case in 2006 when a female employee pleaded guilty
to a misdemeanor for having sex with a 17-year old boy.
Williams says the youth center is already addressing the problem
by making it easier to file anonymous complaints and with deeper
background checks for new hires.
(Anchorage Daily News)
SEACC
hires renewable energy coordinator
The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council is promoting the use of
renewable energy to help Southeast communities deal with the high
cost of diesel generated electricity.
SEACC recently hired Dan Lesh as it's full time renewable energy
coordinator.
He says SEACC hopes to help communities find funding sources and
get over regulatory hurdles for renewable energy projects.
Renewable energy sources include water, wind, tidal, and
geothermal.
Lesh says they're focused on rural energy development as well as
end use efficiency, both in the residential and commercial
sectors.
Lesh has plans to travel all over the region and if there
are communities that have projects and want help they're
encouraged to contact SEACC.
Lesh notes that the town in which he grew up, Gustavus, recently
completed construction of a hydroelectric dam.
Lesh most recently worked as a nonpartisan policy analyst with the
Alaska Legislature, focusing on energy and other issues.
Lesh attended the University of Alaska Southeast for several
semesters then completed his bachelor's degree in biology at
Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.
Southeast
rural utility pursuing rate hike
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A Southeast Alaska utility is seeking a
rate increase for customers in its service area, mostly Native
communities which already have high rates.
The Inland Passage Electric Co-op is seeking approval from the
Regulatory Commission of Alaska to increase rates nearly 11
percent to help cover costs.
The increase would take prices to more than 46 cents per
kilowatt-hour. Juneau-area residents pay less than 10 cents per
kilowatt-hour.
Shell clears another offshore drilling hurdle
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Shell oil company has cleared another
hurdle in its quest to explore for oil off Alaska's northwest
coast.
Alaska Sen. Mark Begich said on Thursday that the Environmental
Protection Agency approved Shell's air quality permit for
exploration in the Chukchi Sea.
The permit is one of the last administrative steps needed before
final approval for drilling in the Chukchi is granted.
Shell plans on having up to three exploratory wells operating in
the Chukchi next summer.
The company proposes exploratory drilling in open water using a
500-foot drill ship, an ice management vessel, an ice class anchor
handling vessel and oil spill response vessels.
A public comment period on the matter ends Feb. 17.
(KTUU-TV)
Vandalized mailboxes subject of Juneau Crime Line
Acts of vandalism are the focus of the most recent Juneau Crime
Line.
Police Sergeant Dave Wrightson says that between November 7 and 12
of last year, they received ten separate reports of vandalism to
mail boxes.
The locations ranged from the Mendenhall Valley to Thane, Douglas
and North Douglas.
The sergeant said several of the reports indicated that more than
one mailbox had been damaged.
Individuals with any information are encouraged to contact the
police department or Crime Line immediately at 586-4243.
Callers to Crime Line may remain anonymous and still be eligible
for a cash reward.
Dillingham's only dog catcher charged with cruelty to animals
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A former Dillingham dog catcher has
been charged with animal cruelty in the starvation deaths of six
dogs at the city-run pound.
Police found the dogs on Dec. 8.
Prosecutors Thursday filed a misdemeanor charge against
23-year-old Zebulon Travis Barnett, who was the city's lone animal
control officer.
Man killed in Anchorage traffic mishap
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A 76-year-old man was standing in front
of his disabled van on a Glenn Highway onramp when it was
rear-ended.
The crash Thursday pinned Robert Marvin under the axle.
KTUU reports police were able to pull him out, but he died by the
time a helicopter arrived to take him to a hospital.
(KTUU)
Cook Inlet Beluga comment period extended
The comment period on critical habitat designation for Cook Inlet
beluga whales has been extended by 30 days.
The deadline for public comment had been January 31st.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday
extended that until March 3rd.
NOAA is proposing that much of upper Cook Inlet be designated as
critical habitat for the endangered whales.
Local and state
officials have expressed concern that the designation could pose
an obstacle to economic development in the region.
Senator Mark Begich says he's pleased NOAA extended the comment
period, though he noted that the agency ignored his request to
consider an exemption for the Port of Anchorage.
Court orders review of Chitina dip net fishery decision
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A Fairbanks Superior Court judge says
the Alaska Board of Fisheries must revisit a 2003 decision in
which the board reclassified dip netting salmon in the Copper
River at Chitina as personal-use fishing, not subsistence fishing.
Judge Mike MacDonald told the board to better define the term
"subsistence way of life" before deciding whether dip
netting at Chitina qualifies.
Dip-netters contend state limits on their Copper River salmon
catches are too restrictive.
Voyages
of 3 Southeast fishing boats terminated due to safety violations
The Coast Guard Cutter Naushon terminated the voyages of three
fishing boats from Prince of Wales Island near Craig in Southeast
Alaska Wednesday afternoon.
One vessel had an expired life raft. The other two lacked a
primary lifesaving device. Two also had expired documentation.
All were escorted to Craig where two are homeported. The other was
out of Klawock.
Murkowski joins other Republicans in calling for public
health care bill negotiations
Alaska U. S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is one of 40 Senate
Republicans signing a letter calling on the Democrat Majority to
negotiate a final health care reform bill in public.
The letter is in response to a report that President Obama and
majority congressional leaders will bypass a formal conference
committee to reconcile differences in House and Senate versions of
the bill and instead craft a final bill behind closed doors and
without any Republican input.
Borough government in Kenai pulling out of climate change pact
KENAI, Alaska (AP) — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is
dropping out from a climate change agreement.
The Alaska Coastal Communities Global Climate Change Compact calls
for the state's coastal communities to collaborate to fight
human-induced global climate change.
Borough assembly members say the agreement could harm the area's
economy.
New school
opens in Southcentral Alaska
SUNSHINE, Alaska (AP) — Students and teachers at Su Valley
Junior-Senior High School in Sunshine are delighted by all the
space they found this week when they moved into their new school
building.
Classes had been held in 18 portable buildings after the old
building burned in June of 2007.
KTUU reports construction wrapped up over the Christmas break.
The principal, Rob Picou, expects the school to become the heart
of the community.
(KTUU)
Mora fire as Seahawks' coach
The Seattle Seahawks fired coach Jim Mora today after just one
season, leaving the NFL team without a coach, general manager and
president less than four years after they appeared in the Super
Bowl.
This season, Mora led his hometown team to only five wins in 16
games.
Crimson
Bears earn victory
The men's basketball team at Juneau Douglas High School was
victorious iat the Golden Heart Invitational Tournament in Fairbanks Thursday night.
The Crimson Bears defeated Eielson,
the second ranked 3-A team in the state by score of 60 to 45.
Alex DeRocher had 21 points, Victor Wilson 10 points and Paul
Tupou 8 points.
The Bears take on Lathrop Friday night at 6 p.m.
Falcons
looking to soar to the hoops this weekend
The basketball teams at Thunder Mountain High School are in action
this weekend.
The women play Sitka today and Saturday. Tip off
Friday is 6:15
and Saturday at 5:15.
The men tip off tonight against Ketchikan at 8 and at 7
Saturday night.
Juneau's
Rhea to lead Beavers in show down with Ducks in Oregon's
"Civil War"
Former Juneau Douglas Crimson Bear hoops star Talisa Rhea leads
Oregon State University against the University of Oregon Saturday.
The so called "Civil War" between Rhea's Beavers and the
Ducks will be televised on cable channel 36 at Noon.
The 9 and 3 Beavers are looking to make it three wins in a row
over their in-state arch rivals.
Rhea, the former Gatorade Alaska Girls Player of the Year, leads
the Beavers in points per game at 15.8. She's aiming to become the
16th member of Oregon State's 1,000 point club. The junior guard
currently has 930 points.
She's also in second place in school history right now with 150
three-point shots. She trails Felicia Ragland by 28.
Bears hockey
squad to face off twice against Homer
The hockey team at Juneau Douglas High School hosts Homer this
weekend.
The puck drops at 8 tonight and at 7 p.m. Saturday at the
Treadwell Arena.
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