Eaglecrest adds new safety measures after girl dragged on ski lift
Eaglecrest Ski Area is putting new safety measures in place after a seven year-old girl was dragged about 20 feet on the Platter ski lift Sunday.

The girl was taken to the hospital. She was not seriously injured.

Eaglecrest manager Kirk Duncan says the girl was riding up the hill on the Platter tow lift, which consists of a upside-down T shaped seat attached to the lift rope.

He says he girl's season pass was attached to a lanyard that hung down over the front of her jacket.

When the girl let go of the tow rope, the lanyard got hung up on the seat and the girl was dragged to the Platter stop gate where the mechanism automatically shut the lift off.

Duncan says after meeting with staff they've come up with several new safety measures.

From now on, there will be an attendant at the top of the Platter lift. He says it's not required by law but it's the prudent thing to do.

Duncan says they will stop giving out long lanyards that go around people's necks. 

Instead, passes will be attached to peoples' coats.

Instructors on the Platter will be given two way radios to contact the aid room quickly when necessary, and crew training regarding accidents will be increased.

Jacob Begich shouts out to Obama
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Mark Begich may be Alaska's newest United States senator, but it was his son who got the attention of President-elect Barack Obama.

At a chance meeting Monday, the Begich family was at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., when Obama walked past.

Begich was holding his son when 6-year-old Jacob Begich shouted out to Obama.

The president-elect walked across the wide corridor toward Jacob and asked him, "What's going on, man?"

Mark Begich tells Anchorage television station KTUU that his very excited son shook hands with Obama, and replied, "Nothing."

Mark Begich says Jacob then kept saying, over and over again, "I met the president! I met Obama!"

The elder Begich, a Democrat, will be sworn into office Tuesday after defeating Republican Ted Stevens in the general election.
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Information from: KTUU-TV

Future Palin in-law cops plea to drug charge
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -A woman whose son is engaged to marry Governor Sarah Palin's daughter has pleaded not guilty to felony drug charges for allegedly selling a powerful prescription painkiller.

Sherry Johnston - whose 18-year-old son Levi Johnston is engaged to Palin's daughter, Bristol - was arrested December 18 on six felony drug counts, accused of selling Oxycontin.

The 42-year-old Johnston entered her plea Monday at an arraignment in Palmer, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

Johnston showed up alone for her first appearance in Palmer court this morning -- no lawyer, no friends or family to support her.

Johnston asked for and received a public defender, a lawyer paid for by the state. She told Palmer Superior Court Judge Beverly Cutler that she is in the midst of a divorce and living on medical disability payments and child support.

Newspaper report: Levi Johnston quits North Slope job
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The father of Gov. Sarah Palin's first grandchild has quit his job on the North Slope, the Anchorage Daily News is reporting tonight (Monday).

The Daily News reports 18-year-old Levi Johnston quit after questions arose about his eligibility to work as an apprentice electrician without a high school degree.

Keith Johnston told the newspaper that his son decided to quit, return home and concentrate on his education.

Levi Johnston is enrolled in high school through a correspondence program, Gov. Sarah Palin told The Associated Press last week.

Levi Johnston worked for ASRC Energy Services, and the company's rules require a high school diploma for those in its apprentice program.

His father, Keith Johnston, is an engineer for the company, and said his position accounted for any help Levi received in getting the job.

Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin recently announced the birth of their son, named Tripp.
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There was no phone listing for Keith Johnston. There also was no answer at the Sherry Johnston home on Monday evening, and The Associated Press could not leave a message because the phone's voice mail memory was full.

Winter weather advisory extended again for Juneau
Nearly a foot of snow fell over the weekend and more is in store today as the National Weather Service extends the Winter Weather Advisory for Juneau until 3 a.m. Tuesday.

3 to 5 inches of snow is expected today with  a like amount now forecast tonight.

The storm total from Friday through midnight Sunday was 17 point 3 inches.

Five point four inches fell Friday. Six inches was recorded Saturday and 5 point 9 inches Sunday. Sunday's snowfall was a record for the date surpassing the 4 point 4 inches that fell in 2004.

Juneau's ski area tops nation with packed snow at top, rates 5th in world
Juneau's Eaglecrest ski area leads the nation with a 120 inch packed base at the top of the mountain.

The ski area's Jeffra Clough says that's according to the web site ski central dot com.

And the local ski area is ranked fifth in the world.

Clough says ski areas in Italy, British Columbia, Austria, and Switzerland are the only ones to surpass Eaglecrest.

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http://www.skicentral.com/snowdepth.html   

Warmer temperatures allow skiers to compete
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Caitlin Compton edged hometown favorite Kikkan (KEEK'-un) Randall in the 5 kilometer women's race at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Anchorage this afternoon (Monday).

Compton, of Minneapolis, completed the course in 14 minutes, 48 seconds.

Randall, of Anchorage, clocked in at 14 minutes, 51 seconds.

Elizabeth Stephen, of East Montpelier, Vermont, finished third in 14:56.

Randall says she's relieved that races took place.

Competition had been suspended for two days because double-digit subzero temperatures kept racers off the course.

Alaska develops vaccine database
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The state has launched a new database designed to help health care officials track Alaska residents' vaccine history.

The data base is called VacTrAK.

It's the state's first Web-based immunization information system.

The Alaska's Department of Health and Social Services' public health division will manage the database.

Laura Wood, the state's immunization program manager, says only authorized health care providers and designated state health officials can access information.

The department's goal is to have as many immunization records as possible entered into the database.

Fast ferry sailing scrubbed again
A sailing of the fast ferry Chenega to Sitka today has been scrubbed again due to weather.

Today's planned sailing was to make up for Sunday's which was also cancelled due to weather.

Roger Wetherell of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says it's about the fifth cancellation in the last 2 and a half weeks.

He says they elect to come down on the side of safety.

The Chenega is scheduled to attempt another round trip between Juneau and Sitka this Thursday.

Over 131,000 file for 2009 PFD so far
The application period for the 2009 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend program that opened at 12:01 New Year's morning is going smoothly.

That according to Amy Skow of the Permanent Fund Dividend Division in the Department of Revenue who says over 131,000 have filed on line as of this morning. (Monday)

She says about 80 percent signed their applications electronically. The balance of those applicants must mail in a signature page.

Skow says they're asking those applicants to print it out and get it into them as soon as possible so they can get their application processed.

There were a little more than 640,000 applications last year. Skow figures it will be about the same this year.

Over 456,000 filed on-line last year and she expects that number to grow.

The filing deadline is March 21st.

The plan calls for one direct deposit for those who filed on-line in early October. The balance will go out in the mail in November.

Exact dates have not yet been announced.

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http://www.pfd.state.ak.us/ 

Lottery tickets to be sold in Juneau
Tickets for the $500,000 lottery will be sold in Juneau prior to Friday night's drawing.

That according to Ethan Billings of Marlintini's Lounge who says they'll be sold there from Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Abe Spicola, the co-owner of Lucky Times Pull Tabs in Anchorage will be there selling the five dollars tickets.

The lottery is being held in conjunction with Anchorage nonprofit Standing Together Against Rape which will receive 10 percent of what's leftover after the pay out.

State law permits lotteries only if a charity stands to benefit.

At last report more than 130,000 tickets have been sold.

1st baby of year reported at Juneau's hospital
The first baby of the year at Bartlett Regional Hospital was a "fair child" who came in to the world Saturday evening.

The hospital's Michelle Casey says Ethan Fairchild was delivered there at 7:57 p.m. January 3rd.

His parents are Joanna and Andrew Fairchild, the owners of Vito and Nicks Pizza.

He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20.5 inches at birth.

Ethan is the youngest of three children. He has two sisters, six year old MaryJane and three year old Jody.

The proud dad says  his oldest daughter took photos to kindergarten today to show off her brother and the younger one won't leave his side.

He says another couple arrived at the hospital before them, but his son was "popped out" first.

Juneau celebrates statehood anniversary with ball and fireworks display
JUNEAU, Alaska - Alaska is celebrating its 50th anniversary of becoming a state.

Alaska became the nation's 49th state on January 3rd, 1959.

A lot has happened since. For the next 50 years Alaska grew, becoming a key domestic energy provider and home to important military bases.

Governor Sara Palin  participated in several celebratory events, beginning with an appearance Friday night at the new Anchorage convention center.

She had two more appearances planned for Saturday in Anchorage, including issuing the Alaska Statehood Commemorative Stamp.

There were two events in Juneau over the weekend. 

One was a  ball Saturday evening at Centennial Hall where attendees wore formal clothes from the 1950's.

A fireworks show was held Sunday afternoon at Dimond Park in the Mendenhall Valley despite the snowy conditions. 

Young Alaskans working on submission to Legislature
GIRDWOOD, Alaska (AP) - In Girdwood, the delegates to the Conference of Young Alaskans are meeting.

The conference has come together as part of the state's 50th celebration of statehood.

The youths are developing policy statements and proposing courses of action, which they will submit to the Alaska Legislature.

Coast Guard rescues two from remote island in Aleutians
The Coast Guard rescued two Chignik men Sunday after their fishing boat became disabled in the Aleutians.

Lieutenant Kalen Kenny in the Juneau Command Center explained they were alerted when they picked up a 406 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon from the vessel shortly after three p.m.

That allowed the Coast Guard to determine it was the 42 foot American Way.

Two beacons were going off. The other was from when the American Way was known as the Dolphin.

Vessel master Jim Brewer and crewmember Jay Kingsley were headed back to Chignik when they developed engine problems.

They abandoned ship to a life raft and went ashore a remote island on the northernmost part of the Semidi Islands.

A Coast Guard helicopter from Kodiak picked them up and took them to Chignik in good condition.

One of the beacons was left on the American Way. Lieutenant Kenny says that will help them as they work to relocate the vessel today.

Missing hiker found in Whitehorse, Canada
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - A missing Japanese hiker was found in Whitehorse, Canada, after he suspended a 770-mile walk from Canada to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska.

Toru Yamaguchi, 37, was reported missing on Saturday when state road workers discovered an abandoned campsite about 73 miles north of Fairbanks.

After following leads and tips, Alaska State Troopers tracked Yamaguchi to Whitehorse by Sunday.

He had caught a bus back to the town where his hike had started.

Yamaguchi tried the road hike during one of the most streaks of bitter cold the region has seen in years.
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

Plea deal delayed for woman accused of killing son
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - Attorneys for an Alaska woman accused in the death of her newborn have one week to finalize a plea agreement with prosecutors or the case may be scheduled for trial.

Twenty-two-year-old Morgan Hite of Wasilla, Alaska, is accused of giving birth to a healthy baby boy at a friend's home in February 2008. She then allegedly put the boy in a bag, went to her parents' Grand Junction home and left the bag in a closet.

Hite's parents found the child's decomposing body April 29.

Hite appeared in a Mesa County courtroom Monday, but her lawyers along with prosecutors asked a judge for more time to talk with the woman's family before finalizing a plea deal.

A judge indicated last month he would set a trial date if a plea agreement wasn't reached by January 5.
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Information from: KKCO-TV, http://www.nbc11news.com 

Anchorage homicide rate down from 2007
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The state's largest city watched its homicide rate drop by more than half in 2008.

Anchorage closed out the year with 12 homicides, the city's lowest number since 2001 when 11 people were killed.

Just one year earlier, 25 people were slain.

Despite the drop, Detective Sgt. Slawomir Markiewicz says "12 homicides is still 12 too many."

Markiewicz says there were no gang-motivated killings, which the detective attributes to the departments crack down on youth and violent offenders.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Anchorage homeowners work on initiative to lower taxes
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A group of homeowners in the Anchorage municipality is working to lower their property taxes.

The homeowners hope to restore rules that existed before a change in 2003 in how taxes are calculated. They are working to get the initiative on the April city ballot.

At issue is whether money paid into the city's general fund by utilities and other city-owned agencies is counted as being under the tax cap, or outside it.

Mayor Mark Begich and the city assembly moved the utility payments outside the cap on taxes.

Organizers Neil Nichols and Robert Timmons said their initiative would restore the cap to the rules that existed before the change.

Housing grant to aide Alaska villages
SEATTLE, Washington (AP) - A federal agency is awarding more than $6.6 million to 12 Alaskan native organizations and villages.

The money will be used to build new homes and rehabilitate existing housing, as well as improving village facilities.

Plans call for building 17 new homes, rehabilitating more than 70, funding a Head Start center and senior center, and laying out water and sewer lines.

Palin helps kick off fitness competition to combat obesity
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Governor Sarah Palin is helping kick off a fitness competition offering a $50,000 grant to combat childhood obesity.

State government employees are participating in the Capitol Steps fitness challenge, which pits teams against each other.

Participants wear pedometers to automatically log in how many steps they take.

Rasmuson Foundation helping to bring artists together
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Rasmuson Foundation has again joined with an artists' advocacy group to bring an artist in residence program to Alaska.

The effort brings artists to Alaska to meet with artists here, learn about Native cultures and be inspired by the landscape.

Workshops and performances also will be held for Alaska communities.

Class action lawsuit against Horizon Lines
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Horizon Lines Inc. says it will "vigorously defend" itself against a securities class-action lawsuit related to alleged price-fixing at its Puerto Rican shipping operations.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based ocean shipping company says the lawsuit claims it made "material misstatements and omissions" about the business' pricing practices.

The suit was brought by individuals that have owned its stock between March 2, 2007 and April 25, 2008.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The company acknowledged the lawsuit in a statement late Friday.

Federal agents raided Horizon's Charlotte headquarters in April as part of an investigation of pricing practices of ocean carriers operating in Puerto Rico.

Horizon Lines owns or leases a fleet containerships linking the U.S. mainland with Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia and Puerto Rico.

Alaska sled dog study continuing
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - An Oklahoma State University veterinary professor is on his annual research trip to Alaska to study sled dogs.

Michael Davis is looking for physiological clues that could improve understanding of human medical conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.