JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE
Friday, January 10, 1997 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*Anchorage Senator Dave Donley today switched his political
affiliation by signing a new voter registration card. Donley has
been a Democrat since 1982, but says he agrees more with
Republicans on budget and crime issues. Donley won five
elections as a Democrat, but left the party after last November's
election in exchange for a seat on the Senate Finance Committee.
The switch brings the Republican count in the Senate to 14,
leaving only 6 Democrats.
*Senator Jim Duncan says that he has pre-filed three bills, one
that would create an education endowment to ensure funding for
education, one that would authorize the state to sell bonds to
fund maintenance of K through 12 education facilities, and
another that would make program receipts more accessible by state
agencies. Duncan will also introduce two resolutions on Monday,
one that would support the Governor's petition calling for a ban
on distilled spirit advertising, and another that would allow the
Legislature to take a 10 day recess 60 days into the session for
the purpose of holding public hearing statewide on important
pieces of legislation.
*Two Juneau residents and one Sitka woman were arrested yesterday
after the conclusion of a three month investigation into a pot
smuggling ring. Donald Walter and Almarene Conner of Juneau and
Rita Robinson of Sitka were arrested on one count each of
misconduct involving a controlled substance in the 4th degree.
Sitka Police, the FBI, SEANET and Customs investigators searched
locations in Juneau and Sitka and seized 16 and a half pounds of
marijuana. Additional charges are expected to be filed.
*The former owner of the Anchorage Times has died. Robert Atwood
passed away at his home this morning of heart and respiratory
problems, he was 89. Atwood came to Alaska from Chicago in 1935,
and transformed the frontier paper into a statewide force for
Alaska development. Former State Senator Bill Ray remembers
Atwood as a misguided but worthy opponent in the Capital Move
fray, and says the two had a love-hate relationship. Atwood is
survived by his daughter Elaine, and was predeceased by his wife
Evangeline, and daughter Marilyn. Services have been planned for
Friday, in Anchorage.
*Harbormaster Joe Graham says that thawing weather could cause
problems for boat owners. Frozen through-hull fittings could
cause leaks when temperatures warm up, and that could mean boats
taking on water. One boat sank at Harris Harbor this past week,
and others took on water, probably as a result of warming
weather. Graham suggests boat owners check their boats
frequently, and make sure your pumps are working. Other areas
that could be stressed by the weather is wooden planks and
caulking.