Avalanche knocks down Snettisham tower
Juneau was struck by an areawide power outage this afternoon when the line to Snettisham tripped off when an avalanche knocked down a tower that was among those knocked off last April 16th.

The power went out at about 1:51 p.m. and was restored to most areas in about an hour.

Scott Willis of Alaska Electric, Light and Power says power was brought back through diesel generation.

They sent a line crew aboard a chartered a helicopter to inspect the line in attempts to isolate the problem.  That's when they found Tower 35 down.

He didn't know at this report how serious the damage is, but says the town will be on diesel generation "for days or more."

Willis says avalanche danger is high.

The utility has contracted with Alaska Avalanche Specialists which has been monitoring conditions along the line all winter. They've also been conducting control work in the avalanche zone to bring down small slides so large ones don't develop.

Small avalanche reported out Thane Road
Avalanche danger remains high in Juneau.

That was evidenced by a slide out Thane Road this morning.

CBJ Avalanche Forecaster Tom Mattice says it was caught by the berm in the area and did not get to the roadway.

He says the probability of avalanches is at four on his scale of one to five.

Forecast for heavy rain spurs flood warning
The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for the Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell and Ketchikan areas.

Meteorologist Rick Fritsch says a very moist system with warm air is coming in to the region from the south.

He says one to two inches is forecast at lower elevations in some places and up to four inches in higher elevations. He says the rain in the higher elevations will flow down to the lower areas.

In addition, warmer temperatures will melt the recent heavy snow.

Many storm drains are plugged because of the snow plowing effort which could result in standing water due to the heavy rain, melting, and no place for the water to go.

Authorities are also concerned about roofs and the heavier loads that will be created when the rain falls on top of all that snow.

City and Borough of Juneau Manager Rod Swope says its important to get snow off of flat roofs. He's also appealing to residents to clear fire hydrants and storm drains in their neighborhoods.

The flood warning was issued Sunday afternoon and is in effect until 3 p.m.  today. (Monday)

Backed up drains blamed for electrical box fire at Fireweed Place
Capital City Fire Rescue responded to the Fireweed Place on Willoughby Avenue just before ten this morning. (Monday)

Division Chief Rich Etheridge says they found a smoking breaker box on the second floor.

He says apparently water backed up on the roof because of plugged drains and shorted out the electrical panel.

The call was similar to what happened at Bartlett Regional Hospital Sunday morning.

Firefighters found light smoke in the telecommunications room there.

Investigation determined that a water leak into electrical components caused the fire. Damage was limited to the shorted electrical components.

No injuries were reported in either call.

Etheridge says they expect more such calls with the rainy weather and plugged drains.

Continued vigilance to prevent water pipe freezing encouraged
Just because it has warmed up is no reason to let you guard down when it comes to your water pipes.

CBJ Water Superintendent Liam Carnahan explains it's still frozen four or five feet in the ground where the pipes are located.

He encourages residents to keep a faucet running a trickle, insulate or heat tape their pipes, and close foundation vents at their residence.

In the meantime, business remains brisk for the utility.

Carnahan says their on-call operator receiving a number of calls over the weekend about busted water pipes.

Juneau weather statistics for 2008 released
2008 in Juneau was cool, wet and snowy.

Meteorologist Rick Fritsch says the average mean temperature was 40 point 1 degrees, 1 point 4 degrees below normal.

He says the main factor was day time highs being cooler by 2 point 1 degrees. Night time temperatures were also cooler, but not so much above the norm.

The coldest day of the year was minus 8 on February 8th. The second coldest was New Year's Eve at minus two.

The thermometer did not break 80 at the airport last year. The warmest day was the 76 recorded August 20th.

It was a significantly wetter than normal year, according to the forecaster. About 58 inches of rain and melted snow is the norm, but in 2008 it reached 73 point 63 inches which is 26 percent above normal.

With cooler than normal temperatures and higher than normal precipitation, there was also more snowfall than normal.

Fritsch says there was 135 point 7 inches recorded at the airport. That's about 46 percent more than the norm of 93 point 2 inches.

City Hall addressing shortfall for swimming pool
The Assembly has directed City Manager Rod Swope to address a shortfall in funding for the Dimond Park Pool.

Nearly two million is needed for a ground source heat pump and one million for the resistance channel.

City Manager Rod Swope says a resolution and two ordinances on the Assembly's agenda Monday night addresses the heat pump.

One ordinance transfers one million dollars of the two million for the airport terminal expansion.

The other transfers money out of the sales tax reserve capital improvement project.

Another expense to be covered is one million dollars for the resistance channel.

Swope says he's working on finding funding for that part of the project.

Update:  Pool proponents say half of the cost for the resistance channel has been pledged by the Rasmuson Foundation.

In addition, they say the cost for the ground heat pump would dwindle to $500,000 if an Alaska Energy Authority grant is okayed by the Legislature in this upcoming session.

Assembly scheduled to take up union contract
The Assembly will be asked to ratify a new contract for members of the city and borough's general government unit during its meeting tonight.

City Manager Rod Swope says, like most negotiations, the main issue was money.

The agreement calls for a 3 percent salary increase each year for the next three years.

He wasn't able to provide an exact figure on what the contract will cost the local government, but believes it's already covered in the budget.

The bargaining unit consisting of about 500 employees is represented by the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. Employees have already ratified the pact.

Assembly to consider loan to Jensen-Olson Arboretum
The Assembly tonight (Monday) is scheduled to consider appropriating $170,900 in general fund money to cover a shortfall in the permanent principal balance of the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Endowment Fund.

Under the proposed ordinance the funds will be considered a loan.

CBJ Finance Director Craig Duncan anticipates that earnings from the endowment fund's long-term investment portfolio will be able repay the money.

According to terms of the endowment, the corpus of the fund is to be left intact and not spent.

However, in 2007, the Arboretum Board used a portion of the fund's principal balance to repair a roof at the arboretum.

Adding to the shortfall, a portion of the endowment invested in the stock market, lost money in recent months.

CBJ Manager Rod Swope says in order to comply with the terms of the endowment, the city is required to cover the losses.

At a previous Assembly meeting the panel directed, that before the money was appropriated, the city manager and staff was to meet with the Arboretum Board to discuss the new ordinance.

Swope says, previously, the board had not been included.

He says communication has since been improved between the city and board.

Swope says, it's his understanding that the Arboretum Board will ask tonight that the funds not be considered a loan, but rather a grant.

He says the board views the Arboretum as a CBJ facility and city funds should be allowed to be used to cover expenses.

The Assembly meets at 7 tonight at City Hall.

Bill calls for naming legislative office building after Judge Stewart
A measure pre-filed in the State Senate would honor the late Judge Tom Stewart by naming the Capitol Annex the Thomas B. Stewart Legislative Office Building.

The secretary to the state constitutional convention died December 12, 2007, at the age of 88.

The former Juneau Superior Court judge served in the Senate of the first Alaska Legislature representing Juneau.

He was also a member of the territorial legislature.

Senate Bill 29 is sponsored by Juneau Senator Kim Elton.

The building is the former Scottish Rite Temple that was purchased by the City and Borough of Juneau and turned over to the Legislature.  

Suit filed over fumes from Alaska Airlines plane
SEATTLE (AP) - An Alaska Airlines passenger is suing the airline over injuries she says she suffered when deicer fumes entered an aircraft at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Christmas Eve.

Paramedics treated 25 people who were on an Alaska Airlines plane. Deicer fumes made their way onto the plane and irritated the eyes of passengers and the crew.

An attorney for passenger Arianna Morgan says she still feels the effects of that exposure and suffers numbness in her hands and fatigue.

The lawyer says the airline had a duty to ensure ventilation systems were closed during deicing.

The lawsuit was filed Monday in federal court in Seattle.

Airline spokeswoman Caroline Boren says the company is concerned about passenger welfare and is reviewing the complaint.

All 143 passengers boarded another plane and continued to Burbank, Calif.

Man's body found on stairway landing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Anchorage Police say the frozen body of a 61-year-old man was found on a stairway landing outside the apartment complex where he lived.

Police say it appeared Christopher Clifford fell and lost consciousness before a resident at the Kluane Avenue complex found his body just before 5 p.m. Friday.

The door to Clifford's apartment unit was found slightly ajar.

Police say there is no sign of foul play.

Clifford's body was sent to the state medical examiner's office to determine the cause of death.

Alaska woman pleads guilty in death of newborn
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - An Alaska woman accused in the death of her newborn has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and is awaiting sentencing in the case.

Twenty-three-year-old Morgan Hite of Wasilla, Alaska cried as she appeared in a Grand Junction courtroom Monday and entered a guilty plea to a charge of child abuse resulting in death. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped several other charges including first-degree murder.

Hite was accused of giving birth to a boy, now called Gabriel, at a friend's Grand Junction home in February 2008. Prosecutors say she then put the boy in a bag, walked to her parents' home and left the bag in a closet.

Hite's parents found the boy's decomposing body in April.

Hite faces 16 to 24 years in prison when she's sentenced March 19.

Man draws prison term for taking hostage at Anchorage mall
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An Anchorage man has been ordered to spend 13 years in prison.

Roger Talbot reported to work in the Northway Mall in December with the intent of taking a hostage.

During the course of the hostage stand off, he threatened to kill the hostage if police entered the room.

He was arrested.

Woman found dead on ground in Soldotna
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Soldotna police are investigating the death of a woman who was found out in the cold this weekend.

Police say they received a report Saturday morning of an unresponsive woman found on the ground near Bishop's Attic on the Kenai Spur Highway.

The woman had been exposed to subzero temperatures. Police did not know how long she had been there. They also were unable to find any identification on her, and her identity remains unknown.

An autopsy is expected later this week to determine the cause of death.
(KTUU-TV - Anchorage)

Sex offender wins raffle for abuse victim charity
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A convicted sex offender won a $500,000 Alaska raffle that was a fundraiser for a nonprofit organization that helps victims of sexual abuse.

Alec Ahsoak of Anchorage, 53, came forward Saturday to collect his prize.

The state sex offender registry lists Ahsoak as convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in 1993 and one count in 2000.

The raffle drawing was Friday night.

State law says all games of chance must benefit a charity. The designated beneficiary for the half-million dollar raffle was Standing Together Against Rape, or STAR.

Ahsoak says he plans to use the money to buy a home and to improve his life. He tells KTUU-TV he will donate $100,000 to STAR.
(KTUU-TV - Anchorage)

Senate  passes wilderness bill that includes road from King Cove to Cold Bay airport
The U. S. Senate has voted in favor of a public lands bill that includes A land swap to allow a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge on the Alaska Peninsula.

The village of King Cove, near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula, has sought the road to connect the community of 800 with the all-weather airport at Cold Bay.

The land swap would add 61-thousand acres to the refuge in exchange for a seven-mile easement to allow completion of a 25-mile road.

The Senate held a rare Sunday session to vote on the bill, a 13-hundred page package that designated 2-million acres of new wilderness lands in western states.

Oklahoma senator Tom Coburn had opposed the local projects in the bill, including the King Cove land swap, which he called a road to nowhere.

The bill passed 66 to 12, which sends the bill to a formal vote later this week.

Cruise lines slash prices
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The state's major cruise ship operators are slashing prices in hopes of filling ships this summer season.

Alaska's tourism industry is taking a hit because of the downturn in the U.S. economy, as well as the slowdown in the economy globally.
Cruise ships bring roughly 1 million visitors to Alaska each year.

To get them here this summer, cruise ship lines are discounting tickets by as much as 40 percent.

John Binkley, executive director of the Alaska Cruise Association, says the discounting is because of some of the worst sales cruise lines have encountered.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Price of gas up nearly 12 cents after long slide
CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) - The latest Lundberg Survey finds the average national price of gasoline rose nearly 12 cents in the past three weeks. That marks the first price hike after six months of steady decreases.

The average price of regular gasoline Friday was $1.78 a gallon. The price of mid-grade was $1.91 a gallon and the price of premium was $2.02 a gallon.

The increase was the first since July 11, when the average national price peaked at $4.11 a gallon.

Of cities surveyed, the nation's lowest price was $1.34 in Billings, Mont.

The highest price was $2.32 in Anchorage.

Juneau, where the price is higher than Anchorage is not included in the survey.

Bears sweep Homer on Treadwell Ice
The Juneau Douglas Crimson Bears hockey team swept the Homer Mariners over the weekend at Treadwell Arena.

After skating to a 7 to nothing shutout Friday night, the Bears had to come up with two goals in the final three minutes of Saturday night's contest to edge Homer 4 to 3.

The Bears host Monroe Catholic of Fairbanks next weekend.

JDHS hoops teams end tournament play in Anchorage
The woman's basketball team at Juneau Douglas High School was declared the champion after defeating Chugiak 66 to 40 Saturday at the East Thunderbird Tournament.

The tourney ended in a three way tie with Juneau and two other teams collecting a 2 and 1 record.

The championship went to the squad with the lowest scoring defense.

The men's team finished fourth at the Dimond tournament in Anchorage with an 80 to 51 win over Point Hope.

Boozer out following knee surgery
Juneau's Carlos Boozer will be sidelined for up to a month after undergoing knee surgery.

The former Juneau Douglas High School and Duke standout now stars with the NBA's Utah Jazz.

Friday's surgery was performed to remove loose pieces of cartilage from his left knee.

Fearing abductions, hospital outside Wasilla halts birth notices
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The hospital that serves Wasilla and Palmer is no longer releasing names of babies born at the institution.

A spokeswoman for Mat-Su Regional Medical Center says birth announcements could lead to the abduction of in infant by people desperate to have a baby.

The policy is based in part on guidelines provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children based in Alexandria, Virginia.

The center acknowledges that newborn and infant snatching is rare.

The United States records about 4.2 million babies born annually at more than 3,500 birthing facilities.

The center has recorded 256 cases in 25 years of infants being abducted by non-family members.

In just four of those cases, the abductor learned of a newborn through a birth announcement in a newspaper.

T.C. Mitchell is managing editor of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, which received name of newborns and their parents until the hospital quit releasing them January 1st.

He says he can understand the hospital's reasoning but that even nationally, it's not a huge problem.

Officials at the Alaska State Troopers and the Anchorage Police Department say they have never heard of an infant abduction in Alaska.