Snettisham repairs to be done within a month....emergency rate
A work plan has been developed to make repairs to the Snettisham line in the wake of Monday's avalanche.

Scott Willis of Alaska Electric, Light and Power says they figure it can be done within a month, depending on weather.

The plan calls for eliminating Tower 35 which was destroyed. It was also destroyed among others by avalanches last April 16th.

Workers are mobilizing today and plan to start work Friday on cutting the wire from the tower.

With a timeframe in hand, Willis says they're estimating an emergency rate for residential customers at 30 cents a kilowatt hour.  That will include the normal winter base rate of 9 point 6 cents and an emergency cost of power adjustment of about 20 cents.

Current residential rates are 10 point 8 cents per kilowatt hour, but the utility will suspend a 1 point 2 cent COPA or cost of power adjustment to pay for diesel that was used last winter. That charge will be suspended during the time the emergency rate is in place. 

Willis says the utility will submit the filing to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska sometime in February.

The rate shot up to 52 cents a kilowatt hour for a month last spring when three avalanches cut off electricity from the Snettisham power plant.

The cost of fuel this time will be $2.25 a gallon versus $4.17 the utility paid last year.

-Note-The current graph on the KINY poll page has an incorrect entry. 

In the top line with three numbers, the 30 cents per kwH is not correct and will be corrected Friday.

Juneau's Golden North Salmon derby could be scrubbed this year
The 2009 Golden North Salmon Derby may not take place unless a number of key volunteer positions can be filled.

That according to Territorial Sportsmen President Wayne Regelin who says that decision was made at a board of directors meeting Tuesday evening.

He says they need volunteers to take over vacant committee chairs which include Derby Co-Chair, Prize Chair, and Dock Chair.

Regelin says they would like to have those volunteers in place by the end of the month. It's in January when organizers start collecting derby prizes. Regelin says unless volunteers  are lined up by then, the derby probably won't happen this year.

The organization's annual meeting is scheduled for February 5th. That's when members will be provided an update. A final decision will be made by February 12th, he says.  

Anyone wishing to volunteer can call Regelin at 790-2920.

The organization has sponsored the derby for the past 62 years. Proceeds are used to provide college scholarships to Juneau area high school graduates.   

Alaska Marine Highway System undergoes schedule change
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska Marine Highway System's ferry schedule has undergone several changes through March 8.

The state's Transportation Department says the changes are made to accommodate various school athletic and academic teams travel needs between Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound communities.

Marine Highway General Manager Capt. John Falvey says the department can meet the needs of these communities without a major disruption to other service.

Marine Highway officials say people using the ferries should go to the department's Web site for updates.

Schedules can be found at www.ferryalaska.com 

Nearly 100 warnings issued to Valley residents for using wood stoves during air emergencies
The City and Borough of Juneau reinstituted its air quality program in the Mendenhall Valley this winter that shuts down the use of wood stoves during an air inversion.

It's aimed at complying with more stringent air quality regulations adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency which identified Juneau last month as one of seven areas in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska as a "fine particle pollution non-attainment area."

CBJ Land and Resources Manager Heather Marlow said on Capital Chat this morning that police department Community Service Officers have been enforcing the program.

No one has been cited, but nearly 100 warnings have been issued as the officers drive around the Valley looking for wood smoke usage during an air emergency. Some open burning has also been stopped.

Generally, she says people are compliant during the daytime, but the monitor on the Floyd Dryden Middle School indicates compliance is dropping in the evening and weekends.

She says they're working on changing that.

Marlow was joined on today's program by Alice Edwards who is the acting director of the Division of Air Quality in the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Bald Eagle fatally injured on Egan Drive
A vehicle traveling on Egan Drive late this morning (Thursday) in the area of Twin Lakes had an encounter with a bald eagle.

Police Sergeant Steve Hernandez says they were told by those involved and others at the scene that the eagle was flying too low and struck the windshield of a van.

It appeared the eagle's right wing was broken. Police were told it struggled across the highway and made it into the Twin Lakes area.

A Juneau Raptor Center volunteer happened to be in the area and took charge of the scene, according to the sergeant. The eagle was brought up to the road where it was turned over to another raptor center representative. According to the Raptor Center, the eagle had sustained fatal injuries and had to be euthanized.

Sergeant Hernandez says they could find no damage to the van. And no one in the van was injured.

Two calls on the incident came in to police dispatch at about 10-40 this morning. 

Hungry bald eagle on the mend
One eagle was fatally injured Thursday in a collision with a vehicle on Egan Drive but another was saved thanks to concerned homeowners.

The homeowners discovered a bald eagle in their wooded back yard, just standing there and when their dog approached the eagle didn't move.

That's when they decided to call the Juneau Raptor Center.

The Center's Kathy Benner went to scene, and with the help of the homeowners, they were able to catch him.

Benner says the eagle was pretty week. She says the eagle tried to run away but couldn't fly.

They caught the eagle, in waist high snow, using dark sheets to get him into an enclosed area.

Benner says, right now, it looks looks the eagle was falling to thrive. He wasn't finding enough food to eat.

She says the eagle's wings look good, and with the help of some antibiotics and good food, he should be ready to go out to the center's flight enclosure in a week or two.

7 rescued from boat moored to oil platform
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Seven people were rescued today (Thursday) from a sinking boat that was moored to an oil rig platform in icy Cook Inlet.

The seven were taken to the platform where they and 14 other platform personnel were then evacuated. No injuries were reported.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Sara Francis says the boat has now sunk.

According to the Coast Guard, a mayday call was received before 6 a.m. from the captain of the Monarch, an oil supply vessel.

The captain reported that the 166-foot vessel was taking on water at the Granite Point platform, owned by Chevron Corp. The platform is situated in the northern section of Cook Inlet, 45 miles southwest of Anchorage.

When the Monarch began taking on water, the people on the boat were evacuated to the platform.

According to the Alaska Department of Conservation, the Monarch's crew members were then taken by helicopter to shore, along with platform personnel.

Francis said ice pinned the vessel against one of the legs of the platform, creating a possibly unsafe situation. When the tides turned and the ice moved away from the platform, some workers returned.

Roxanne Sinz, a Chevron spokeswoman in Anchorage, said seven people remain on the platform.

Widespread causes for helicopter crash
By STEVE QUINN - Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A federal report says an inexperienced pilot, plus lax federal agency and company oversight contributed to a fatal helicopter crash 13 months ago.

The National Transportation Safety Board released its findings on Thursday for crash of an emergency medical service helicopter that killed four people near Whittier on Dec. 3, 2007.

Investigators cited several factors for the crash, including:

- It was the pilot's first winter season flying in Alaska.

- The owner of the helicopter didn't adhere to a federally mandated safety program.

- And there was insufficient federal oversight of the company.

Only one body, along with portions of the aircraft, were recovered. The helicopter was on its way to Anchorage from Cordova.

Senate approves wilderness expansion in 9 states including Alaska
By MATTHEW DALY - Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U. S. Senate has approved a bill setting aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as protected wilderness.

The 73-21 vote today (Thursday) came after days of partisan wrangling over one of the largest expansions of wilderness protection in 25 years.

Land to be protected includes California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Oregon's Mount Hood, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and parts of the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.

The bill also allows construction of what critics call a "road to nowhere" in an Alaska wildlife refuge.

Supporters say the road is needed for residents of King Cove who now use a hovercraft to reach an airport and hospital in Cold Bay.

The bill now goes to the House.

Incoming Interior secretary promises to visit state
Alaska's United States Senators have secured a promise from Interior Secretary nominee keen Salazar to visit Alaska.

Salazar appeared today before the Energy and Natural Resource Committee of which Senator Lisa Murkowski is the ranking Republican member.

In separate meetings with Murkowski and Senator Mark Begich Wednesday, Salazar said he looked forward to visiting the state following his confirmation.

One suspect picked up in connection with passing bad checks and SOB thefts
Juneau Police Wednesday evening arrested a woman wanted in connection with multiple cases of passing bad checks.

She's also a person of interest along with her husband for three recent thefts at the State Office Building.

The arrest of 30 year old Jennifer Jacobs came at about 6:30, according to Sergeant Tom Bates, who says they received a telephone tip from a citizen who said she was riding on a city bus.

Officers pulled the bus over, located her on board, and placed her under arrest.

Booking at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center says she's jailed there on a charge of Theft in the second degree.

                                                          
Michael Jacobs is 5’ 10” tall, about 200 lbs., Blond hair, Blue eyes.      Jennifer Jacobs is 5’ 6” tall, about 140 lbs., Brown hair, Brown eyes.

Police continue to hunt for 37 year old Michael Ralph Jacobs.

Troopers are also seeking him in connection with an outstanding felony warrant.

Anyone with information is asked to contract police or Troopers or Juneau Crime Line at 586-4243.

Eaglecrest closed due to flooding
Eaglecrest will be closed today (Thursday)

General Manager Kirk Duncan says the ski area has received over 2 and half inches of rain since Tuesday night.

He says a stream from Mt. Ben Stewart jumped it's banks and went thorough the slope's base area.

Duncan says it was fortunate that they happened to have an excavator already on scene that was used to successfully replace the bullwheel on the top tower of the Ptarmigan chair lift this week.

The excavator was able to open up the stream to get the water flowing again within it's banks.

Duncan says it will take about 24 hours for the water to drain out of the snow.

He says the snow cats will be on the mountain Thursday night and the slopes should be in good condition Friday.

The Platter and Hooter chair lifts will be operating Friday

Duncan says, the Ptarmigan chair lift, which has been out of operation for the past week, will be operating Saturday.
----
The Ptarmigan's ten foot diameter bullwheel was swapped with one from the mid-mountain chair lift that had not been installed yet.

A bearing had failed.

The bullwheel will be repaired and used on the mid-mountain lift which is scheduled to be set up on the mountain next summer.

The chair lift cable runs up the mountain around the bullwheel and back down the mountain to the lower terminal tower.

Plugged culverts causing flooding of residences
As predicted, flooding is occurring from all that rain on top of all that snow in Juneau.

City Manager Rod Swope says that's the word from the Streets Division.

He says it's caused by snow from private residences and driveways that was pushed into ditches where it packed down like concrete plugging culverts.

As a result, water is now backing up into people's homes.

Swope says they received at least a dozen reports of flooding between the Valley and Douglas.

They're doing what they can to try to help the homeowners, but says it's tough when the situation reaches this point.

Anchorage overwhelmed by weather conditions
Schools in the Anchorage area are closing for a second day due to icy roads and high winds.

Classes are cancelled for Thursday, just like yesterday when slick roads made travel difficult.

Mat-Su Borough schools are also closed for Thursday, except for Glacier View.

People Mover is also cancelling bus service in Anchorage again, but may be running again before noon.

Winds gusted to around 100 miles per hour on the Anchorage hillside on Wednesday, with more severe winds expected tonight.

The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures above freezing at least through Saturday. The weather is part of the Chinook pattern typical for January.

Anchorage police responded to 94 traffic accidents -- 11 of those with injuries -- through Wednesday evening, not counting another 200 vehicles that simply slid off the road.
(KENI- Anchorage)

Charges of FBI misconduct put forth in Stevens case
The judge in the trial of former senator Ted Stevens has released more information about a complaint of misconduct by FBI investigators.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan revealed the name of the agent who claims his supervisor was too close to witnesses and leaked information.

The complaint was originally made public in December, but with names blacked out. Sullivan this week found that Special Agent Chris Joy was not entitled to whistleblower protection.

Joy alleges that lead agent Mary Beth Kepner sought a job for her husband at the Port of Anchorage from one of the sources in the investigation. Joy also claims that Kepner wore a skirt to a meeting with star witness Bill Allen purely for Allen's benefit.

Lawyers for Stevens pointed to the complaints as grounds for dismissing his conviction on charges of failing to disclose gifts.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Plan presented to avoid water and sewer rate hike
City Manager Rod Swope presented a plan to the Assembly Finance Committee last evening that would negate the need for a utility rate increase to cover the cost of replacing sewer systems and updating treatment plants.

It would come from a portion of the remaining balance of the one percent temporary sales tax which amounts to about $1.2 to $1.3 Million.

Otherwise, the city is looking at increasing sewer rates by eight percent and water rates by 3 percent over this and next fiscal year.

A proposal by Assembly member Sara Chambers to eliminate sales tax on food was also discussed.

That would reduce the amount of the sales tax collection by $5 Million or between 12 to 13 percent.

Also up for discussion was a proposal to increase the salary of the mayor which has been set at $30,000 for years now.

Swope also outlined his plan for funding ground source heat pumps at the Dimond Park Swimming pool which was the subject of an ordinance introduced at Monday night's regular Assembly meeting.

Juneau delegation will once again face challenge of stopping session move bill
Among the measures pre-filed last Friday in advance of the start of the legislative session January 20th, is one that seeks to move legislative sessions elsewhere.

It's a measure resurrected from the last legislature by Mat Su Representative Mark Neuman.

House Bill 48 invites communities to build a new legislative hall. Various versions of such an approach have been around for years.

Mendenhall Valley Representative-elect Cathy Munoz says she'll be keeping a close eye on the legislation. She'll be co-chairing the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. "Obviously, I'll be in a position to prevent any bad legislation."

Munoz doesn't detect a lot of support for Neuman's bill.

Neither does Juneau Downtown Representative Beth Kerttula.

If it should emerge from the House, Juneau Senator Kim Elton is confident he can nix it in the upper chamber.

Lottery winner attacker announced plans before hand
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Court papers reveal that a man accused of attacking a lottery winner who also is a convicted child molester used a tire iron in Tuesday's attack.

Twenty-year-old Brandon Hughes is charged with first-degree assault for the attack on 53-year-old Alec Ahsoak.

Court papers say Hughes called an acquaintance before the Anchorage attack and announced his plans.

Wildwood inmate commits suicide
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Authorities say an inmate at the Wildwood Correctional Center in Kenai has died.

Fifty-two-year-old Edgar Carle is believed to have hung himself. Department of Corrections spokesman Richard Schmitz says Carle was awaiting trial on a charge of sexual abuse of a minor.

He was found dead yesterday morning.