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Paint company expected to pay damages
Local residents may benefit from litigation
A class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Alaska residents against the Behr Paint Corporation. The complaint alleges that the company's wood preservative products, Liquid RawHide and Natural Seal Plus actually, don't preserve wood from mildew. According to the Anchorage attorney handling thecase, tests indicate the products actually encourage mildew production. Randall Simpson of the firm Jermain, Dunnagan and Owens in Anchorage says he expects Southeast residents to be the main beneficiaries. His client is a home owner in Coffman Cove, north of Ketchikan. He says the case will be filed in Juneau since he expects it to impact numerous Southeast residents. A judge in Western Washington has awarded triple damages. Simpson said the normal award ranged from several thousand to as much as $30,000 to $40,000. Simpson says he knows of similar lawsuits in Oregon and California. Alaska consumers wanting more information should contact Simpson in Anchorage at (907) 563-8844.
The House Special Committee on Oil and Gas held its first meeting today. The panel will tackle one of the session's most pressing issues, a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to energy markets in the Lower 48. One of the first actions by Committee Chair Scott Ogan was to appoint a subcommittee to look into the feasibility of delivering natural gas to villages along the Yukon River if the line is built south along the Alaska Highway. Representatives Reggie Joule, Hugh Fate and Fred Dyson were assigned to the panel. Dyson asked and received permission to expand the charge to include delivery of gas to Southeast, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. Dyson says its possible their could be a spur from an Alaska Highway route to tidewater at either Haines or Skagway. Today's meeting featured an overview from the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Oil and Gas.
The National Weather Service has pulled back its high wind watch for Juneau this evening. A wind advisory is in effect through this evening. Southeast winds to 25 miles per hourwith gusts up to 50 miles in exposed locations are possible, according to the National Weather Service Forecaster Jim Truitt. But he says a high wind warning remains in effect for an an area west of Yakutat and north to Prince William Sound. Gusts in that area could reach 70 miles per hour later this evening.
One man was hospitalized and three others suffered minor injuries in a one vehicle accident on Eaglecrest Road last night. Police found a 1998 Ford Explorer rolled-over about a half mile up the road shortly after 8:00pm. The vehicle was traveling down the hill at the time. One passenger, 18 year old Kevin Stigall, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. He's listed in stable condition at the hospital with injuries to his head, back, legs and arms. The other two passengers were treated for minor injuries and released. The driver is identified as 21 year old Drew McCurley. Charges of Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangerment are pending against the McCurley. Police say alcohol was not a factor in the accident. The other passengers were 18 and 17 years old. The vehicle rolled several times and police are assuming that it can be considered a total loss.
The Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee approved, and sent to the full Assembly, a proposal to pave Great Western Drive during its meeting yesterday. Committee Chair Ken Koelsch says it's a small project on Douglas Island but it's one of the last places in that area that doesn't have paved streets. The committee received an update on the Gastineau Avenue reconstruction project. Koelsch says easements will be required, retaining walls designed and built and, during construction, the street will be shut down at certain times. The panel also received a report from the City Parks and Recreation Department on the need for a pump station at Dimond Park.
The moratorium prohibiting the hunting of Cook Inlet beluga whales (like those at right) has been extended by the federal government. That comes as the result of an act of Congress. Carol Tocco of the National Marine Fisheries Service in Juneau says the only opportunity that will be afforded for the hunting of belugas in the future is when a native organization has a co-management agreement with the agency. There was such an agreement for last year's hunting season with Cook Inlet Marine Mammal Council. That allowed the native village of Tyonek to harvest one whale. Tocco says the agency is working on a new agreement with the council that would be in effect this year and in future years.
A 25 year old Spokane, Washington, man was arrested earlier this month in Juneau for taking a black bear without an Alaska Fish and Game Department non-resident tag. Matthew L. Lebsack was cited by Fish and Wildlife Troopers on January 6th. The arrest was revealed in a dispatch issued by State Troopers this week. Lebsack was also cited for making a false statement on a 2000 Alaska Sport Fish and Hunting License. He claimed he was a resident of Alaska. The bear was taken in the vicinity of Cowee Creek out the road near Echo Cove. He's scheduled to be arraigned in Juneau District Court on March 6th.
Alaska could get considerably less money under a compromise version of Senator Frank Murkowski and Representative Don Young's conservation lands legislation. When first announced, it looked like Alaska would get $85-million dollars. Now, the number is closer to $50-million.
Finance Subcommittees have been organized in the State House. Juneau Valley Representative Bill Hudson, a member of the full committee, will chair the Labor and Workforce Development and Natural Resources Subcommittees. Juneau Downtown Representative Beth Kerttula was appointed to the Education and Early Development, and Law panels. Angoon Representative Albert Kookesh will serve on the Fish and Game and Transportation and Public Facilities Subcommittees.
A former Coast Guard Commandant and Commander in Alaska was struck and killed by a vehicle in Florida yesterday. Admiral John B. Hayes (left) served as commandant from 1978 to 1982. He was in Tavernier, Florida, when he was accidentally hit by the vehicle. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 76 years old.
The Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley is now towing that 595 foot cargo ship reported disabled earlier this week 120 miles northwest of Dutch Harbor. The engine of the Malaysian flagged bulk carrier Alam Selaras conked out Tuesday after experiencing initial trouble over the weekend. The owner has a tug coming from Seattle that's not expected to reach Dutch Harbor until Monday. Coast Guard Petty Officer Randy Holloway says the cutter will probably reach that destination earlier. A tug from Dutch Harbor may go out today to rendezvous with the cutter if weather permits. The vessel with a crew of 23 is on its way from Vancouver, British Columbia to Japan with a load of grain.
A containment dike broke at BP's Northstar oil field, spilling about 19,000 gallons of drilling mud and cuttings. Officials with the state Department of Environmental Conservation say there was no oil contamination from the spill, which occurred Tuesday afternoon.
Memphis-based FedEx plans to add about 30 entry-level jobs at its sorting hub at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport this year. Company officials say FedEx also is continuing to look at whether to expand its hub. Its rival, United Parcel Service, has said it also is weighing a hub expansion at Anchorage. UPS recently was awarded six weekly flights to China, all of which will stop in Anchorage to refuel, change crews and swap cargo.
Perseverance Theater's production of Gypsy opens tomorrow night. Cast members Karen Cross and Sharon Gaiptman and Director Anita Maynard Losh were guests on KINY's Capital Chat this morning. Losh says the musical is based on the memoirs of burlesque queen Gypsy Rose Lee. There's a cast of 22, and 100 costumes. And there's lots of music under the direction of Juneau Mayor Sally Smith. There's a dog named Priscilla that plays the role of "Chowsie" and a dancing cow which led to the quip on the today's program that the production is really a "moo-sical".
Jim Sepel of Juneau was elected Vice President of Testing by the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors at its recent meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Sepel, of Sepel and Son Marine Surveying, will also serve on the international organization's board of directors.
A 13 year old Stebbins village boy took his enthusiasm for photography too far this week. It was reported that the youth was taking Polaroid photos of patrons as they exited the sauna and shower area of the Stebbins Washeteria in their birthday suits. The juvenile was out after curfew and in violation of court ordered conditions of release stemming from an earlier offense. The Juvenile Probation office in Nome was contacted and the boy was transported to the Nome Youth Facility.(Captions for our photographs can be viewed by hovering over them with your mouse pointer)
Photographers/Public Information Officers:
KINY is actively soliciting photos of timely local news events. Please email us for details.
