Committee selects final four candidates for CBJ Manager
The CBJ city manager search committee has chosen four candidates who have been invited to travel to Juneau for an in-person screening process.

The panel narrowed the field of 33 applicants down to eight preliminary candidates Monday and Tuesday after conducting interviews and background checks. The committee met today (Wednesday) to narrow the list to the final four candidates. 

The only Alaskan to make the final eight candidates, Larry Persily, did not make the final four.

Committee chair Deputy Mayor Jeff Bush says, although Persily was impressive, he did not have the required experience at the city manager level.

The finalists include the current city manager for the town of Wethersfield, Connecticut, Bonnie Therrien.

Therrien has also worked as the Assistant City Manager in the city of Jacksonville, North Carolina and the Deputy City Manager in the city of Hartford, Connecticut.

Therrien has a BA in Sociology, an MA in Criminal Justice, and an MPA in Public Administration.

The second finalist is David Johnston from Rantoul, Illinois. 

Johnston served as the Village Administrator for the village of Rantoul; the Town Manager of the town of Westfield, Indiana; and the Village Administrator for Coal City, Illinois.

Johnston has a BA in American Studies and an MPA in Public Affairs.

The third finalist is the former City Manager of Kalispell, Montana, Jim Patrick.

He also served as the City Manager of Vermillion, South Dakota; the Borough Manager of Plum, Pennsylvania; the City Manager of Lebanon, Ohio; the City Administrator of New London, Wisconsin; and the Town Manager of Butler Township, Pennsylvania.

Patrick has a BS in Biology and an MS in Management.

The fourth finalist is the former City Administrator for the City of Vernonia, Oregon, Dick Kline.

He has also served as the City Administrator for the cities of Cornelius, Oregon and Ontario, Oregon. Kline was the City Coordinator for the city of Vale, Oregon and the Economic Development Specialist for Malheur County, Oregon.

Kline has a BS in Business Administration/Marketing and an MBA in Marketing/Finance.

The next phase of the selection process is scheduled for February 10, 11 and 12.

It will include an Assessment Center that is designed to see the candidates in action during scenarios that a city manager might encounter.

The Assessment Center will include a public presentation and a reception where the public can meet the candidates.
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Rod Swope, the current CBJ Manager, has served for six years.

Swope says he's hopeful for a six week transition prior to his last day on April 30th
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Mayor Bruce Botelho appointed the search committee which is consists of himself, Deputy Mayor Bush and Assembly members Merrill Sanford and David Stone.

Switzer Village trailer destroyed by fire, no injuries reported, probable cause identified
Capital City Fire Rescue responded to a trailer home fire just before 5 this morning.

The call came in at 4:51 at Space 221 of the Switzer Village Mobile Home Park at 6590 Glacier Highway.

The fire was described as fully involved with a nearby tree catching on fire.

Chief Eric Mohrman says no one was injured.  Residents had left the trailer about a half hour before and discovered the fire upon their return.

He says the trailer home was destroyed.  

Fire Marshal Dan Jager has determined a probable cause.  He says there were several portable heaters in the back part of the building which was the fire's origin and the area with the most damage.  

He figures a flammable material came in contact with one of the heaters sparking the fire.

Four previous trailer home fires this winter season were related to thawing frozen water pipes. Three involved heat tape and the other was caused by an electric heater.

Avalanche threat slows Snettisham line work
Work has slowed at the site of the Snettisham line repairs.

Scott Willis of Alaska Electric, Light and Power told us this morning that with avalanche danger increasing, control work was necessary. So, avalanche control personnel planned another "bombing run" to continue to make the site safe.

Willis says progress was made Tuesday.  Modifications to tower 3/4 will continue today.  The goal for that crew working is to turn the structure to the correct angle for the new wire.

Another crew competed the modification to tower 4/1 Tuesday. Willis says they'll be work today on clearing a path to lay out the new wire and clearing a landing area for the helicopter near the splice point.

The modifications to those towers are necessary since the decision was made to bypass tower 3/5 which was destroyed last year and in this latest avalanche.

Willis announced Tuesday that the work is going quicker than originally planned which will mean lower rates than initially anticipated.

But he did warn that bad weather and unforeseen circumstances could slow efforts.

The estimate now is that the line will be back in service sometime between January 24th and 30th.

Ending the use of diesel earlier will also impact the emergency cost of power adjustment rate.

That's now estimated between 10 to 15 cents rather than 20 cents per kilowatt hour.

That would translate into an overall rate of 20 to 25 cents rather than 30 cents.

Docks and Harbors Board to hike shore power rate to cover emergency cost
The CBJ Docks and Harbors Board of Directors conducts a special meeting Wednesday evening to adopt emergency amendments to shore power access fee regulations.

Port Director John Stone says the amendments are in response to the expected cost of power adjustment that
A-E-L and P will be passing on to customers with the Snettisham line going down.

He says they have about a hundred harbor patrons who pay the department for shore power since it's impossible to set up an account with the electric utility since no metering is available at those locations.

The board previously adopted a flat fee to cover the normal cost of power. Stone says the flat fee will be adjusted to meet the expected hike in power as a result of the avalanche.

The board will conduct a public hearing before adopting the amended regulations.

That meeting gets underway at 5 p.m. today ( Wednesday) at the Aurora Harbor Office.

Permanent Fund endures rough 2nd quarter
The Alaska Permanent Fund lost 12 point 2 percent in the second quarter ending December 31st.

Chief Executive Officer Mike Burns says the fund was worth $28.8 Billion, down $4.2 Billion from the end of the first quarter September 30.

Burns adds that it's down about $12 Billion from its peak.

Statutory net income, the amount used to calculate the dividend has recorded a $983 Million net loss for the fiscal year to date. Burns thinks it will be difficult to get into positive territory before the end of the year June 30th.

That would figure would go into the five year average for calculating dividends which Burns says would bring the size of this year's check down some.

Murkowski named to Senate Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON (AP) - Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski has been named to the Senate Appropriations Committee, a key post that will help her direct federal spending to the state.

Murkowski, who has served in the Senate since 2002, follows fellow Alaska Republican Ted Stevens on the panel.

Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, was a longtime Appropriations chair, winning acclaim - and derision - as a champion of spending projects for his home state.

Murkowski says she is gratified at her appointment, which was announced Wednesday by Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran, the panel's top Republican.

To accept the appropriations post, Murkowski had to give up her membership on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

She will continue as senior Republican on Energy and Natural Resources and will remain on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, as well as Indian Affairs.

Murkowski pardon request letter released
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says her plea to have former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens pardoned was done "in the interest of justice.

Murkowski urged former President Bush to pardon Stevens, who was convicted in October of seven felonies for not disclosing gifts on Senate forms. Stevens, who had served since 1968, was defeated in the November election by Democrat Mark Begich.

Murkowski's office on Tuesday released the full text of her Jan. 7 letter to Bush.

The letter says Stevens' corruption case was "riddled with irregularities." She also cited Stevens' 40 years of service to the state and county as factors for consideration.

She also touted Stevens' as a leading force in the settlement of land claims for Alaska Natives. Murkowski says Stevens helped the country to maintain its sovereignty of its fisheries, largely offshore Alaska, and he played a crucial role in getting the Trans Alaskan Pipeline System Authorization Act to President Nixon's desk.

Bush left office Tuesday without issuing a pardon.

Alaska Legislature convenes for the 2009 session
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Republican-led House is expected to lay out its goals for the two-year session today.

Alaska's Senate majority did the same for the two-year legislative session that was kicked off yesterday.

The Senate pledged to extend the state's savings and take advantage of the federal economic stimulus plan touted by newly elected President Barack Obama.

Lawmakers vow to rein in energy costs while bringing affordable energy to Alaska communities.

For the second straight session, the Senate is led a bi-partisan group made up of 10 Democrats and six Republicans.

This leaves four Republicans in an informal minority.

Three senators missed the first day so they could attend the presidential inauguration in Washington D.C.

Missing were Democrats Kim Elton of Juneau, Bettye Davis of Anchorage and Albert Kookesh of Angoon.

Committee hearings are expected to begin today. Governor Palin will deliver her State of the State address tomorrow evening.

The Republican-led House will outline its goals during a press conference today.

Kenai senator to get medical treatment for prostate cancer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Kenai legislator Tom Wagoner is being treated for prostate cancer in California.

The Senate Republican left Wednesday for Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. He attended Tuesday's opening ceremonies, where he was sworn in for a third term.

He is expected to return to Juneau on February 16.

Wagoner is undergoing proton therapy, which is described on the center's Web site as a precise form of radiation treatment that minimizes damage to healthy tissue and surrounding organs.

According to the Web site, the treatment is highly successful and results in fewer side effects.

Wagoner said the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate, and his doctor has said his chances of full recovery are excellent.

Wagoner started treatment December 1. 

House to look in supboena power post Troopergate
By ANNE SUTTON -Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - State lawmakers don't plan to pursue abuse of power findings against Gov. Sarah Palin, but they do want to know why their subpoenas were ignored in last fall's Troopergate investigation.

Some are steamed that possible witnesses snubbed a September legislative hearing into Palin's firing of her public safety director Walt Monegan.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jay Ramras - a Republican from Fairbanks - wants to know more about Attorney General Talis Colberg's role in their failure to show. Ramras could hold hearings as early as next week.

The 14 people, who included some of Palin's top aides, did ultimately testify or provide written statements.

State law says a failure to appear for a legislative subpoena could result in a fine or a maximum of six months in jail.

Juneau Democrats hosting Obama Ball Saturday night
An Inaugural Ball in honor of President Obama is planned Saturday night in the Capital City, Alaska's capital, by Juneau Democrats

That according to Kim Metcalfe who says it starts at 7 p.m. in the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, the former National Guard Armory next to Centennial Hall.

Metcalfe says it seems appropriate since Alaska was on the forefront of Obama's rise in popularity when it supported his candidacy with about 75 percent support.

She says it was amazing how Centennial Hall filled up during last February's caucuses as well as halls and schools in locations all over the state. Traffic was stopped in Anchorage to a standstill.

Since the new president might be pretty busy, a personal visit would be a remote possibility at best, but Metcalfe says they've put in a request for a phone call or a recorded message.

She says only about 300 tickets will be sold because of space limitations at the JACC.

Tickets are available there and both locations of Hearthside Books.

They're twenty dollars.

Aid effort mounted for village
Food and fuel aid have begun arriving in Emmonak.

A poor fishing season and a cold winter have made times tough for the village of 800.

Nicholas Tucker says nearly half the families in the village say they have no more food. tucker wrote a letter to the Bristol Bay Times which then spread wide on the Internet.

Companies responded with donations of food and fuel.

Airlines have flown in some donations for free. The tribal government is distributing cash and supplies to those in need.

A team of five state officials arrived in Emmonak Tuesday to assess the situation. the team plans to stay in the region all week and visit the nearby village of Kotlik.

Commerce Commissioner Emil Notti says reports from Emmonak have been inconsistent and the department needs more information before coming up with a plan.

Senator Donny Olson of Nome says the situation in his district is dire. He's suggesting an emergency assistance bill as early as this weekend.
(KENI- Anchorage)

Former Eielson employee indicted on theft charges
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A former Eielson Air Force Base employee was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of embezzling.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has accused Morgan L. Barker of embezzeling more than $12,000 from the Base Exchange where she was employed.

The indictment says Barker stole the money over a nine-month period.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Cooper says the 20-year-old Barker faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison or $250,000, or both if convicted.

If convicted, her sentence would be based on the severity of the crime and any criminal history she may have.

The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Soldotna cemetery site search resumes
SOLDTONA, Alaska (AP) - A new committee will try to accomplish was two task forces could not: find a spot for the Soldotna city cemetery.

Mayor Peter Micciche has assembled the Soldotna Unified Community Memorial Park Committee.

City appointed groups had recommended an area known as the Redoubt Property next to the Kenai River, but nearby property owners opposed it.

So the Soldotna City Council pursued another choice near the Soldotna Municipal Airport, but a fall ballot initiative favored the Redoubt Property.

Even as the ballot initiative is advisory only, Micciche opted to form another group, hoping resolve the conflict.
(Peninsula Clarion)

Grocery outlets issue recall for peanut butter products
Fred Meyer and Safeway Stores are recalling products that contain peanut butter.

More than 400 people across North America have been sickened by peanut butter products tainted with salmonella bacteria.

The outbreak has been traced to a processing plant in Georgia.

Fred Meyer is recalling its store brand "Peanut Butter Passion" ice cream.

Safeway is recalling "Eating Right Kids" apples with peanut butter and celery with peanut butter, and "Organic Bark" peanut butter cookies.

Consumers should discard the products or return them to the store for a refund.

Palin blasts reports on her children; experts say she can't have it both ways
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Governor Palin is going on the offensive against news organizations and bloggers she says are spreading malicious gossip about her and her children.

Political experts, however, say the former Republican vice presidential candidate can't have it both ways -- she can't trot out the children to showcase her family values, then expect to shield them from scrutiny.

Palin's criticism also raises questions about her motivations. She has said she is open to a presidential run in 2012.

Leonard Steinhorn is a professor of communications at American University in Washington and an expert on the presidency.

He thinks Palin is positioning herself for a political future and attacking the media as a way to generate support.

In recent weeks, Palin has personally reached out to media outlets such as People magazine and The Associated Press to complain about information she claimed is wrong.

She slammed reports that 18-year-old Bristol Palin and the teen's fiance are high school dropouts. The governor says the two are enrolled in correspondence courses.

The governor says she is speaking out to set the record straight, not because of any political aspirations.

Pair of teens arrested in Anchorage for arson fire
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Anchorage police say two teenagers broke into a Hillside home, cooked up a meal and then doused the home with a flammable liquid and burned it down.

Police say the two stole firearms and then fled. They were arrested yesterday at a mini-mart.

The two have been identified as Michael Lazenby and Raven Trudell, both 18.

Jury scam warning issued
Alaskans are being warned by State Troopers about an identity theft scam reported across the nation involving jury duty summons.

The Troopers Megan Peters explains how it works.

The caller claims to be a jury coordinator and states that you failed to show up for jury duty.

If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth.

She says the caller claims they need the information to check their system for an error and so the fictitious arrest warrant can be cleared.

Do not comply, she warns. By providing the caller with your personal information, you become the victim of identity theft.

Peters says the scam has been reported in eleven states.

The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.

State expected to experience economic downturn
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Economists say Alaska can expect a drop in employment this year.

State and private economists expect about a 3,400 job loss statewide in 2009.

The losses amount to a little more than one-half of a 1 percent fall in the number of full and part-time jobs across the state.

Economists say the decline will bring Alaska its first drop in employment in more than two decades.

The predicted decline was included in a report Tuesday from Anchorage-based Northern Economics.

Marcus Hartley, a senior economist with the firm, also predicted a $14 billion decline in the gross state product next year, an expectation tied largely to limping prices for commodities most noticeably oil.
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

Sealaska Institute's archival collections and books now available on-line
Sealaska Heritage Institute has posted a searchable catalog of its archival collections on the Internet.

Institute Archivist Zachary Jones says it's a major breakthrough that will help researchers easily sort out what types of materials the institute houses.

He says they have also just started to add their book collection to the local library consortium’s searchable database, making it the only private library to do so.

There are about 3,000 publications, approximately 25,000 photographs, and nearly 2,500 media items.

Jones says its all part of their effort to foster greater scholarship on the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska.

Jones adds that there's a lot of opportunity for study because some aspects are unstudied.

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www.sealaskaheritage.org/collection/research.htm 

McNeil River lottery permit deadline is March 1st
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The deadline for applying for lottery permits to visit Alaska's McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and see the brown bears is approaching.

Each year, hundreds of people apply for the permits to watch dozens of brown bears congregate at McNeil River to feed on migrating salmon.

The deadline is March 1st.