Police develop suspects in school vandalism and burglary
Vandals damaged Dzantiki' Heeni Middle School during a burglary that was reported to Juneau Police this morning. (Wednesday)

Sergeant Dave Wrightson says they got the call after six a.m.

Responding officers found an exterior door and window had been broken in allowing access to the building.

They also found damage to a stained glass window found inside.

The sergeant says the damage was apparently done by some repeatedly throwing a large rock.

Officers tracked down two possible suspects at a residence in the area of the school.

Although no arrests have been made, the sergeant says evidence was collected and the investigation is ongoing.

Preliminary damage estimates exceed $7,000, he says.

ConocoPhillips pushes own pipeline plan to lawmakers
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The state's largest oil producer took its case for an alternative proposal for a natural gas pipeline to Alaska's Legislature today (Wednesday).

ConocoPhillips presented its pipeline case to the Senate Resources Committee, which began hearings with companies interested in building a gas pipeline.

ConocoPhillips did not apply under terms of the state's bid process. Five other companies did, but only one -- TransCanada Alaska Company -- was selected for the next round of scrutiny, a public comment period.

Governor Palin refused to consider ConocoPhillips' proposal since it deviated from the state's guidelines.

But ConocoPhillips Vice President Bryan Wenzel stressed to lawmakers that a pipeline is useless unless a company commits to shipping gas. The process, known as open season, guarantees minimum daily throughput.

Wenzel says that means companies need to know what their long-term fiscal obligations -- like tax rates and royalties -- are to the state.

He told lawmakers that that focusing all efforts on just building a pipeline won't bring the gas to market.

He says the main issue to make the project move ahead is solving those tax rules, and the pipeline will happen by itself.

Lawmaker vows to quit fundraising during session
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - State Representative Gabrielle LeDoux of Kodiak will suspend fundraising for her congressional campaign.

A two-term member of the state House, LeDoux is running in the Republican primary for the U.S. House seat held by Don Young.

Though legal, LeDoux's fundraising raised criticism from her own caucus who questioned her ethics.

LeDoux argued she had little choice given Young's formidable war chest. But Wednesday she distributed a letter pledging to halt fundraising for the rest of the legislative session.

A meeting to consider stripping LeDoux's membership in the caucus was canceled.

Marine Highway officials grilled by House panel
The Alaska Marine Highway System will cut ferry service from Bellingham, Washington, through Alaska's Inside Passage by half - down to one trip per week.

Deputy Transportation Commissioner Dennis Hardy testifying before the House Transportation Committee yesterday (Tuesday) said there's been an ongoing debate on whether the Marine Highway should serve Alaskans only or serve tourists as well.

He said the proposed plan presents an appropriate balance of both.

Hardy said removing the Malaspina from the Bellingham run where, he says, it ran at 60 to 70 percent capacity will save millions of dollars in operating costs.

Hardy says Marine Highway officials believe the overflow traffic during the peak months of June and July will elect to travel into Alaska through Prince Rupert.

He says the Marine Highway intends to focus it's marketing efforts on Prince Rupert in the near and long term.

Committee Chair Kyle Johansen said the Prince Rupert Terminal is "a mess" and there's no plan to fix it.

Anchorage Representative Craig Johnson said the current Marine Highway plan is not a good option and does not plan for the future.

He expressed his frustration with Marine Highway officials by saying the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.

He said he "was beginning to wonder if there's not some insanity going on".

He challenged the officials to come up with a plan that's optimal for service to see if the legislature can fund it.

Committee members wanted to know why a ferry schedule had not yet been released with the travel season just five months away.

Hardy said the financially struggling department is trying to contain costs and that called for drafting a new schedule. No cost saving estimates were presented at the hearing.

He promised the schedule will be available on the system's Web site by January 31st.

Ferry work lobbyist says to use surplus to buy new vessels
The lobbyist for two Alaska Marine Highway unions representing licensed officers on the state ferries is applauding the Legislature for its scrutiny of the system.

Don Kubley is the governmental liaison for the Masters, Mates and Pilots and the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association.

He says they're suggesting using part of the surplus to replace the vessels. Kubley says it could be another generation before there's another windfall to replace them.

Kubley complains that the Palin Administration has not sought input from the licensed officers on how to improve the system.

Conoco Phillips pitching its case to the Senate
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Fresh off having its gas pipeline proposal rejected by Governor Sarah Palin, ConocoPhillips is taking its argument to the Legislature.

Company executives are scheduled to state their case to the Senate Resources Committee on this afternoon. (Tuesday)

The Houston-based company submitted what it called an alternative to the state's Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, or AGIA.

Two weeks ago, Palin said the company's proposal gave the state no reason to "deviate" from AGIA.

The state wants a plan that guarantees progress toward pipeline construction. Only TransCanada's application has advanced to a public comment period.

But ConocoPhillips pushes on with lawmakers. It says it wants a long-term fiscal package to cover costs such as royalties and taxes.

Nome lawmaker being treated for mild stroke
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - State Representative Richard Foster is receiving medical treatment in Seattle after suffering a mild stroke.

The veteran state lawmaker, who also suffers from a genetic kidney disease and is awaiting a transplant, was undergoing regular dialysis treatment in Juneau when the stroke occurred Friday.

The Nome Democrat was initially treated at a Juneau hospital before being transferred to one in Seattle. He was being admitted Wednesday to an inpatient rehabilitation facility in Seattle.

His aide, Larry Labolle, says the stroke left Foster with some speech and mobility problems, but he is improving steadily.

Labolle says the cause of the stroke has not been determined.

Foster has requested a two week leave of absence from the Legislature.

Variance for Auke Lake Trail reconstruction okayed
The Juneau Planning Commission has approved a variance to reduce the 50 foot anadromous lake setback for reconstruction of the Auke Lake Trail.

At last night's (Tuesday) meeting,  CBJ planners said the variance is necessary because of the steep shore along the shoreline and to take advantage of the existing trail along the lake shore to avoid cutting more trees and causing more erosion.

Community Development Director Dale Pernula say the panel approved an allowable use permit for construction of a 7,327 square foot storage and shop building in the Valley Centre Subdivision on Airport Boulevard. 

The applicant is the Mackinco Company. 

The structure would be connected to the existing building housing the Alcan Electric and Engineering Company.

The commission also approved a variance for a second driveway for a private residence in a subdivision located in the 24-thousand block of Glacier Highway.

The panel also continued work on the CBJ Comprehensive Plan.

Community leaders worry Palin ignoring their concerns
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Local municipal leaders are complaining Governor Sarah Palin is not living up to her campaign promise of an open and transparent government.

Members of the Alaska Municipal League gathering in Juneau said they are disappointed with the administration's efforts to help Alaska's communities. And some are upset they can't get a hearing with her to talk about it.

AML President Tim Beck of Fairbanks says members were pleased with her efforts to reinstate municipal assistance last year. But they lost confidence when she obliterated scores of local community projects around the state with her veto pen this summer.

Palin told the group her administration would work with local governments this year to help meet their priorities.

Permanent Fund total return in 2nd quarter is in red
The Alaska Permanent Fund had a total return of minus one-half percent in the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31st.

The report was released Tuesday by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation.

Chief Executive Officer Mike Burns says they ahead of their benchmark which came in at minus point six percent.

Bonds had solid returns, but the fund's U. S. stock portfolio was down. He says non-U. S. and global portfolios were effectively even with returns below one percent.

But as of December 31, the fund had earned $2 point 1 Billion in statutory net income. That's the amount used to calculate dividends.

The fund's median case projection is $2 point 5 Billion for the full fiscal year

That figure would replace $355 Million in the five year formula used to calculate the dividend.

The fund's total return for the fiscal year to date is two percent. The fund was valued at $38 point 9 Billion as of December 31st.

House fiscal plan bill taken up by Senate budget writers
The Senate Finance Committee today (Wednesday) took up a bill approved by the House last year calling for budget planning a long range fiscal plan.

Alaska State Chamber of Commerce President Wayne Stevens offered support of the measure during his testimony.

He said the state chamber favors depositing the budget surplus from fiscal years 08 and 09 into the Constitutional Budget Reserve to pay back past withdrawals.

But he said the organization does not support depositing the surplus into the Permanent Fund unless its linked to the passage of a percent of market value management plan.

But the chamber wants nothing done that would preclude the permanent fund dividend program. And Stevens said no additional business taxes should be enacted until a fiscal plan is developed.

Marie Darlin of the American Association of Retired Persons reminded the committee of its support for the bill approved by the House last year.

She also reminded the committee that continuation of municipal funding needs to be addressed by the legislature.

The committee set House Bill 125 aside pending committee deliberations.

Saving surplus top goal of legislative budget writers
Saving as much of the surplus as possible is a top goal of the co-chairs of the House and Senate Finance Committees.

The four, Senators Bert Stedman and Lyman Hoffman and Representatives Mike Chenault and Kevin Meyer, conducted a joint press conference Tuesday to share their perspectives on the proposed fiscal year 09 budgets.

Senator Stedman told reporters that this is the year that the state should put as much as the surplus into savings as possible.

Some lawmakers push for energy rebate checks
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Leading Alaska lawmakers are continuing discussions of using a state budget surplus to send Alaskans checks for $500 to $1,000.

The money would be aimed at offsetting the high cost of gasoline and other fuel.

Haines Republican Representative Bill Thomas has been pushing the idea.

He says Alaskans eligible in 2007 for a permanent fund dividend would be in line for "energy rebates."

Anchorage Representative Kevin Meyer says he likes the concept and would be comfortable with a $500 check to Alaskans.

Anchorage Representative Les Gara says the legislative session would be a failure if lawmakers don't do something to reduce energy costs.

But he and other House Democrats are skeptical of cutting everyone a check.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Ads in Washington, D.C., seek protection for Alaska wolves
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Alaska wolves are the subject of an advertising campaign in a busy Washington, D.C. subway station.

Defenders of Wildlife bought the wall posters to promote federal legislation in a push to end aerial killing of wolves.

Predator control has been used to increase moose and caribou populations.

Defenders of Wildlife spokeswoman Jessica Brand says Alaskans voted twice to ban aerial hunting and the vote has been overturned twice.

She says the only way to end the practice is to close a loophole in federal legislation.

Defenders of Wildlife says shooting wolves from airplanes is inhumane and violates the concept of fair chase.

Alaska Congressman Don Young opposes the national legislation.

He says it infringes on the ability of individual states to control wildlife populations.

And he says some predator control is necessary to keep the Alaska wolf population in check so they do not devour moose and caribou available to Native villagers who depend on game for survival.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Driver hurt in one vehicle rollover
Police responded to a one vehicle rollover accident on the Glacier Highway in Auke Bay near DeHarts at about 9-30 Tuesday morning.

The vehicle was found in a ditch when officers arrived with two people out of the car.

The 24 year-old driver was transported to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.

She was cited for careless driving. Her name was not released.

The 1984 Volkswagen sustained about $3,000 damage.

Last full-blooded Eyak and fluent speaker of Native language dies
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Chief Marie Smith Jones, the last full-blooded Eyak and the last person fluent in her Native language, has died.

Jones died peacefully Monday at her home in Anchorage. She was 89.

Jones was born in Cordova on May 14, 1918, and grew up on Eyak Lake where her family had a homestead.

She married William F. Smith on May 5, 1948. Smith worked his way up the coast fishing and when he reached Cordova, he met Marie and put down roots.

The couple had nine children, seven of which who survive her. Marie moved to Anchorage in the early 1970s to be closer to her children.

Her daughter, Bernice Galloway of Albuquerque, New Mexico, says to the best of the family's knowledge, she was the last full-blooded Eyak alive.

Anchorage man faces up to 40 years on drug conviction
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A 32-year-old Anchorage man faces up to 40 years in a federal prison following his guilty plea to a drug charge.

Ronald Leslie Fisher will be sentenced March 31st.

The U.S. Attorney's office says Fisher pleaded guilty to possessing more than 22 grams of cocaine base, or "crack," with intent to distribute.

Officials say on four separate occasions, Fisher sold crack cocaine to a government informant. Anchorage police also say they found crack cocaine in Fisher's possession when they made a traffic stop.

D.A.R.E graduation set for Centennial Hall
A graduation ceremony is planned for the D.A.R.E or Drug Abuse Resistance Education program Thursday evening at Centennial Hall.

About 400 fifth grade students will participate.

The Juneau Police Department says they'll be presented with a graduation certificate for completing the nine week program.

The department explains that the program helps students resist pressures which may influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants and other drugs.

The graduation ceremony is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m.

Anchorage superintendent proposes adding 77 teachers
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Anchorage school Superintendent Carol Comeau has proposed adding 77 teachers and other jobs next year to Alaska's largest school district.

Comeau expects the Legislature to pass an increase in state aid to public schools.

If it follows the recommendations of a lawmaker task force, state aid to Anchorage would increase by $15 million.

State revenue officials project a budget surplus because of high oil prices and an increased tax on oil companies.

Comeau proposes spending $737 million next year.

Among Comeau's proposed additions would be 24 new elementary physical education teachers.

The proposal also includes 55 special education teachers, specialists and teacher aides.
(Anchorage Daily News)

National Mentoring Month recognized by Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers - Big Sisters in Juneau is taking the opportunity to thank its volunteers during National Mentoring Month in January.

The organization's Betsy Brenneman was a guest on Capital Chat this morning (Wednesday) with host Jim Morgan.

She says research shows that if kids have five to six caring adults in the lives outside of their immediate family increases their chances of reaching their potential and being successful.

She says they feel they're part of that by providing at least one of those adults.

They figure there's about 3,000 kids in Southeast who could benefit from a Big Brother or Sister. About half of those are in Juneau.

Brenneman says they've just scratched the surface. She says they served about 289 kids in Juneau last year. They hope to increase that number this year.

Additional information on becoming a Big Brother or Sister is available at www.southeastbigs.org 

The phone number is 586-3350 or Brenneman suggest stopping by their office at 110 Seward Street above McDonalds downtown.

By the way, she says Thursday is Thank Your Mentor Day.