JCVB asks Governor to intervene in ferry decision
The board of directors of the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau is calling on Governor Palin to intervene in the decision by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to cut ferry service from Bellingham, Washington to Southeast Alaska in half.

Board Chair Christa Hagan says they were caught by surprise by Tuesday's announcement by the department during a House Transportation Committee hearing.

She called the decision a disappointing turn of events and points out that the agency is in a position to impact the independent travel market through its scheduling of services.

Bureau President and CEO Lorene Palmer also says the delay in publishing a summer ferry schedule has meant a lack of bookings for accommodations, RV parks, campgrounds, and other related services.

The department recently promised to have a schedule out by the end of the month. Palmer says that would be helpful and far better than the original estimate of March.

Ferry union 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.

Winter storm warning issued for Juneau
Snowy weather is headed this way.

That according to Meteorologist Kimberly Vaughn in the Juneau Forecast Office says a winter storm warning will be in effect Friday morning through Friday evening.

The revised forecast says to expect between 5 to 10 inches.

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.  In that case, he says the pipeline will happen by itself.

Agency proposes fines for trans-Alaska pipeline company
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Alyeska Pipeline Service Company could face hefty fines for safety violations last year along the trans-Alaska pipeline.

Federal regulators are proposing $817,000 in fines for a fire at Pump Station 9 near Delta Junction and a 900-gallon crude oil spill near Coldfoot.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration says the fire and spill are considered "high-risk events" warranting steep fines.

Alyeska official Mike Heatwole says the company has requested more time to review the alleged technical violations and to decide whether to request a hearing to fight them.

Heatwole says Alyeska isn't ready to admit it did anything wrong and is leaning toward requesting a hearing.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Young says postponing Chukchi leases would harm economy
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - U.S. Representative Don Young says postponing the sale of petroleum leases in the Chukchi Sea to consider polar bear habitat could harm Alaska's economy.

The Alaska Republican made his remarks in a letter to the chair of a House global warming committee, Representative Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat.

Young says it's imperative for national energy security that the sale go forward. The sale is scheduled for February 6th.

Markey filed legislation last week asking the Interior Department to hold off on Chukchi leases until it had determined whether to list polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The Interior Department maintains that the polar bear decision has nothing to do with the lease sale.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Rep. Nelson says she won't run for re-election
State Representative Mary Nelson has announced that she will not be seeking re-election.

Nelson represents Bethel and a broad swath of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Nelson joined the Alaska Legislature in 1998 after ousting veteran Rep. Ivan Ivan in the Democratic primary as a 24-year-old political outsider. She was then known as Mary Sattler.

She leads the Bush Caucus and serves on the House Finance Committee. Her five sessions in the House have earned her some clout, and she says it is difficult to relinquish that tenure at a time when her popularity in the district remains strong. There's a value in "continuity of service," she said.

She is a mother of three. A fourth child is due in March. Her husband, Joe Nelson, has a career as admissions director at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau.

With loyalties split between a young family in Juneau and her duties as a legislator representing Bethel and the region, the line between career and family duties was stretched too tight, she said.

After conversations with her husband, Nelson said she decided not to seek re-election near the end of the last legislative session. The family will live in Juneau, where she expects to remain engaged in the public process.
(Dustin Solberg- The Tundra Drums)

Wilken decides against re-election bid
Fairbanks State Senator Gary Wilken will not seek re-election this year.

He tells the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that he’s stepping down to spend more time with family and friends and to have the opportunity to get back into small business.

Wilken, who is 62 years old today (Thursday), was first elected in 1996. He served as co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee between 2003 and 2006.
(Fairbanks Daily-News Miner)

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.

Frederick attorney complaining about school district moves to collect legal fees
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Juneau attorney for the former student who filed the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case is objecting to school district attempts to recover money in the case.

Attorney Doug Mertz says the school district's attorney is harassing Joseph Frederick. Frederick made headlines in 2002 when he unfurled a banner reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at a school-sponsored, off-campus event.

His school principal seized the banner and suspended him.

Frederick sued and lost and was ordered to pay fees that now add up to about $5,000. He's appealing his latest court setback.

School district attorney David Crosby denies harassing Frederick. He says Frederick has not responded to requests for financial information and that Mertz is seeking special treatment for his client.

Anchorage port brings in cargo of federal cash, assistance
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Congress has pulled hundreds of millions in federal earmarks from two highly criticized Alaska bridge projects.

But a major overhaul of the state's largest shipping hub is netting hefty resources from Washington enjoyed by no other port in the country.

In the past few years, longtime Alaska congressmen Senator Ted Stevens and Representative Don Young have steered a large pot of federal money into a project slated to double the size of the Port of Anchorage and replace its aging docks.

Port officials estimate that at least half of the $500 million cost will be covered by congressional earmarks and the departments of Defense, Transportation and Homeland Security.

So far, the two Republican congressmen have helped move at least $120 million in earmarks to the project.

Ports have been receiving millions from Washington for security required by the federal government since the September Eleventh attacks and for routine dredging, but such robust federal assistance for an expansion is unusual, according to shipping industry experts.

Transportation experts say U.S. shipping hubs normally fund development projects with local tax dollars and are increasingly turning to private investors.

Critics of earmarks say that even if a project is worthwhile, they should compete equally for funds rather than relying on the seniority and influence wielded by members of Congress.

Port Director Bill Sheffield says his experience in government and business, as well as his personal connections in Congress, helped him obtain federal involvement.

He says the state is built on earmarks, some good and some bad.
---
Federal money isn't the only extra boost for the project coming from Alaska's congressional delegation.

With Young's help, the federal Maritime Administration, or MARAD, has shepherded the project through what is normally a sluggish environmental permitting process in record time.

The permits, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are allowing the port to create 135 acres of new land along the waterfront by emptying truckloads of dirt and gravel into an area used by salmon and a diminishing population of beluga whales.

The whales are up for consideration on the endangered species list in April.

Fort Richardson reopens areas closed due to wolf pack
FORT RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) - Officials have reopened training areas around Fort Richardson that were closed last month because of wolves roaming the area.

The training areas west and north of Artillery Road were closed to recreation on December 22nd.

The restriction was imposed for the safety of people who use Fort Richardson lands for recreational purposes, base officials said at the time.

The closure came after several incidents in which wolves threatened people and attacked dogs.

Troopers arrest two more in Bethel on cocaine charges
BETHEL, Alaska (AP) - Alaska State Troopers say two more people in Bethel have been arrested on charges connected to the sale of cocaine.

Twenty-five-year-old Ian Smith and 23-year-old Cheryle Serradel were charged last week with misconduct involving a controlled substance.

That makes six people in Bethel who have been charged with cocaine offenses in investigations that began in August.

Troopers say they used multiple informants to purchase cocaine.

Twenty-five-year-old Emily Cockroft was arrested in November on three drug counts.

Twenty-one-year-old Vera Foss and 25-year-old Luis Tomas were arrested on drug charges in December and 23-year-old Steven Frerichs was charged in January.

Workshop to be held on oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay region
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A workshop will be held in March to bring together people interested in discussing plans to open Bristol Bay to oil and gas drilling.

The North Aleutians Basin Energy-Fisheries workshop is being organized by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It will be held March 18th to 19th in Anchorage.

Workshop organizers say the goal is to continue a dialogue that began last October.

Fishermen, community leaders, Alaska Natives, scientists, government officials, environmental groups and representatives from energy companies are expected to attend.

Last year, the federal Minerals Management Service announced plans to sell oil and gas exploration leases in the North Aleutian Basin beginning in 2011.

While some welcomed the news, others worry about the affects of drilling of fish and marine mammals.

Fuel spill occurs in Selawik
SELAWIK, Alaska (AP) - A fuel spill has occurred at the tank farm in the village of Selawik.

The Alaska Department of Conservation says the manager of the village store estimated the size of the spill at between 5,000 and 10,000 gallons.

Selawik is about 75 miles east of Kotzebue.

It appears the spill was caused Wednesday when the automatic shut-off for the pump that transfers fuel from the storage tank to the day tank malfunctioned, causing the tank to overfill.

DEC says a spill responder is on the way to the village. A diesel pump and hoses also are being flown to the town. Several tanks in the tank farm can be used to hold the recovered fuel.

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 this  evening (Thursday) 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.

Earnings report issued by Alaska Air Group
Alaska Air Group is reporting full year net income of $125.0 million , or $3.09 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $52.6 million, or $1.39 per share, in 2006.

A company release issued today (Thursday) explains that the 2007 year results include charges related to the transition to an all-Boeing 737 fleet at Alaska Airlines and for voluntary severance programs related to new labor contracts.

Both years include fuel hedge adjustments.

The company reported fourth quarter net income of $7.4 million, or 19 cents per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $11.6 million, or 29 cents per share, in 2006.

Without adjustments related to fuel hedging, the company would have reported a fourth quarter net loss of $17.9 million.

Company chair and CEO Bill Ayer says it's frustrating to report a fourth quarter adjusted loss in what had been a solid year relative to other carriers.

He said the loss was driven primarily by skyrocketing fuel costs combined with fares that have not kept pace.

In response to the earnings report, Alaska Air stock dropped about 4 percent in value in this morning's trading.

Learn To Ski Weekend  applications due Tuesday
Eaglecrest is now collecting applications for its annual Learn To Ski Weekend.

The ski area's Jeffra Clough says its the 27th edition sponsored by Mendenhall Auto Center Subaru.

She says a random drawing will be used to pick the 45 winners.

The kids must be first time skiers in grades, three, four and five.

Applications are available at all elementary schools, Foggy Mountain Shop, Nugget Alaskan Outfitter, Play It Again Sports, Eaglecrest and on its web site.  

Completed applications must be returned to school offices or Eaglecrest by 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 29th.

Winners will be announced the next day.

All winners will receive bus transportation, ski rentals, lift tickets, ski lessons and lunch.

The Learn to Ski Weekend is February 2nd and 3rd. There'll be an orientation Friday evening, February 1st at Centennial Hall.

Additional information is available at www.skijuneau.com 

Colony to provide JDHS basketball teams with homecoming competition
It's homecoming week at Juneau Douglas High School.

And Principal Bernie Sorensen says that means plenty of basketball Friday

The boys junior varsity team plays at 2:30 followed by the girls at 4:15.

The varsity teams play in the evening. The women tip off at 6:15 and the men at 8.

The competition is supplied by Colony.

Both varsity games will be broadcast by KINY.

JDHS hockey team claims victory against Tri-Valley in frigid conditions
The Juneau Douglas Crimson Bears hockey team is on the road in the Interior this week.

Tom Moyer (Mayer) reports that the Bears were in Healy last night where they defeated Tri-Valley 2 to 0.

He says the game time temperature on the outdoor rink was 10 below zero.

The team is in Fairbanks tonight where they play West Valley.

They wrap up the season with games Friday night against Lathrop and Saturday versus Monroe.

Anchorage school superintendent emphasizes gym class in funding request
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Anchorage school superintendent Carol Comeau is emphasizing physical fitness in her budget proposal for next year.
The plan calls for elementary school children to get an extra half-hour per week of physical education.

They now get one hour of gym instruction per week.

Comeau says another half hour would counter the national obesity epidemic and give classroom teachers extra lesson-planning time.

A study by the school district says one in three of the city's public school students are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight.

Comeau's $737 million proposed budget calls for 24 new physical education teachers in the 60 elementary schools.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Kodiak recycling center wants more trash
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) - The recycling center in Kodiak processed nearly 1.5 million pounds of waste last year.

While that was an increase of about 300,000 pounds over the previous year, Rick Pillans, the manager of the recycling plant, says it could process four to six times that amount.

Pillans says a study showed that only 4 percent of all waste on the island is currently being recycled.

He says more recycling would not only be good for the environment, but also would extend the life of the landfill, saving the borough and taxpayers money.

Pillans says the center is full nearly every day. And he says people are taking advantage of recycling drop centers in locations around the island.
(Kodiak Daily Mirror)