Eaglecrest to open Thursday morning
The official announcement will be made at noon Wednesday but it appears almost certain that Eaglecrest Ski Area will open Thursday morning.

When we talked to General Manager Kirk Duncan late this afternoon (Tuesday), he said he had just finished shoveling the lodge's deck and they had two and half feet of snow out there.

He said "life looks really good right now."

He says they'll be ready to open for skiing and snowboarding Thursday morning.

Duncan says they have a little avalanche work to do, but all the lifts will be operational, although there will be an avalanche hold on the west side of Ptarmigan Thursday morning.

The city owned ski area will also be open this Friday through Monday.

The tubing hill will most likely open a week from Saturday.

Suspect wanted in robbery and assault case nabbed at local motel
Another suspect is behind bars in connection with the robbery and assault of two young men early on the morning of January 13th near the 6200 block of North Douglas Highway.

The latest arrest came this morning, according to Sergeant Ed Mercer, who says officers and members of the Special Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at about 10:15 at the Super 8 Motel.

Arrested there was 29 year old Jayson Steven Dennis. He was wanted on a $10,000 warrant for robbery in the first degree.

Arrested on the day of the crime was 27 year-old Jerald Hinchman of Juneau. Another suspect remains at large.

Jury won't be sequestered in Waterman trial
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Opening arguments are scheduled tomorrow (Wednesday) in the murder trial of 17-year Rachelle Waterman, accused of conspiring to kill her mother.

The trial is being held in Juneau after a judge decided an impartial jury would be hard to find in Waterman's hometown of Craig.

The jury will not be sequestered during the trial.

Waterman was 16 when she and two 24-year-old men were arrested for allegedly planning and carrying out the murder of Lauri Waterman in November 2004.

Both Jason Arrant and Brian Radel agreed to plead guilty to first-degree murder charges in the woman's death. They also have agreed to testify against Rachelle Waterman.

Prosecutor Stephen West said snowy weather in Juneau may prevent him from getting witnesses to court as he starts presenting his case.
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In addition to first- and second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, Waterman is charged with kidnapping, first-degree burglary, first-degree vehicle theft and tampering with physical evidence.

Halcro announces intent to run as independent for Alaska governor
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Former legislator and Anchorage businessman Andrew Halcro announced today (Tuesday) )that he is running for governor as an independent.

The 41-year-old Halcro joins an already crowded field of candidates. The Republicans running are former Wasilla mayor Sarah Palin and Fairbanks businessman John Binkley. On the Democratic side are Anchorage Representatives Ethan Berkowitz and Eric Croft.

Republican Governor Frank Murkowski and former Democratic Governor Tony Knowles are keeping their own election intentions quiet for now.

Halcro served as a Republican in the state Legislature from 1999 to 2003. He says he's young, fresh and experienced, which makes him a good candidate for the job.

He plans to run a bare-bones campaign, with only a campaign manager and two people to coordinate advertising. He figures he will have to raise 1 million dollars to be competitive, and said he is prepared to spend his own money if necessary.

Knowles criticizes gas line negotiations
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Former Governor Tony Knowles today (Tuesday) called Governor Murkowski's natural gas negotiations with three North Slope oil producers alarming and disturbing.

Knowles, a two-term Democrat who is considering another run for governor this fall, says history will be a harsh judge for anyone who fails to deliver the right deal because of incompetence or corruption.

The Murkowski administration is negotiating with B-P, ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil for fiscal terms for a 20- to 25 billion dollar natural gas pipeline. The negotiations have been confidential, and negotiations with two other pipeline applicants have been halted.

Murkowski spokeswoman Becky Hultberg says the governor's negotiating team is sitting at the table every day and taking on the tough issues that will get Alaska a gas pipeline.

She says Knowles threw out a lot of easy clichés, but clichés won't get Alaskans a pipeline.

Snow making for dangerous road conditions in Juneau
The snow filled and icy roads is keeping Juneau Police busy today.

No injuries were reported in a three vehicle accident on Mendenhall Loop at James Boulevard at about 6:15 this morning.

Police say one of the vehicles crossed the center line and struck the other vehicles. That driver was cited for careless driving.

One vehicle suffered about $6,000 damage. Damage to the other two was estimated at $3,000 each.

Police responded to about six vehicles in the ditch by mid-day, according to Sergeant Ed Mercer.

The sergeant, who is the shift supervisor today describes road conditions as poor and pretty slick. He begs motorists to slow down and drive as safe as possible.

Federal employees at the Federal Building were told to go home at three this afternoon.

CBJ employees will work the day as normal, according to City Manager Rod Swope.

There's no word from the state.

Home Depot land sale set for public hearing
The Assembly Committee of the Whole last night [Monday] unanimously recommended that the draft ordinance approving the negotiated sale of CBJ land to Home Depot be set for public hearing and final action on February 13th.

The company plans to purchase 9 point 4 acres of city land and 11 point 7 acres of private land located in the Lemon Creek area near Costco.

Deputy Mayor Randy Wanamaker chairs the committee

He says Home Depot has agreed to donate about seven acres of land back to the city for wetlands protection.

The purchase price for the city's land is about $4 point 1 million dollars. Wanamaker says the purchase amount is subject to a final price negotiation.

Home Depot will receive credit for a road corridor on the southeast side of the building that will eventually access city land to the north.

The Juneau Planning Commission has already approved a site plan, a conditional use permit, and a parking plan for the store.

Company officials have said plans call for starting site work in May and constructing the building this summer.

January 2007 is the scheduled opening.

Talks to purchase armory land authorized
The Assembly Lands Committee has authorized city staff to begin negotiations to purchase the land on which the old National Guard Armory is located downtown.

The property is owned by the Alaska Mental Health Trust.

Assembly member Jeff Bush chairs the Lands Committee. He says the site has been identified as a potential site for a performing arts center or an additional civic center.

But for right now, Bush says the committee sees it as an opportunity to move ahead with the purchase of the land which fits into the Centennial Hall downtown complex.

Three years ago the land was appraised at between two and 2 and a half million dollars.

Any final decisions on the city acquiring the land will have to be approved by the Assembly.

The winter storm watch issued by the National Weather Service for Juneau remains in effect until Noon today.

Meteorologist Kimberly Vaughn said this morning that there had been about two inches of snow. She says they're expecting a storm total of 5 to 8 inches.

Eight to 11 inches was predicted when the winter storm watch was issued Monday morning.

Jury selection in Waterman trial close
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A jury is expected to be seated by today (Tuesday) in the trial of a Craig teen accused of conspiring to kill her mother.

Opening arguments are scheduled to begin on Wednesday in the murder trial of 17-year-old Rachelle Waterman.

Juneau Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins and the attorneys for both sides interviewed the jury pool individually in her chambers throughout the day yesterday. Rachelle Waterman and her father, Carl ``Doc'' Waterman were also present for the interviews.

About 70 of the 102 potential jurors will be called back today for further questioning.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.
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Waterman was 16 when she and two 24-year-old men were arrested for allegedly planning and carrying out the murder of Lauri Waterman on November 14, 2004.

Oklahoma, Texas airmen killed by improvised explosive device
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An Oklahoma airman and a Texas airmen were killed in Iraq when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while they were escorting a convoy near Taji.

Department of Defense officials say 31-year-old Technical Sergeant Jason -L- Norton of Miami, Oklahoma, and 28-year-old Staff Sergeant Brian McElroy of San Antonio, Texas, died on Sunday.

Both men were assigned to the 3rd Security Forces Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.

Base official Captain Kelley Jeter says Norton helped perform security as part of the 586th Expeditionary Mission Support Group. Jeter says Norton had been in Iraq since November Eleventh.

Norton joined the Air Force in 1992 and landed at Elmendorf in 2002.

His wife, Cristina Norton, is a school teacher.

Eve Knoll, Norton's sister-in-law, said Norton enjoyed hunting in Alaska, and his military vocation as a canine trainer.

Jeter says Norton received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart posthumously Monday

Residential fire claims life of Kodiak man
A 28 year old man perished in a residential fire in Kodiak Monday.

The victim is identified as Troy Ryan Peterson of Kodiak.

The fire department was called to 817 Jackson Lane at about 6:30 p.m.

Upon their arrival, firefighters were told that a man might still be in the home.

Heavy smoke filled the upper area. The lower rooms were searched and the victim was located in a lower level bedroom a few minutes later. There was no one else in the residence at the time the victim was located.

Peterson was staying at the residence while the owner was out of town.

The Division of Fire Prevention in the Alaska Department of Public Safety was notified of the incident. Its Initial investigation indicates that the fire started in the kitchen. It suspected it was an electrical fire. No active smoke alarms were found in the residence.

The victim's body is being transported to the State Medical Examiner's office in Anchorage for an autopsy to determine cause of death. No foul play is suspected at this time.

The investigation continues. 

Democratic leader demands apology from governor's office
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Senate Minority Leader Johnny Ellis demanded an apology from the governor's office today for what he called a personal attack on Senator Kim Elton.

Jim Clark, Governor Murkowski's chief of staff, wrote a letter in Sunday's Anchorage Daily News that called Elton, a Juneau Democrat, quote -- ``the Maytag repairman of the Senate -- he isn't needed for very much and not much is expected.''

Elton has been monitoring the governor's use of the state's new jet and reporting his findings in his newsletter. Clark wrote -- quote -- ``it beats counting sheep'' but Elton does not monitor or report very well.

Ellis, an Anchorage Democrat, says the personal attack is unacceptable and accused Murkowski as using Jim Clark as his attack dog.

The governor's press office did not immediately return a call for comment. 

Armed woman robs store in Mat-Su
An armed robber held up "The Store" in the Mat Su Borough community of Butte Monday.

The store's clerk dialed 9-1-1 before nine a.m. to report the crime to the Palmer Police Department.

The clerk reported a female entered the store with a firearm and demanded money.

The clerk gave the suspect the money from the till. The woman fled the scene on foot to a vehicle near the store.

The suspect was identified as between 5 feet 3 three inches to five feet six inches tall, in her 20s, with a husky build. 

Driver pleads not guilty in fatal Seward Highway crash
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A Homer man blamed by prosecutors for causing a fatal Seward Highway crash September 25th has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

Twenty-year-old Nick Thurmond pleaded not guilty yesterday (Monday) to second-degree murder in the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple, Lawrence and Sue Kosko of Monroeville.

They were in Alaska on a business trip.

Prosecutors say Thurmond was high on drugs when his pickup truck crossed the centerline near Mile 88 Seward Highway and struck the Kosko's car.

Prosecutors say Thurmond was under the influence of marijuana, methamphetamine and amphetamines.

Besides murder, Thurmond is charged with assault, drug misconduct, weapons misconduct and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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His bail is set at a half million dollars. Trial is set for April 17th.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Man, boy missing near Iliamna Lake
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Searchers are looking for a 25-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy missing near Lake Iliamna in Southwest Alaska.

Niel Neilsen and James Hester of Kokhanok (KOCK'-hone-ack) left the village Thursday afternoon on a four-wheeler heading for Igiugig (ig-ee-UH-gig).

Dillingham Alaska State Trooper Moose Sims says they may not have had sufficient cold weather gear to handle a storm that hit the area.

Temperatures hit ten below zero with 40 mile per hour gusts that drove the wind chill down to 60 below zero.

Igiugig is about 40 miles west of Kokhanok.

Nearly a dozen residents of the two villages began searching trails and cabins Friday with four-wheelers and snowmobiles.

Federal and state authorities are searching by air.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Various agenda items face Planning Commissioners
The Juneau Planning Commission holds it's regularly scheduled meeting tonight. [Tuesday]

The first item on the agenda is an update on the Juneau Coastal Management program with consultant Gabrielle LaRoche.

There's a zone change from waterfront industrial to industrial for the Trucano Construction area at 3500 North Douglas Highway.

Community Development Director Dale Pernula says the panel will consider an allowable use permit and a parking variance involving a 3,600 square foot retail and apartment building located at 265 South Franklin Street.

And here's a proposed text amendment to the zoning ordinance that would allow public works facilities in various zones subject to issuance of a conditional use permit.

The Planning Commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers.

Elections Division refuses to release raw vote to Democrats
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska Elections Division is refusing a request by the Alaska Democratic Party for its electronic voting files.

State officials say the data format belongs to a private company and can't be made public.

Democrats say the information is a public record essential for verifying the accuracy of the 2004 general election.

Democrats say the official results from the last general election are riddled with discrepancies and impossible for the public to make sense of.

They say they want to analyze the underlying data to answer questions about the election.

Spokeswoman Kay Brown says it's impossible to say whether the correct candidates were declared the winner in all Alaska races from 2004.
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Diebold Election Systems is the private contractor hired to provide Alaska's electronic voting machines.

Elections director Whitney Brewster says her agency has offered to provide the information requested by the Democrats.

But she says Democrats are asking for a file format the state of Alaska uses but does not own.

She says that Diebold claims the format is a company secret.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Ice surges onto shore in Barrow
BARROW, Alaska (AP) - Weather service officials in Barrow say winds have been piling sea ice onto shore.

Royce Fontenot is a meteorological technician at the National Weather Service in Barrow.

He says the ice reached the edges of some roads, but didn't cause any damage or injuries.

Abnormal west winds in the last week have been pushing older, deep-water ice toward the coast.

That ice is in turn pushing newer slabs of ice onto shore.

There was a fairly large surge overnight, but it's slowed since this morning.

Weather service officials say they the worse of the surges is probably over. 

Deborah Smith to serve as acting U-S Attorney
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Deborah Smith will serve as acting U-S Attorney for the District of Alaska.

Smith will be filling in for former U-S Attorney Timothy Burgess, who has been appointed to the federal bench. Burgess resigned yesterday (Monday) and was sworn in as a U-S District Court judge.

Smith has served as the first assistant U-S attorney in Alaska since 2002.

She will serve as acting U-S attorney for 120 days.

Alaska consumers to get more than 200-thousand dollars
LOS ANGELES (AP) - California prosecutors are hailing a 325 million dollar settlement with lending giant Ameriquest.

They say the deal will give some 725-thousand borrowers in 49 states a chance at recovering some money lost due to what they described as deceptive lending practices.

The deal likely will provide Alaska consumers with about 206-thousand dollars in payments, or a minimum of around 600 dollars each.

The states began investigating Ameriquest more than two years ago after receiving complaints from tens of thousands of consumers who claimed they were paying more for their loans than they bargained for.

The lender did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the deal, but agreed to reform several of its business practices, including providing borrowers with full disclosures on the terms of their loans.