Repair work at Snettisham line site delayed by bad weather
Work was halted on the Snettisham Line today due to snow and low visibility.

It was also shut down Monday because of a snow storm which increased avalanche danger.

However, Scott Willis of Alaska Electric, Light and Power says wire connecting two towers is now hoisted in the air and temporarily tied off.  

So, he says, the work needed to be done in the most avalanche prone area is nearly complete.

Willis says they figure they still have just over two days of work remaining before the line is complete.

An avalanche toppled and destroyed  Tower 3/5, which was bypassed in this repair job, on January 12th.

It was also toppled in  the slides last  April 16th. 

Volunteers step up to save the derby
It's a go for this year's Golden North Salmon Derby.

That word from Wayne Regelin, the president of the Territorial Sportsmen which sponsors the annual event.

Angela Webb and Susan Listberger stepped up to volunteer to serve as co-chairs. Listberger was a co-chair for last year's event.

Kari Reyes will be the prize chair. The dock chair will be Kami Bartness.

Reyes and Bartness are sisters. Their father, Ole Bartness, was one of the first people to receive a scholarship from the Territorial Sportsmen.  He received his in 1956.   The purpose of the derby is to raise funds for scholarships

Regelin says they'll still need more volunteers, especially on the docks.

The 63rd annual Golden North Salmon Derby is scheduled August 14, 15, and 16.  

Palin, lawmakers discuss federal stimulus package
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska should seek its share of transportation dollars from the Federal Economic Stimulus Package but should be wary of accepting money to pay for new state services.

That was the message from Gov. Sarah Palin and legislative leaders Wednesday after their first formal meeting since the legislative session began Jan. 20.

Palin and legislators say their discussion centered on the federal proposal designed to jump start the nation's flagging economy.

The U.S House on Wednesday night approved an $819 billion stimulus bill.

Both House Speaker Mike Chenault and Palin say they are leary of accepting funding for new programs that the state would have to pick up once federal dollars in the stimulas package dry up.  

Lawmakers scold AG over Troopergate subpoenas
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska lawmakers are still bristling over the state attorney general's challenge of legislative subpoenas last fall.

Attorney General Talis Colberg told the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that he advised seven state employees of other options when they were asked to testify in the so-called Troopergate investigation.

All 14 people called eventually did testify, but lawmakers were concerned about Colberg's role, whether he was representing Alaska citizens, state employees or the governor?

The inquiry into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety director became a national political issue after her selection as John McCain's running mate.

But Colberg said there were technical problems with the subpoenas, in part because they were issued when the Legislature was not in session. That led to his challenge in court, which is pending before the state Supreme Court.

Committee chairman Jay Ramras, a Fairbanks Republican, said the executive branch acted in bad faith, looking for gaps in the law to avoid the inquiry.

Ramras said the committee would consider legislation to tighten the law.

Park Service awards Glacier Bay contracts
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) - Four cruise lines have been awarded 10-year contracts to operate within Glacier Bay National Park.

Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cruise West were awarded a combined 82 sailings during the prime seasons of June through August starting in 2010 and continuing through 2019.

The national park allocated another 71 prime-season trips annually to two cruise lines based on "historical rights."

Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have rights granted by Congress in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to provide the same type of service in Glacier Bay that they did before Jan. 1, 1979.
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Information from: Ketchikan Daily News

Fire breaks out in Kalskag high school
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -KINY- Students at the high school in Kalskag are safe after they were evacuated after fire broke out in the building.

The fire broke out between 11 a.m. and noon Wednesday at the George Morgan High School, which is part of the Kuspuk School District.

Megan Peters of the Alaska State Troopers says troopers from Aniak responded and are currently on scene.                   

The building is a total loss.    

No injures have been reported. 

Peters says the fire’s point of origin is reportedly the school shop, however, that has not been confirmed yet by State Fire Marshal’s Office.  

A Deputy State Fire Marshal is en route to Kalskag to begin an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire.

Kalskag is community of about 230 people about 348 miles west of Anchorage

It's on the north bank of the Kuskokwim River, 2 miles upriver from Lower Kalskag.

Royal Caribbean Lines redeploys cruise ship; initiative sponsor skeptical of intentions
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A sponsors of the 2006 Alaska cruise ship initiative says there's no need to change its provisions, despite criticism by the industry.

Gershon Cohen of Haines says the cruise ship industry is pouring money into changing environmental standards required in the initiative rather than taking action to meet them.

Cohen spokes yesterday (Tuesday) after tourism officials announced a major cruise ship line would move a ship out of Alaska waters in 2010.

The Serenade of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Lines vessel, is scheduled for 20 Alaska trips this year. It can carry up to 2,100 passengers and a crew of 870.

Company official Don Habeger says the ballot measure was a factor in the decision to redeploy the Serenade of the Seas.

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John Binkley, president of the Alaska Cruise Association, says he fears other cruise lines may also pull ships out of Alaska and that could have a serious impact on state businesses and communities.

Binkley says it would reasonable to make adjustments to the initiative, which also instituted a $50 per passenger head tax.

Cohen calls the timing of the Royal Caribbean announcement "pure politics" that's meant to influence the Alaska Legislature.

He says cruise lines earn billions and when they cry that they can't make a living coming to Alaska because of the $50 per person tax, it falls on deaf ears.

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Lorene Palmer with the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau says the departure of the Serenade of the Seas in 2010 will have a significant impact on Juneau.

She says it will mean a reduction in cruise ship passenger spending in Juneau of $8 million dollars..

Added to that she says, is what the crew would spend, support services to both the ship and shore excursion operators.

Palmer says that single ship represents about 42,000 passengers.

She says all Alaskans are concerned that any business is operating in a responsible manner.

But, Palmer adds that it's also important that Alaska is a competitive place to do business and if the head tax and wastewater regulations is a factor in Royal Caribbean Cruises decision than it's an important issue to address on a statewide level.

Palmer says this is a good opportunity for local and state officials to assess if Alaska is competitive and if there's any issues that need to be addressed.

Palin: Alfalfa Club offers audience with Obama
By ANNE SUTTON - Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said she will attend an exclusive club dinner in Washington this weekend because it will offer her an audience with President Obama.

In an impromptu meeting with reporters Wednesday outside the governor's mansion, Palin also detailed reasons why she's started her own political action committee and laughed off suggestions that she's in line for an $11 million book deal.

Palin said she is participating in outside events, like this weekend's Alfalfa Club dinner, strictly to promote Alaska's interests as its governor.

However, Palin said she formed SarahPAC, a political fundraising organization, so that she would not be using state funds to attend events that might be considered political.

She also says she doesn't have a publisher for a book deal, and laughs off media reports that such a deal could bring her $11 million.

House member calls for message to Congress and Obama to include gas line in stimulus package
A "Sense of the House" motion was put forth on the floor of the State House late this morning directing the Palin Administration to work with the national government on including the the Alaska natural gas pipeline in the economic stimulus package.

Anchorage Representative Harry Crawford's motion calls for Palin to work with Congress and President Obama to explore ways for the package to encourage the project.

Representative John Coghill objected. But Crawford moved to postpone the motion until Friday for further debate.

There were no objections to the motion to postpone.  

Murkowski joins Senate Republican leadership
WASHINGTON (AP) - Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has joined the Senate Republican leadership team.

She was named one of three "counsels" to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The counsels offer guidance and advice to the GOP leadership. The other counsels are Senators Judd Gregg of New Hampshire and Robert Bennett of Utah.

The leadership appointment is the latest in a string of advancements for Murkowski, now Alaska's senior senator. 

Earlier this week she was formally named top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and last week she was given a plum spot on the Appropriations Committee. Both posts should help her direct federal spending and projects to Alaska.

McConnell praised Murkowski, who joined the Senate in 2002, and said she has "quickly ascended to leadership positions in both our caucus and in the Senate."

AP NewsBreak: Army provides pay to militia members
By RACHEL D'ORO - Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Alaska U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says the Secretary of the Army has decided to provide emergency funds to surviving members of a World War II Alaska militia whose retirement pay was being reduced because of a legal technicality.

Army officials last week said a military analysis determined the law recognizing the Alaska Territorial Guard's service as federal duty had initially been misinterpreted.

Julie Hasquet, a Begich's press secretary, says Army Secretary Pete Geren will dip into an emergency fund to cover the pay for 26 former members of the largely Native guard for two months while Congress works on legislation to fix the law.

Hasquet says the survivors will receive a one-time emergency payment equal to two months pay.

The benefits amount to as much as $557 a month.

Salazar decries Interior scandals
By H. JOSEF HEBERT - Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is calling for a top-to-bottom review of ethical misconduct at the Interior Department.

Appearing at the White House, Salazar told reporters Wednesday the department has been tarnished by eight years of ethical lapses that at times have included the highest levels of government. He said he wants his own review of what happened, what has been done to address it and what steps still need to be taken.

Salazar cited the criminal conviction of a former interior deputy secretary and a scandal involving sex, drugs and gifts at an office that oversees oil and gas royalty collections. He will visit that office in Lakewood, Colo., on Thursday.

Salazar indicated investigations closed by the Bush administration may be reopened.

Two new ambulances due in Juneau next week
Capital City Fire Rescue in Juneau is scheduled to take delivery next Monday on two new ambulances.

That according to Fire Chief Eric Mohrman says they'll make a final inspection this week to make sure everything's up to snuff before they're delivered.

He says they'll make a final inspection this week to make sure everything's up to snuff before they're delivered.

The ambulances they have now will be put in reserved status.

The smaller van units will be used by volunteers.

As a result the chief says the ambulance fleet will be increased by 50 percent.

The new ambulances are being paid from the fleet replacement line item of the CBJ general fund.

JDHS home builders tops in the nation once again
The Student Chapter of the Southeast Alaska Building Industry Association at Juneau Douglas High School has won another national championship.

The team took first place for the second straight year in the 2009 Residential Construction Competition sponsored by the National Home Builders Association.

This year's competition was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, earlier this month.

The team includes Katie Busch, Joseph Croteau, Joseph Funk, Linzie Norman, and William Strehler.

JDHS Teacher and team coach Craig Mapes says the team was charged with completing a collection of working drawings, a detailed lumber and labor cost list, and a construction schedule to build a 3,100 square foot house in San Antonio, Texas.

The finale was a power point presentation at the competition. Mapes says the team did a perfect job in the presentation and earned first place in his opinion.

In the 12 years they've competed, Mapes says they've earned five, first place finishes and twice came in second place.

Croteau was also on last year's first place team.

He thanked the Southeast Alaska Building Industry Association for its financial support.

Stonewall sauces subject to recall in Alaska
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is warning the public to avoid eating seven varieties of Stonewall Kitchen dessert sauces.

The products have been voluntarily recalled because they may be contain Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which affects the nervous system and can cause life-threatening illness or death.

Consumers are warned not to open containers of this product. If already open, do not use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled. Discard opened containers by double bagging them in sealable plastic bags.

Ron Klein, the department's Food Safety Program Manager, says the contaminated products were sent to ten stores in Alaska.

Those stores are located in Wasilla, Nome, Soldotna, Ketchikan, Sitka, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Kodiak.

So there are no stores in Juneau affected, although Alaskans may also have purchased one of these products from a catalog or over the Internet.

Klein says they have received no reports of illness related to these products.

For refund information and other questions, contact Stonewall Kitchen Premier Services at 1-800-826-1735.

The following list of products was distributed nationwide to consumers through the nine Stonewall Kitchen Company Stores, Stonewall Kitchen’s direct-to-consumer division (catalog/internet) and through their wholesale division.

Products could have been purchased individually or within a gift basket. Several of these recalled products have been found in Alaska and are being removed from shelves.

· Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce (SKU 161312), round glass jar, 12 oz.

· Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Peanut Butter (SKU 161211), round glass jar, 12 oz.

· Stonewall Kitchen Coffee Caramel Sauce (SKU 161204), round glass jar, 13 oz.

· Stonewall Kitchen Dulce de Leche Sauce (SKU 161214), round glass jar, 12.5 oz.

· Barefoot Contessa Espresso Dulce de Leche (SKU 542313), round glass jar, 10.5 oz.

· Simply Enjoy Coffee Caramel Sauce, square glass jar, 13 oz.

· Simply Enjoy Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce, square glass jar, 12 oz.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention. No illnesses have been reported in Alaska.

More information about Clostridium botulinum can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:  http://www.cdc.gov/botulism/botulism_faq.htm 

For more information on recalls, log onto the DEC website at: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/fss/recalls/recallsalerts.htm 

Postmaster General: Mail days may need to be cut
WASHINGTON (AP) - Six days of mail a week could soon be a thing of the past.

The postmaster general says huge deficits could soon force the post office to cut out one day of mail delivery. He's asking Congress to lift the requirement that the mail be delivered six days a week.

It doesn't mean that Saturday would be the day that's lost. Previous post office studies have looked at the possibility of skipping another day when mail flow is light -- such as Tuesday.

The post office, which is dealing with smaller mail volume and rising costs, lost $2.8 billion last year. And Postmaster General John Potter says the loss could reach $6 billion this year.

Potter says he needs to consider "every option." He says cutting back delivery to five days a week wouldn't necessarily happen right away -- adding that the agency is working to cut costs in other ways.

He says it would be up to the postal governing board to make the final decision on changing the delivery schedule.

Redoubt still simmering and rumbling
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Mount Redoubt continues to rumble and simmer, prompting geologists to say this Alaska volcano could erupt "within days."

Scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory have been monitoring the mountain round-the-clock since the weekend.

If Mount Redoubt does erupt, it would be the first time this occurred in nearly 20 years.

The mountain is about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Moose hunt authorized for village facing hard times
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska Department of Fish & Game has authorized an emergency moose hunt in the Lower Yukon area.

The agency honored a request from the village of Emmonak, a community of 800 people beset by high fuel costs and a poor fishing season.

The Alaska Board of Game said the agency has the authority to extend the existing season, which ended one week ago.

Learn to Ski Weekend names announced on Capital Chat
Eaglecrest officials today announced the names of the 45 winners for the Learn To Ski Weekend this weekend at Juneau's ski area.

They are third, fourth and fifth graders from area schools.

Jeffra Clough and Barb Lindh read the names on Capital Chat this morning. (Wednesday)

The names of the winners are posted on the Eaglecrest web site at  www.skijuneau.com The winners will be notified by phone Thursday, as well.

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

They say 58 applied this year. The winners were selected by a random drawing.

The next step is an orientation for the winners and their parents in Assembly Chambers Friday evening at 6:30.

The event is sponsored by Mendenhall Auto Center Subaru.

Champion snowboarder visits Juneau schools 
Alaskan snowboarder Callan Chythlook-Sifsof  was scheduled to speak to Juneau students today.

She is the 2007 National Snowboardcross champion and a 2010 Olympic hopeful.

The 19 year old  was raised in Aleknagik in Bristol Bay and currently lives in Girdwood where she trains at the Alyeska Ski Resort.

She was scheduled to speak this morning at Floyd Dryden Middle School and at Riverbend Elementary.

Lady Seawolves number one in basketball in Division 2
The women's basketball team at the University of Alaska Anchorage has reached the top of the
NCAA Division Two ranking.

The Lady Seawolves were ranked number one in the USA Today / ESPN Poll.

UAA got 23 first-place votes after last week's number one, Northern Kentucky, lost a game and dropped to number two.

This is the first time UAA has been ranked number one.

The Lady Seawolves play their first game as the top team at home Thursday against Western Oregon.