Snettisham repairs on hold for second day
The work to repair the line to the Snettisham hydro plant is on hold for the second day in a row.

Scott Willis of Alaska Electric, Light and Power says avalanche control crews were able to work briefly this morning.

He says natural avalanches were heard in the area Wednesday night.

During this morning's work, avalanches were being released just from the impact of the bomb hitting the snow without even detonating.

Willis says the danger is high and control crews are unable to get up very high to assure all potential danger is removed.

As a result, repair work is unable to proceed.

It's estimated that only a little more than two days of work is left to allow the line to be transmitting electricity. Willis says it's very discouraging to be so close and not be able to finish the job.

An avalanche on January 12th wiped out tower 3-5.

That tower was also destroyed by avalanches last April 16th.

The repair job involves bypassing that tower this time.

The only work left to do in the avalanche prone area calls for splicing together the line that connects to the towers on either side of tower 3-5.

That wire is now hoisted in the air and temporarily tied off. 

Coast Guard: Man reportedly dove into Bering Sea
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a man who reportedly jumped into the Bering Sea off a fishing boat.

Officials say the 39-year-old man, who was not wearing a survival suit, then avoided a fellow crew member from the Arctic Fox who tried to rescue him. The Coast Guard says the man then reportedly dove into the sea, and wasn't seen again.

The Coast Guard says this happened late Thursday morning about 11 miles northeast of Unalaska while the 58-foot fishing vessel was en route to Dutch Harbor.

The Coast Guard says it's not releasing the missing crewman's name pending notification of relatives.

University regents appointed
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Gov. Sarah Palin has appointed a Juneau engineering professional to the University of Alaska Board of Regents.

Kenneth Fisher, who was appointed Thursday, is an engineer officer with the U.S. Public Health Service.

He works as a senior representative to the state for the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Palin also has reappointed Mary K. Hughes of Anchorage to the Board of Regents.

Hughes, who chairs the Alaska Humanities Forum, is the former municipal attorney for the city of Anchorage.

Hughes also served as state director for the office of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski from 2005 to 2008.

Members of the 11-member board are appointed by the governor and are confirmed by state lawmakers. Thursday's action is pending legislative approval.

Alaska Air Group reports $75 million 4Q loss
SEATTLE (AP) - Alaska Air Group lost $75 million in the last quarter.

The Seattle-based parent company for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air blames lower sales and higher fuel costs.

Fourth quarter revenue dropped 3 percent to $827 million, compared to the same period a year ago.

For all of 2008, Alaska lost $134 million, compared to a $124 million profit the year before. Annual revenue rose 6 percent to $3.7 billion.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air serve more than 90 cities, mostly on the West Coast.

ACS announces layoffs
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - ACS, one of Alaska's top telecom firms, says it needs to cut about 20 employees. That reflects 2 percent of its workforce.

ACS is one of the lead players in Alaska's phone and Internet industries, and among the most dominant in local phone service.

The company has about 1,000 employees. It posted about $144 million in profit on $386 million in sales for 2007.

The company said labor costs make up about 70 percent of the company's operating expenses.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Troopers investigating discovering of contraband in Jacobs' cell at Lemon Creek
A man jailed recently after being on the lam for several days has gotten in more trouble at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau.

Alaska State Troopers were summoned to the jail Wednesday on a report of an inmate with contraband.

Staff there found two plastic bags containing tobacco and marijuana in the cell of 37 year old Michael Jacobs.

Jacobs was arrested early on the morning of January 20th by Juneau Police. The contraband was found after he was jailed that day.

He was wanted on three Trooper warrants.

Jacobs was also wanted along with his wife in connection with thefts at the State Office Building.

30 year old Jennifer Jacobs was arrested a week earlier while on a city bus after police received a telephone tip. She was booked on a theft charge.

She was also wanted in connection with multiple cases of passing bad checks.

The contraband case against her husband remains under investigation according to the Trooper dispatch.  

Lawmakers discuss Sudan divestiture
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Lawmakers are again considering legislation that would require the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. to divest itself of investments in Sudan because of the violence in Darfur.

Three bills have been introduced this year, including one from Gov. Sarah Palin. They were heard in the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday.

Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin says the governor's bill addresses some concerns that permanent fund officials had with similar legislation last year.

Galvin says that earlier legislation would have resulted in unintended costs to the state and required the state to pull out of some companies that were not being targeted.

Galvin says the new mechanism would allow the divestment to take place within nine months. He estimates the state has about $3.5 million invested in a handful of companies doing business with Sudan. 

Willie Hensley pens memoir detailing an extraordinary life
Alaska Native leader Willie Hensley has written a memoir.

The book is entitled "Fifty Miles From Tomorrow".

Hensley grew up on the shores of Kotzebue Sound, 29 miles north of the Arctic circle.

When he turned 15 years-old in 1956, Hensley first left Alaska to attend a boarding school in Tennessee.

Hensley went on to graduate from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

He was living in the nation's capital during some tumultuous and notable times in the country; the assassination of President Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King's speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Hensley and his friend Hank Adams marched from the Capitol to the reflection pool and were present for King's historic speech.

Hensley was one of the founders of the Northwest Alaska Native Association and the Alaska Federation of Natives.

He was one of the leaders in the effort for Congressional approval of the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act passed in 1971, which gave Alaska Natives 44 million acres of land and about $1 billion dollars.

The land and money set the stage for the regional Native Corporations to become major players in the state's economy.

He has also served as a state representative and state senator.

Hensley says he's back home now and loves the peace and quite. He says he and loves to hunt, pick berries and spend time with his grandchildren.

The Washington Post writes in a review that Hensley's book "Fifty Miles From Tomorrow"... "is an entertaining and affecting portrait of a man and his extraordinary milieu."

New cost estimate rises for Knik Arm bridge
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A bridge intended to cut down the commute between Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is getting more expensive.

The Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority on Thursday said a new estimate puts the price tag at $680 million, up $80 million.

That estimate is for the total cost, including construction, contingencies, design and engineering, construction management and right-of-way.

The authority says most of the estimated $680 million will be paid for by toll payers, not taxpayers. And it says the cost could go down because of the recession and decreasing world demand for asphalt and steel products.

The two-mile span is intended to connect the Port of Anchorage to Port MacKenzie.

eBay: Cars, boats and, just maybe, Miss.'s jet
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi is the latest state trying to unload pricey property because of the economic meltdown.

The state House voted Thursday to sell an eight-seat jet valued at $3.7 million that's used to haul Gov. Haley Barbour and other officials around. The plan needs Senate approval.

The jet can be sold by competitive bid or on eBay. It costs about $1,600 an hour to operate.

House Appropriations Chairman Johnny Stringer says selling the jet would provide another revenue source for the cash-strapped state. Officials would still have three taxpayer-funded planes to use.

Stringer says he got the idea from Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who made headlines when she tried unsuccessfully to sell her state's jet on eBay. Other states have sold desks, police cruisers and armored personnel carriers.

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 leery of accepting funding for new programs that the state would have to pick up once federal dollars in the stimulus package dry up.  

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.

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.

Rescue of woman made on local trail
A woman was rescued from Dan Moller Trail early Wednesday morning.

Juneau Police got a call late the night before  requesting assistance in locating the unidentified 41 year old woman.

Police were told that she had made statements indicating she was going to harm herself.

A search involving State Troopers, the Juneau Snow Machine Club, Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS was mobilized.

She was located shortly after 1 a.m. and transported by Capital City Fire Rescue  to the hospital where she received treatment for hypothermia.

The woman was described as awake and coherent.

State transportation officials begin planning process for replacing aging ferries
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) - Alaska Marine Highway System officials have started planning for a new generation of ferries to replace aging vessels in the eleven-ship fleet.

Ferry officials last week published a project summary and status report.

Agency official also launched a new Web site aimed at involving the public in the planning process.

Department of Transportation deputy commissioner Jim Beedle says the goal is to design a vessel that addresses the needs of a variety of users.

The new "Alaska Class" ships are intended to serve intermediate length routes within inside waters.
(Ketchikan Daily News)

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

Exit Glacier wins pavilion funding
SEWARD, Alaska (AP) - Exit Glacier, a popular attraction at the Kenai Fjords National Park, will be getting a new education pavilion, thanks to a $200,000 infusion.

Half of the money comes from the National Park Service Centennial Challenge, a program to match funds with corporate and philanthropic grants.

The program is being run in conjunction with the 100-year anniversary in 2016 of the country's national parks system.

The other half of the funding for the Exit Glacier project is from the Alaska Geographic Association.

Construction is slated to begin this spring.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve won a $50,000 centennial award, to go toward adding a transportation gateway and exhibits in Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark.

The Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation is donating the other $50,000 for the project.

Property tax exemption initiative given green light
Sponsors can begin to gather signatures for a ballot initiative that would allow local governments in Alaska to increase the amount of property tax exemptions.

State law currently limits exemptions from property taxes to 20-thousand dollars.

If approved by voters, the initiative would increase the exemption limit to 100-thousand.

Municipalities would have to pass local ordinances if they want to extend the property tax exemption.

Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell certified the application for the initiative.

Sponsors would need to gather more than 32-thousand signatures in at least 30 election districts to put the measure on the ballot.
(KENI- Anchorage)

Sisters spurred to help lead derby based on father's long involvement
Two of the Juneau residents who volunteered for top leadership positions to keep the Golden North Salmon Derby going are sisters who were inspired to do so by their father's long involvement.

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

Their father, Ole Bartness, was one of the first people to receive a scholarship from the Territorial Sportsmen which runs the derby to raise funds for its scholarship program.

He received his in 1956.

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

More volunteers are needed. For those interested in volunteering, Reyes suggests filling out a volunteer application on their web site at www.goldennorthsalmonderby.org    

If you want to assist Reyes in collecting prizes for the derby, call her at 209-5540.

The 63rd annual Golden North Salmon Derby will go on as scheduled August 14, 15, and 16.

Shooting in Anchorage leaves one dead, another critically injured
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A man was in critical condition last night after Anchorage police say he fatally shot a woman then turned the gun on himself.

Police say 50-year-old Toua Vang was previously wanted on felony assault charges before he used his car to stop a woman's vehicle then shot her.
(Anchorage Daily News)

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 

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)

Kenai school superintendent to step down after a decade
KENAI, Alaska (AP) - The superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has announced her resignation, effective June 30.

Dr. Donna Peterson has been heading the district for 10 years. The school board will discuss the pending vacancy at its meeting Monday.
(Peninsula Clarion)

Beranoia on minds of Alaskans
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - It's called Bearanoia.

That's when Alaska residents are overcome by reports of bear attacks and think strongly before going to public parks and trails.

Extreme cold temperatures, snow and short wintertime days have put a temporary hold on that behavior, but the bears will return soon.

So too will memories of last summer with bears attacking Anchorage residents so close to where they enjoy weekend recreation.
(Anchorage Daily News)