JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE

By Kathy Phillips - kiny@ptialaska.net


Thursday, January 30, 1997 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications

*6 new inspectors will be coming to the Juneau area, as part of a Federal Aviation Administration effort to help reduce accidents. Ike Borgen, manager for the local Flight Standards District Office, says that half of the new inspectors will be in operations, working with pilots, and the other 3 will be in airworthiness, overseeing aircraft maintenance. They will bring the total number of inspectors to 18, including avionics inspectors who examine airplane electronics systems. The new people will be hired within the next 5 months.
*Governor Knowles has unveiled four bills that get tough on juvenile crime, and support safe, healthy families. The bills tighten provisions of the juvenile justice system, create the Healthy Families Alaska program, make sure minors who abuse alcohol complete treatment programs, and broaden the use of foster care review panels. The bills are based on recommendations of last year's Conference on Youth and Justice.
*CBJ Lands and Resources Manager Steve Gilbertson is talking with the Alaska Mental Health Trust about the possibility of swapping several different land parcels to accommodate the National Guard's new Armory, which is still in the planning stages, and a new Coast Guard facility. Gilbertson says the National Guard site they are looking at is next to DOT on Glacier Highway. The Assembly has indicated they would like to obtain the current Armory site, next to Centennial Hall, and they are willing to swap the current Coast Guard site to the Trust. Gilbertson says talks are still underway.
*Proposed changes to the schedule at Juneau-Douglas High School will not happen for the upcoming school year. Changes have been proposed in an effort to use time more efficiently and improve student performance. During a School Board work session this week it was decided that the committee looking into options will take the next few months to talk to teachers about the trimester system they favor, and other options. If a change is made, it won't take effect until the 1998-99 school year.
*Girl Scout cookies will be on sale until this Sunday, so you better hurry and order you Thin Mints if you haven't already. All of the favorite flavors are still being offered, along with the new Le Chip, a hazelnut chocolate chip cookie. They are still $3 a box, and the money goes to help fund projects for the 300 Girl Scouts in the Juneau area. If you haven't ordered yet, you can call the Tongass Alaska Girl Scout Council at 586-1710.