Alaska Airlines cancels 36 flights due to volcano
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Alaska Airlines has canceled all flights to and from Anchorage tonight and through early tomorrow because of ash from Augustine Volcano.

Airlines spokeswoman Amanda Tobin says 36 flights have been canceled as of six o'clock tonight (Monday).

She says the airline anticipates resuming flights tomorrow.

Arrangements are being made to change passenger itineraries without a charge.

She encourages travelers to check for updates at http://www.alaskaair.com or by calling 1-800-alaskaair.

Augustine's constant release may avert powerful eruption
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Scientists observed a crescent-shaped plume of steam and ash curving from the summit of Augustine Volcano today (Monday).

They also saw evidence of boulder-flecked flows of ash and gas speeding down the island mount and into the sea.

A steady eruption of steam and ash has been spewing from the uninhabited volcanic island since Saturday.

Scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory say Augustine's constant release of gas, rock and ash may be averting a more powerful eruption.

Ash from the volcano grounded flights to and from Kodiak Island.

But the National Weather Service says no ash was reported on the ground in communities within several dozen miles of the volcano.

Parachute of jet pilot did not deploy, NTSB arrives at no conclusions yet
NTSB Investigator Scott Erickson was back in Anchorage today after visiting the crash scene of a private jet in Ketchikan last Wednesday afternoon.

He says there have been no conclusions on the cause of the crash yet.

The investigators confirms that the chute for pilot Stephan Freeman did not deploy.

The parachute that slows the seat down is the only portion that deployed. That chute is suppose to pull the pilot's personal chute out, but Erickson says that did not happen.

When he asked what he knows about the airworthiness of the aircraft at this time, Erickson says they don't know yet. He says they are still looking at that part of it. He says his focus so far has been inspecting the wreckage.

There were reports that the pilot tried to avoid hitting anything that would kill someone on the ground at his own peril, but Erickson says there's really no way to know that for sure.  The plane struck a trailer home. A 12 year old boy and his grandmother were able to escape without injury.

From this point, Erickson says they'll continue to gather information on the man, machine and environment as is par for the course for any of their investigations.

Report indicates jet in Ketchikan crash wasn't airworthy 
The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash that killed the pilot of a Czechoslovakian-built jet fighter in Ketchikan last week.

Anita Hales of KFMJ Radio in Ketchikan reports more information is coming to light about the crash.

The pilot, 32 year old Stephen Freeman was killed after he ejected from the plane just before it crashed in to a trailer home behind the A and P Market on Wednesday.

KFMJ spoke with Greg Walter, director of operations for Security Air in Anchorage.

He says the airplane along with three nearly identical planes were shipped to them from Air USA. They were evaluating them to decide whether or not to purchase them. Walter's company made deposits on the plans and intended to buy them.

Walters said they inspected them as they were being assembled and decided they had serious concerns about their airworthiness.

That concern was communicated to the owners, who were informed they didn't want to keep the planes and wanted their deposit back.

He says company representatives arrived without notification the weekend before the crash. The plane that crashed left Anchorage a week ago today. (Monday)

Walters says they informed the Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities. He says he felt they had a responsibility to report that the planes were not airworthy.

Meanwhile, Hales of KFMJ reports several local banks and organizations are collecting money for the Larry Mestas family who lost their trailer home in the accident.
(KFMJ Radio - Ketchikan)

Waterman trial resumes
Brian Radel continued his testimony in the Waterman Murder trial in Juneau Superior Court this morning. (Monday)

According to a dispatch from Court TV, he painted himself and Rachelle Waterman as victims of an obsessed, manipulative loser, Jason Arrant.

The 17 old Waterman is accused of asking Brian Radel and Jason Arrant to kill her mother.

Radel said today (Monday) that Waterman never told him that she wanted her mother dead and that he had just assumed that since Arrant, his trusted "blood brother," was pushing for it, it was necessary to preserve her safety.

On Saturday the judge in the case denied a motion for a mistrial from Waterman's attorney.

The dispute concerns Doctor Franc Fallico, the state's chief medical examiner, and two investigators who watched other testimony before they took the stand.

Court rules say a witness may not watch testimony prior to his own because he might change what he says based on what he has heard.

In denying the mistrial motion, Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins ruled the testimony of all three dealt strictly with undisputed facts surrounding Lauri Waterman's murder investigation.

Eagle feeding proposals turned down by Game Board
The State Game Board has decided against a ban on the feeding of bald eagles during its meeting in Anchorage Sunday

Board member Ron Somerville of Juneau says there were several such proposals because of what he termed commercial type feeding that's been occurring in Homer and a few other areas of the state.

One proposal called for a total ban.

In the case of Homer, the board recommended that the local government there should step up and assume some of its responsibilities similar to what Juneau has done with its bear feeding problem.

The board also decided Sunday to defer the Nelchina Basin Tier Two caribou and moose hunting issue.

Somerville says it was assigned back to committee. He says there just was no simple resolution of that issue.

The board is scheduled to conclude its meeting in Anchorage tonight. (Monday)

Augustine Volcano continues belching ash
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Ash from steadily erupting Augustine Volcano is wafting slowly toward the southern Kenai Peninsula.

It's also grounded supply flights to and from Kodiak Island today.

Weather service officials say the most recent eruption at 6:48 a-m today (Monday) generated an ash plume almost five miles high.  There was an earlier eruption at 3:35 a.m.

The weather service says the ash was moving east and southeast at ten to 15 miles-per-hour.

A sparse dusting was expected to fall on the Kenai Peninsula by this afternoon.

Kodiak residents reported leftover ash from Augustine's eruption yesterday (Sunday), but no new dusting this morning.

Alaska Airlines grounded freight flights from Anchorage to Kodiak yesterday and today.
Augustine began its latest series of eruptions on Friday, after a ten-day lull. 

Alex coming home following bone marrow transplant
The little boy from Juneau who underwent a bone marrow transplant late last year to battle leukemia is coming home.

That word from Alex Cesar's aunt, Andrea Quinto. She says he arrives home at 1:30 Thursday afternoon on the Alaska Airlines flight.

She says anyone is welcome to greet him as long as they're not sick.

Alex received the transplant at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle last October 17.

He was six years old at the time. Alex had to remain in isolation for 30 days afterwards. He had to stay in Seattle since then  to receive outpatient.

The boy's family organized a drive last summer for bone-marrow donors in several cities and villages in Southeast Alaska. More than a thousand people gave blood samples to be tested for genetic markers.

His aunt says everyone helped and the family wants people to have an opportunity to see him.

UAA employee's discrimination charged dismissed
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - It was a short-lived lawsuit.

A University of Alaska Anchorage employee last week filed a discrimination lawsuit against the school.

In it, John Mun alleges he was denied pay and advancement because of his race and religion has been dismissed.

But a U-S District Court judge found there was not enough evidence to prove Mun's claim and promptly dismissed the lawsuit.

The university's attorney is Mark Ashburn.

He tells the Anchorage Daily News today (Monday) that the court's dismissal - quote - ``accurately reflects there was no racial or religious discrimination of any sort against John Mun.''
---
Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com 

Murkowski breaks own deadline on re-election intentions
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaskans will have to wait a little longer to find out if Governor Murkowski is going to run for re-election.

Back in December, the governor said he would announce his intentions by the end of January.

But since then, Murkowski has been silent. His press secretary, Becky Hultberg, said today (Monday) that she has heard nothing about an announcement forthcoming.

A press conference is scheduled for ten Tuesday morning. The stated subject of business in the announcement from the Governor's Office is a bill signing and bill roll out.

Two other Republicans have already announced that they will run for governor. John Binkley of Fairbanks and Sarah Palin of Wasilla are in a field of five announced candidates.

The others are Democratic Representatives Ethan Berkowitz and Eric Croft of Anchorage; and independent Andrew Halcro of Anchorage.

Helmets and housing among Assembly agenda items
The Assembly considers helmets and housing at tonight's [Monday] regular meeting.

An ordinance up for public hearing and action would require persons under the age of 18 to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.

The fine for not wearing a helmet would be $25, but the fine would be waived if the person provides proof that they've purchased a helmet after the time the citation was issued.

Right now, city code makes parents and guardians responsible for violations of bicycle ordinances by their children.

The Assembly is scheduled to take action on an ordinance that would allow cottage housing.

A cottage housing development consists of four to fourteen small homes arranged around a common open space.

Cottages can be developed at a higher density than is currently allowed.

The Planning Commission and the Assembly Lands Committee has reviewed the cottage housing concept and is recommending adoption of the ordinance.

The Assembly is expected to create a new Board of Equalization Panel at this meeting.

The Board of Equalization hears appeals of CBJ property tax assessments.

Under the present city code, the Assembly sits as the board.

The ordinance would establish a new panel made up of six to nine members appointed by the Assembly.

Assembly members would not be eligible to serve on the new board.

The Assembly will take action to appropriate $19,737 in Passenger Facility Charges for the Runway Safety Area Environmental Impact Study.

These are matching funds to a recent Federal Aviation Administration FAA grant.

The Assembly meets tonight at 7 o'clock in Assembly Chambers at City Hall.

Suspected drunk driver arrested after trying to elude police
Juneau Police arrested a suspected drunk driver Friday night after he refused to stop while officers attempted to make a traffic stop for erratic driving.

The incident occurred a few minutes before eight on Mendenhall Loop Road at Nancy Street.

When the officer activated his emergency lights, the vehicle sped up and refused to stop. 

Near the Tongass Boulevard, police say the vehicle pulled to the side of the road, as if it was going to stop, but the driver accelerated. 

At that point, the officer used the front of his patrol car to pin the vehicle into a snow bank.

Phillip Wallen was placed under arrest for vehicle theft in the first degree, and failure to stop at the direction of a police officer, both class C felonies.

He was also charged with drunk driving and driving with a suspended license, both A misdemeanors.

Wallen was jailed at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center without bail.

Fire hits trailer home in Valley
Capital City Fire Rescue responded to a trailer fire Saturday afternoon.

The call came in at 12:45 from the Glacier View Trailer Court at 9951 Stephen Richards Drive. Captain Dave Boddy says it was space 77 there.

Arriving firefighters found a single wide mobile home with heavy smoke showing from the eaves.

An attack crew was able to knock the fire down in the rear of the trailer.

Preliminary investigation indicates the cause appears to be electrical in nature, although the probe is still underway.

The captain says fire damage was pretty much contained to the rear bedroom, although the entire structure sustained smoke and water damage.

No injuries were reported. Its not known if anyone was home at the time.

Two engines, an ambulance, a fire truck and 22 personnel responded.

The captain says the last unit cleared the scene at about 2:45 p.m.

About one-thousand honor fallen Alaska soldiers
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - About one-thousand people turned out Sunday to honor four members of the Alaska Army National Guard killed in Iraq.

The four died when their Black Hawk helicopter went down in Iraq on January 7th.

The four were remembered and praised in an hour-long ceremony in the Atwood Concert Hall of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage.

The occasion was full of tributes to the Guardsmen's heroism. The Air Force Band of the Pacific provided the music.

Such a service is traditionally attended only by members of the dead soldiers' unit, their families and military personnel. But Major General Craig Campbell -- the adjutant general of Alaska -- says the citizen soldiers of the National Guard enjoy strong bonds with their communities, and the guard wanted to do more to honor those killed.
----
The four killer were 1st Lieutenant Jaime Campbell of Fairbanks; Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chester Troxel of Anchorage; Specialist Michael Edwards of Anchorage; and Secialist Jacob Melson of Wasilla.

Human bones raise dispute between museum and Alaska Natives
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Inupiats in Barrow want the Smithsonian Institution to return dozens of human skeletal remains unearthed in northern Alaska.

The American Museum of Natural History refuses to give up the remains of 85 individuals.

The museum says they came from a group of Arctic people who predated the ancestors of the modern-day Inupiat.

But representatives with Barrow Native organizations believe the remains are their ancestors and should be laid to rest.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Alaskans cutting their own firewood to save on heating costs
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Cutting your own firewood is once again fashionable in Interior Alaska where residents hope to slash home heating bills this winter.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources this fall expanded its cut-your-own firewood program to open up more state land in the Interior for people willing to work for five dollars a cord.

Now, residents have more than 200 miles of roads in the Interior to access state land where firewood can be had practically for free.

Men Crimson Bears' hoop team wins again, Lady Bears drop contest to East
The Juneau Douglas Crimson Bears' men's basketball team won their ninth in a row Saturday.

They defeated North Pole 73 to 65. That completed the weekend sweep. Juneau bested the Patriots 65 to 44 Friday night.

The men travel to Ketchikan for two games against the Kings next weekend.

The East High T-Birds from Anchorage won a big game over the Lady Crimson Bears Saturday night. The score was 48 to 44. The number one ranked Juneau team defeated East in overtime Friday night 59 to 55.

The woman's team start a four game road trip Wednesday. That play Wasilla that day and then Colony, Wasilla again, and West of Anchorage in the succeeding days.

Hockey team ends season with a loss, but with positive vibes
The inaugural season of the Juneau Douglas High School Hockey team ended with a loss Saturday night, but it left supporters with hope for the future of the program.

The Crimson Bears were defeated twice by the Hutchinson Hawks. Saturday's score was 5 to 1. Friday's score was 3 to 2.

The Bears ended their season with two wins and eight losses.

Supporters say that while the record may not show it, the team improved with each game and by the end of the season proved that Crimson Bears' hockey is here to stay.

Winter games provide a chance for winter fun
KENAI, Alaska (AP) - The Peninsula Winter Games provided a chance for people to get out and have some fun this weekend -- despite temperatures hovering around 5 degrees.

Hundreds of people milled around the Soldotna Sports Center's parking lot on Saturday.

Kids and parents tossed frozen salmon as the kick sled races were getting under way.

And there were snowmachine rides for kids, dogs pulling weighted sleds and a log sawing competition.
(Peninsula Clarion)

Jessica Hendricks wins Tustumena 200
KENAI, Alaska (AP) - Two Rivers musher Jessica Hendricks has won the Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race.

For the second time in her mushing career, Hendricks yesterday (Sunday) crossed the finish line first in the Tustumena 200.

Hendricks says she had to fight hard for the win.

Hendricks crossed the finish line at 6-23 p-m at the Tustumena Lodge in Kasilof.

Hot on Hendricks' heels at the finish line was Dean Osmar of Clam Gulch, who came in just eight minutes later.
(Peninsula Clarion)