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Juneau headquartered Army National Guard unit in Kuwait, headed to Iraq
A National Guard unit headquartered in Juneau arrived in Kuwait Friday night.
Its next stop is Iraq.
That word in an e-mail from Major Joel Gilbert, the commander of A Company, Third Battalion (Scout), 297th Infantry of the 207th Infantry Group.
He says the transport came after completing their training and validation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
He tells us he has very limited internet access and won't be able to send updates too frequently until they arrive in
Iraq.
About 130 soldiers are part of the mobilization. The
battalion stretches from Anchorage south to Ketchikan and west to
Kodiak and includes Juneau.
The company was mobilized by Governor Frank Murkowski at the request of President Bush as part of an involuntary call-up of guard units from several states to support the war in Iraq.
Gilbert said his company is
the first infantry company from Alaska to go to a combat unit in 63 years.
They're expected
to spend up to 18 months in Iraq.
Tulsequah forum format could change to insure Canadian participation
The developer of the Tulsequah Chief Mine project in British Columbia has requested a change in the format of next week's community meeting to outline concerns with the planned reopening of the facility.
Concerns of Juneau residents downstream from the project include the possible pollution of the Taku River and resulting harm to fish stocks.
The B-C government has given the project the go ahead. The Canadian federal government is now reviewing the proposal.
Redfern Resources President Terence Long, in a January 21st letter to CBJ Manager Rod Swope, expresses concern with the panel format of the forum and complains it "...is not conducive to orderly dissemination of project information to the public."
The letter further states, "...we suspect that its make up will be more likely to foment an atmosphere of conflict and minimize public confidence."
In the letter, Long proposed a public information event that discards the panel concept.
He says they would be willing to provide information in that type forum and be available to answer questions and explain the project.
Long further suggests that Juneau residents submit written comments prior to the February 18th deadline to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
In addition, the company suggests an open house subsequent to the closure of the process that would involve officials from key Canadian regulatory agencies.
CBJ Special Projects Officer Maria Gladziszewski, who is coordinating the event, says they are gathering the opinions of those they've invited on a good format.
She says they've never been a hundred percent set on what the format would be.
Gladziszewski adds she's hopeful that both representatives from the company and the Canadian federal government will attend the forum which is scheduled next Tuesday night, February 8th.
Its from 7 to 9 p.m. at Centennial Hall.
Man seriously hurt in single vehicle accident on Glacier Avenue
A 21 year old man was seriously injured in a single vehicle roll over on Glacier Avenue late last night. The vehicle was totaled after hitting a utility pole.
Police and Capital City Fire Rescue were called
to the scene at about 11 p.m.
They found the man trapped in the 1994 Ford Explorer. He had to be extricated from the vehicle.
The man, who was not identified, was transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries, according to police.
The nursing supervisor at Bartlett Regional Hospital says the man is in fair condition this morning.
Preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle was traveling outbound on Glacier Avenue near the 2000 block when it left the roadway and struck the pole.
The vehicle was impounded as evidence.
Police say alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor.
An investigation continues.
Man charged with driving stolen car while drunk
Juneau Police nabbed a suspect early Sunday morning for driving a stolen car while drunk.
Sergeant
Kris Sell says the arrest was made at about one a.m. when the vehicle operated by 21 year old Michael Johnson of Juneau was stopped.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle was stolen.
The sergeant says the 1977 Ford pickup had been taken from a Valley residence.
The owner had not yet discovered the pickup missing when he was contacted by police who were trying to determine if Johnson was suppose to have the vehicle.
Sergeant Sell says the pickup had a set of keys hidden inside the passenger compartment. She says this is practice the police department discourages because riflers may find the keys and take the vehicle.
Lena Point Subdivision subject of joint meeting
The Juneau Assembly and Planning Commission are scheduled to hold a joint work session tonight [Monday] to review options for sewer development for the Lena Subdivision and Lena Point area.
CBJ Lands currently has an application pending for subdivision of 52 acres to create 48 lots.
The proposed development includes individual onsite sewage treatment and disposal utilizing aeration plants and drain fields.
The proposed development sets aside some 50 acres in natural area status as mitigation for wetland impacts.
Additionally, a private developer has proposed an adjacent 22 lot subdivision.
According to a Community Development Department memo, Lena Point on-site sewer regulations have gaps in oversight, and have limited areas of coverage.
The memo goes on to say there are three types of options.
Each system can work, and each system can fail.
The first is on-site sewer treatment and disposal; aerated tanks and
drain fields with improvements.
The second is centralized sewage treatment and disposal.
The third option is a
hybrid-ized solution.
The joint meeting gets underway at 5 in the Assembly Chambers' at City Hall.
Craig murder trial delayed
KETCHIKAN (AP) - The trial of three people charged with conspiring to murder a Craig woman in November has been delayed.
Prosecutors, defense attorneys and three defendants charged in the death of 47-year-old Lauri Waterman agreed Friday to reschedule the trial to August 22nd in Craig.
Defense attorney Steven Wells says he could not prepare a case in time for the trial to start on Thursday as scheduled.
The victim's daughter, 16-year-old Rachelle Waterman of Craig is charged in the incident along with 24-year-old Brian Radel of Craig and 24-year-old Jason Arrant of Klawock. They were arrested in November.
Laurie Waterman's remains were found smoldering in her burned van at the end of a remote logging road on Prince of Wales Island.
The three defendants are accused of planning her murder for several months before the two men allegedly carried out the plan while the daughter was at an Anchorage volleyball tournament.
Wells is Rachelle Waterman's attorney. He's based in Palmer and says he had not yet seen the evidence against his client.
Soldotna man charged with stabbing mother to death
ANCHORAGE (AP) - Alaska State Trooper say a 22-year-old Soldotna man has been arrested on charges of stabbing his mother to death.
Adam Israel is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 42-year-old Dorothy Israel.
Troopers say Adam Israel called 9-1-1 at 12-13 p-m Saturday from his mother's home and reported the stabbing.
Dorothy Israel was rushed to Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna but died of her injuries.
Trooper Sergeant Tod McGillivray says the elder Israel suffered at least one stab wound to her back.
Police recovered the knife they believe was used to stab Dorothy Israel.
Adam Israel appeared before Kenai Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet yesterday (Sunday) and was ordered held at the Wildwood Pretrial Facility with bail set at a half
million dollars.
Fish and Game commissioner candidates chosen
KETCHIKAN (AP) - Four Alaskans have been picked as finalists for the job of Department of Fish and Game commissioner.
The four include Wayne
Reglin, Doug Mecum, Roland Maw and Cal Skaugstad.
They will be interviewed in late February by the Joint Boards of Fisheries and Game Commissioner Selection Committee.
The joint boards are tentatively scheduled to meet in March for the final selection process.
The board will forward a list of qualified candidates to the governor.
Reglin is acting commissioner. He was appointed by Governor Murkowski upon the departure of former Commissioner Kevin Duffy.
Reglin in 2003 retired as director of the Division of Wildlife Conservation.
Mecum is director of the Division of Commercial Fisheries.
Skaugstad has worked with the department since 19-80. He currently supervises the fish stocking program in Interior Alaska for the Division of Sport Fish.
Maw has operated a salmon and halibut charter business in Kenai since 1980 and has operated several commercial fishing vessels.
He is a former executive director of the United Cook Inlet Drift Association.
Halibut quota increases in Southeast
KETCHIKAN (AP) - Southeast Alaska fisherman will be in line for catching more halibut this year.
The International Pacific Halibut Commission has increased the catch limit for the 2005 commercial halibut fishing season in Area 2C from 10-point-five million pounds to just under eleven-(m) million pounds.
The Ketchikan Daily News reports that while the Southeast quota will increase in 2005, the overall catch limit in Alaska, British Columbia and the U-S West Coast water will decrease three-point-five percent to 76-and-a-half
million pounds.
The commission's 2004 assessment of the halibut indicate healthy stocks in California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and the central Gulf of Alaska.
Stocks are believed to have declined in Area 3B and Area 4, which covers the western Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands and the Bering Sea, requiring lower catch limits in those areas.
The commission set the 2005 catch limits during meetings this month in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
The 2005 season will begin at noon February 27th.
If fishermen don't harvest the entire quota sooner, the season will close at noon on November 15th.
Subsistence board creates steelhead fishery
KETCHIKAN (AP) - Subsistence fishermen in Southeast Alaska will be able to catch steelhead under rules approved by the Federal Subsistence Board.
The new steelhead subsistence fishery season will run from January 1st through May 31 throughout Southeast Alaska except on Prince of Wales Island.
Prince of Wales already has a federal subsistence steelhead fishery.
The new fishery will be open to rural residents who possess federal subsistence permits.
Daily household harvest and possession limits will be one steelhead of 22 inches or more in length.
The annual household harvest limit will be two fish.
Subsistence fishermen will be able to harvest steelhead using a rod-and-reel,
dipnet, hand line or spear.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game had opposed the proposal because of concerns about the potential for
over harvesting in streams containing small stocks and fall runs of sockeye.
The board gave federal managers authority to consult with the state authorities and limit harvests on small streams that have conservation issues.
Army Corps tabulates costs for moving Shishmaref
ANCHORAGE (AP) - The Army Corps of Engineers says it will cost 180-million dollars to move the Bering Strait village of Shishmaref to solid ground a dozen miles away from land eroded by ocean forces.
That's nearly twice the price of relocating its 600 residents to Nome.
The Corps of Engineers says its figures are still preliminary but the numbers indicate the huge expense faced by villages with severe erosion problems.
Several villages including Shishmaref have begun to press state and federal agencies for money to move.
Shishmaref is on a sandy barrier island in the Chukchi Sea five miles from the mainland.
The report prepared by the Seattle firm Tetra Tech considered four alternatives for Shishmaref -- staying in place, finding a new location and moving to either Nome or Kotzebue.
The most expensive option is moving the village to the mainland.
The 179 (m) million dollar cost includes nearly 20 (m) million to move the community's 150 or so homes and 26 (m) million to move or build public facilities, such as a new school, health clinic, fire hall and city office.
Red Cross looking for Alaska heroes
The American Red Cross of Alaska is looking for heroes to be recognized at their 6th annual Real Heroes Breakfast.
The organization's Kelly Hurd says it's an opportunely for the Red Cross to recognize people or groups from throughout the state that have done something extraordinary such as save a life or perhaps have had a tremendous positive impact on their community.
There are 13 different categories. They include adult and youth good Samaritan, aviation , military, animal rescue among others.
To nominate someone go to the Red
Cross website, www.alaska.redcross.org
and download the nomination form.
The deadline is February 15th.
The Red Cross will pay all the travel expenses and hotel accommodations for the hero and a guest.
The Real Heroes' Breakfast is April 19th in Anchorage.
Senator Murkowski looking at a move
WASHINGTON (AP) - U-S Senator Lisa Murkowski may move out of the home she rents from her father in Washington, D-C.
She tells the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner she probably will move out of the town house owned by Governor Frank Murkowski by this summer.
Senator Murkowski says the home doesn't feel like a good fit for her family.
She says the home a few blocks from the Capitol is convenient for her but not necessarily right for her 13- and eleven-year-old sons and the family's big dogs.
The local public schools also concern the senator but she says she is reluctant to enroll the boys in private school.
Murkowski's family will stay in Alaska to finish out the school year.
Murkowski says her husband, Verne Martell, plans to sell his 16-year-old business, the Alaska Pasta Company, within a few months.
Lady Bears win two, Men split Anchorage tournament contests
The Lady Crimson Bears are
2 and 0 in conference play with two wins over the Ketchikan High School Kings last weekend.
Saturday's score was by the whopping margin of 69 to 28. Friday's 52 to 31 difference was a bit closer.
Coach Leslie Knight's squad travels to Sitka for two games there next weekend.
The men ended up one and one at the Bartlett Tournament in Anchorage.
The defeated Deep Valley Christian from California 94 to 41, but lost to Wasilla 46 to 37.
The Bears thus end a long string of road games. Coach George Houston's team is back home against Sitka this coming Friday and Saturday nights.
Hendricks claims Tustumena 200 crown
KASILOF (AP) - A Copper Center musher is the winner of this weekend's Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race.
Jessica Hendricks crossed the finish line at three-28 yesterday (Sunday).
Jeff King of Denali finished in second place and crossed the finish line 31 minutes later at three-9 p-m.
Aily Zirkle of Two River finished in third by crossing the finish line ahead of Lance Mackey of Kasilof and Dean Osmar of Clam Gulch.
(Joe
Nicks-KSRM)
Legally blind musher completes Iditarod qualifier
KASILOF (AP) - A legally blind musher from Bend, Oregon, has completed the Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race, a qualifier for the Iditarod.
Nineteen-year-old Rachel Scdoris finished the race that this morning at three-45 in 26th place.
That was right behind musher 20-year-old Tyrell Seavey, who was acting as her visual interpreter.
The race begins and ends in Kasilof on the Kenai Peninsula.
Scdoris was born with
achromatopsia, a rare hereditary eye disorder that makes her nearsighted, farsighted and color-blind.
She adapts by using shorter harnesses that make a ten-dog team the same length as a six-dog team.
In March she hopes to compete in the Iditarod, the race from Anchorage to Nome.
The Tustumena 200 was won this year by 22-year-old Jessica Hendricks of Copper Center.
She crossed the finish line at three-28 yesterday afternoon, defeating four past Iditarod champions.
Era applies for sled dog operations on Nenana Glacier
FAIRBANKS (AP) - A helicopter company has applied to establish a sled dog tour operation on the Nenana Glacier this summer.
Era Aviation has applied for a permit from the Bureau of Land Management to establish the tour operation about 150 miles southeast of Fairbanks starting in May.
The B-L-M is considering Era's request but the company already is advertising and taking reservations for the tour, which carries a price tag of 469 dollars.
The camp would replace a similar operation Era ran on the Godwin Glacier in Seward the past two years and would be a smaller duplicate of a glacier mushing tour the company offers on the Norris Glacier in Juneau.
Company official Tim Cudney says Era wants to mirror the operation it has in Juneau.
The Nenana Glacier is on land selected by the state but administered by B-L-M because the property has not been conveyed.
The proposed camp would be operated by Iditarod musher Linwood Fiedler, who owns Alaska
Heli-Mush Incorporated.
Fiedler also runs Era's glacier sled dog tour in
Juneau.
Rasmuson Foundation announces arts education grants
ANCHORAGE (AP) - The Rasmuson Foundation is sponsoring three new programs for arts education.
The programs are administered by the Arts and Culture Foundation in partnership with the Alaska State Council on the Arts.
The Arts Teacher Awards encourages art teachers to reconnect with their art.
The program gives grants to certified, permanently assigned K-12 art teachers to immerse themselves in their own creative work, interact with professional artists, and stay current with new practices.
The second program is the Arts Excursion Grant.
Schools or classroom teachers may apply for up to 300 dollars for transportation of K-through-12 students to an arts or cultural venue.
The third program -- Cultural Collaborations -- allows organizations to apply for grants of up to a thousand dollars for high quality, short-term arts and cultural activities at school sites.
The program also gives matching grants for programs for youth that emphasize direct participation and acquisition of art skills.
Information on the programs can be obtained by on the Alaska State Council on the Arts web site.
(On the net:
www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca )
(Copyright ©2005 Alaska Juneau Communications - KINY Radio)
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