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New vein
system discovered at Kensington
A new high-grade vein system has been discovered at the Kensington
gold mine near Juneau.
A company release says the new structure, dubbed Kimberly, was
exposed in the decline from the mill to the mine.
Coeur Senior Vice President for Exploration Donald Birak says that
Kimberly may develop into a major, new gold system at Kensington
and bodes well for other future discoveries in the gold district
around the mine.
Kensington is scheduled to begin production in the third quarter
of the year.
Right now, the initial mine life is expected at 12.5 years.
Lawyer: Court
likely to affect campaign spending
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An attorney for the state Legislature's
reading of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision will mean "no
limits" on corporate spending — and no reporting
requirements — when it comes to campaign ads.
The written preliminary analysis was provided by legislative
counsel Alpheus Bullard.
Lawmakers are holding hearings, including one Wednesday, to better
understand the ruling's repercussions for Alaska.
This is a political year, with most legislative seats, as well as
the governor's office, a U.S. Senate and a congressional seat, up
for grabs.
Last month, a divided Supreme Court threw out parts of a
decades-old law that said companies and unions can be prohibited
from using their own money to make and run campaign ads urging
support, or defeat, of specific candidates.
The decision applied to spending not coordinated with candidates.
French: Panel to
'contain' campaign court decision
JEREMY HSIEH -Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — State Sen. Hollis French says his
Judiciary Committee will craft a bill "to contain" the
effects of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring
corporations' spending on political messages protected free
speech.
State attorneys testifying before the panel Wednesday said they
believe the decision voids an existing state law that bans
corporate spending on ads for a specific candidate.
French believes lawmakers will give the issue priority, in part,
because this is an election year.
Most legislative seats are up, as is the governor's office.
French is running
for governor.
Former Sitka
woman pleads not guilty to murder
A woman accused of murdering her husband 22 years ago in Sitka
pleaded not guilty today in Superior Court in Sitka.
Jane Limm, who requested the court refer to her using her current
legal name, Jane Reth, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder
and evidence tampering.
Her bail remains at $250,000 cash.
Sitka Superior Court Judge David George initially set Reth's trial
for April 12, but that will likely be pushed back to give the
defense time to prepare, as is the case in most murder trials.
Reth, now 45, is accused of killing her husband, Scott Coville,
who disappeared in Sitka in 1988 after just a few months of
marriage.
The California couple met in college. He dropped out to try
fishing in Alaska, while she finished her degree and joined him a
couple months later.
Reth left Alaska after Coville's disappearance.
She has been living in California and Illinois. She had a physical
therapy license in California.
A private attorney, Jon-Marc Petersen, of the Wasilla firm Denali
Law Group represented Reth.
(Anchorage Daily News)
Palmer
lawmaker raises capital move issue
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — State Rep. Carl Gatto says it's a perfect
time to talk about moving Alaska's capital out of Juneau.
The Palmer Republican commented Tuesday during committee
discussion of a measure that could expand the size of the
legislature.
The bill calls for a ballot question and constitutional amendment
to increase the House and Senate to 48 and 24 members
respectively.
Sponsor Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, says she is shocked the capital
move came up. Her bill is intended to limit the geographic size of
rural districts in the upcoming decennial redistricting.
Legislative Affairs executive director Pam Varney says additional
lawmakers could be accommodated without building a new Capitol.
The cost would be $6.1 million initially and $4.4 million annually
after that.
Assembly
Finance to look at ways at balancing the budget
The Assembly Finance Committee meets this evening to discuss how
to balance the next budget that is projected to have an $8 Million
shortfall.
City Manager Rod Swope was starting to proceed to execute layoffs
when the membership of the largest employee union voted against
deferring a pay raise for a year.
But the committee directed Swope to halt those plans, at lease
temporarily, to explore other ways the budget can be pared by the
$1.2 Million to $1.5 Million the pay deferral would have saved.
Swope told us in a previous interview that there are options
available to the Assembly that he doesn't feel are available to
him. They include increasing taxes, cutting education, or coming
up with another form of revenue.
The manager made a commitment to balance the budget without
increasing mill levy.
The Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for 5:30 in
Assembly Chambers at City Hall.
An executive session dealing with contract negotiations is on
the agenda of a special meeting following the Finance meeting.
Members will also take up two bid awards during the special
meeting.
One is for Phase Three of the West Mendenhall Sewer project. Swope
is recommending award of the bid to Miller Construction Company in
the amount of $1,337,850. That's about $541,000 below the
engineer's estimate
The other bid is for improvements to Main Street which includes
replacement of utilities, traffic lane reconfiguration, sidewalk
reconstruction and landscaping.
Swope is recommending awarding that work to Arete Construction
which submitted a base bid and bid for additive alternate one that
amounts to $1,779,285. That total bid is about $6,000 below the
engineer's estimate.
School district
wants public input on budget
Public comment is being sought by the Juneau School District
Budget Committee as it continues work on the
Fiscal Year 2011 spending plan.
The committee's review continues this evening in the Juneau
Douglas High School Library from 6 to 8 p.m.
The committee is scheduled to forward a recommendation to the
School Board by the end of the month.
Following School Board action, the budget will be submitted to the
Assembly.
Needs element for
scholarship plan heard
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An advocate of a program similar to Gov.
Sean Parnell's proposed merit scholarship program says there's
room for a needs-based element without compromising the basic
intent.
Bill Schilling is president of the Wyoming Business Alliance,
which championed that state's Hathaway Scholarship Program.
He spoke at a joint hearing of Alaska's House and Senate Education
committees Wednesday.
Schilling said that after a student qualifies based on merit and
has exhausted federal financial aid opportunities, his state will
help to cover a student's remaining "unmet need."
Financial need is not a prerequisite for the scholarships.
House Education Chair Paul Seaton said that approach seems to be
in line with what lawmakers want.
UA
president finalists to tour campuses
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The finalists for University of Alaska
president are to tour the state's campuses on March 1-3.
The UA Board of Regents has chosen nine semifinalists for the
post. Their names have not been released.
Regent Cynthia Henry is leading the presidential search and says
she expects three or four finalists will be chosen after
interviews in Fairbanks on February 27 and 28.
Those finalists, whose names will be made public, will then tour
UA's campuses in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau.
The university system is looking for a successor to President Mark
Hamilton, who announced his resignation last summer.
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
UA Fairbanks to close
virtual reality lab
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The University of Alaska Fairbanks is
closing its Discovery Lab, saying funding for the virtual-reality
facility will be used for other computing projects.
The lab run by the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center is to close
by May 1.
Center spokeswoman Debra Damron tells the Fairbanks Daily
News-Miner that the $250,000 needed each year to run the lab will
be used to help operate a new data-storage facility and
supercomputer.
The lab, which opened in 2003, has been used for a number of
different research projects, performing arts events and public
tours. Damron says much of the research can now be done on desktop
computers.
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
Confirmation
hearing held for Persily
Larry Persily, President Barak Obama's nominee for the federal
Alaska pipeline coordinator job, appeared before the U.S. Senate
Energy Committee yesterday (Tuesday) for his confirmation hearing.
Senator Mark Begich introduced Persily to the committee and
praised him for his knowledge of oil and gas issues, government
policy and critical thinking skills.
Senator Lisa Murkowski offered her full support and said Persily
would bring "some refreshing candor." She feels candor
is necessary for something of this significance and import.
Persily told the committee he believes Alaska is closer than ever
before to a gas line, but the risks involved make it hard to close
the deal.
Persily currently handles oil and gas issues for the state
Legislature.
He was deputy commissioner of revenue under Governor Tony Knowles
and briefly under Governor Frank Murkowski and also served as
assistant director of the governor's office in Washington, D.C.
under Sarah Palin.
If Persily wins approval from the committee he goes on to the next
step in the confirmation process, a full vote of the Senate.
Senate confirms
US marshal for Alaska nominee
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mark Begich says he's pleased
that the full Senate has confirmed former Anchorage Police Chief
Rob Heun as the next U.S. marshal for Alaska.
Begich suggested Heun for the job and he was nominated by
President Obama.
Heun retired as chief in August. He had been chief since 2006 and
on the force for 26 years.
In his retirement announcement, Heun said that with a new mayor,
Dan Sullivan, taking office, the decision to leave made sense.
Mother and son
pot growers busted
WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — Alaska State Troopers say a 51-year-old
Wasilla woman and her 29-year-old son ran a marijuana growing
operation in her home.
Police say they arrested Jane Cain and Katsuhige Lewis after they
were found with several trash bags stuffed with freshly cut
marijuana.
Arctic port
measure introduced by Young
Legislation authorizing a study of establishing a deep water port
in the Arctic has been introduced by Alaska Congressman Don Young.
H. R. 4576 is aimed at protecting and advancing strategic U. S.
interests within the ever evolving region, according to Young.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced similar legislation in
December.
Terms of the bills provide for a two year study.
Young's measurel was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
House Democrats
take issue with oil industry ad campaign
Minority Democrats in the State House are taking issue with oil
industry assertions in recent advertising that the state's system
of oil taxation is costing jobs.
Anchorage Representative Les Gara pointed to a legislative report
during Tuesday's press availability to refute the Alaska Support
Industry Alliance advertising that reveals jobs and investments
have actually increased since the new tax law took affect.
The House Democrats had no response to the Governor's proposal for
changing the oil taxation law.
The House Democrats had not response to the Governor's proposal
for changing the oil taxation law.
Minority Leader Beth Kerttula of Juneau says they want to see what
the Governor proposes in writing first.
Governor Parnell has proposed greater incentives for companies,
including expanding tax credits for drilling and well work costs,
as a way to spur additional development.
----
Meanwhile, Conoco Phillips reports it earned a $1.54 billion
profit from Alaska oil and gas production, about 30 percent of its
worldwide profits.
The House Democrats seized on this week's financial statement in
the debate over oil taxes.
Conoco officials say they cut jobs last year and that industry
spending on North Slope fields is declining.
Lawmakers
to shoot for March 1 for maintenance
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A co-chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee says lawmakers will try to get the governor's deferred
maintenance proposal passed by March 1.
But Republican Sen. Bert Stedman said that will be difficult, and
he made no guarantees.
Gov. Sean Parnell has urged passage of his $100 million plan by
that date so work can begin on infrastructure projects this
summer.
In his supplemental spending bill, released this week, more than
half the funds requested are earmarked for the University of
Alaska system and the state Transportation Department.
Stedman, who's part of the Senate's bipartisan working group, says
lawmakers share Parnell's goal of getting projects let in time for
the summer construction season.
He says they'll "shoot" for passage by March 1, and will
try to get it done before the end of the session, in mid-April.
Liberty Caucus
formed in the Legislature
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Ten Alaska House Republicans have formed a
group they call the Liberty Caucus to promote conservative causes.
Representative Mike Kelly says the idea is to show constituents
there are representatives who support the ideas that the federal
government is overreaching and infringing on states' rights.
The founding members area all from Southcentral and the Interior
with the exception of Wrangell Representative Peggy Wilson.
Legislation
addresses the delivery of state e-mails
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Public employee e-mails related to state
business would need to be sent on state-run systems under a bill
proposed by Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis.
The measure filed
Monday comes amid a legal dispute over e-mails sent during the
Palin administration.
A 2008 public
records request filed by Andree McLeod showed that
then-Gov. Sarah Palin and members of her staff used private e-mail
accounts.
McLeod argued that
use of private accounts obstructs the public's ability to inspect
public records.
However, a Superior Court judge last month ruled that state law
does not forbid the use of private e-mails to conduct state
business and that the Legislature has given agencies discretion in
determining which e-mails are worth being preserved.
McLeod is looking to appeal that decision to the State Supreme
Court if the lower court judge doesn't reconsider his decision.
Beluga
whale hearings begin this week
KENAI, Alaska (AP) — Federal officials will conduct public
hearings on the Kenai Peninsula this week on its proposed critical
habitat areas for Cook Inlet beluga whales.
The first will be held Wednesday night in Soldotna, following by a
Thursday night gathering in Homer.
The National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for coming up
with a recovery plan now that the Cook Inlet beluga whales have
been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
There used to be more than a thousand of the white whales in Cook
Inlet but numbers have dwindled to a few hundred animals.
Other public hearings are also planned, including one February. 12
in Anchorage.
(Peninsula Clarion)
No injuries
reported in Japan Airlines mishap at Anchorage International
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — No one was injured when a Japan
Airlines 747 bumped an airport vehicle at the Anchorage airport.
The airport operations manager, Jim Iagulli, says damage was
minor.
The vehicle was on the taxiway yesterday repairing lighting.
(Anchorage Daily News)
Fairbanks
man sentence in scythe attack
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A 32-year-old Fairbanks man accused of
threatening his girlfriend with a scythe has been sentenced to
four years in prison.
Justin D. Costello pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree felony
assault. Under a plea agreement, two years of his sentence will be
suspended, and he will be on probation for three years.
Court records say that Costello's girlfriend told state troopers
that he began punching her one morning in November at a cabin they
share before grabbing a 3-foot long scythe and threatening to kill
her. She was able to escape as Costello swung the scythe at her.
Authorities say they Costello was intoxicated when they took him
into custody.
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
Troopers in
Fairbanks seek hit-and-run driver
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Alaska State Troopers are looking for a
man involved in a Fairbanks car crash that left another driver
injured.
Troopers say 21-year-old Eric J. Perez was driving a sport utility
vehicle Tuesday afternoon on Airport Way when a pickup careened
out of control and collided with the SUV.
The driver of the pickup fled. Perez was treated at the scene and
released.
SPCA Alaska director
comments on news of animals shot at Mat Su shelter
HOUSTON, Alaska (AP) — The
director of Alaska Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals says a Houston police officer should not have shot and
killed four cats and four dogs at an animal shelter.
Sally Clampitt says the unwanted animals should have been
euthanized by a veterinarian instead.
Houston Mayor Roger Purcell says the city is working to have an
animal control officer licensed to give lethal injections.
Some of the pets
killed Tuesday had been at the shelter since November.
The officer who shot the animals, Sgt. Charlie Seidl, told The
Anchorage Daily News the shelter can't keep animals indefinitely.
Murkowski reports $1.7M on hand
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The latest campaign finance report from
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski shows the Republican raised $263,145 in
the last three months of 2009.
Those net contributions, coupled with expenses of about $72,250,
left Murkowski with $1.7 million in cash on hand at the end of the
reporting period.
The details come in a filing with the Federal Election Commission.
Murkowski hasn't formally announced but is expected to seek
re-election later this year.
Begich reports
$44,000 in net contributions
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — He doesn't stand for re-election until
2014, but U.S. Sen. Mark Begich still reported $44,000 in net
contributions during the last three months of 2009.
In a filing with the Federal Election Commission, the Democrat
also reported net operating expenditures of about $46,050 during
the period ending Dec. 31.
He reported having nearly $167,570 on hand at the end of the
reporting period.
Crooked Road
honored by National Trust
FLOYD, Va. (AP) — The National Trust for Historic Preservation
has named Virginia's Crooked Road heritage music trail among a
dozen "distinctive destinations" in the U.S.
The trust's Richard Moe said Wednesday the Virginia attraction
pays "homage to a rich Appalachian heritage," weaving
together historic districts and a past steeped in uniquely
American music.
The Crooked Road is a 260-mile corridor between Franklin County
south of Roanoke and Dickenson County in the southwestern corner.
It is known for its bluegrass and country music heritage.
The trust's other distinctive destinations include Provincetown,
on the tip of Massachusetts' Cape Cod; Sitka, Alaska; Chestnut
Hill, Pa., and Rockland, Maine.
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