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Juneau Daily News Online

Friday, February 4, 1999  © Alaska Juneau Communications - KINY Radio News

High wind warning posted
   Nastiest winter in recent memory continues
The National Weather Service elevated the wind advisory to a high wind warning for downtown and Douglas late this morning. Southerly winds to 30 miles per hour with gusts to 60 are predicted with the winds expected to decrease overnight. An additional three inches of snow is also in the forecast. The downtown area had its own "mini-front" going this morning (left) as north winds coming down Lynn Canal converged with southern winds out of Stephens Passage. That convergence produced gusts to over 50 miles per hour atop the federal building, while they were less than 20 miles per hour at the Rock Dump and Mayflower Island. Gusts to 70 miles per hour were recorded at the studios of KINY early this morning.

Porter proposes subsistence solution
House Speaker Brian Porter (right) used last night's annual meeting of the Territorial Sportsmen to float an idea on how to resolve the subsistence issue. The draft plan focuses on uses rather than the users of the resource. Porter said the draft was forwarded to Alaska's congressional delegation for review. The plan requires an amendment of federal law to allow for a subsistence rather than a rural priority. The state has been wrestling with the subsistence issue for over a dozen years.

Mixed reviews for Speaker's idea
Reaction to the latest idea to resolve subsistence has been mixed so far. Territorial Sportsmen's President Carl Rosier embraced the idea, but Juneau Representative Beth Kerttula said it doesn't work. She said the state already has that ability through the Tier Two program. The Co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives Board of Directors, Angoon Representative Al Kookesh, thanked the Speaker for putting forth the idea. He says he wants to keep an open mind on any option, and hopes legislative leaders will do the same if A-F-N or the native community brings forth another idea. He reserved comment regarding the emphasis on uses rather than users of the resource until he's able to read the proposal.

Palmes' resolution fails
The effort by John Palmes to reverse the Territorial Sportsmen's position opposing a constitutional amendment to provide for a rural subsistence priority failed at last night's annual meeting. The proposed resolution was rejected on an overwhelming voice vote with the nays. House Resources Committee Co-Chair Scott Ogan, who was in attendance, urged the gathering to reject the idea put forth by Palmes.

Elton concerned about Governor's plan
Juneau Senator Kim Elton (left) applauded Governor Knowles for taking the first step when he announced a reduction of over 6 million dollars to this year budget through a freeze on hiring, travel and purchases, but he's concerned that only state employees are feeling the pinch. Governor Knowles announced a state hiring freeze yesterday. With a billion dollar shortfall, Elton says, the problem won't be solved with six million dollar answers. The state has suffered declining revenues during the past few years as international oil prices have dropped to one of their lowest levels in years. Both the Legislature and the Governor are working on ways to meet the shortfall.

Wind profilers on the Web
The world wide web is now a good source for wind conditions in the Juneau - Douglas area. Airport Manager Dave Miller says it includes the latest conditions as noted by the series of three wind profilers and eleven anemometers throughout the borough. Until now, the information was used primarily by commercial airline pilots. To view the real-time data from the wind profilers and the Alaska Airlines anemometers installed around the Borough, click here.

Polley and Barton three-peat
Patty Ann Polley and Mike Barton will co-chair the Golden North Salmon Derby for the third year in the row. It was announced at last night's Territorial Sporstmen's annual meeting that they've agreed to stay on the job for the 53rd edition. Polley told the group the board has approved a ten dollar, per day ticket for children twelve and under. Otherwise, the price for the three day derby ticket will remain at 35 dollars. The action was taken in view of a slight decline in ticket sales last year, she said. This year's Golden North Salmon Derby is scheduled August 20 through 22.

Lock and door de-icing offered again tomorrow
Another vehicle lock de-icing and lubricating event is scheduled tomorrow morning as part of the Juneau Police Department's community policing program. Lieutenant Bob Fletcher (right) said on KINY's Capital Chat this morning that the program proved so popular they decided to do it again. The first one just before Christmas attracted nearly 400 motorists. It's scheduled from nine until noon tomorrow in the Western Auto parking lot. There's no charge, although police encourage donations to the Juneau Douglas High School cheerleaders who will be assisting them with the event.

Junior Olympic racers hit Eaglecrest slopes
The first of Alaska's Junior Olympic Ski race qualifiers started today at Juneau's Eaglecrest Ski Area. Seventy skiers from Juneau, Fairbanks, Anchorage and Girdwood will compete in three events this weekend. After a week off they head to Girdwood for the second round.

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