Juneau man charged with sexually abusing a minor
A Juneau man has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing a minor.

This morning (Wednesday) police were contacted by officials at Juneau Douglas High School reporting that a juvenile female had said that she had been sexually abused by 48 year-old Nicholas Fawcett Jr. on Tuesday.

After conducting an investigation, police arrested Fawcett this afternoon on a $100,000 warrant after a search warrant was served at his residence.

Fawcett has been charged with two felony counts of first degree sexual abuse of a minor.

He was lodged at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

Police say the investigation is continuing.

Wasilla women killed in Trooper involved shooting
A woman armed with a handgun was shot and killed by Alaska State Troopers in Wasilla Tuesday evening.

A 9-1-1 call made at about 6:32 p.m. reported that 38 year old Debra L. Torrey of Wasilla had fired a handgun inside a medial facility near Mile 8 of the Palmer - Wasilla Highway.

The caller said the woman was outside of the office and trying to reenter the facility and that she still had the handgun.

All State Troopers on duty in the area and one Wasilla police officer were sent to the scene.

Troopers ordered Torrey to drop the firearm, but repeatedly refused to comply with those directions, according to the agency's Megan Peters.

Torrey continued to make threatening statements and motions which led to Troopers to fire their weapons.

Torrey died at the scene.

The shooting is under investigation by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation.

The two Troopers directly involved in the shooting are on administrative leave for three days, per department policy.

At the conclusion of that period, Peters says their names will be released to the public.

Five year old girl hurt in two vehicle collision out North Douglas
An accident between a 2003 Dodge Stratus and a 1997 Jeep Cherokee was investigated by Juneau Police on the North Douglas Highway last evening.

A passenger in the Dodge, a five year old girl, was transported to the hospital by ambulance and later flown to Seattle for treatment of serious injuries. Her name was not released by police.

Police Sergeant Paul Hatch says their investigation determined that the Dodge was traveling outbound when it crossed into the oncoming lane in to the path of the Jeep.

Both vehicles were totaled.

The accident occurred in the 51 hundred block of the highway, just beyond the trailer court, according to the sergeant.

He says the road surface was covered in ice and snow and is suspected as a factor in the collision.

Alcohol is not believed to be involved and the investigation is continuing.

The road was closed for about two hours.

More snow in Juneau's forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Juneau from 4 this afternoon to 5 Thursday morning.

It calls for 1 to 2 inches of snow today and another 3 to 5 tonight for a total accumulation of 4 to 6 inches.

Another 1 to 2 inches is in Thursday's forecast.

That's on top of the 8 point 8 inches recorded at the airport Tuesday.

From 6 to 14 inches was forecast for the winter storm that overlapped Monday and Tuesday, although only point 2 inches was recorded at the airport Monday.

Supplemental budget outlined for Senate budget writers
Palin Budget Director Karen Rehfeld was before the Senate Finance Committee this morning (Wednesday) presenting the Governor's supplemental budget submission.

The Governor is calling for $268 Million in spending cuts because of low oil prices.

Rehfeld outlined what the administration has done so far to meet the budget shortfall including the imposition of a hiring freeze.

Rehfeld said an analysis completed December 31st revealed approximately 15-hundred full-time vacant positions.

She says 844 of those positions were partially or fully funded by the general fund. She says 291 of the positions were exempt from the hiring freeze which leaves about 550 subject to the hiring freeze.

She says the positions subject to the hiring freeze were scattered around the state.

For the three largest communities, there were 241 of those positions in Anchorage; 48 in Fairbanks; and 176 in Juneau.

When asked by Juneau Senator Kim Elton if the hiring freeze includes positions paid for by federal funds, Rehfeld said it doesn't.

The budget director said any savings achieved from the hiring free would lapse to the constitutional budget reserve to help reduce the amount that needs to come from that account to balance the budget.

The projected spending deficit is $1.6 billion - up more than $1 billion from estimates just two months ago.

Palin's reductions will lower the shortfall to $1.3 billion.

Budget experts say next year's shortfall could be as much as $3 billion dollars if oil prices don't rally.

Some Alaska lawmakers wary of stimulus package
By ANNE SUTTON - Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska legislators are throwing their support behind a resolution seeking Alaska's fair share of dollars from a proposed federal stimulus package.

But fiscal conservatives warn the package is a double-edged sword.

The Alaska House passed a joint resolution Wednesday that says Alaska should get its fair share of the funding - about $1 billion by some estimates.

The state Senate is considering a similar resolution.

But while the Obama Administration touts jobs and economic growth from the measure, some lawmakers worry it will create an undue burden on future state budgets.

They say it will result in new programs that the state will have to fund in future years.

Thrift Store reopens in new location
The Salvation Army in Juneau quietly reopened its new Thrift Store earlier this week.

It's still on Willoughby Avenue right next to the building where it was located for about 30 years.

That store was closed down for good a week ago today. (Wednesday). They were able to reopen Monday morning, according to local commander Captain Jack Smith.

He says a ribbon cutting is scheduled Saturday, February 28th at 10 a.m.

Commissioner Phillip Swyers, the territorial commander of the Western United States for the Salvation Army, will be in attendance.

Captain Smith says they need donations, especially household goods such as pots, pans and small appliances.

In addition there are a lot more shelves to stock, about 15 times more.

Donations can be dropped off at the back door and exit on to Capital Way.

They set up a surveillance camera in the previous location to discourage people from dropping off donations after hours.

Captain Smith says they'll have digital cameras in the front and back and six more inside at the new store.

In addition, he says the gates are locked at night which will also discourage drop offs after hours.

New Juneau Harbormaster on board starting in March
The City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Department has hired a new Harbormaster.

Phil Benner was selected from a field of twenty candidates and will start work on March 2nd.

He's been the Harbormaster for the Haines Borough for the past two years.

Prior to that job, Benner worked as a senior harbor officer for Kodiak Harbors.

He retired from the U. S. Navy in 2004 after several tours in the Persian Gulf.

Drug case and missing bowl under investigation at state jail in Juneau
Two cases involving the Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau were noted in State Trooper dispatches Tuesday.

One involved a report that an inmate had been found with suspected drugs in his possession on Monday. A field test done by officers there indicated that the powder was in fact drugs.

Exactly what kind of drugs is not known at this point.

State Troopers responded and took possession of the substance which will be tested at the state crime lab.

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In the other case, an inmate reported Monday that a hand carved wood bowl was missing. It's estimated value is $1,000.

The investigation into that report is ongoing.

Palin promises national presence
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she will continue to have a national presence in politics.

In a letter to supporters, she promises to continue speaking out and proposing new policies for America.

The e-mail letter was sent to supporters who signed up on her new political action committee, SarahPAC, launched last week.

Palin told reporters in Alaska that she formed the PAC to avoid using state funds when attending quasi-political events, such as flying to Fairbanks to attend a political dinner.

The formation of the PAC, however, has fueled speculation that she is considering a presidential run in 2012.

'Eye on Palin" campaign launched by Defenders of Wildlife
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A wildlife group is targeting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in its latest national campaign.

The campaign is called Eye on Palin.

Defenders of Wildlife have an Internet video featuring actress Ashley Judd who minced no words about Palin or the state's predator control program.

Judd calls the program "senseless savagery."

Palin calls the Defenders an "extreme fringe group."
(Anchorage Daily News)  

State ferry Lituya awaits repairs
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) - The state ferry Lituya is awaiting repairs at the Ketchikan Shipyard.

The 181-foot ferry broke loose of its moorings because of high winds last Friday. It ran aground near Metlakatla.

Marine highway officials say the ferry has damage to its port-side keel cooler. The cooler helps keep lower the temperature of a vessel's mechanical equipment by allowing sea water to pass over tubes that circulate coolant through the engine.

The vessel's port side No. 4 void also has a hole or hairline fracture. Inspections also are planned for the ferry's internal bulkheads and its steering and line shaft alignment.

Officials say work is not scheduled to start until this weekend, at the earliest.
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Information from: Ketchikan Daily News

Yup'ik voter legal action continuing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Concerns about Alaska's Yup'ik voters ability to translate ballots continues to play out in U.S. District Court.

Lawyers for Yup'ik speaking voters say the state had not provided enough translation help during three separate elections last year.

Last summer, a district judge ordered the state to make changes to accommodate the Yup'ik speaking voters.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Draft state Education Plan out for public comment
State education officials are asking for the public to comment on the draft Alaska Education Plan.

The plan is the result of the education summit held last November sponsored by the state Department of Education & Early Development and the University of Alaska.

The department's Eric Fry says about 450 people from around the state attended to discuss what they wanted to see in public education.

The draft plan is a summery of their views.

Fry says the plan will help guide decisions regarding public education in the future.

He says the plan's goals gives the department the basis for accountability.

The summit's results were organized into three main topics; World-Class Schools; Community, Culture, and Family; and Student Health and Safety.

Fry says each topic includes a rationale for action, a clear goal, and broadly stated actions to achieve each goal.

He says, over time, the department will develop more detailed plans for how to achieve each goal and that will provide a focus for allocating time and money.

Fry says people will have an opportunity to comment on each aspect of the plan through a type of survey.

He says the comments will be reviewed by the department and then presented to state Board of Education in March where they are expected to vote on the Education Plan.

Fry says the public comments will help the Board understand what the public wants to see in the plan.

The deadline for comments is midnight February 19th.

The draft Alaska Education Plan is online at www.eed.state.ak.us. 

Pending construction of Mat Su prison recognized in ceremonial signing
PALMER, Alaska (AP) - Work on what's deemed to be the largest building construction project in the state's history is slated to begin in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough this spring.

Local and state leaders, including Governor Sarah Palin, celebrated the news of a 450,000-square-foot prison with a ceremonial signing.

The medium-security facility will have 1,536 beds for male prisoners.

It also means 600 construction jobs.

Report: treatment programs reduce cost of crime
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A research branch of the University of Alaska has concluded that prisoner education and substance-abuse treatment would result in long term savings to the state.

Authors of the Institute of Social and Economic Research study presented their findings to a legislative committee this week.

The study says expanding the prisoner programs would save money in the long run by incarcerating fewer people and delaying prison construction costs.

The study estimates the state would save more than $300 million over the next 20 years.

The study was done at the request of Senate Judiciary Committee Co-chairman Hollis French, an Anchorage Democrat and former prosecutor.

No significant changes for Mount Redoubt
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Officials say there's been no significant changes at Mount Redoubt, but seismic events continue at the volcano about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Even though geologists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory on Tuesday said Mount Redoubt has shown little change in the last 24 hours, they still believe an explosion is likely.

Officials said during a news conference that ice continues to melt on the top of the volcano, including glaciers on the north face.

Tennessee beer tax nation's highest, Alaska ranks second
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Beer drinkers in Tennessee may find this hard to swallow: the state has the highest beer tax in the nation.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports Wednesday that 2008 data analyzed by the Beer Institute and served up by the Tennessee Malt Beverage Association shows that state and local taxes on beer in Tennessee are now $33.25 per 31-gallon barrel, up from $32.28 in 2007.

That puts Tennessee just ahead of runner-up Alaska, which has a total beer tax of $33.17 per barrel. The national average is $9.75, with Wyoming having the lowest levy at just 62 cents.

Beer lobbyists see little chance of lowering the tax since it raises more than $100 million a year for local governments in Tennessee.
(The Knoxville News Sentinel)

Juneau resident to participate in winter games at Special Olympics in Boise
A Juneau resident is among five Alaskans who are headed to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho.

Raymond Carpenter will compete in Alpine Skiing.

Jim Balamaci, the President and CEO of Special Olympics Alaska,  explains that everyone winning a medal in state competition has their name put in a hat. A random drawing decided who goes to the World Winter Games, he explains.

The games, scheduled from this Saturday, February 7th through February 13th, will involve more than 3,000 athletes representing 85 countries.

Carpenter leaves Wednesday for Anchorage where he will join the other four Alaskan athletes headed for Boise Thursday.

Lady Seawolves strengthen hold on top ranking
The women's basketball team at the University of Alaska Anchorage is ranked number one again, this time unanimously.

The Lady Seawolves topped the USA Today / ESPN Division Two Poll for a second week, this time, with all 27 first-place votes.

UAA hit the top of the poll for the first time last week with 23 votes.

Since then, the Seawolves dominated Western Oregon and Saint Martin's while defending Division Two champ Northern Kentucky struggled.

UAA hosts the University of Alaska Fairbanks tonight and then hits the road to face Montana State Billings on Saturday.

Regulations planned for Knik River revelers
WASILLA, Alaska (AP) - A notoriously lawless area in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is getting some new regulations.

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water will impose the regulations for the recreation area along the Knik River.

Meetings are being held this week in Butte, Wasilla and Anchorage to inform people of the new regulations.

While the department is encouraging people to attend, they're also stressing that this is not to gauge community support -- or lack thereof -- to the regulations.

David Griffin, a natural resource specialist, says the decisions have been made, and the new regulations are final.

Griffin says among the regulations are a ban on burning wooden pallets, a ban on littering and a large "no fire" zone where guns can only be used for hunting.

The regulations can be found at www.knikriver.alaska.gov 
(Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman)