Senate admonishes Palin's husband, aides
By ANNE SUTTON - Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska Senate has found Gov. Sarah Palin's husband Todd, and nine state employees in contempt for ignoring subpoenas to testify in the Legislature's Troopergate investigation.

However, senators will seek no punishments.

A Senate resolution passed Friday says the witnesses were in contempt last fall when they failed to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee in an abuse of power investigation of Palin.

The witnesses later provided written testimony.

The investigation was launched over Palin's firing of her former public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan.

Palin initially said she would cooperate fully but that changed after she was named to be the running mate of John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee.

AEL&P requests 14.4 cent emergency rate hike
Residential customers of Juneau's electric utility can expect to see a 14.4 cent hike in their bills starting this month.

Alaska, Electric, Light and Power, filed it's Emergency Cost of Power Adjustment with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska yesterday. (Thursday)

AEL&P's Scott Willis says the E-COPA, for the diesel fuel used during January's avalanche repair, is 14.4 cents per kilowatt hour and will be in effect for one month.

For residential customers, adding the E-COPA rate to the normal winter rate of 9.6 cents will result in a total rate of 24 cents.

Willis says just over 1.5 million gallons of diesel fuel costing $3.8 million was used during the three weeks the Snettisham hydro-power plant was off line.

He says after the one month billing period with the fuel surcharge, rates will return to their pre-avalanche level.

For residential customers, that's just under 10 cents per  kilowatt hour.  

Customers in different billing cycles have different billing periods.  Rate payers can find their billing periods on AEL&P’s web site at www.aelp.com   Customers just need their account number to determine their billing period.

Lake Dorothy hydro project scheduled to serve Juneau by Fall
The Lake Dorothy hydroelectric project will start serving Juneau this Fall.

It will help in the event of future avalanches along the line to the Snettisham hydro plant, according to Scott Willis of Alaska Electric, Light and Power.

He says Lake Dorothy will only share the last third of the Snettisham line. It ties in for the last ten miles. So it bypasses the first 30 miles including the avalanche prone area.

Slides there January 12 and last April 16th knocked the line to the hydro plant to Snettisham out of commission.

If Lake Dorothy would have been on line for the latest disruption, Willis says it would have made a big difference by reducing the need for diesel by 40 percent.

It will come on-line in September or October, he says, depending on what kind of construction season it turns out to be.

Plans call for community garden downtown in conjunction with transportation center
A second community garden may be in Juneau's future and this one would be located downtown.

That was disclosed by Darren Snyder, the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Agent in Juneau who says they the city and borough is offering the top of Telephone Hill.

Snyder called it a "prime location" as far as sun exposure goes.

He says it would be located adjacent to and even with the new parking garage and transit center.

Synder says what will hopefully happen now is that people will be able to park in the garage and walk over the garden.

He says the garden would cover two full lots.

Snyder was a guest on KINY's Capital Chat Friday.

Funding for new IBU contract before Legislature
A long awaited new contract for members of the Inlandboatman's Union is now awaiting legislative approval.

Members overwhelmingly ratified the proposed three year pact recently.

It calls for a lump sum payment of $2,137 this fiscal year; a five percent salary increase in Fiscal Year 10; and a four percent hike in Fiscal Year 11.

It also calls for a $16 a month increase in the state's cost for health coverage which will bring the total to $868 a month.

Daryl Tseu, the union's regional director, says the increase, does not keep pace with the rise in health care costs since the expiration of their previous contract in 2007.

He says the ratification vote was 262 in favor and 59 against.

Docks and Harbors Board approves CIP list
The CBJ Docks and Harbors Board of Directors has approved an additional $64,865 for mercury testing at Douglas Harbor.

The testing is required by state regulatory agencies.

Port Director John Stone says that will bring the total spent on just mercury testing and permitting close to $300,000.

The results of the tests will show if they can dispose of dredge spoils in the water rather than trucking them to a remote site or transporting them out of state.

He says they're still hopeful that they can get a bid out this summer and start the reconstruction project next winter to have the project completed and new floats in place in the spring of 2010.

The board approved an amendment to the cooperative agreement with the Department of Fish and Game that would add $93,000 in state money to replace a section of the float at Taku Harbor.

The Board also approved a 2010 capital improvement plan.

This list includes four harbor projects.

One is the Douglas Harbor rebuild, the second is a Statter Harbor rebuild including a new launch ramp, the third is Aurora harbor and the fourth is Taku Harbor float.

For Aurora Harbor, Stone says, the board is looking to replace the whole harbor starting with the wharf sections and then over time getting to the sections that are in a little better shape.

Stone says the harbor's days are limited and the wear and tear is starting to show.

Stone says the CIP list for the docks includes more money for cruise ship dock improvements, specifically trying to address the short berths by building ones with panamax capacity.

The 2010 capital improvement plan will be submitted to the Assembly.

Proposal made to hike waste disposal fee by a buck to cover paper & cardboard shipping
A possible answer has been put forth on how the City and Borough of Juneau can cover the cost of transporting paper and cardboard to the Lower 48.

The recycling center in Seattle where it's sent now is no longer paying for it.

It costs about $8,000 to ship the material there each month, according to City Manager Rod Swope.

He's told by Waste Management that  one of the solutions would be to charge Juneau residents an additional dollar to dispose of the mixed paper and cardboard.

Swope says the only concern he has is that it wouldn't be recycled, but rather end up in someone else's landfill instead of  Juneau's.

The dollar would be tacked on to the waste disposal fee  which appears on the monthly water and sewer bills paid by property owners and businesses.

Swope will now report back to the Assembly on that possible approach for covering the cost.  The Assembly asked staff during Monday's meeting to come back with possible solutions.

Palin, Ramras engaged in flap over aid to villages
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Questions over how much state assistance has gone to Alaska villages needing food and energy relief has become a public flap between Republicans Gov. Sarah Palin and Rep. Jay Ramras.

Ramras, of Fairbanks, says Palin has created a "vacuum of leadership" by not providing state transportation assets to move donated food to Emmonak and other Western Alaska communities hurt by a poor fishing season and the high costs of energy.

Ramras said it took "much pleading" for the state to offer a small plane to move more than two tons of food from Bethel to the impacted area.

Palin counters that the state is providing relief, including planes to move food. She says she was disappointed that he didn't bring the issue to her office, and instead is playing "politics as usual."

Ramras responded by saying Palin's efforts to cast him as politicizing the situation are "fool-hardy and Clinton-esque."

He says he's not playing politics when he says she has a lack of leadership in this issue. He says because of that lack of attention, the state has taken weeks too long to provide assistance.

Oil giant will not register lobbyists
By ANNE SUTTON - Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - One of three oil giants doing business in Alaska will not be registering its employees as lobbyists with the state this year, even when they're in Juneau.

ConocoPhillips says it's limiting involvement in the 2009 legislative session to avoid reporting requirements that it describes as excessively burdensome.

Lobbyists do not have to register if they spend less than ten hours in a 30 day period pushing their company's position on legislative issues.

While Conoco may be following the state's reporting laws, some lawmakers question whether the company is following the spirit of the laws, which is to let the public know how state business is being conducted.

Sen. Hollis French, an Anchorage Democrat, says the public deserves to know who is lobbying in the building and how much that company is spending on lobbying.   

Tremors continue at Mount Redoubt
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The ebb and flow of earthquakes continue at Alaska's Mount Redoubt but no eruption has occurred.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory on Friday afternoon said that seismic events had increased for a couple of hours and remained elevated.

Cameras did not show anything unusual outside the volcano.

Magma gases and liquid fracture rock as they force their way to the surface, causing earthquakes. The observatory nearly two weeks ago noticed a sharp increase in tremors in the volcano about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage and warned an eruption could be imminent.

Alaska volcanoes typically start with an explosion that can shoot ash into the jet stream. Particulate can damage breathing passages and stop engines.

State continues hepatitis B vaccine program
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The state's Health Department will continue offering free hepatitis B shots to high-risk adults.

The program is funded with a federal grant and covers the costs for a three-shot series. The department says it expects vaccines to be available into next year.

Ginger Provo, the state's adult hepatitis program coordinator, says vaccine coverage among high-risk adults remains low.

The state defines high risk as those who have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease, those with multiple sex partners, men who have sex with men, those with HIV and people who inject street drugs.

Palin names Tok woman to Board of Game
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - The newest member of the Alaska Board of Game has strong ties to sport hunters.

Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday appointed 45-year-old Teresa Sager-Albaugh of Tok to the board that regulates hunting and trapping.

Sager-Albaugh is a former president of the Alaska Outdoors Council, a federation of outdoors' clubs and the official state association of the National Rifle Association.

Palin appointed Sager-Albaugh to the board one year ago but she withdrew her name from consideration.

The board would have been without an Alaska Native since it was created in 1975.

After Sager-Albaugh withdrew, Palin appointed Craig Fleener of Fort Yukon, who has since been named director of the state Division of Subsistence.
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

Palin rails against 'anonymous, pathetic bloggers
NEW YORK (AP) - Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is still mad at media coverage of her candidacy, particularly "anonymous, pathetic bloggers" who she says spread falsehoods about her.

The Alaska governor also says she's addicted to Carmex lip balm, grew up playing flute and trombone, and says sports taught her everything she knows.

She shared those and other insights in the March issue of Esquire magazine

In the interview, Palin, who rocketed to fame as John McCain's running mate in last year's election, reiterated her complaints about media coverage of the campaign.

Palin also reiterated her wish that she had had more input on strategy during the campaign.

Palin also said in that interview that  her daughter's name comes from Bristol, Conn., home of the sports network ESPN.

When she was in high school,  Palin said she wanted to be a sportscaster and was disappointed to learn where ESPN was located.

The Alaska governor says Connecticut was too far away. So instead, she says, she named her daughter Bristol.

Palin says she's still angry with the media over questions about whether her 9-month-old son, Trig, is actually the child of 18-year-old Bristol.

When the McCain campaign announced in September that Bristol was pregnant, it was in part to end rumors about Trig. Bristol's son was born in December.

The new Esquire hits newsstands Feb. 16.

---
On the Net:
www.esquire.com   

Anchorage man gets 25 years for kidnapping
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An Anchorage man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the kidnapping and assault of two women.

Doug McClain was convicted of kidnapping, assault and misconduct involving a weapon.

Prosecutors say McClain and two others tortured two women in a trailer in the Muldoon neighborhood in April 2007. Prosecutors say the two victims had stolen a gun, a small amount of money and crack cocaine from the defendants.

One victim, authorities say, was tortured and raped, and the other was also beaten before escaping and alerting police.

64 felony sexual abuse counts filed against Anchorage man
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A 46-year-old Anchorage man faces 64 felony counts of sexual abuse charges.

Dana Thompson was indicted Wednesday on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, unlawful exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.

Anchorage Police say Thompson kept a girl as a sex slave on and off for nearly four years.

Police say Thompson named the girl his "little slave" through late spring of 2008.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Anchorage man gets 57 months for firearms crime
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A 22-year-old Anchorage man received a 57-month sentence in federal court for his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Antoni Damian Peralta was also ordered to forfeit a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and ammunition.

Three years ago, Peralta was sentenced for felony crimes of second degree robbery, first degree vehicle theft and first degree failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer.

In May 2008, police working a gang suppression assignment stopped a vehicle with four passengers, including Peralta.

Upon searching him, police found a handgun with an empty chamber but the magazine contained seven rounds.

Lady Bears nail down another road win
The Lady Crimson Bears' basketball team continued their winning ways during its road trip up north Thursday night.

They demolished Service 81 to 26. That follows Wednesday's victory over Wasilla 47 to 37.

On tap today is West Anchorage.

The team moves to the Mat Su Borough Saturday to take on Colony.

The men Crimson Bears host Eagle River tonight and Saturday.  Tip off both nights  on KINY is at 8.

The Junior Varsity squad hosts Sitka both evenings at 6:15.

Bartlett Regional Hospital's Kids Safe set for Saturday
Kids Safe sponsored by Bartlett Regional Hospital is coming up Saturday.

It's scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centennial Hall.

The hospital's Michelle Casey says over 30 groups will present a variety of safety topics.

The police department is bringing a patrol cruiser.

The Fire Department plans to have an ambulance and its fire safety house there.

The Coast Guard will bring  its safety boat and Coastie The Robot.

There will also be finger printing and photo I-D's will be available along with growth and height charts.

Registration begins at 9:30 and classes start at ten. Casey says classes will start every half hour.

There's no age limit and no cost to participants.

For additional information call Casey at 796-8900.