JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE
Tuesday, February 4, 1997 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*Three suspicious packages were found during yesterday's search
of the State Office Building after a bomb threat was phoned in.
Alaska State Trooper Jerry Harris says none of the packages were
threatening, and no bombs were found. Now the Troopers, in
cooperation with the FBI and Juneau Police Department, are asking
for information as to who placed the call notifying officials of
a bomb. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Troopers
or JPD.
*37 year old Chester Floyd was arrested on one count of sexual
assault in the first degree and one count of assault in the third
degree yesterday, after allegedly raping a female acquaintance at
knife point. The woman contacted Juneau Police yesterday, saying
Floyd had entered her house on Sunday, demanded sex, and then
repeatedly raped her at knife point when she refused him. JPD
was able to locate Floyd, arrested him, and took him to the Lemon
Creek Correctional Facility.
*A request for doubled funds from the Youth Activities Board by
Juneau Schools Superintendent Mary Rubadeau was approved for
public hearing at last night's Assembly meeting. Resolution 18-50
had previously allocated $100,000 to the District for youth
activities, but Rubadeau asked for that amount to be raised to
$200,000. The matter will be on the agenda for public hearing
next Monday night in the Assembly Chambers.
*The House State Affairs Committee today approved a bill that
would raise the state's tobacco tax by a dollar, and that would
raise the total tax to a dollar-and-twenty-nine-cents a pack,
making it the highest such tax in the nation. The bill,
sponsored by Anchorage Representative Con Bunde, would raise
about 40 million dollars a year. The bill now moves on to the
House Health and Social Services Committee.
*Governor Knowles was appointed today as vice chairman of the
Western Governors' Association, and is in line to lead the 18
state organization next year. The association is devoted to
advocating western issues, and Knowles says he will continue to
push education, improving the economy and pursuing
environmentally responsible resource management. The WGA will
meet in Anchorage in June 1998.
*100 students who meet the criteria will be awarded round trip
travel scholarships, from the Alaska Airline serviced city
nearest their home, to the University of Alaska campus of their
choice. The scholarships were donated by Alaska Airlines, and
are intended to assist graduating high school seniors meet their
financial needs and get an education. A system wide university
committee will determine who the recipients are.