JUNEAU DAILY NEWS MINUTE
Wednesday, February 5, 1997 (c) Alaska Juneau Communications
*The House Rules Committee yesterday recommended a $1,000 fine
against Republican Representative Jerry Sanders for failing to
cooperate with an ethics investigation. Other sanctions that
were recommended include banning him from out of state
legislative travel in 1997, requiring he select the non-accountable
option for office accounts, have him attend ethics
training and requiring him to adopt and post the ethics statute
in his office. The House was expected to address the sanctions
during today's floor session.
*Testimony was heard on two tobacco tax increase bills in the
Senate Health and Social Services Committee this morning.
Supporters of the bills told the Senate panel that higher tobacco
taxes will discourage teens from smoking. The bills, sponsored
by Senators Bert Sharp of Fairbanks and Johnny Ellis of
Anchorage, would raise taxes by more than a dollar a pack.
*Only the Canadian Snowbirds have been booked for the Southeast
Alaska Regional Air show, that comes from Air show coordinator
George Bonnet. Reports last week from another individual
involved with the show said that there were more participants,
but that is not so. Bonnet says they have asked other flight
teams to participate, but have not received answers from them.
The Air show is scheduled for May 10 and 11.
*National Burn Awareness week is upon us, and State Fire Marshal
Craig Goodrich wants parents statewide to take the time to talk
to your kids about how to avoid getting burned. Turning down the
temperature of your hot water heater, turning pot handles in over
the stove top, and keeping children away from areas where hot
foods or liquids are being served or prepared are just a few ways
to avoid injuries.
*With 57 channels currently in the line-up, Alaska Cable Network
is thinking about adding two more. Northwest Cable News, which
is a CNN style news channel based in Seattle, and KSTW, the
Tacoma, Washington CBS affiliate, are being considered for
addition. Leah Ike, general manager for ACN, says they get
requests for more channels, but cannot add any more right now,
unless they lay out additional money for upgrading.
*Comtech 97 gets underway tomorrow morning at both the ANB Hall
and Centennial Hall. The event is a way for residents of the
Capital City to see the latest in computer technology. Local and
national vendors are slated to be there, and the highlight of the
show will be the Technology Olympics on Friday night. You can
compete in the wastebasket paper toss, and paper clip sculpture,
to name a few areas of competition.