Juneau Daily News Online

Friday,  February 8, 2002

Yakutat man prosecuted for hoax call
A federal grand jury in Anchorage has indicted a 39-year-old Yakutat resident for allegedly making a false distress call. Arnold Williams has pleaded innocent. Prosecutors say he called the U-S Coast Guard and falsely reported a boat sinking with three people aboard.

Captain Richard Houck, the Chief of Staff of the 17th Coast Guard District in Alaska, says this case is one that needs to be prosecuted. He says there are several hundred cases nationwide every year. The Captain says the false calls prevent their assets from launching on real cases and place their crews and people who really need help in danger.

If convicted, Williams faces a maximum six years in prison. a 250-thousand dollar fine, and restitution of the cost incurred by the Coast Guard. Captain Houck estimated that cost at between $30,000 to $50,000.

Testimony on nature of defendant's character highlights Maad trail
The fraud trial of Anchorage printer Mike Maad continues today in federal court, with witnesses for the defense taking the stand.

Maad is on trial for bank fraud, wire fraud and lying to the government. He operated Frontier Printing Services until the company closed in December.

Judge James Singleton ruled yesterday that Maad's defense attorney cannot question witnesses about Maad's reputation in the community. Assistant U-S attorney Dan Cooper had asked the judge to limit the testimony of character witnesses.

Singleton says witnesses can testify about their impressions of Maad's character, but not about Maad's involvement with local charities and other activities.

Kake Trial plan to emerge from bankruptcy gains approval
A federal bankruptcy judge has approved Kake Tribal Corporation's plan to emerge from bankruptcy. Company officials say the decision handed down this week will allow Kake Tribal to repay creditors millions of dollars and move ahead with new business ventures.

Strong winds packed by "big storm" headed toward Juneau
A storm expected to move into the Gulf of Alaska has spurred the National Weather Service to issue a high wind watch for the Juneau area Saturday and Saturday night.

Forecaster Don Drew says winds to 30 miles per hour with gusts to as high as 60 are expected. He says snow will develop Saturday morning becoming mixed with rain by late afternoon.

He says its a big storm and they may have to be make some adjustments later on, so stay tuned he adds.

Shot day set for Saturday
Super Shot Saturday is scheduled tomorrow. It's .from 10 to 2 at Valley Medical on Hospital Drive.  T

There's always a good turnout so people are asked to plan for at least a half hour, according to Gastineau School Nurse Janet Capito, who was among the guests on KINY's Capital Chat this morning. She said during the last Super Shot Saturday in August they saw over 300 kids and administered nearly 700 shots.

Dr. Amy Dressel said that children should be accompanied by a parent and guardian. Teens can have a note from a parent authorizing the shots. She asked that people remember to bring their children's shot records.

Law firm retained by the Legislature for gas pipeline work
A legislative committee has hired a Washington D-C law firm to represent the Legislature on pipeline issues.

Hogan and Hartson has been hired to a 150-thousand dollar contract by the Joint Committee on Natural Gas Pipelines.

Committee chair John Torgerson said the firm will represent the Legislature before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and advise lawmakers on federal pipeline issues. The contract will run through the current legislative session, which ends this year.

Changes at Pioneers Home in Anchorage ordered
A state licensing official has warned the Anchorage Pioneers' Home to develop a plan for improving patient care. If the state-owned home doesn't, it could face a ban on new admissions.

Gary Ward, the state's supervisor of assisted-living licensing has given the home 90 days to put an improved care plan in place. A report issued by Ward this week detailed a series of problems involving one elderly resident. The care of the man, whose name was not disclosed, was documented on a video camera installed in his room by his daughter.

The state Department of Administration oversees the six Pioneers' Homes. Commissioner Jim Duncan says the Anchorage home has addressed the issues raised in Ward's report. And Duncan says the home will make whatever changes are needed.

Coffee decision under review
Carrs Safeway is taking another look at its decision to replace locally roasted coffee with Starbucks at some of its espresso bars. That after Governor Knowles complained.

Company official Cheri Myers said yesterday that the company is reviewing the decision and will report back to the Governor next week.

The switch includes the company's store in Juneau.

Beautification tax break turns ugly
Kenai Peninsula property owners who beautify their land will not be getting a tax break. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly this week rejected an ordinance that would have given property owners an exemption from tax increases assessed because of beautification projects on their property.

Boozer comes up with double-double in revenge match
Top-ranked Duke avenged its only loss of the year by getting 20 points from Mike Dunleavy in an 80-to-49 blowout of Florida State yesterday. The Blue Devils outscored the Seminoles by 27 in the second half. Juneau's Carlos Boozer had a double - double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Anchorage skier's preliminary run at Olympics delayed
Anchorage Olympian Alan Alborn was expected to be sailing through the air in preliminary competition in the 90-meter ski jump this morning.

But Alborn's event has been delayed indefinitely due to strong winds and blowing snow at the Utah Olympic Park. An Olympic official described it as near whiteout conditions.

Officials will evaluate conditions to determine whether the competition can be held later today.

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