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Duty station bill
would keep governor in Juneau
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)- A Senate committee has advanced a measure
that would make clear the governor's place is in Juneau.
Supporters say there are no current provisions requiring a
governor live in the capital city during his or her term or stay
at the governor's mansion.
The bill makes explicit that a governor's "duty station"
-- where he or she spends the majority of time to fulfill the
office's duties -- is Juneau.
The measure also would not allow a governor to claim a lodging
allowance when staying in his or her personal residence outside
Juneau.
A deputy commissioner with the Department of Administration says
the state typically pays any travel for a governor, and this bill
would not change that.
The measure now goes to the Judiciary Committee.
Notices going out
over lost data
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Letters should start going out by Friday
to the more than 77,000 current and former public employees whose
personal information was lost by the accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
That update given to the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday
comes nearly two weeks after the state announced it had reached a
settlement with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Senior assistant attorney general Ed Sniffen attributed the lag to
logistics, such as getting call centers set up.
The letters are intended to alert those affected to the credit
protection services available to them under the settlement.
Sniffen says the agreement still allows for individuals to make
claims against the firm and even the state, though he said
PricewaterhouseCoopers would indemnify the state for any related
claims.
Lawmakers await
clarity on corporate campaigning
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A formal legal analysis is expected soon on
how a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision affects Alaska campaign
finance laws.
Lawmakers have been quizzing state lawyers for guidance so
campaign laws can be updated, if necessary, in advance of
elections later this year.
Deputy Attorney General Craig Tillery says he hopes the analysis
will be done within a week.
The court threw out part of a federal law that allowed banning
corporations from independently spending their money to urge how
to vote on specific candidates, which Alaska had banned outright.
That kind of third-party political spending is now a form of
protected free speech.
Report predicts construction
decline
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Researchers at the University of Alaska
Anchorage predict a 3 percent decline in construction this year in
the state.
A report from the university's Institute of Social and Economic
Research says the overall decline is mostly due to slower
home-building and commercial projects.
Road-building remains relatively strong.
The Anchorage Daily News reports construction accounts for about
one in every 20 jobs in Alaska.
(Anchorage Daily News)
Rural oil and gas prices remain
high
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The state Division of Community and
Regional Affairs reports heating oil and gas prices in rural
Alaska remain more than 30 percent higher than they were five
years ago.
The division reports that adds to the problems villages face in
providing basic services.
The Alaska Federation of Natives leaders told state lawmakers they
support an energy bill.
Among other things, The Anchorage Daily News reports, it would
create a state Energy Department.
General fund eyed
for scholarship proposal
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Sean Parnell is proposing the $400
million for his scholarship program come from the state's general
fund, instead of reserves.
In unveiling his scholarship proposal last year, Parnell called
for setting aside $400 million from reserves to generate earnings
for tuition assistance.
But in a recent spending bill to the Legislature, his
administration proposed the money come from the general fund.
A Parnell spokeswoman attributed the change Thursday to
higher-than-expected revenue estimates.
A senior economist with the Office of Management and Budget said
the money would shift from the general fund to savings and
conceptually have the same effect as the first proposal.
Gov. Parnell not
in favor of Alaska seceding from U.S.
Governor Sean Parnell says he does not support the state of Alaska
seceding from the United States.
While a guest on KJNO's Action Line with host Murray Walsh
yesterday (Wednesday) a caller from Sitka told the governor that
she's been hearing more and more talk lately about the state
seceding from the union.
The caller said she was interested in Alaska leaving the union
because she has $1,500 in unpaid parking tickets in Colorado and,
because of that, she can't get a driver's license in Alaska.
The governor did not mentioned her predicament specifically, but
did say he would like to see much less federal encroachment on
state's right's.
Parnell said he does not support Alaska leaving the union.
The Governor said he's sworn to uphold and "will live and
die" by the state and federal constitutions.
Parnell said there are many avenues to fight federal encroachment
including legislation, litigation, the regulatory environment and
the power of the ballot box.
Gatt leads Yukon
Quest
EAGLE, Alaska (AP) — Musher Hans Gatt has nearly a three-hour
lead this morning, leaving the Dawson City stopover in the Yukon
Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Gatt won four ounces of Klondike placer gold by arriving first at
Dawson Wednesday for the mandatory 36-hour rest.
He's followed by Lance Mackey and Hugh Neff on the 1,000-miles
race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse.
Case of
missing nose under investigation by JPD
Juneau Police are nosing around looking for more information on a
case involving a 40 year old Juneau man who is missing the tip of
his nose.
Police responded to that report at about 2 a.m. Tuesday
and are investigating the possibility it was bitten off due to the
nature of the wound.
Capital City Fire Rescue took the man to the hospital where he was
treated.
He was uncooperative and would not tell officers what had
happened, however he did say he was assaulted by one or more
people.
Officers located the missing piece of the nose in the downtown
Marine Park area and rushed it to hospital staff to evaluate
whether or not it could be reattached.
The case is under investigation as a possible felony assault due
to the level of the injury.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Juneau Crime Line
at 586-4243.
State Troopers
seize booze headed for Angoon
The Alaska State Troopers say two Angoon residents were caught
trying to bring alcohol into the dry community of Angoon.
On February 5th, State Troopers in Juneau say they received
information that two vehicles would be traveling from Juneau to
Angoon on the Alaska Marine Highway and they would be transporting
alcohol to Angoon.
On February 6th, after the ferry docked in Angoon, State Troopers
and the Angoon VPSO, met with 23 year-old Chenara Kookesh and 29
year-old Travis See and conducted warranted searches on their
vehicles.
Troopers say items seized from the vehicles in the search included 12
bottles of whiskey, 9 bottles of vodka, 6 cases of beer, a bottle
of rum and a bottle of schnapps.
Charges are being forwarded to the District Attorneys Office in
Sitka.
Advocacy group
sues over psychiatric medication
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A mental health advocacy group is suing
more than a dozen Alaska child psychologists, alleging they
overprescribe medication for children and have committed Medicaid
fraud.
The Anchorage Daily News reports that the lawsuit by the Law
Project for Psychiatric Rights was filed in federal court several
months ago but only unsealed in January.
The organization is led by Anchorage attorney Jim Gottstein.
Some of the defendants in the case tell the newspaper that
Gottstein's advocacy group does not understand the science behind
using the medications.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News
No audio, video
recording allowed at Palin speech
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Want to record Sarah Palin's speech
when the former Republican vice presidential nominee comes to
Arkansas next week?
Thanks, but no thanks, organizers say.
The Arkansas Republican Party said Thursday that no video or audio
recordings will be allowed at Verizon Arena when the former Alaska
governor headlines a North Little Rock fundraiser next week.
The rule applies to both audience members and the media, the
party's executive director says.
Arkansas Republican Party Executive Director Chase Dugger says the
rule was requested by the Washington Speakers Bureau, which
arranged the event. The party is paying an undisclosed fee for
Palin to speak.
Palin, who is a paid contributor to Fox News, has been traveling
the country and promoting her recently published memoir.
She recently told the channel it would be "absurd" for
her not to consider running for president in 2012.
Domestic violence
assault in Sleetmute
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska state troopers say a man
attacked another man with a knife or hatchet in Sleetmute, which
is about 150 miles northeast of Bethel.
Troopers in Aniak responded to a domestic violence assault early
Wednesday and arrested 19-year-old Colten Evan Zauker on charges
that included attempted murder.
The Anchorage Daily News reports he's held without bail in the
Yukon-Kuskokwim Correctional Center in Bethel.
The victim was taken to Anchorage for treatment.
Troopers say alcohol was involved.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News
Man gets 6 years
in Soldotna drug death
KENAI, Alaska (AP) — A 24-year-old man who supplied the heroin
that killed another man in Soldotna will serve six years in
prison.
The Peninsula Clarion newspaper reports a judge also mandated
Wednesday that Thayr Watson apply to participate in a substance
abuse treatment program.
Watson earlier pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.
Watson was charged in the death of Jason McCafferty, whose
lifeless body was found in the bathroom of a Soldotna grocery
store in August 2008. Authorities say he ingested heroin sold to
him by Watson.
Soldotna police said Watson was tied to the death through
surveillance tapes, cell phone records and personal records.
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Information from: Peninsula Clarion
Homeless man
lured into vehicle, beaten
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Anchorage police say a homeless man was
lured into a car, beaten and robbed of his jacket and shoes.
Police say a carload of people Tuesday night in east Anchorage
offered Alfonzo Cano a ride to a grocery store.
Cano, who said he was drunk, got into the back seat of the
light-colored Chevrolet Suburban with six occupants.
He says the driver stopped after going only a block. He told
police the occupants pulled him from the vehicle, beat him and
stole his leather jacket, shoes and cash.
He was left by the side of the road. Cano called police but
officers could not find the attackers.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News
Gatt reaches Dawson City
in Yukon Quest
EAGLE, Alaska (AP) — Veteran Hans Gatt is the first musher to
reach Dawson City, Yukon Territory, in the Yukon Quest
International Sled Dog Race.
Gatt reached Dawson at 6:05 p.m. Yukon time on Wednesday with 13
dogs.
Gatt was one of four race leaders who left Eagle within seven
minutes of each other shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday on the trail
over the Yukon River.
Race officials say Gatt rested at the Canadian border for about
three hours, then passed Lance Mackey and Hugh Neff, who were
resting at Forty Mile.
As the first musher to Dawson City, Gatt wins four ounces of
Klondike placer gold -- if he completes the race.
Mackey was keeping pace in second place and Neff was in third.
The 1,000-mile race began Saturday in Fairbanks.
The finish line is in Whitehorse.
Discovery
Channel: "Deadliest Catch" captain dies
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A spokesman for The Discovery Channel
says the captain of the "Deadliest Catch" fishing vessel
Cornelia Marie has died.
Capt. Phil Harris suffered what his family described as a massive
stroke on Jan. 29 while the boat was in port at St. Paul Island,
Alaska.
The 53-year-old fisherman was flown to Anchorage for
surgery.
A Discovery spokesman says the Harris family contacted the network
Tuesday evening with word of his death.
Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman issued a statement
on behalf of Harris' sons, Jake and Josh It says in part, "It
is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad - Captain
Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be
until the end."
In the network's own statement, Hillman says, "We will miss
his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous
heart."
She said no additional information was immediately available.
The Discovery Channel reality show depicts the crab fishing
industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.
Harris' fishing vessel was based in Seattle.
Judge again
declines new trial for Kott
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A federal judge has declined to review
his decision to deny a new trial for former Alaska state Rep. Pete
Kott on corruption charges.
U.S. District Judge John Sedwick said Monday that he won't
reconsider his Jan. 13 ruling denying Kott a new trial or
dismissal of charges.
In his ruling, Sedwick said new information that surfaced the day
after his January decision was insignificant.
Kott, who is appealing his case, has argued that federal
prosecutors improperly withheld information he could have used in
his defense at his 2007 trial.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News
Senate
majority wants more capital spending
BECKY BOHRER - Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Members of Alaska's Senate majority would
like to spend more than $100 million on community capital
projects. They see that as the limit the governor has asked them
to stay under.
Senate President Gary Stevens said lawmakers agreed last year to
hold back on capital requests because of state budget
uncertainties. But a recent revised revenue forecast, cited by the
Parnell administration, projects a surplus of more than $2.2
billion for the fiscal year ending June 30, largely due to higher
than expected oil prices.
Members of the Senate bipartisan working group agree with Parnell
that $1.5 billion is off limits, reserved for education and paying
back a debt to a reserve fund.
But Stevens said many lawmakers would like to see four to five
times the $100 million spent on local projects.
Parnell told
reporters later that he wasn't governor last year and he's
preaching restraint this year despite the surplus revenues.
Still, he says, his proposed capital budget is significantly
higher than the one last year.
Man convicted of
Anchorage murder
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Anchorage man who shot his sister's
boyfriend has been convicted of second-degree murder.
A jury in Anchorage convicted 29-year-old Keane "Alex"
Crawford on Monday in the December 2008 death of 40-year-old
Anthony Brown.
Prosecutors say Crawford and Brown got into a fight while drinking
at Brown's home.
The Anchorage Daily News reports Crawford acted as his own
attorney.
He'll be sentenced May 21.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News,
Matanuska
overhaul delay causes schedule changes
The Alaska Marine Highway has had to adjust vessel schedules.
Roger Wetherell of State DOT explains that the Matanuska was a
little late coming out of a six week overhaul period.
As a result, they had to juggle schedules with the Taku and
Malaspina. Wetherell e says they don't believe it had any impact
on any previously made reservations of people with staterooms or
vehicles, but they are taking a close look.
The Matanuska was scheduled to return February 2nd but was delayed
until the 5th.
Juneau dealer: Full Impact
of Toyota problems on Juneau just a guess at this point
What's been the impact of Toyota's troubles in Juneau?
We put that question to Steve Allwine of Mendenhall Auto Center,
who says he doesn't exactly know how many impacted owners he'll
have since they purchased the dealership in recent years.
He doesn't have a sense how many units there are in operation at
this time. "I don't even have a guess," he says.
Allwine says Toyota has been very supportive of dealerships and
their customers.
He says they'll advising people to wait until they receive
notification from Toyota before coming in.
Alaska Guard squadron trains in
Puerto Rico
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Air National Guard members are
in Puerto Rico for a two-week training deployment.
The 45 members of the 176th Civil Engineer Squadron are honing a
variety of technical specialties in infrastructure projects and
repair jobs at the Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen.
Officials say the guard members are practicing their skills and
training new members while helping the Coast Guard with needed
improvements.
The unit flew to the U.S. territory over the weekend and began
their assignment on Monday.
Top Quest mushers prepare to
leave Dawson
EAGLE, Alaska (AP) — Veteran Hans Gatt will have a nearly
three-hour lead in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race
when he's able to take off again just after 6 a.m. Friday from
Dawson City, Yukon Territory.
Gatt at 6:02 p.m. Wednesday was the first musher into Dawson,
where there's a mandatory 36-hour layover.
As the first musher to Dawson, Gatt will take home four ounces of
Klondike placer gold if he completes the entire race.
Lance Mackey was second to Dawson at 8:49 p.m. Yukon time. Hugh
Neff arrived third, 15 minutes after Mackey.
The 1,000-mile race began Saturday in Fairbanks.
The finish line is in Whitehorse.
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