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Juneau Daily News Online

Monday, February 8, 1999  © Alaska Juneau Communications - KINY Radio News

Logs being shipped from Juneau
   First of two loads for Japanese sawmills
For the first time in recent history, a log carrier arrived in Juneau's Gastineau Channel this morning. The Global Dream (left) is here to pick up the first of Goldbelt's timber headed to sawmills in Japan. About a million board feet, according to Corporation Vice President for Lands Dave Goade, who says another vessel will be here in about a month to collect another 750 thousand board feet for that Asian nation. The hemlock was logged in the Davies Creek area on Goldbelt land near Echo Cove at the end of the road.

Yes, even more snow on the way
Another 3 to five inches of snow is in the forecast for Juneau today and tonight after a powdering of about three inches Sunday. A foot of new snow was reported at Eaglecrest overnight leaving 82 inches at the base and 168 inches on top. If you'd like to rate the CBJ and State's snow plowing and removal operations, please click here for the Weekly Poll.

Knowles amplifies budget plan
Governor Knowles revealed additional details during a morning press conference in Juneau today on his plan for an income tax and use of Permanent Fund earnings to bridge a budget shortfall estimated at over a billion dollars. He figures the income tax will produce 350 million dollars in revenue with the lion's share of the burden placed on non-residents working in Alaska. It's estimated that non-residents earned about 800 million dollars in Alaska last year. The Governor also called for a June 1 special election for Alaskans to approve use of the Permanent Fund earnings.

Kerttula says economic summit "top-heavy with industry"
Even though she hopes tomorrow's economic summit will provide a more in-depth look at the state's finances, downtown Juneau Representative Beth Kerttula (left) says she's not holding her breath. She said on her weekly radio program on KINY today that the forum is top-heavy with industry leaders and fears the discussion will focus on how the sky is falling, and little about how industry can take their fair share of the burden. The Governor and the Legislature are jointly sponsoring the forum scheduled for Juneau's Centennial Hall from 8 to 3:30 tomorrow.

UA president hopes education gets fair shake
University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton is hoping the Legislature remembers the importance of higher education and spares the university from budget cuts. He says his budget can be cut, but the schools will suffer. Hamilton points out that the university has been streamlining its expenses for the past decade.

March of Dimes lobbies Legislature
About sixty members of the March of Dimes who attended a volunteer leadership conference in Juneau over the weekend spent today knocking on the doors of lawmakers. In part, its to thank lawmakers for passage of legislation last year that provided health insurance to eleven thousand - 600 children and 800 pregnant women in Alaska. The other reason for their visit, is to continue funding this year, according to March of Dimes State Director Susan Sullivan. Congress made 5 point 6 million dollars available to Alaska last year for the health insurance program. The state matches about a third of that amount, according to Sullivan.

New group organized to help local women
Life Ring, a new support group for women that started operations in Juneau last week, was the topic of discussion on KINY's Capital Chat this morning. Organizer Kathee Hayes (right) says its for homeless, low income and older women who don't have a network of friends in the community. The program meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 to 3 at the Cathedral of the Nativity on 5th Street downtown. Each session will include a lunch prepared on site, discussion groups and presentations. Hayes also wants to start a job component in the future that would allow women to volunteer at various work places around town. Seed money for the program has been provided by the Catholic Diocese of Juneau. For more information on Life Ring call 364-2131 or 586-1513.

Movie projects bring in millions
The Alaska Film Office says video and still photography projects returned an estimated 6 million dollars to the state last year. That included two feature films produced by out-of-state companies and another two features produced by Anchorage-based groups. A crew from Hollywood spent four months in Juneau shooting a film called ``Limbo,'' which is scheduled for screening at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The movie ``Avalanche'' was shot at a number of locations around Southcentral Alaska in November. Release is set for sometime this summer. Anchorage-based CircusFreak Films and Morris Films completed production on two projects last year. Alaska also provided the backdrop for a number of still photography projects.

Snow clogs up ski competition
The first statewide Junior Olympic qualifying race at Eaglecrest Ski Area.Ski was hampered by too much snow over the weekend, according to participants. Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks ski racers are used to hard pack, and the weekend powder was more than they've seen in quite a few years, says ski club coach Jayme Johns. Juneau racer Hilary Turner and Alyeska Ski Club racer Lacy Saugstad had the fastest times in yesterday's women's slalom race, and Juneau's Corey Denton and Zach Turner took the men's race. Hilary Turner and Corey Denton were named Juneau's M-V-P's for the three-day event. Racers will compete in the Junior Olympic Qualifier at Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood February 15 - 21.

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