Juneau Daily News Online

Friday,  February 15, 2002

Thane Road cleared of avalanche debris
Thane road reopened last evening following the early morning avalanche in the "Snowslide Gulch" area. Initially State DOT said the roadway would remain closed until Noon today.

Police Officer Bob Kolvig drove the road after it opened. He said it was a pretty impressive and large wall of snow. The depth was pegged at between 20 to 30 feet. He estimated the width at about 200 yards.

Juneau's electric utility to bury transmission lines in slide area
Alaska Electric, Light and Power plans to place the transmission lines in the Snowslide Gulch area underground this summer. The upper transmission line was knocked out of commission by Thursday morning's avalanche. The utility's David Stone says there were already plans on the books to bury the lines.

In the meantime, the company is conducting an assessment to determine if temporary repairs to the upper transmission line and a tower that was seriously damaged can be done, according to Stone.

Phillips to introduce legislative session move bill
Eagle River Senator Randy Phillips says he'll introduce legislation next week that calls for moving legislative sessions from Juneau by the start of the 2005 session.

His legislation to be designated Senate Bill 303 mirrors a citizen's initiative for the most part. His bill would also move sessions to the Mat Su Borough, or to Anchorage, until facilities are ready in the Mat Su.

The initiative still being processed by the Division of Elections calls for moving sessions beginning next year. If okayed, it would appear on November's General Election ballot.

The Legislature can pre-empt initiatives by approving legislation that is substantially the same. Phillips has introduced similar measures in the pass, including legislation to relocate the capital.

Unemployment increased last month, but ate tied lowest rate for month
Alaska' s unemployment rate rose to 7.5% in January, an increase of one and three tenths percent from December, but it ties 1999 for the lowest rate ever recorded for the month.

State Labor Department economist Dan Robinson says its a big increase, but typical for this time of year. He says expected seasonal slowdowns in major industries drove the increase. The total number of unemployed in Alaska last month was 24,253 compared to 19,640 in December

In the Capital City last month, 961 residents were unemployed which is up from 814 in December. Juneau's unemployment rate last month was six percent. That's up from five percent in December, and little bit lower than the 6.3% recorded in January 2001.

Last month's rate for the Skagway, Angoon, Hoonah census area was 16.2%, up from 12.9% in December and down from 18.4% in January of 2001. The rate in Haines last month was 16% , up from 13.1% in December and down from 17% in January of last year

Anchorage had the lowest rate in the state for January at 4.8% The Wade Hampton census area in the Southwestern portion of the state had the states' highest unemployment rate for the fifth month in a row at 17.7%

Robinson says Sitka was one of the only area in the state that was actually higher than last year. Last month's rate was 7.5%, compared to 7.2% in January 2001.

Shareholders vote to delay cruise line merger
Shareholders of P-and-O Princess Cruises P-L-C voted today to postpone a meeting that would have decided whether to accept a merger with Royal Caribbean Cruises.

That was at least a tactical victory for Carnival Corporation, which made a counter-offer for Princess. Carnival, the world's largest cruise line, has offered 5-point-4 billion dollars for Princess.

When votes were counted on whether to adjourn the shareholders meeting, 62 percent said they wanted more time.

Princess executives say the Royal Caribbean offer is better in the long run. They say Carnival's bid is unlikely to be approved by antitrust authorities. Analysts estimate the Royal Caribbean merger to be worth approximately 3-point7 billion to Princess shareholders.

Among cruise lines, Carnival is biggest, followed by Royal Caribbean and then Princess. All three operate in Alaska waters during the summer.

Builders picked to build fast ferries discuss project on Capital Chat
The owner and general manager of the New York based firmed selected to build fast ferries for the Alaska Marine Highway were among the guests on KINY's Capital Chat Friday.

Paul Derecktor is the owner. He said his shipyard will be the first one in this country to build a vessel of this type and size. He called it a great opportunity.

The contract signed Thursday calls for construction of two fast ferries. Derecktor will begin on the vessel to be deployed on a run between Sitka and Juneau. The other vessel will operate in Prince William Sound between Cordova and Valdez.

Gavin Higgins, the company's general manager, outlined the schedule for the first vessel. He said they'll start cutting aluminum in June with components assembled by the end of next February. At that point the outfitting stage begins. The goal is to launch the boat by September 2003.

The cost of each vessel is about $34 Million. There's an option to build two additional vessels.

Marine Highway Director George Capacci, who joined the company officials on the program, called it an evolution of the system. The vessel's speed will be 32 knots which is about twice the speed of the current fleet.

Ferry back in service
The Prince of Wales ferry is operating once again. The ship was out of service for six days because of electrical problems. It left Ketchikan for Hollis Thursday afternoon after repairs were made and the vessel had sea trials.

The vessel is operated by the Inter-island Ferry Authority. It normally makes one daily round trip between Hollis and Ketchikan.

Modified web site listing sex offenders available to Alaskans
The State of Alaska's Sex Offender Registry Web Site is up and running again in an amended form.

Last month, U. S. District Court Judge H. Russel Holland issued a preliminary injunction preventing the state from forcing offenders to register whose crimes were committed before the program started on August 10th of 1994.

The Department of Public Safety's Tim DeSpain says the register only includes the names of those committing such crimes after that date. He says the site was reactivated Thursday afternoon and is once again available to the public.

The State Department of Law continues to pursue the case that led to the injunction and other similar cases, according to DeSpain.

Airport in Anchorage among first to get government paid screeners
The Anchorage airport will be one of the first to get government employees to conduct passenger and baggage screening. Fifteen airports nationwide are in the first group to get the screeners. The change was made in response to the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Spill reported at Valdez Terminal
The Department of Environmental Conservation is monitoring a diesel fuel spill at the Valdez Petroleum Terminal. The department says an estimated four to five thousand gallons spilled from Tank Number Ten at the terminal. The cause of the spill is under investigation.

Near perfect Boozer leads Blue Devils
Juneau's Carlos Boozer played near-perfect basketball last night as Duke buried 24th-rated North Carolina State 108-to-71.

The former JDHS star shot 13-for-14 from the field and scored a career-high 32 points. Boozer missed his first shot in the opening minute, then proceeded to hit 13 in a row for the first 30-point game of his college career.

Jason Williams added 20 points for Duke, which leads the A-C-C by a half-game over Maryland at 11-and-1.
Duke plays the number three Terrapins Sunday. That game will be heard on KINY.

Bears take on Colony in Homecoming games
Colony provides the competition for the Juneau Douglas Crimson Bears during this weekend's Homecoming.
Tip off for the men's contest tonight and tomorrow is 8 p.m. Those games will be heard on KINY.

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