After reconsideration, House accepts changed retirement plan
JUNEAU (AP) - The state House today (Friday) approved a contentious retirement bill that members rejected the day before.

The difference today was an amendment offered by Juneau Valley Representative Bruce Weyhrauch that would give future employees the option to choose the privatized retirement investment accounts that are part of the proposed defined contribution system.

The optional plan was inserted into the bill by a narrow 21-19 margin.

That change was apparently enough to satisfy a majority of the House.

The bill that passed last night 17-to-23 passed today 24-to-16.

But whether that change survives is another question. Senate leaders have pushed the House strongly to vote to switch the state's retirement systems over to a defined contribution plan. They say the employees' option is not an option for them.

The bill, when it moves out of the House, has to be voted in the Senate for concurrence. The final version of the bill will likely take shape in a conference committee between the House and Senate.

High school rumors not true, no weapon or threats specific threats found
Classes at Juneau Douglas High School and Marie Drake will continue as scheduled today. [Friday]

Juneau Police are continuing their investigation of a threatening message that was found in a girl's restroom at the high school Wednesday.

The message indicated that someone was going to bring a gun to school.

Superintendent Peggy Cowan says they have not discovered who made the threat.

Cowan says several rumors making the rounds are not true.

No weapons have been found in either high school building. And there have been no threats against any particular student or group, nor is there a list.

She says school proceeded on a normal schedule yesterday and will do so again today.

There is increased security.

Students will need to use the main entrances to both the high school and Marie Drake and police will be patrolling.  

There will also be an increased adult presence with staff and administrators from around the district at the high school.

Cowan says student attendance was down yesterday at the high school with a number of parents electing to keep their children home. But classes continued as usual with the security measures in place.

She is encouraging students to talk to parents about any concerns and to report those concerns to the police, high school office or any adult at the high school. 

Harmon guilty of 2nd degree murder
The jury has returned a verdict in the trial of 26 year-old James Harmon.

Harmon has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of 19-year-old Maggie Wigen at Tenakee Springs two years ago.

The trial lasted two weeks and the jury deliberated for three days but could not reach agreement on the 1st degree murder charge.

Harmon was also found guilty of first-degree sexual assault, second-degree theft and first-degree attempted sexual assault.

Ketchikan Superior Court Judge Trevor Stephens scheduled a hearing for May 17th to set a date for sentencing.

The maximum sentence for 2nd degree murder is the same as 1st degree murder- 99 years in prison.

Wigen's body was found buried in an earth dam on April 1st, 2003 near her cabin on the island community 45 miles southwest of Juneau.

Assessment appeals to number about 500
The deadline for appealing CBJ property tax assessments was Thursday.

Finance Director Craig Duncan figures they'll end up with around 500.

He says that's a larger number than filed in recent years, but comparable to the number filed in the late 90s and 2000.

He says the really only unusual thing this year is that there are more appeals being filed on commercial properties.

Normally around 90 percent of the appeals are resolved by the Assessor with the balance going to the Assembly sitting as the Board of Equalization.

That meeting is scheduled for May 19th.  Duncan says they may have to schedule another meeting or two depending on the number of appeals still unresolved and the time he takes to get through them.

There was generally a big spike in the assessed value of property this year. That has led the Assembly Finance Committee to embrace a mill rate decrease to help offset the increased assessments.

Senate Finance Committee nears completion of capital budget
JUNEAU (AP) - The Senate Finance Committee neared completion of its work on the state capital budget last night (Thursday).

The finance committee worked on the capital budget most of the afternoon and into the evening.

The committed added and removed millions in proposed projects and considered more than 90 amendments.

It adjourned around 9 p-m, about 15 minutes before the House of Representatives rejected a new retirement system for public employees and teachers.

The proposal still requires a procedural vote before moving out of the House.

Some Republicans and Democrats have speculated that senators pushing the retirement system change have used projects in the capital budget to leverage votes for the retirement plan.

Senate Finance Co-chairwoman Lyda Green, a Wasilla Republican, says she will not move the budget bill out of her committee until the House approves the retirement bill.

The committee is expected to release an updated draft of the spending proposal today (Friday).

Legislature to enter pipeline rules case
The state Legislature plans to enter into a case appealing the new federal rules on accessing an Alaska gas pipeline.

The state Legislative Budget and Audit Committee this morning (Friday) approved filing a motion to intervene in the appeal by ChevronTexaco Natural Gas. That appeal was filed last month in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

ChevronTexaco is appealing the rules laid out by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in February. Those rules are meant to ensure competition for capacity is fair when smaller companies seek access to the proposed pipeline.

ChevronTexaco is one of four North Slope oil companies that have asked the federal court to review the FERC's rules. Assistant Attorney General Wilson Condon says ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil and B-P also have filed appeals. He says the state has filed as an intervener in all four appeals.

Donald Shepler, the committee's Washington, D-C, attorney, says he plans to file the motion by Monday.

Filing as an intervener means the Legislature will receive anything filed in that case or any other appeal in the future. 

Committee drops provision to pull gas leases
JUNEAU - The Senate Resources Committee has temporarily killed a proposal aimed at pressuring oil companies to produce a gas pipeline.

Last week a bill that expands tax credits for oil exploration projects was amended on the House floor.

The amended version gives the state the authority to determine what is a reasonable profit for the gas within state land leased to oil companies.

If the companies fail to produce the gas and the state determines there is a reasonable profit to be made the state could pull the land leases.

In the Senate Resources Committee this week, lawmakers voted to table the land lease provision and forward the tax credit.

Senate Resources Chair Tom Wagoner says the land lease provision will remain in his committee for the rest of the session.

But he says if a gas pipeline looks stalled, the bill could move forward next year.

House approves transportation package
JUNEAU (AP) - The House Thursday passed a 98 (m) million dollar transportation package.

The bill had grown to more than 200 (m) million dollars yesterday as House members added on road projects for various districts.

But yesterday, House Finance Co-Chair Kevin Meyer presented a new version that totaled about 98 (m) million dollars and seemed to satisfy most members.

The measure, considered one of the funding mechanisms for next year's capital budget, passed 31-4 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The transportation projects are to be paid for with GARVEE bonds, with which the state borrows against future federal highway money.

Meyer says the new version strips several road projects that would have been related to a North Slope gas pipeline. He says with no contract proposal in hand to construct a pipeline, building those roads may be premature.

Senate rejects ethics bill amendment
JUNEAU (AP) - The state Senate voted Thursday) to impose a five-thousand dollar fine for filing an ethics complaint against a public official and making the complaint public.

Anchorage Democrat Senator Hollis French offered an amendment to the ethics bill to remove the confidentiality provision.

But the amendment died on a party line vote of eight-to-11.

Fairbanks Republican Senator Ralph Seekins says the confidentiality clause would protect public officials' reputations from frivolous complaints. He says the complaints can be used as a political weapon.

The ethics bill was filed in response to alleged ethics violations by former Attorney General Gregg Renkes.

Renkes resigned in February after an ethics complaint was filed against him for allegedly using his position to promote a business deal for a company he owned stock in.

French says the bill violates freedom of speech rights guaranteed in the U-S Constitution.
The bill is set for a final vote in the Senate today. (Friday).

Workers compensation bill held up in House Judiciary
JUNEAU (AP) - Just a few hours after Governor Murkowski said he was pleased to see his bill to overhaul workers compensation moving through the Legislature again, the House Judiciary Committee held up the bill.

Eagle River Representative Pete Kott says he wants the governor to agree to NOT try to change the bill, which has been rewritten.

Murkowski has called the measure ``must-pass'' legislation.

At a news conference earlier today the governor said he was pleased the House Labor and Commerce Committee had approved the bill, although he was not pleased with some changes -- including deleting a provision to create a commission to hear workers appeals.

The appeals commission would have been made up of gubernatorial employees, which critics say would favor employers.

Kott says he'd like an agreement that the administration will support the existing version of the bill before it passes out of the Judiciary Committee.

Senate bill  lowering medical malpractice cap clear House
JUNEAU (AP) - People who win lawsuits against doctors would be eligible for less money under a Senate bill that cleared the State House today. (Friday)

The bill lowering the cap on non-economic damages for medical malpractice awards was initially  approved Thursday  night but held on reconsideration.  

It was approved 22 to 16 this morning after a series of minority amendments were rejected.

Right now, an Alaska court can award up to 400-thousand dollars to a person who wins a lawsuit against a health care provider for damages such as pain and suffering.

Other such damages include disfigurement, physical impairment, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of life.

For severe damages, the cap is one (m) million dollars. 

The bill would lower the cap to 250-thousand dollars.

In cases of wrongful death or if the person is more than 70 percent disabled, the cap would be 400-thousand dollars.

Fairbanks Republican Mike Kelly says lowering the cap is aimed at attracting more doctors to Alaska. And he says the law could stabilize medical malpractice insurance rates and ensure that insurance providers don't leave the state.

Opponents say the measure reduces the value of human life based on no evidence that medical malpractice premiums are too high or that doctors are deterred by the current cap.

The bill must now go back to the Senate for concurrence in House changes.

House and Senate set for full schedule
JUNEAU (AP) - The House and Senate have another full day of work ahead of them and are expected to continue through the weekend.

Both bodies combined have more than 30 measures under consideration today (Friday).

The House will take a final vote on a bill setting up a new public employee and teacher retirement system.

The House also is set to take a final vote on a proposal to legalize casino-like gambling rooms.

The Senate will take a final vote prohibiting businesses or cities from setting firearm carrying ordinances.

It also will take a final vote on a bill changing the rules for the state's practice of re-employing retirees.

The last day of the legislative session is this Tuesday.

Prince of Wales logging accident victim flown to Sitka by Coast Guard
A 25 year old man knocked unconscious after a falling log struck him in the back of the head was airlifted by a Coast Guard helicopter Thursday night from Coffman Cove on Prince of Wales Island.

An emergency medical technician requested the Coast Guard medevac after Brian Carter complained of tingling in the hands and feet, headache, severe neck pain and showed signs of a possible concussion.

Carter, who's hometown was not available, reportedly walked out of the woods with help from other loggers after the incident.

The Sitka based helicopter took him back to the hospital in Sitka where he was listed in stable condition.

Master gardeners offer advice on forecasted frost, and pitch plant sale
The National Weather Service is calling for isolated light frost in wind sheltered areas overnight.

Temperatures  ranging from 31 to 36 degrees are expected after midnight.

Master Gardeners George Cambell and Ed Buyarski said on KINY's Capital Chat to have covers available. They recommended a simple bed sheet or light weight visqueen.

They added to be sure to take the covers off in the morning so the sun doesn't "cook" the plants.

The further recommended bringing plants still in pots, annuals, and fuschia baskets inside overnight.

During the program the master gardeners made a pitch for listeners to attend the Annual Plant Sale Saturday at Carrs-Safeway.

They said it will start at nine sharp and not a minute earlier. 

Only bank in Metlakatla closes doors
KETCHIKAN (AP) - Metlakatla has lost its only bank.

Wells Fargo closed its bank Wednesday.

Bond Stewart, Ketchikan community banking president for Wells Fargo, said the closure was tied to the downturn in Metlakatla's economy.

The bank cut back its hours in Metlakatla in 1999 as a result of reduced logging on the Tongass National Forest and the subsequent closure of Ketchikan Pulp Company's Annette Island sawmill.

Stewart said customers were notified of the closure three months ago.

Wells Fargo says it has a worked with community leaders and business owners on a closure plan. Stewart says the community has been educated on things like direct deposit and banking by mail and online.
(Ketchikan Daily News)

Man arrested for attacking VPSO with an ax in Mt. Village
State Troopers say the Village Public Safety Officer in Mt. Village was struck in the head with an ax while investigating a domestic assault early last Tuesday morning.

When officers attempted to arrest 35 year old John B. Wilde, he picked up an ax and raised it. They retreated from the residence since the man's one year old child was present.

As as the VPSO and a Village Police Officer left the house, Wilde followed with the ax pulled back.

The VPSO deployed his tazer which had no effect. Wilde then struck him on the left side of the head knocking him to the ground.

The VPSO wrestled with Wilde who punched him in the face before he was taken into custody.

The child was taken to another residence.

Wilde was charged with attempted murder of a police officer; two counts of 3rd degree assault against a police officer; 4th degree assault on a police officer; reckless endangerment; resisting arrest; and disorderly conduct.

He was later held on $50,000 bail and transported from St. Mary's to the state correctional in Bethel by State Troopers.

Wreckage of old plane crash brought up in fishing boat's nets
The wreckage of an airplane that crashed in July of 2000 in Prince William Sound was located Thursday by a fishing vessel.

The troller New Wave was fishing near Pigot Point when the aircraft got caught in the nets.

The crew from the fishing boat and the research vessel Solstice recovered the tail section and several other large pieces and took it into the harbor at Whittier.

A records check of the ail number indicated the aircraft was a Cessena 172 that had crashed on July 3rd of 2000.

The body of the pilot was recovered by the Coast Guard shortly after the crash.

There were no others reported on board and no evidence was found with the aircraft to indicate otherwise, according to State Troopers. 

Top school officials in Dillingham quit
DILLINGHAM (AP) - The superintendent of the Dillingham School District and the school board president have both resigned.

School superintendent Darroll Hargraves and school board president Judi Nelson resigned Tuesday. The two had differences over board involvement in school district management.

The resignations come with less than a week left in the legislative session and no final word from the Legislature on school funding or funding for needed repairs to the Dillingham schools.

The school is now under the guidance of Arnie Watland, the third temporary superintendent appointment in four years.
(KDLG-Seitz)

DMV director pays for governor's license renewal
ANCHORAGE (AP) - The director of the state Division of Motor Vehicles says he was not showing favoritism to Governor Murkowski when he let him walk out without paying to renew his driver's license.

D-M-V chief Duane Bannock says he couldn't bring himself to ask Murkowski for the 20-dollar fee.

Bannock says he eventually paid the 20 dollars himself and has since been reimbursed by the governor.

The Anchorage Daily News reports the incident began April 14 when Murkowski entered the Anchorage D-M-V at closing time to renew his expired license.

Bannock says he escorted Murkowski into his office to let him fill out his paperwork, then showed him to the public counters where the governor took a standard vision test and had his license picture taken.

But Bannock says he didn't ask the governor for the 20-dollar fee.

A week later, as rumors swirled that that someone had pressured him to waive the fee, Bannock sent out an e-mail to his staff stating that he had paid the fee himself.

He told his staff he did not ask him for the money out of respect for Murkowski as both the governor and his boss.

Murkowski spokesman Mike Chambers says the thought of paying had not occurred to Murkowski and no one asked him about the fee at the D-M-V office.

Sometime after Bannock paid the 20-dollar fee, the governor's office, called and asked about the matter.

Chambers says that on April 28th, Murkowski cut a 20-dollar check to Bannock from his personal account.

Enstar charges $3.50 for paying bill with credit card
ANCHORAGE (AP) - Customers of the natural gas utility in Anchorage who pay with credit cards are seeing their bills to up.

Enstar Natural Gas Company is charging three dollars and 50 cents to home customers who pay monthly bills with plastic.

The company is charging commercial clients six dollars if they pay with credit cars.

Alaska's largest utility raised gas rates by 17 percent this year.

It calls the new charge a ``convenience fee.''

Spokesman Curtis Thayer says the growing popularity of paying routine bills with credit cards is creating a huge expense for Enstar.

He says the company is paying 250-thousand dollars per year in fees and can't afford it.

But customer complaints are prompting an investigation by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, which oversees Enstar charges.

Commission chair Kate Giard says Enstar must get regulatory approval before charging customers credit card fees, a contention that attorneys for Enstar dispute.
(Anchorage Daily News)