Head-on collision claims life on Brotherhood Bridge
One person is dead as result on a head-on collision between two vehicles on Brotherhood Bridge today. [Wednesday]

The accident occurred just after six o'clock this evening.

The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Brotherhood Bridge was blocked for several hours and traffic directed onto Mendenhall Loop Road as police conducted an investigation

Juneau Red Cross asking for volunteers and donations for disaster
The Juneau office of the American Red Cross is asking for volunteers and monetary donations to help the Gulf Coast communities battered by Hurricane Katrina.

George Briggs is the Director of the Red Cross in Juneau. He says people can help in three ways.

First, if you have a three week period of time you can donate to the Red Cross, the agency will send you to a Gulf Coast staging area.

Volunteers will be dispatched to the various disaster areas to provide aid.

Briggs says volunteers will have to fill out some paperwork and attend a couple of classes.

If you can't travel, you can help out at the local office answering phones and taking donations.

Briggs, says according to their national office, it's going to be the most expensive effort the Red Cross and the U.S. has ever undertaken for a national disaster.

He says the American Red Cross has about about 25 million dollars in it's national disaster fund.

Briggs says the organization needs to raise, at least, another 130 million dollars.

He says you can donate money to the local office or specify that the you want to contribute to the Katrina disaster disaster fund.

Briggs says it's going to take a major effort, not just from Alaska, but the entire country.

The Red Cross office in Juneau is located at 3200 Hospital Drive. The phone number is 463-5713.

Search suspended Juneau fisherman
The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a man whose boat was found aground on a muddy beach Tuesday morning.

He's identified 43 year Mark Allan Smith of Juneau.

His boat, the "Home Fire" was discovered on a mud bank in Slocum Inlet south of Taku Inlet, about 18 miles south of Juneau.

Petty Officer Gale E. Dale says the decision was made to end the effort after the area was saturated by searchers with no sign found.  The effort was suspended at 1:30 this afternoon (Wednesday) pending further developments, she says.

The Cutter Anacapa, boats from Station Juneau, Good Samaritan vessels, and the Civil Air Patrol participated in the search.

Smith was expected to meet with friends Tuesday. When he didn't arrive, a search was launched.

After the Home Fire failed to answer radio calls, the Cindy K went to the scene to check on Smith.

They found the boat's engines in reverse indicating he may have been trying to back off of the mud flats.  The anchor line was also missing from the boat.  The Coast Guard fears Smith may have fallen overboard.

A crewmember of the Cindy K said they talked to Smith at about nine on Monday evening. Smith said he planned to set his anchor in Slocum for the night. 

The "Home Fire" was refloated by State Fish and Game Department personnel and brought back to Juneau by a Good Samaritan vessel.

Coast Guard, others search for skipper of fishing vessel Cory B
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers and Good Samaritans are searching for Myron Rapacz, skipper of the Cory B, who is 10 days overdue on a voyage from Cinder River to Naknek.

Alaska State Troopers in King Salmon notified the Coast Guard Wednesday morning that Rapacz was overdue.

Bristol Bay police contacted state troopers Tuesday after discovering Cory B debris located four miles north of Coffee Point.

The debris included food, flares, an empty survival suit and a net reel and rack with nets on it.

The 32-foot gill-netter Cory B, based out of Naknek, was crewed only by Rapacz who is missing.

The Coast Guard launched an airplane and a helicopter with crews from Air Station Kodiak to search for Rapacz.

Authorities says the Cory B was last seen off Cape Greig near Cinder River by the crew of the tender Baranoff on August 21.

The Coast Guard has not received any emergency radio beacon transmissions.

Two arrested after shots fired at Anchorage house
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Two people are in custody in Anchorage today (Wednesday) after police responded to a report of shots being fired at a home early this morning (Wednesday).

Police arrested 19-year-old Tera Abang and 18-year-old Alexander Peterson on weapons misconduct charges. The two -- both Anchorage residents -- are being held at the Anchorage jail.

According to police, the two were stopped in a van that was leaving the area of the shooting. A firearm was found inside the vehicle.

Police say the motive for the shooting appears to be gang-related and a retaliation for shots fired earlier.

The investigation is continuing.

Woman suffers minor injuries when struck by vehicle on Douglas Highway
A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Douglas Highway and Cordova Street last night. (Tuesday)

Sergeant Kris Sell says they were contacted at about 9:42.

She says the pedestrian, a woman, had walked away from the scene.

The driver of the vehicle, a 53 year old Douglas man, stayed at the scene and met with officers.

The pedestrian, a 35 year old Douglas resident, was found later at her home and transported to the hospital by ambulance.

The sergeant says she was treated for minor injuries and released.

No citation has been issued at this time as the investigation continues, according to the sergeant.

Canadian man dies after Coast Guard transport from Taku River
A Canadian man died during a Coast Guard medevac to Juneau yesterday.

Petty Officer Douglas Green says they picked up the man at a fish camp on the Canadian portion of the Taku River.

They were told the man was suffering from chest pains, shortness of breath, and a low pulse.

The British Columbia Air Ambulance Service requested Coast Guard assistance to evacuate the man.

While enroute on the Coast Guard helicopter, Green says the man went into what they believe was cardiac arrest. CPR was administered but the man was pronounced deceased at Bartlett Regional Hospital.

Release of the man's identity is pending notification of next of kin.

Fire department responds to report of furnace fire in Lemon Creek area 
Capital City Fire Rescue responded to a report of a furnace fire in the garage of a residence in the Lemon Creek area at about eight this morning.

Light smoke was seen when firefighters arrived at the house on the corner of Patti and Pine.

The residents got out of the building unharmed.

A fire was not located.

The residents were advised to contact a furnace repair technician.

Karaoke marathon in Juneau to benefit hurricane relief effort
A local man has organized a fundraiser to help the American Red Cross assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Skot Pierson says he was watching television coverage of the natural disaster, Pierson says he decided he had to do something to help.

So he organized 12 hour karaoke marathon at Centennial Hall that was scheduled to start at Noon today. (Wednesday)

He says people can sing on their own and give a donation, although one is not required.

Pierson says there will also be kamikaze karaoke where people can make a donation to hear someone else play a particular song. That person then has the option of singing the song or matching the donation.

He says he's in desperate need of donations of gift certificates or prizes from local businesses to help in the fundraising.

He can be reached at 957-3339.

Governor Murkowski offers help to hurricane-ravaged states
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Governor Murkowski is offering disaster assistance from Alaska to states devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Murkowski sent letters yesterday (Tuesday) to Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, saying he has ordered state emergency management officials to stand ready to offer available resources to help in response and recovery efforts.

Dozens of people have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced since the Katrina touched down on Gulf Coast communities this week.

In New Orleans, two levees broke and sent water rushing onto streets, leaving an estimated 80 percent of the below-sea-level city under water -- up to 20 feet deep in places.

The Coast Guard used boats and helicopters to rescue at least 12-hundred people stranded by floodwaters. Many were pulled from rooftops after breaking through attics.

Kenai residents to assist in hurricane relief
KENAI, Alaska (AP) - A Kenai resident is headed to assist with relief work for Gulf Coast communities battered by Hurricane Katrina.

Victor Hett, an American Red Cross volunteer will be dispatched to one of the states affected by the hurricane.

Hett just returned from hurricane relief duty in Florida and Texas last month.

He helps set up communication systems in disaster areas and will pitch in wherever help is needed.

More Kenai Peninsula residents may follow next month to assist with hurricane relief efforts.

More than one million residents across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, are without electricity and some are without clean drinking water.

Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans says thousands are feared dead in his city alone.

Officials say it could be weeks, if not months, before most evacuees will be able to return to their homes.
(Kenai Peninsula Clarion)

Oil industry takes a hit in Gulf of Mexico
WASHINGTON (AP) - The American Petroleum Institute is still assessing the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina to oil platforms, refineries and pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico.

The institute's chief economist, John Felmy (FEHL'-me), says nine refineries are not operating in the northern Gulf region. He adds that crude oil, gasoline and natural gas pipelines are also down as companies check the damage caused by the storm.

Institute president Red Cavaney (KAH'-veh-nee) estimates that it will take a week to come up with a solid damage estimate.

As for repairs, Cavaney says the first step is to get the water out of the refinery and pipeline sites before power can be restored. He adds that Katrina ``created much more havoc'' to the oil production system than other recent hurricanes.

Reports from Katrina damage to oil facilities send oil prices past 70 dollars
SINGAPORE (AP) - Crude oil prices have surged past 70 dollars a barrel in Singapore trading amid reports of extensive damage and photos of fallen oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

Royal Dutch Shell's mammoth Mars platform is potentially the largest Hurricane Katrina casualty. Aerial photos show significant damage to the top of the facility. It normally churns out 220-thousand barrels of crude oil and 220 (m) million cubic feet of natural gas a day.

The Coast Guard says at least seven rigs are adrift, while eight refineries have shut down. Companies are beginning to escort some previously evacuated workers back to offshore facilities.

Oil prices are now more than 60 percent higher than a year ago.

One expert says the supply of natural gas is the bigger worry if inventories for the winter are inadequate.

Whale found dead on Glacier Bay beach
A dead whale has been found Friday on a beach on the northwest shore of Young Island in Glacier Bay National Park.

The juvenile female Orca measured eleven feet, eight inches and was estimated to weigh between 600 and a thousand pounds.

The National Park Service says remnants of fishing gear were discovered attached to the inside of the mouth.

Agency officials say there were no obvious signs of external injuries.

Marine mammal veterinarians and biologists from the National Park Service, NOAA Fisheries and the University of Alaska Southeast conducted a necropsy on the killer whale in order to determine the cause of death.

Findings are expected in about two weeks.

Anyone with information on the death of the whale is asked to contact the National Park Service or NOAA Fisheries.

Killer whales frequent Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage in pods numbering from three to 40 animals.

A pod of about 30 had been observed in lower Glacier Bay and Icy Strait prior to August 26th.

Alaska fisheries are healthy, according to federal report 
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An annual report to Congress says Alaska's commercially important ground fish stocks remain healthy.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says of almost 200 Alaska fish stocks, only two crab species are considered over fished and both are in the midst of aggressive rebuilding programs.

Dave Benton, executive director of the Marine Conservation Alliance, says fishery managers are doing their job to protect fisheries.

The report covers ground fish and shellfish stocks in federal waters off Alaska that are managed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Anchorage teachers vote to authorize strike
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Anchorage teachers have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike.

Rich Kronberg, president of the Anchorage Education Association, says nearly 87 percent of the votes cast last night and today were in favor of authorizing a strike.

Kronberg says the goal now is to get back to the bargaining table with the Anchorage School District.

Yesterday (Monday), teachers rejected the school district's proposed three-year contract, which the administration called a last, best offer.

Kronberg says a strike authorization vote does not mean a strike will automatically follow.

It just means the union's executive board simply is authorized to call a strike.

Kronberg says a strike would be called as a last resort. He says union negotiators prefer to continue negotiations with the school district.

School District officials have said their bargaining team is willing to continue negotiations as well.

Anchorage mayor wants to stop sidewalk handouts to beggars
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The mayor, businesspeople and social service workers in Anchorage are asking people to stop giving money to street and sidewalk beggars and give to helping agencies instead.

Panhandlers have spread all around the city, from downtown to South Anchorage malls to East Anchorage stoplights.

A 2004 city law makes it illegal to panhandle or give to beggars from cars or trucks stopped on a public street.

Mayor Mark Begich said it's unsafe for beggars to hit up motorists parked in traffic.

Begich says it's better for the panhandlers to be served by places that provide free meals and work opportunities.

F-D-A approves new flu-shot supplier
WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is clearing the way for more flu vaccine to be available this year, following last year's unexpected shortage.

The Food and Drug Administration today approved a new flu shot made in Germany by a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline. Glaxo has supplied flu vaccine for other countries in the past.

Last year's shortage came about when British regulators shut down a U-S supplier after they found contaminated vaccine. That company, Chiron (KY'-rahn) Corporation, says it has passed an inspection of its factory in Britain.

That's a step toward regaining F-D-A approval to sell flu shots in the United States. There are more steps ahead for the company, and there's no guarantee they will be completed by this fall. 

President Bush names nominates replacement for Alaskan Command chief
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - President Bush has named his choice for the next chief of the Alaskan Command.

Military officials say the president has nominated Air Force Major General Douglas Fraser to replace Lieutenant General Howie Chandler as the commander of the Alaskan Command.

Chandler is leaving to assume his new post as deputy chief of staff for air and space operations at Headquarters U-S Air Force at the Pentagon.

Fraser, who is nominated to the grade of lieutenant general, is current director of air and space operations at Headquarters Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

The nomination must still be confirmed by the U-S Senate.

The Alaskan Command oversees more than 21-thousand active duty, Guard and reserve military members based in Alaska.

Ketchikan police officer charged with drunken driving, weapons misconduct
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) - A 34-year-old Ketchikan police officer is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and fourth-degree weapons misconduct while off duty.

Jonathan Clouse, who was recently promoted to detective, has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest Friday.

According to court documents, Clouse was arrested after he backed his pickup truck against a rock flower island on the South Tongass Highway.

According to the responding Alaska State Trooper Mark Finses, Clouse smelled of alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated.

Court records state that Clouse told the trooper he had a gun and could kill him with it, but wanted to give him the weapon instead.

Finses says he told Clouse to leave the gun in his pocket, but Clouse reached for it. The gun had a full magazine and one round in the chamber, according to the trooper.

According to court records, a breath test registered a breath-alcohol concentration of point-327. That's slightly more than four times the legal limit for drinking and driving.

Clouse is pleading innocent to the charges and is scheduled for an October 14th jury trial.

Clouse jointed the Ketchikan police force from the San Bernardino, California, Police Department in March 2004. 

Church has new organ after 43 years
There's a brand new addition at Northern Light Church.

Its a new organ described as a state of the art Rodgers Trillium Model 967.

It replaces the organ that was installed in December of 1962.

J. Allan MacKinnon, the music director at the church, says the organ was purchased from Rodgers Instrument Company of Hillsboro, Oregon.

He says the organ arrived Tuesday morning and was playing by ten last night. "Its not complete, but at least it was making sounds," he says.

MacKinnon says church members and friends raised $40,000 to match a like amount from the Richard Britt Fund to purchase the new organ.