Spirit of Columbia escorted to Juneau
The cruise ship Spirit of Columbia was escorted to Juneau's Auke Bay by the Coast Guard Sunday.

The crew reported electrical problems at about eight Saturday evening while in Warm Springs Bay on the other side of Baranof Island from Sitka in Chatham Strait.

One of its two propellers also stopped working.

The 143 foot vessel with 89 aboard was escorted by the Cutter Liberty based in Juneau.

The Liberty was initially called to tow the vessel, but by the time it arrived on scene early Sunday morning the crew of the Cruise West of Seattle vessel repaired the generators.

But the vessel was still operating on just one prop. It's not known what caused the prop to quit working.

There were no reported injuries.

It arrived in Auke Bay at about 5 p.m. Sunday.

Icebreaker visiting Juneau on liberty
The nation's largest icebreaker arrived in Juneau Sunday.

The Coast Guard Cutter Healy is stopping for liberty on her return from the first Arctic West Summer 2008 Deployment, according to a Coast Guard release.

She's been in the Bering Sea for the last two months where it traveled a total of more than 7,000 miles in two separate science missions.

The Seattle based vessel has a permanent crew of 80.

She'll be here until Tuesday, but will not be open for public tours.

The 420-foot Healy is the only cutter with extensive scientific capabilities among the nation's three heavy icebreakers.

Moderate quake strikes offshore in Gulf of Alaska
KODIAK CITY, Alaska (AP) - A moderate earthquake has struck in the Gulf of Alaska, 90 miles southwest of Kodiak City.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 5.1-magnitude temblor struck at 4:50 a.m. AKDT, centered 344 miles south-southwest of Anchorage.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

The USGS says the quake will not generate a tsunami.

Hot water heater cause of trailer fire, no injuries reported
There was a fire at the Glacier View Trailer Court Sunday morning.

Fire Marshall Rich Etheridge says they responded just before 10 a.m. when a neighbor called 9-1-1 after hearing the smoke detector.

They found fire coming from a rear window. It was confined to the room where it originated and an adjoining hallway.

They were called back several hours later when a volunteer fire fighter noticed smoke coming from the rear of the trailer at Space 101.

Etheridge says embers under the bath tub ignited the fiber glass base creating a large amount of smoke. He said foam was applied to prevent any rekindling.

Investigation pinpointed the cause to a malfunctioning hot water heater.

The fire marshal says hot water heaters are responsible for several fires in the Juneau area every year. He reminds residents using propane hot water heaters to make sure they are properly vented.

The trailer was valued at $10,000. Due to smoke damage, the fire marshal says the trailer was not habitable. He says the resident was referred to the Red Cross for assistance.

No injuries were reported.

AEL&P employee assaulted
Alaska Electric, Light and Power says one of its employees was assaulted last week.

Company official Scott Willis says it happened Wednesday in the downtown area.

When he got out of an A-E-L and P marked truck, Willis says the employee was accosted and punched in the back.

Willis said a passerby said the man said something to the effect of, "You guys at AEL&P are trying to scare people. Well, I'm not afraid of you." That's when the man hit the employee and then walked away, according to Willis.

Willis explains the employee did not file a police report since he didn't want the man to know who he was and do something else to him or his family.

Willis says  the incident is  upsetting to their employees.

As a result, they have hired a security guard to be in their lobby and will provide their employees training. And Willis says they may take other actions depending on what happens.

Willis says they understand that nearly everyone in the community understands this is inappropriate action. He says its a small minority who have taken it too far.

Assembly to consider resolution on clean water initiatives and school bonds
The Assembly tonight (Monday) takes up a resolution regarding the statewide ballot initiatives known as the
"Alaska Clean Water Initiatives."

The two initiatives would substantially revise Alaska's water quality standards and discharge limits for new large mines in Alaska.

The initiatives would also potentially apply to ongoing mine projects when their existing permits expire, including the Greens Creek and Kensington Mines near Juneau.

City Manager Rod Swope says the resolution expresses the Assembly's view that the subjects of these initiatives would be better addressed through the normal legislative and regulatory process,  rather than through the initiative process

Swope says the Assembly's concern is that the initiative process is not particularly well suited for complex science based issues.

It's an Assembly policy issue, so Swope has no recommendation.

School bonds are also on the agenda.

The ordinance would authorize the issuance of $39.5 million in general obligation school bonds.

$17.1 million was approved by the voters in June of last year for the Thunder Mountain High School and $22.4 million was approved by the voters last October for the Glacier Valley and Harborview Elementary School renovations.

Swope say they always try to release the bonds as close to the start of construction, so the city doesn't start accruing interest payments on the bonds until it's necessary.

If the legislature approves, the bonds qualify for 70 percent state reimbursement.

The maximum estimated property tax mill levy needed to fund the local share, assuming full state funding, will be 0.27 mills or $27 per $100,000 in assessed value.

The Assembly meets at 7 tonight at City Hall.

UPDATE - Coeur:  Confident that Kensington can now be brought into production
There's positive reaction from Coeur to word from Juneau Ranger Pete Griffin they he will conduct an environmental assessment of the company's modified plan for the Kensington Mine.

Company chair, president and CEO Dennis Wheeler says they appreciate the timely review of the modified plan of operations by the Forest Service.

He says the environmental assessment will provide a well defined and timely permitting pathway for the paste tailings plan.

He adds that they are now confident the environmental review process can be completed in 2008, allowing Kensington to be brought into production in 2009.

The Forest Service had tentatively recommended to permit the mine's modified plan of operations with a supplemental information report.

Griffin says the agency made it's decision after taking a close look at public comments after they circulated a draft supplemental information report earlier this year.

He says the environmental assessment will take more time to complete than the supplemental report.

Griffin says they will be able to wrap in some of the other state and federal agencies permitting requirements in to the environmental assessment.

Coeur's modified plan calls for storing tailings utilizing "paste" technology rather than dry stacking the tailings.
Coeur has proposed use of a terrace site near Comet Beach on the Kensington side of the mine area for paste tailings storage.

NEW - Flint Hills considering options for North Pole refinery
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Flint Hills Resources says it is considering three options for its refinery in North Pole.

Company President Brad Razook wrote employees an e-mail on Monday outlining the options. They include selling the plant, reconfiguring it or expanding operations to increase volume and reduce operating costs.

Flint Hills Resources Alaska spokesman Jeff Cook confirmed the company's plans but declined to provide details.

Razook's e-mail indicated changes may be needed at the plant, which the company says has a refining capacity of about 220,000 barrels per day.

Razook wrote that the goal of the Kansas-based company is to find the "highest and best use of these assets by the end of the year."
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

Trail up Perseverance open again
Perseverance Trail is now open again to hikers.

That word from Trail Mix Executive Director George Schaaf who says major work on the trail was wrapped up Saturday.

Channel Construction completed the job of removing landslides and used explosives to destroy two large boulders that fell on the trail over the winter.

Additional improvements will be made this summer, including installation of wire safety railing in some steep areas.

Trail Mix started the Perseverance Trail project two years ago.

Schaaf says major funding was provided by the Alaska Trails Initiative and Trail Mix members.

Assault lands man in jail
A Juneau man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend.

Saturday morning at about 1-19 a.m. police received a report from a 30 year-old woman saying that she had been strangled by her 44-year-old ex-boyfriend.

The woman told officers that she and her former boyfriend were arguing over their children and her new boyfriend.

They were in her car going to get their children, when the man allegedly put his left forearm across her throat and pressed down until she couldn't breathe.

After the alleged assault, he got out of the car and drove off in his vehicle.

Police located 44-year-old John Falls as he drove on Egan Drive.

Falls was arrested for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and assault in the third degree, a class C felony.

Falls was lodged at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center.  

Five year old girl not seriously hurt when struck by pickup
A five year old girl was hit by a pickup truck Saturday evening but not seriously injured.

Juneau Police say the incident occurred at 6:47 p.m. in the 400 block of West 9th Street.

Witnesses told officers the girl had been playing with some other children when she ran out into the street in front of the 2003 Dodge pickup operated by a 38 year old man.

The truck was traveling slowly, but the driver couldn't stop in time. The girl was knocked down. She was taken to the hospital by Capital City Fire Rescue where she was treated for minor injuries consisting mainly of bruises and abrasions.

Police determined that neither speed or alcohol were factors and the driver was not cited.

Watch out for deer
Deer are on the move.

Two deer were hit Friday night and early Saturday morning.

One on Glacier Highway and one on Sherwood Lane.

Ryan Scott is assistant management biologist for state Fish and Game for this area.

He says it's that time of year with deer coming down and feeding on the new growth along the edges of the roads.

He say there's lots of deer near the bypass and the new ball field.

Scott advises motorists to slow down and keep an eye out for deer along side roads and crossing roads.

NEW - Bear hunters cited by Juneau Wildlife Troopers in separate cases
Two people were cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers Friday for illegal bear hunts.

Howard F. Ensor, Jr., 59, of Juneau was cited for taking a brown bear at Hawk Inlet in Game Management Unit 4 without a valid 2008 registration permit in his immediate possession.

In the other case, 33 year old Aaron M. Bird of Ophir, Utah, was taking for taking a black bear within one-quarter mile of Thane Road. That area is closed for the taking of big game animals.

Arraignment for Bird is scheduled Thursday in Juneau District Court.

Briley Piper files new appeal with S.D. Supreme Court
By CARSON WALKER - Associated Press Writer
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Condemned killer Briley Piper of Anchorage has filed a new appeal with the South Dakota Supreme Court in hopes of getting his death sentence overturned.

He and Elijah Page of Athens, Texas, pleaded guilty to the March 2000 torture murder of Chester Allan Poage of Spearfish, South Dakota, and a judge sentenced them to death.

Darrell Hoadley of Lead went to trial and was sentenced to life in prison.

Page ended his appeals and was executed in July.

Piper asked a judge to resentence him to life in prison, but that request was denied so now his case is back on appeal.

The two other men awaiting capital punishment in South Dakota are Donald Moeller and Charles Rhinos.

Fairbanks campus conducts graduation ceremony
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - The University of Alaska Fairbanks held its commencement ceremony Sunday.

The university conferred 1,185 degrees on 1,125 students during its 86th ceremony.

Alaska writer laureate and criminal defense investigator John Straley served as the keynote speaker and shared stories from his life and work.

Sex offender in Juneau cited for failure to file change of address
A Juneau sex offender has been cited for failure to register as a sex offender in the second degree after failing to file a change of address.

He's identified as 42 year old Mark Brown.

He was contacted by police Sunday afternoon.

The charges are being forwarded to the Juneau District Attorney's Office.

Troopers arrest man wanted in child exploitation case in Arizona
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Alaska State Troopers have arrested a 48-year-old man charged with child exploitation in northern Arizona.

Richard J. Rush was arrested Friday in Talkeetna at the West Rib Pub and Grill in Talkeetna, where he was working as a cook.

Rush formerly lived in Glendale, Arizona, and Coconino County authorities say they will seek his extradition.

The county sheriff's office says Rush was associated with Donald Leacock, who has been indicted on 24 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Arizona authorities say the 51-year-old Leacock married a teenage girl and then invited other men to have sex with her and other young women while he took photographs.

Man dies in snowmobile accident
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A snowmobiler is dead after falling with his machine down a crevasse south of Portage.

Alaska State Troopers say the man was among five snowmobilers riding in a snow field between Spencer and Trail glaciers Saturday.

The man's name has not been released.

According to troopers, rescuers flown in by helicopter found the man dead 50 feet down the crevasse, covered with snow. His snowmobile was found 40 feet down.

The man's body has been recovered.

Traffic mishap causes Seward power outage
SEWARD, Alaska (AP) - A teenager is accused of leaving the scene of an accident that took out an electric pole in Seward, causing a power outage that lasted about four hours.

Troopers say the youth lost control of his car on the Seward Highway near Milepost 3.3 early Saturday morning.

Troopers say he crawled out of the wreckage and fled. Troopers tracked him down the next day.

NEW - 32.90 pound King continues to lead fishing derby
The leader in the month long Spring King Salmon Derby remains the same today at 32.90 pounds.

Norman Zura entered his fish a week ago today. (Monday)

Thirty fish are entered as of this morning. In 30th place is Robert Galau at 19.25 pounds.

The fishing continues through the end of the month.

Entries can be turned in gutted and gilled at Jerry's Meats, DeHarts, and the Alaska Seafood Cannery, which is behind the new Breeze Inn in the Lemon Creek area.

The tickets are $40 and are available at outlets all around town.

First place includes $5,000 cash and other prizes with a cash value of nearly $2,600.

A complete list of prizes, rules and the latest standings among other information is on the web at  www.springkingderby.org 

First Copper River salmon arrives Friday in Seattle
SEATTLE (AP) - Alaska Airlines says its first 737 freighter filled with Copper River salmon will arrive Friday at Sea-Tac Airport.

The plane from Cordova, Alaska, will carry about 10 tons of the fish prized for its flavor.

The beginning of the Copper River salmon season has become a rite of spring for many restaurants, grocery stores and consumers.

Man with Alaska ties is finalist for Wyoming game post
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department says among the three finalists to become the department's new director is a man with Alaska ties.

The Game and Fish Commission said Monday that it has submitted three names to Governor. Dave Freudenthal (FREE'-den-thawl), who will make the appointment.

One finalist is Kevin Delaney, an account vice president with UBS Financial Services in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the former director of the Division of Sport Fish for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Another finalist is John Emmerich, the deputy director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

The third finalist is Steve Ferrell, deputy director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Outgoing director Terry Cleveland is retiring next month.

Two homes damaged when authorities detonate explosives found near Big Lake
BIG LAKE, Alaska (AP) - Alaska State Troopers say two homes in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough were damaged when explosive material found in a storage unit was removed and detonated.

The explosive material was found early Friday night at McGhans' Storage Facility in Big Lake.

Federal firearms officials, explosive ordnance disposal personnel from Fort Richardson and firefighters also responded.

The agencies decided to move the explosives to a different location and then detonate them.

Shortly after the detonation, two homeowners reported damaged windows. The two houses were about a half mile from the detonation area.

Troopers confirmed the damage and told the homeowners to contact them Monday for a further assessment.

Fairbanks borough shrinks property tax rates to lowest in two decades
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Thanks to a new budget, the Fairbanks North Star Borough base property tax is expected to dip this year to its lowest rate in two decades.

The decrease is the result of the borough Assembly approving a $128 million budget.

Assemblymember Nadine Winters says The budget will collect about $5 million less in local taxes than allowed under public tax-collection rules.

The borough's base property tax rate in the budget is slightly less than 11.25 mills, or $2,024 for a home assessed at $200,000 and eligible for a homeowner tax exemption.

Not included are taxes levied by cities or fire or road service areas.
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

Erosion control for coastal villages gains state support
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The state says it is willing to commit millions of dollars to erosion control projects to help protect some of Alaska's coastal villages.

The Palin administration calls for extending seawalls in two villages this summer and building a new excavation road in a third.

Scottish woman, with guide from Eagle River, is first to summit McKinley in 2008 season
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The Mount McKinley climbing season is under way and a woman was the first to the summit this year.

Lianne Noble of Scotland reached the top Monday, accompanied by guide Zach Schlosar of Eagle River.

Denali National Park climbing ranger Mike Shane says another climber with the expedition, Maria Alonso of Ohio, had hoped to join them, but was held back by a bad knee.

Noble and Alonso started their approach to the mountain by dogsled from near the headquarters of Denali National Park and Preserve almost a month ago.

According to the guide service, an Australian climber reached the summit within minutes of Noble and Schlosar stepping off.
(Anchorage Daily News)

Anchorage indoor football team gets new owners, returns old coach
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Anchorage's turbulent indoor professional football team has taken another turn.

Principal owner David Weatherholt has sold the team and Randy Deeter, an Anchorage oral surgeon and stockholder in the Alaska Wild, has assumed majority ownership.

One of Deeter's first acts when he became owner Friday was to hire back Hans Deemer as head coach.

Deemer had been fired the week before by Weatherholt despite a 4-2 record. He was the fourth head coach for the team, which is in its second season.

Players threatened a walkout after the firing and officials of the Intense Football League stepped in to help settle what IFL president Chad Dittman called its "best market."
(Anchorage Daily News)