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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)
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(Copyright ©2008
Alaska Juneau
Communications - KINY Radio)
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