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Assembly and
School Board meet tonight
The Assembly and the School Board meet this evening (Monday) to
discuss the school district's proposed 2011 fiscal year budget.
The joint meeting is required each year as part of the budget
process.
City Manager Rod Swope says the it's a maintenance level budget
and basically the same as the 2010 budget.
The budget totals $87.9 million.
The city would contribute about $26.1 million.
Tonights' meeting gets underway at 6 in the Assembly chambers.
Assembly to consider financing
analysis and permitting for North Douglas Highway extension
The Assembly tonight (Monday) is scheduled to discuss the proposed
West Douglas road extension.
CBJ Manager Rod Swope says he seeking guidance for financing a
review and an analysis and permitting of the corridor and possible
construction of the extension of the North Douglas Highway.
As we reported last month, the City and Borough of Juneau and
Juneau's urban native corporation, Goldbelt, have updated a
memorandum of understanding for the extension of the North Douglas
Highway.
The project would open up corporation and CBJ lands to
development.
Swope says the updated agreement will allow them to bring a
contractor on board to determine the best alignment for a new
road, conduct preliminary work and file for permits.
Swope says it's hoped the preliminary work can be completed by
this summer or Fall at the latest with construction starting up
this Fall or the Spring of 2011.
The updated MOU still needs the approval of the Assembly and the
Goldbelt Board of Directors.
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Swope says there's
funding available for the project within an Alaska Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities account that was initially
established to do an environmental impact statement for the
proposed North Douglas Crossing project.
Swope says they were successful in changing language for that
funding last legislative session that allows it to be used for the
highway extension.
He says the money can be used for either project as it stands now.
If the highway extension is ready to go earlier, than Swope says
they will probably use the money to hire a contractor and get the
work done.
He thinks there should be enough money for actual construction.
Coast Guard to
reassess rescue mission
HAINES, Alaska (AP) — The Coast Guard will assess weather
Tuesday as part of plans to rescue an extreme hiker on Meade
Glacier.
Weather on Monday prevented a crew from reaching the man stranded
in the Tongass National Forest east of Haines.
Coast Guard officials say they will assess weather at first light
Tuesday and decide if they or a private air service that dropped
the man off will retrieve him.
The 28-year-old Haines man on Feb. 20 was dropped off alone at the
glacier.
He did not show at a scheduled pickup site Sunday.
A ski-plane sent to pick the man up spotted him about 7 miles away
at an altitude of 4,300 feet.
The ski-plane couldn't land but dropped him a hand-held radio.
The man said he was tired and weak and that he hadn't eaten for
four days.
Bart Lake Dam repair at Lake
Dorothy getting underway
The repair of the Bart Lake Dam at the Lake Dorothy Hydroelectric
project gets underway today.
The lake will be drained about 40 feet to an area upstream of the
dam that will be covered with an impervious membrane to stop
leakage into the dam that was discovered shortly after it came on
line last summer.
Part of the dam's original construction included such a membrane.
Scott Willis of Alaska Electric, Light and Power says they believe
they just need to extend it a little further in order to cover an
area from which they believe water is entering the dam....
The actual repair work will take place in May and June since it
takes a couple of months to drain the lake.
So he says Lake Dorothy will be down about five months, but that
won't impact the utility's ability to deliver hydroelectric power
to customers.
Willis says they've been pulling hard on Lake Dorothy since it
came on line.
As a result, they saved some water in the Snettisham Lakes. So he
says, they'll be able to do the repairs without using diesel to
generate power.
Lake Dorothy provides about 20 percent of Juneau's hydroelectric
power and has potential to supply 40 percent in the future. It
came on line last summer.
Woman found dead
near her boat at Fisherman's Bend
Juneau Police report a 24 year old woman has been located drowned
at the Fisherman's Bend Harbor in Auke Bay.
Sonya Jean Ray Ray was last seen by a friend at about 1:30
Saturday morning walking down the pier toward her boat.
When the friend learned at about 7 that evening that she was
missing, she went to the boat to check on her, but only found
Ray's ID card on the pier next to her boat.
A search led by Alaska State Troopers located the body near her
boat in approximately 20 feet of water next to her
boat at about 8:30 Sunday morning.
Bruce Bowler of SEADOGS says they found the spot in the water
where a diver located her about four minutes afterwards.
Police Sergeant Dave Campbell says foul play is not suspected,
although with all unattended
deaths an autopsy will be conducted by the State Medical
Examiner's Office in Anchorage.
Police received the missing person report at about 8 Saturday
night.
Next of kin has been notified.
Pelican couple
burned out of home
There was a house fire in the Southeast village of Pelican Sunday
night.
That word from Pelican Chamber of Commerce President Norm Carson
who says the home of Wilbur and Marylou Strahm was completely
destroyed.
No one was injured, but they lost everything.
He says the chamber is taking a collection to help the Strahm's.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution can send it to the Pelican
Chamber of Commerce at P. O. Box 737, Pelican 99832.
Checks should be made out to the Pelican Chamber with a notation
designating the donation to the Straham fund.
The cause of the fire has not been determined. Carson says it was
such a hot fire, it may not be possible to determine a cause.
The Strahams were in bed at the time and were able to get out in
time after hearing the popping of the fire.
Animal rights' group urges Alaska
tourism boycott
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An animal rights' group is calling for a
tourism boycott of Alaska over a recent decision to remove buffer
zones for wolf trapping near Denali National Park.
Friends of Animals' President Priscilla Feral says last week's
decision by a divided Alaska Board of Game lacked any sense of
decency.
She says treating wolves as vermin is an extreme attitude and that
her group is taking a drastic step in response. She says Gov. Sean
Parnell needs to intervene.
A Parnell spokeswoman did not immediately return a message seeking
comment.
Feral says Friends of Animals last used a tourism boycott to
protest Alaska's wolf program in the early 1990s.
Police seek 2 more for
questioning in homicide
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Anchorage police say they've added two
names to the list of people sought for questioning in the fatal
shooting of a man at the Dimond Center, Alaska's busiest mall.
Police said Monday they want to question 23-year-old Anthony Neal
Williams and 32-year-old Warren Brooks regarding the shooting
death of Edwing Matos on Feb. 27.
Detectives also continue to seek a man they list as a "person
of interest," 28-year-old Terence Gray.
Matos was shot multiple times in front of a barber shop in the
mall's west wing.
Witnesses told police the shooter may have been wearing a wig and
fake mustache.
Gray is 6 feet tall and 215 pounds.
Johansen: State
needs energy policy first
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen says
he's confident in a statewide energy policy passing the
Legislature this year.
He's less clear on the chances for individual projects — or on
an omnibus energy package — that some believe could bring rate
relief to Alaskans.
The Ketchikan Republican told reporters today (Monday) that he's
pushing a policy first, saying that will help focus other efforts.
A proposed policy pending in a House committee is essentially a
mission statement, calling for promotion of renewable energy
resources and supporting research, among other things. It also
sets goals for such things as increases in energy efficiency.
House Speaker Mike Chenault says some projects may need to move
forward to address energy concerns.
He said he wants to move past studies to getting power in the
grid.
Lawmaker
questions pipeline potential
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Questions are being raised about the
viability of a major natural gas pipeline in Alaska.
House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen says he left last week's
Energy Council meeting surprised to learn about the potential
impact that shale gas development in the Lower 48 could have on a
major line here.
These aren't new concerns; Gov. Sean Parnell took aim at the gas
line "pessimists" in his State of the State Address in
January.
Two projects are competing for a major line. One estimates it will
cost from $20 billion to $41 billion to build, depending on the
route. The other hasn't released figures.
Johansen says the state should keep pushing for a major line but
officials must weigh all factors in gas development and delivery
options.
UPDATE - Snow and winds
gusts 45 highlight winter weather advisory for Juneau
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Juneau.
It's now in in effect through midnight rather than
through five Tuesday morning as originally forecast.
Snow accumulation of 3 to 6
inches is forecast by evening before it turns to rain.
East winds increasing to 30 miles per hour are
expected this afternoon with gusts to 45
miles per hour.
Gusts to 45 will
continue tonight rather than up to 55 as was originally stated.
Greenpeace
activists arrested in Senate building
WASHINGTON (AP) — Three Greenpeace activists were arrested after
their balloon-powered banner criticizing Alaska U. S. Lisa
Murkowski was released in the Senate Hart Office Building.
Sgt. Kimberly Schneider of Capitol Police said they would be
charged with unlawful conduct, demonstrating in a Capitol
building.
The banner that rose to the ceiling of the building's 90-foot
atrium said "Lisa Murkowski, Happily matched since 2004"
and had the logos of three companies: Exxon, Chevron and Southern
Co.
Greenpeace spokesman Joe Smyth said Greenpeace was protesting ties
between Murkowski and polluters.
Murkowski spokesman Michael Brumas said the senator "has
legitimate concerns about the economic consequences of EPA
regulating greenhouse gases and believes the American people
deserve a full debate on the issue."
Contest open for Aquatic Center
graphic image
The Dimond Park Aquatic Center is looking for a graphic image to
display when it opens next year and is sponsoring a contest.
Aquatics Manager Karin Richard-Jacobi says entries will be
accepted until the end of May is open to all Juneau residents.
Additional information is available on the Augustus Brown Swimming
Pool web site or the pool itself and the Parks and
Recreation Office on the second floor of City Hall.
Work started last fall on the new facility.
Richard-Jacobi says the general consensus is that the pool will
open in the Spring 2011.
Key panel holds
first hearing on adding lawmakers
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Senate Finance Committee held its
first hearing today (Monday) on a constitutional amendment to add
12 seats to Alaska's 60-seat Legislature.
Committee Co-chair Bert Stedman, a Sitka Republican, says the bill
has his attention.
Experts have testified that the upcoming decennial redistricting
process may have irreconcilable problems. Population shifts to the
Railbelt and disparate rules in the state Constitution and federal
Voting Rights Act on how to redraw the lines are the cause.
Without changes, districts with stagnant and shrinking populations
— like Stedman's — may face dissolution in favor of new
Railbelt districts. With the additional legislators, those
districts would likely remain intact while the Railbelt gained the
new seats.
JDHS basketball
teams earn trip to state tournament
Both the men's and women's basketball teams at Juneau Douglas High
School are going to the state tournament in Anchorage.
The men defeated the Ketchikan Kings 61 to 59 at the regional
tournament in Sitka Saturday night.
The Lady Crimson Bears beat the Lady Kings of Ketchikan 58 to 48.
The state tournament in Anchorage is scheduled to begin Monday,
March 15.
State reviews Ketchikan ferry
terminal options
KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — State transportation officials are
studying eight sites in Ketchikan as possible locations for a new
ferry terminal that could shorten the sailing time between
Ketchikan and Annette Island.
The sites are between Thomas Basin and Mountain Point.
The Ketchikan Daily News reports the Department of Transportation
already has a site for a new terminal on Annette Island.
The new location will slice nearly 45 minutes off the 90-minute
run for the state ferry Lituya between Metlakatla and the main
terminal in Ketchikan.
Transportation officials will collect public comment this week on
terminal site options on the Ketchikan side.
(Ketchikan Daily News)
Lease
renegotiated for Southwest Alaska gold mine
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Developers of the proposed Donlin
Creek gold mine in southwest Alaska have renegotiated a lease with
the Calista Native corporation.
The Anchorage Daily News reports Calista has agreed to lease
additional acreage to the mining partners and extend the lease
beyond 2031.
In return Calista will get a royalty payment starting at $500,000
this year.
Developers have not yet applied for permits for the mine.
AK cheese makers seeking lesser
regs
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Proposed regulations geared for the
industrial-scale dairies are burdensome to small producers, and
they will seek exemptions when state lawmakers hold a hearing
Monday.
The regulations are in place to minimize food safety risks, but
small dairies say the are too cumbersome for micro-farmers to
meet. For example, one rule for cheese making requires eight
separate rooms with specifications for drainage, lighting,
ventilation and construction materials.
One goat farmer from Esther wrote the administration suggesting an
exemption allowing farms producing less than 10 gallons of milk a
day to sell milk and milk products directly to consumers.
The milk would have to be pasteurized and the farms registered.
Palin notes irony of using Canada
health care
DAN JOLING -Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Sarah Palin has criticized Canada's
health care program, saying the socialized system should be
dismantled in favor of free enterprise.
But during a speech Saturday in Calgary, Palin acknowledged the
irony of her family using medical care in Canada decades ago.
Palin was a child in the mid-1960s when her family lived in
Skagway, a southeast Alaska town near the Canadian border.
When bad weather kept planes grounded, the train to Whitehorse,
Yukon, often was the only option for travel.
Palin told the Calgary audience her family would then take the
train across the border for health care.
Jason Recher, an aide to Palin, didn't immediately return an
e-mail seeking comment.
Goodbye, Grumman
Goose, Hello, airport to nowhere
JEREMY HSIEH - Associated Press Writer
JUNEAU, Alaska, (AP) — Construction on a $76 million airport and
hovercraft to begin this year has locals in a roadless Aleut
island village in Alaska bracing for "airport to
nowhere" jabs.
The village of Akutan has about 100 permanent residents and
sometimes 900 seasonal workers. Twice a day, a single
nine-passenger seaplane flies a federally subsidized route there.
Without the airport, the village will lose air service when the
local airline's irreplaceable 1942 Grumman Goose is retired.
Advocates say the airport is crucial for emergencies and hardens a
link between the seasonal labor force and North America's largest
seafood production facility on the island.
Federal money will covering more than three-quarters of the
airport's price tag.
Tripod's up on
Alaska's Tanana River
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Spring's coming, and that means it's
time to rig the Tanana River tripod.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner says volunteers Sunday erected the
26-foot-tall tripod on the river for the 94th Nenana Ice Classic,
the popular statewide wager on when the Tanana River begins
flowing again. Putting up the structure is the signature event of
Tripod Days, a yearly celebration in the small town of Nenana.
When the river's ice breaks up, the tripod will move and trip a
wire to stop a clock, showing the minute it happened. It costs
$2.50 per guess to try to predict that time. Last year, two
winners split a jackpot of nearly $284,000 after the ice moved out
on May 1.
(Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
Past past of Sierra Club dead at
103
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former Sierra Club president Dr. Edgar
Wayburn has died at the age of 103.
Wayburn helped win passage of the 1980 Alaska National Interest
Lands Conservation Act, which created millions of acres of
national parkland, almost doubling the system's land.
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