Alaska State Troopers have released the name of a Florida man killed last week in a traffic crash on a southeast Alaska island. Trooper say 23-year-old Jeffery Turner of Tampa Bay died in the crash in Hoonah. A Juneau man, 24-year-old Dylan Wiard, was injured in the crash. Hoonah police just before 5:30 a.m. Friday…
Recent News
Lightning strikes ignite 20 new fires across Alaska
Firefighters in Alaska have been busy at work after thousands of recorded lightning strikes sparked about 20 fires across the state. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that more than 8,000 lightning strikes were reported in the state on Saturday, and at least 8,300 through Sunday evening. Alaska Division of Forestry spokesman Tim Mowry says the…
Sitka schools end year with a surplus
Sitka schools are ending this academic year with a $200,000 surplus. KCAW-FM reports district administrators decided to save half the surplus while the other half helps pay for arts curriculum. District business manager Cassee Olin told Sitka School board members in June that savings on utilities and heating fuel were the most significant. Some areas…
NTSBA wrapping up plane crash investigation
An investigation into a floatplane crash that killed 8 sightseers and the pilot about a year ago is nearly finished. National Transportation Safety Board Alaska Chief Clint Johnson told the Ketchikan Daily News that officials are compiling information before releasing a final report. The federal agency sent investigators to the site near Ketchikan where visibility…
Medicaid challenge dismissed by judge
A state judge has denied an attempt to prolong litigation challenging Gov. Bill Walker’s authority to unilaterally expand Medicaid. The Friday action stems from a lawsuit filed by the Alaska Legislative Council against Walker last summer. The case was dismissed by a state court judge in March. The Alaska House subsequently gave notice it planned…
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly votes to keep praying at meetings
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly will continue to begin every meeting with a prayer after tabling an ordinance that would end the practice. The Peninsula Clarion reports the issue arose at the borough’s Tuesday meeting after members of the community had mentioned earlier this year that the invocation made them uncomfortable. Borough code allows local…