KSTK

This winter, the state plans to repeatedly sail ferries within 20 miles of Wrangell — but only stop there twice.

According to an environmental impact statement by the U.S. Navy, exercises and maneuvers in Southeast Alaska waters will not cause the death of any marine mammals.

Wrangell’s superintendent of schools has apologized for what she called “a heinous and perhaps unforgivable mistake.”

Details are still unknown about an anonymous city assembly vote that was carried out via text message

A female resident of Wrangell tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently isolating at home.

Wrangell is coordinating with a regional effort seeking assurances from operators of small cruise ships seeking to sail this summer.

The Rainforest Islander ferry once connected Wrangell, Coffman Cove and Mitkof Island near Petersburg. A veteran tour operator in Wrangell hopes to turnaround a ship that’s had years of bad luck.

Small cruise ships are exempted from the federal no sail order, leaving local officials wondering whether they’re ready to welcome an influx of visitors as soon as next month.

Wrangell City Manager Lisa Von Bargen is skeptical that even smaller cruise ships could operate under the current statewide mandate requiring out-of-state arrivals to quarantine for 14 days before mixing in a community.

Wrangell’s proposed restrictions on people arriving at the island community have been shelved after the state said the Southeast city doesn’t have the authority because it isn’t considered a “small community.”