Transportation

A few years ago, Juneau School District gradually started cutting the travel budget for high school activities. Then the money stopped.

Wednesday is the first day of school for about 4,700 students across Juneau.

Eight buoy tenders and their crews from Alaska, British Columbia, and the Pacific Northwest are in Juneau this week for the annual Buoy Tender Roundup and Olympics.

A seiner lost an estimated 70,000 pounds of pink salmon when his boat ran aground on August 6 near Sitka. Although none of the fish were contaminated by fuel, the load had spoiled by the time the vessel was refloated.

The pilot made an emergency landing about 150 feet from Coghlan Island. All five people aboard the plane were able to swim to shore.

If you’re in a car accident, have a heart attack or your baby is born prematurely, you may need to get a medical flight to another city. But a medevac out of Southeast Alaska can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Two specially equipped sailboats are attempting a voyage that’s never been done before – a trip to the North Pole. Led by a British explorer, the international crew has moved the boats from their home in Sitka up to Nome, where they’re hoping to launch for their journey to the Pole this weekend.

The M/V Tustumena returned to service this week following repairs that canceled 70 percent of its summer sailings. While the vessel gets underway, funds for its replacement aren’t far behind.

Skagway leaders continue to work on a 15-year tidelands lease that would prolong a private company’s control of the waterfront. Residents will get a chance to weigh in through a public vote. But the Assembly is now talking about scheduling a special election later in the year, instead of rushing to meet deadlines for the Oct. 3 general election.