A fuel-laden barge bound for Alaska ran broke free from its tug in stormy seas. Canadian officials say the U.S. vessel is back under control but the incident reignites a debate over petroleum shipments in the Inside Passage.
Southeast
Mental Health Trust to continue exploration at Icy Cape
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority will spend $3 million on additional exploratory drilling next year on trust land northwest of Yakutat.
Skagway mayor vetoes Assembly action on White Pass memorandum
The Skagway Assembly took a step forward at a meeting Tuesday in waterfront negotiations with White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. The group unanimously approved a draft memorandum of understanding with the private company. But, the next day, the mayor put on the brakes.
Sitka students get ‘hands-on’ experience with subsistence
“Experiential learning” in high school takes on a whole new meaning when the subject is subsistence. At Pacific High in Sitka the students already understand that they’re going to experience a lot of hands-on activities.
Sitka hikers wrap up epic, six-year Baranof Island trek
A pair of Sitka adventurers has just wrapped up a six-year odyssey in their own backyard. Eric Speck and Dan Evans are likely the first people to walk the length of Baranof Island, north-to-south. They did the trip in segments — hiking a total of 32 days — through some of the most rugged terrain on the planet.
Southeast pink salmon catch could disappoint again in 2018
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is forecasting a commercial catch of 23 million pink salmon in Southeast Alaska next year. That would be down from this year but would come close to historical averages. Managers are expecting something similar to the disappointing season of 2016.
Phlight Club helps POW students learn life skills while having fun
A couple times a year, students in different parts of Prince of Wales Island are locked up together for three days. It’s Phlight Club, a program that aims to increase kids’ ability to cope with challenges, and improve their support system.
Some of Southeast’s recycling is headed to the landfill
China is limiting the type and quality of recyclable materials it will import. That could affect Alaska, since most of our recycling ends up there.
Haines Assembly to university: timber sale would go against local code
The Haines Assembly is pushing back on a proposed timber sale on the Chilkat Peninsula. The University of Alaska is offering up 400 acres of land for harvest. But at a meeting Monday, the local government said it will explore its legal options if a contract is awarded.
Petersburg borough lands will increase dramatically with bill passage
One of only 26 bills passed by the legislature this year, Senate Bill 28 got the governor’s signature last week. It increases a state land allotment for the Petersburg borough to more than 14,000 acres.