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Tuesday AM
January 08, 2013
The Eagle's Talons
Eagles have 4 talons (and toes) on each foot; a hallux talon at the back of the foot that faces front, and 3 toes on the front of the foot where the talons face toward the back. The hallux talon is always longer than the other "regular" talons. And in females, this talon is longer than in males. The real "strength" comes from the muscles in the legs, that when contracted clamp the tendons in the lower legs and toes down, closing all the talons together in a vice-like grip.
Front Page Photograph by CARL THOMPSON©2013
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Southeast Alaska: Private Sector Slowly Continues To Boost Southeast Alaska Jobs - The private sector produced 500 new jobs in Southeast Alaska in 2012 according to Alaska Department of Labor Economist Mali Abrahamson. A diverse set of industries contributed to the new jobs in 2012 - much more diverse than in 2011, when gains were exclusively in mining, seafood processing, health care, and professional services.
In a January 2013 Alaska Economic Trends article, Abrahamson reported that transportation, construction, leisure and hospitality also grew in 2012, which Abrahamson reports hints at continued economic improvement in 2013 as businesses prepare for higher visitor numbers. About 400 new jobs are forecasted for Southeast Alaska in 2013, or about 1.1 percent growth.
Population changes and new jobs
Abrahamson reported that population growth in Southeast lagged behind the state and the nation for most of the 2000s, but that changed near the end of the decade - the most recent estimates from 2010 and 2011 show significant increases.
More than half of the population growth in recent years was in Juneau, which also gained the most jobs. New job growth was also reported in Sitka, Skagway, Prince of Wales and Petersburg. However, employment grew in eight of 10 Southeast boroughs and census areas in 2012.
Job seekers from the Lower 48 headed north during the recession boosting the population in Southeast as well as statewide. The region’s projected population growth through 2015 is less than 1 percent, though, because of its low rate of natural increase (births minus deaths).
Low natural increase and an older population are typical of Southeast, which has more residents over age 65 than any other region of Alaska and a median age of 39.4 — significantly older than the statewide median of 33.8.
Southeast’s workforce is also older, with 34 percent of resident workers over age 50, in contrast to 29 percent statewide. The disparity is even larger among the industries the area relies on for year-round jobs. For example, in local and state government, over 36 percent of workers are older than 50, compared to 23 percent statewide.
According to Abrahamson, given the aging of the labor force and high expected turnover in positions filled by older, highly paid workers, the outlook in the near future and long term both strongly depend on migration and the ability to attract replacement workers. - More...
Tuesday AM - January 08, 2013
Ketchikan: Ketchikan Man Arrested On Heroin Charge - Alaska State Troopers arrested Jonathon Oaksmith, age 22 of Ketchikan, at the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry Terminal in Ketchikan Sunday evening.
Investigation by the Troopers revealed that Oaksmith was in possession of 2 ounces of black tar heroin, which has a street value in Ketchikan of $28,345. - More...
Tuesday AM - January 08, 2013
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Alaska: Kulluk drilling unit arrives in Kodiak Island safe harbour - Shell confirmed Monday its Arctic-class drilling unit, the Kulluk, has been safely towed to a safe harbour on Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, where it will undergo a thorough safety assessment before resuming its journey to its winter harbour for repairs and maintenance.
The Kulluk was driven aground by violent weather on the southeast shoreline of nearby Sitkalidak Island on December 31, 2012, while under tow from Alaska to Seattle, Washington.
Commenting on the incident, Marvin Odum, President, Shell Oil Company, said: "We undertake significant planning and preparation in an effort to ensure these types of incidents do not occur. We're very sorry it did. Since the grounding, Shell has worked with all parties in the Unified Command structure to ensure a safe outcome and to protect the maritime environment in the vicinity of the grounded vessel. Thanks to the professionalism, dedication, and skill of all those involved in the recovery effort, I'm pleased to say those objectives have been met with no significant injuries and no environmental impact. - More...
Tuesday AM - January 08, 2013
Fisheries: Researchers uncover some good news for BC's troubled salmon populations - A University of Alberta led research team recently reported some positive news for British Columbia's pink salmon populations, and the salmon farming industry that has struggled to protect both captive and wild salmon from sea lice infestations.
There has long been concern that concentrations of sea lice in BC's fish farming pens spread to wild fish stock in surrounding waters.
The researchers discovered that by changing the timing of sea lice treatments, one salmon farming region not only improved the health of their farm Atlantic salmon - the action has helped the struggling population of wild pink salmon to begin recovering.
The research was focused on salmon farming operations in one specific area of the BC coast, the Broughton Archipelago, which lies between the mainland and the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The researchers describe the area as the historic ground zero for studying the impacts of aquaculture on wild Pacific salmon.
Over the past decade, salmon farmers in the area have gradually shifted the timing of anti-parasite treatments to the fall and winter months. As a result, there have been fewer sea lice in coastal waters as juvenile pink salmon migrate to sea in the spring. - More...
Tuesday AM - January 08, 2013 |
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Columns - Commentary
TOM PURCELL: "Cliff" Not Our Real Crisis -
Washington's self-created "fiscal cliff" crisis has been somewhat resolved, which means we can continue ignoring the real fiscal crises that are dead ahead.
Medicare offers a fine example.
The Medicare mess began in 1965 when Lyndon Baines Johnson continued FDR's tradition of buying votes with the voters' own money: That's when LBJ signed Medicare into law.
Medicare actually worked well for many years — when there were lots more people paying into the insurance program than there were Americans over 65 using it.
But, like most government programs, Medicare was too good to last. There are four reasons why.
First, old folks don't croak anymore — or at least live longer. They are happier and healthier than ever before, as anyone would be who doesn't pay local taxes and gets free coffee at fast-food joints. But many of them receive Medicare, which is costly.
Second, new medical technologies are expensive, which drives up Medicare costs. These technologies are keeping people alive, which is terrific, but that has the effect of further driving up Medicare costs.
ObamaCare is killing technology companies' incentive to keep inventing life-saving devices — it places a 2.4-percent tax on gross revenue, which equates to a massive 15-percent tax increase on profits — but that is another story for another time.
The third reason Medicare costs are soaring has to do with medical inflation, which has risen dramatically over the years. This inflation is partly due to the government pumping billions into the medical system via Medicare. - More...
Tuesday AM - January 08, 2013 |
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 Planning Comm. Meeting Tues 1/8 6PM By
Robert K. Rice -
This is a copy of a letter I sent to the Ketchikan Borough Planning Commission. I am encouraging everyone with concerns regarding this use of the land near our library, radio station, recreation center, swimming pool, ball fields, fish hatchery, and many homes and apartments, to attend the planning commission meeting to voice your concerns.There are much less disruptive places to site this facility. Thanks to Amanda Mitchell and Duke Swink for bringing this to our attention. - More...
Sunday AM - January 06, 2013
Alaska is headed for an ice age By
Marvin Seibert -
I know climate change facts just stand in the way of the people who consider Al Gore a Messiah in this area but I feel the truth can always be best shown in the light of day, not a DVD of made up half-truths. - More...
Sunday AM - January 06, 2013
RE: RIPOFF By
Pete Ellis - The following quote from a Hanger commentary certainly deals with the problem but fails to suggest a solution: - More...
Sunday AM - January 06, 2013
KPU advisory board appointments By
A.M. Johnson-
It is noted that the Ketchikan Public Utilities is advertising for public citizens to apply for appointment to the Ketchikan Public Utilities advisory board. Good news! It was thought this board had been dissolved for lack of activity or interest. Now is a timely moment to resurrect the board or reinforce it with new blood. - More...
Wednesday PM - January 02, 2013
RIPOFF By David G. Hanger -
The price for gasoline in Ketchikan is more than $1 per gallon over the national average and 80 cents per gallon over the state average; in Metlakatla those same numbers are more than $1.50 per gallon and at the state level $1.30 per gallon. Either the wholesale distributors of gasoline in Ketchikan think they have an unlimited license to steal, or they are the most incompetent business managers in the state and in the nation. This problem is chronic and persistent, and there are no excuses. It is time to fire these people. - More...
Wednesday PM - January 02, 2013
Idle No More By
Jennifer Boyd -
I am very proud to say Metlakatla held a march today to stand with the First Nations of Canada. As all rallies and marches it was peaceful with our children and grandchildren marching with us. Chief Teresa has called for peaceful rallies. And I would like to add, no police were called out, no pictures were taken by the police. - More...
Wednesday PM - January 02, 2013
Jim Pinkerton & the Fireside Lounge By
Betty Lee Lien Marl -
Jim Pinkerton was an odd fellow and for sure no one knew of his childhood or his hardships. He was a very hard worker and smart as a whip. In 1962 my husband, Stan Marl, was killed in a hunting accident leaving me with 4 very young children. The town rallyed around me and my family. My mother, Anne Evensen, was a waitress at the Blue Fox Cafe. Jim always ate lunch there. One day he asked my mother what he could do for me. She didn't know what to tell him. A few hours later one of the employees from the cold storage wheeled in a hand truck with this enormous plastic bag, easily 25 pounds or more, of frozen halibut cheeks. He knew that I loved halibut cheeks and this was his way of helping me out. He was a very private person and when my mother called me and told me to come and get this huge bag of halibut cheeks I was dumb founded. Luckily I had just bought a freezer! It was a very compasionate thing for him to do. - More...
Wednesday - January 02, 2013
Gas Prices By
Norma Lankerd -
Again, FYI (Metlakatla's) gas prices were at $4.71 per gallon after the prices kept going down (So) I wouldn't complain and YAY we are finally down to $4.51 a gallon (SURE) would like to swap gas (fuel) prices with anyone. - More...
Wednesday PM - January 02, 2013
Concerning Rezoning Case 12-106 By
Duke Swink -
What kind of treatment plant will be in operation to treat the water used in this industry? Will the run off end up in Ketchikan Creek where there are salmon? Has anyone thought about this? ALL industrial sites have large amounts of waste water, and it is usually VERY polluted, and must be treated before it can be released into the surrounding areas. I didn't see a provision for a treatment plant. This could open you up to major lawsuits. - More...
Wednesday PM - January 02, 2013
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