Ketchikan: Small Business Development Center Opens in Ketchikan - The Alaska Small Business Development Center announces the opening of its center in Ketchikan. Michele Zerbetz Scott, Business Advisor, will be providing counseling services.

Zerbetz Scott was born and raised in Ketchikan, and is a long time Alaskan. Her background includes over 12 years as a small business owner providing consulting services to small businesses, not-for-profits and tribal governments; 18 years management experience, holding executive positions in several not-for-profit organizations; and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. - More...
Monday - February 22, 2010

Alaska: AFDF will serve as clientship for MSC certification of Alaska salmon - The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) announced Friday that their Board of Directors voted in favor of serving as the client for maintaining Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for the entire Alaska salmon fishery. AFDF will immediately begin work with the independent certifier, Moody Marine International, to conduct the required annual audit for the fishery. Successful completion of the audit will ensure an unbroken supply of MSC-certified Alaska salmon.

AFDF takes over the role of client for MSC certification of Alaska salmon from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), which served as the client since Alaska salmon was first certified to the MSC standard in 2000. ADFG was in the unusual role of a government fishery management body serving as an MSC certificate holder, and indicated that it wanted to transition that role to an industry-based entity. AFDF will contract with a longtime ADF&G fisheries biologist to liaison between the certifier and ADF&G to compile information needed for the annual audit process. AFDF has stated that ADF&G has an excellent management program, some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated biologists in the world, and they look forward to highlighting these aspects of the state's exemplary sustainable salmon management.

Alaska salmon processors and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) had previously been in discussions with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), which had made a provisional commitment to take over the clientship from Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). However, new issues extending beyond the established MSC program structure were introduced by ASMI regarding client cost sharing. ASMI indicated the issues could have an impact on their state funding relationship, and the board voted to further postpone the decision.

An Alaskan salmon industry coalition then approached AFDF and requested that their foundation look at the potential for stepping in as client in order to prevent a lapse in the certification. The AFDF board initially voted in December to investigate whether there was sufficient industry support that favored AFDF to take over the clientship. After receiving commitment letters from the majority of the salmon processors, AFDF was able to move forward with a commitment to become the client, which removes further delays and uncertainty about management of the certificate. AFDF expresses appreciation for the consideration and support that ASMI has shown in this transition and believes that it is critical for ASMI and the Alaska brand to remain vibrant and strong. AFDF also expressed gratitude for the support from United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA), the National Fisheries Institute and the other Alaska fishing industry representatives that encouraged AFDF to take over the clientship to ensure an ongoing MSC certificate for Alaska salmon. - More...
Monday - February 22, 2010

Fish Factor: Predictions say salmon season will produce fewer fish By LAINE WELCH - Alaska's 2010 salmon season will produce 15 percent fewer fish, if predictions by state fishery managers hold true.

The statewide, all species harvest is pegged at 138 million salmon, compared to last year's catch of 162.5 million salmon, the 12th largest take since 1960.

According to the 2010 Run Forecasts and Harvest Projections report just released by the state commercial fisheries division, the shortfall stems from an expected decrease in pink salmon catches.

The statewide breakdown for this year's projected salmon catches calls for a slight bump up for Chinook to 515,000 fish; for sockeye, a catch of 45.8 million reds is an increase of 2.5 million; the coho catch of 4.4 million is up just slightly; staying the same is the chum forecast of 18 million fish. For those hard to predict pinks, a projected catch of 69.1 million is about 28% lower than last year.

Here is a sampler of regional information included in the 2009 salmon season overview: In Southeast Alaska, 1,915 permit holders participated in the fisheries, up 2% from the previous year. Chum salmon was the most valuable species, valued at $37 million at the Southeast docks.

At Norton Sound, 88 permits were fished, the second highest since 1997, but the 12th lowest on record. The fishery value of $722,000 was well above the 5 year average of $428,000 and the 3rd highest in 20 years.
Sixty-two salmon fishermen were out on the water at Kotzebue, the most since 2001. The average value for each permit holder was $6,073.

At Kodiak, of the 608 eligible permit holders, only 291 (48%) made landings, up slightly. A fleet of 158 seiners accounted for 93% of the salmon landed, and averaged $185,000 per permit fished. The average earning for 132 Kodiak setnetters was $48,000 per permit, above the 10 year average of $38,000. - More...
Monday - February 22, 2010

Alaska: Senate Passes Bill to Increase Penalties on Underage Drinking - The Alaska State Senate today passed Senate Bill 194, "Civil Damages for Alcohol Violations", sponsored by Senator Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage.

"Drinking by people under 21 is a problem in our state," said Senator Meyer. "Too many of our young people get alcohol from adults."

"Kids are not the only ones with a problem," said Senator Meyer. "There are currently 2,133 alcohol restricted licenses issued in the state. An increase in civil damages will reinforce the message to youngsters and adults that underage drinking will not be tolerated."

SB 194 increases civil damages from $1,000 to $1,500 for minors who knowingly enter or remain in premises licensed to sell alcohol, people who solicit or purchase alcohol for anyone under the age of 21, and people with restrictions on purchasing alcohol. - More...
Monday - February 22, 2010

Alaska: State Will Re-Try Mechele Linehan for First-Degree Murder - The State of Alaska will put Mechele Linehan on trial again for first-degree murder in the 1996 death of her fiancé, Kent Leppink.

Attorney General Dan Sullivan announced the decision as the case returned to Superior Court, following the Feb. 5 ruling by the Alaska Court of Appeals that reversed Linehan's conviction from October 2007.

Linehan remains under indictment in the murder of Leppink, who was shot to death in Hope. John Carlin was convicted as the shooter. Both Linehan and Carlin received 99-year prison sentences after separate trials. Carlin then was murdered in prison.

"While the appeals court has reversed Linehan's conviction on the basis of two particular pieces of evidence being admitted during her trial, we are confident that there is sufficient evidence to support a second conviction," said Deputy Attorney General Rick Svobodny, head of the Criminal Division in the Department of Law. - More...
Monday - February 22, 2010

Alaska: Attorney General Issues Opinion on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission - Attorney General Dan Sullivan on Friday provided a legal opinion to the governor's office analyzing the impacts on Alaska campaign finance statutes from a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

"The high court decision left many Alaskans, including policymakers, uncertain about how campaign financing might be affected in this election year," Sullivan said. "Our legal analysis identifies areas of Alaska campaign finance law that are directly impacted by the recent Supreme Court ruling. We also examine and highlight indirect effects on Alaska law." - More...
Monday - February 22, 2010

Health - Fitness: Sedentary TV time may cut life short - Couch potatoes beware: every hour of television watched per day may increase the risk of dying earlier from cardiovascular disease, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Australian researchers tracked the lifestyle habits of 8,800 adults and found that each hour spent in front of the television daily was associated with:

• an 11 percent increased risk of death from all causes,
• a 9 percent increased risk of cancer death; and
• an 18 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related death.

Compared with people who watched less than two hours of television daily, those who watched more than four hours a day had a 46 percent higher risk of death from all causes and an 80 percent increased risk for CVD-related death. This association held regardless of other independent and common cardiovascular disease risk factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, unhealthy diet, excessive waist circumference, and leisure-time exercises. - More...
Monday - February 22, 2010

Public Service Announcements Public Meetings & Info Alaska DOT Open House South Tongass Ferry Terminal Reconnaisance Study Open House March 9, 2010, 6-9 pm Saxman Tribal House For more information click here Ketchikan Borough Assembly Agenda and Information Packets Live video stream of current meeting Assembly Meeting Minutes Calendar Ketchikan Planning Commission Agenda, Information Packets & Minutes Ketchikan City Council Agenda & Information Packets Ketchikan School Board Agenda & Information Packets Gravina Access Project SEIS Alternatives Development Gravina Access Website Ketchikan Jobs Ketchikan Police Reports AK Troopers Daily Dispatch Today's Forecast Satellite Today's Weather Images Marine Forecasts AK Weathercams Ketchikan Weather Data Current AK Weather Map CLASSIFIEDS Publish Publish Your Ad Click Here CLASSIFIEDS' CATEGORIES Announcements and       Help Wanted For Sale / Free Stuff Garage Sales Homes / Apts/ Property Pets Wanted Lost & Found Publish Your Ad Front Page Archives January - Feb. 2010 S M T W T F S           01 02 03 04 05 06 07  08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 More Front Page Archives

Sealaska land bill: Time to work together By Chris E. McNeil, Jr. - The Tongass National Forest is a Native Place. Southeast Natives gave up claims to over 17 million acres of land for approximately 375,000 acres. From less than one-half of one percent of all lands conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), Sealaska has shared over $300 million dollars with other Alaska Natives under Section 7(i) revenue sharing. The Sealaska land legislation S. 881 and H.R. 2099, currently before the U.S. Congress, enables the government to complete the contract that it made with Sealaska and other Alaska Natives when it enacted ANCSA in 1971. - More...
Tuesday - February 23, 2010

Where's Lisa? By Bob Claus - In October, 2009, I had the opportunity to testify in front of the US Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests about Senate Bill 881, the Sealaska land transfer bill. Senators Murkowski and Begich were there, as were other members of the committee. This makes me the only person from Prince of Wales Island to have had an opportunity to speak directly to the decision makers in an official setting. This is not fair to those who wish to express their own opinions about this legislation. - More...
Tuesday - February 23, 2010

Crossing Guards By Tracy Mettler - If you believe that the downtown crossing guards should should wear a uniform, or at the very least, have a dress code this season (and seasons to come...) please follow the link below to the Mayor and Council pages and let your elected representatives know. - More...
Monday PM - February 23, 2010

Drug testing By Kay Taylor - I agree with the opinion letter by Jose Garcia. Since drinking and boating is not allowed by Coast Guard directive, why doesn't the city require drug testing for new hires and applicants as well as current employees? They are on duty in the harbor and are responsible for our safety. Why they are exempt and the operators of boats are not flies in the face of discrimination. - More...
Monday PM - February 22, 2010

An Open Letter to Senator Bingaman: Sealaska Land Grab By Myla Poelstra - Can you hear the growing chorus of voices sounding the alarm throughout all of Southeast Alaska? One by one over the last few days, city after city within the Alexander Archipelago, and nearly every town in between, have come forward with formal resolutions of opposition or requests for formal congressional hearings. What would make so many different and diverse communities cry out for justice and fair consideration? Something really wrong is happening in Southeast Alaska. That something is a bill known locally as the "Sealaska Land Grab". S.881 ­ Southeast Alaska Native Land Entitlement Finalization Act has been wrapped in a well designed package that looks and sounds very good, but what's inside is greed and total disregard for everyone but themselves. - More...
Monday PM - February 22, 2010

Open Letter to Senator Lisa Murkowski: Sealaska Land Grab Bill By Myla Poelstra - We read your latest news release this morning in the Juneau Empire, "Public Hearings in Southeast region to begin in early March". Everyone is once again disappointed by what appears to be stubborn indifference to formally addressing our concerns. We have been writing letters since 2003 when you introduced S.1466 - The Land Transfer Acceleration Act. Sealaska had already made their out - of - withdrawal area selections on N. Prince of Wales at that time. Over seven years and several different attempts at legislation, and they have never really adjusted their proposed selections. You have left us to feel there has been an extensive effort of stonewalling against the legitimate concerns of the people living in these areas. Evidently we do not have the deep pockets that it must take to gain your support. If this letter sounds angry and cynical, its supposed to. Your deliberate remarks designed for deflection are easily picked up on. People living remote are not as intellectually challenged as you might think. - More...
Monday PM - February 22, 2010

Request for information By Lauren Stevens - My name is Lauren Stevens. I am a fourth grade student at Evansville Day School. I am doing a state report on Alaska. The reason why I wanted to do Alaska is because I wanted to learn as much as I can about the animals because I want to be a vet. - More...
Monday PM - February 22, 2010

KPU SALE ADVERTISING BUDGET By Pete Ellis - Further to Edwardson's commentary on the approved budget for the KPU Sale Election referendum did not the City Council action really result in a budget that should be divided equally between those in favor and those opposed? - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Sealaska Landless Communities By Vernon Grant - In my last letter for public interest, on November 16th 2009, I had voiced my personal opinion about how Sealaska has not addressed the landless issues of the 5 communities, that were left out of the original ANCSA of 1970's. But have you noticed the Sealaska website headlines: "Haa Aaní Legislation" you would think that what they were speaking about is the final act of the ANCSA to finalize the whole bill as promised!  - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

DO NOT ALLOW The Sealaska Bill out of Committee By Myla Poelstra - S.881, the Sealaska land grab bill, should die in committee. Sealaska's selections should only occur within the area specified by ANCSA in 1971.- More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Thank You Ketchikan & Metlakatla By Blanche Dilleshaw - I would like to give a huge heartfelt thank you to the family and friends for the seafood fundraiser held in Metlakatla. Ý A lot of work went into it.Ý I heard the food was awesome!!Ý I do wish I could have been there. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Thomas Jefferson By A.M.Johnson - From all reflections of current community, National and local awareness, it seems the history of the greatness of America from its founding days is not taught in a manner that is retained by students of public education. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Are the Ports & Harbors exempted from drug test for applicants as Ports Security Officers? By Jose S. Garcia - In my recent stint as Port Security Officer for the year 2008, the interview and CPR/First Aid Training was done in conjunction to what protocol has agenda'd. Nevertheless, there were no drug tests applied or even mandated to by the hiring personnel of the Ports and Harbors having to note that these hired personnel reflects being a model ports officer in the City of Ketchikan. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Kayhi's National Art's Honor Society By Frankie Urquhart - I want to acknowledge the wonderful students who are a part of Ketchikan High School's National Art's Honor Society. These students, led by Jeanette Sweetman, did an amazing job decorating the Schoenbar Valentine's Dance last Friday. This group of students worked for hours after school everyday and put in 20+ hours building pieces of art for the dance. They crafted a very impressive Eiffel Tour that became the center piece for our dance. They also built a heart shaped frame that students were able to stand in front of to take pictures with their friends, and a few other wonderful banners. These students did all of this on their own time, and the day of the dance actually came and set up for 4 hours before the dance. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Bell Island Hot Springs By Kara Steele - I was just on Facebook, and one of our classmates has discovered a horrible end that no one expected at Bell Island. If anyone remembers this precious site, the hot springs pool and cabins were all the rave! Now, the pool has been left unattended for who knows how long, critters and moss have taken over the inside, the boardwalks to everything are falling down, the cabins are gone, and apparently the lodge has had a major cave in with the roof some years ago. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

RE: KPU By Barbara Dupea - The last time I checked there aren't many businesses in this world that give service away for free, including First City Tax. I suspect that's why Mr. Hanger has remained in business for as long as he has. Just pay your bills on time, seems pretty simple to me. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

RE: KPU By Paul Jarvi - Mr. Hanger, pay your bills. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Create and Keep Jobs in U.S. By Donald A. Moskowitz - President Obama is promoting a new $300 billion economic stimulus program. When he took office in January 2009 he said the $787 billion stimulus program will CREATE 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010 and unemployment will remain below 8.0%. Unemployment is hovering around 10.0%, and the jobs promised by Obama might hit 1.5 million by the end of 2010, but during the last 13 months we lost 5 million jobs. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Wake up parents! By Spring McCurry - I don't understand what I have been seeing this winter or any winter for that matter. On my way into work I see high school students walking to school with NO jacket! I see middle and elementary aged students waiting at the bus stop or walking to school with NO jacket! It's raining and windy out, but these kids don't have a jacket on. Why is that? As I drive through town I notice the kids that are walking with their parents, parents have a jacket on, but not the kids. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

Doggie Dems By Kara Steele - I almost fell outta my seat reading this one! LOL Good job on the letter! Yes I must admit, I believe my dog too, is a Democrat....she sleeps all the time, eats, I feed her, bathe her, take her to the doctor....all she has to do, is be here when I get home! - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

DOG POO/WARD LAKE By Kathryn Smith - I PICKED UP AFTER YOUR DOG THE OTHER DAY. - More...
Friday AM - February 19, 2010

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