Southeast Alaska: Wrangell Physician Sentenced to 20 Years For Distributing And Receiving Child Pornography - A Wrangell physician was sentenced this month to 20 years in prison for receiving and distributing child pornography, a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $25,000 fine, according to U.S. Attorney Karen. L. Loeffler.

Greg Alan Salard, 54, of Wrangell, Alaska, was found guilty on July 28, 2015, after a six-day trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess.

According to evidence presented at trial, between June and October 2014, during an FBI investigation concerning the trading of child pornography using peer-to-peer (P2P) software, investigators discovered that an Internet Protocol (IP) address linked to Salard was used on multiple occasions to share files of known child pornography. The evidence also showed that a laptop computer subsequently seized from Salard’s home contained the same P2P software used to share one of the images identified during the investigation.

Testimony regarding a forensic examination of the laptop demonstrated that the computer contained the child pornography video identified by investigators, as well as evidence of hundreds of other files of child pornography; the jury reviewed the contents of eleven of those files. The testimony also showed that multiple searches had been run on the laptop for a term associated with child pornography, and videos of child pornography had been viewed on the computer. Finally, the evidence introduced at trial revealed that a program designed to erase or “wipe” computer files had been used multiple times, including on the morning the search warrant was executed. - More...
Monday PM - February 15, 2016

Fish Factor: Fishing lives and wives By LAINE WELCH - Fishing lives and fishing wives are set to be showcased for a national audience; one as a documentary and the other, on reality television.

The first, an hour-long feature called Last Man Fishing, focuses on the lifestyles and challenges facing our nation’s small-scale fishermen.

“We’re from Indiana and we realized there is a disconnect between the consumer and where their fish is coming from,” said JD Schuyler who is co-producing the documentary with his wife, Kelley. “We want to bridge the gap of people appreciating seafood, while also understanding the struggles of the small scale fishermen.”

The Schuylers, who have long been involved in the sustainable foods movement, first made the connection with fishermen/co-owners of Sitka Salmon Shares, a “boat to doorstep” seafood company with hubs in the Midwest.

“Working with them allowed us to learn a lot about small scale fishing and see some of the struggles some have,” JD said. “With our historical connections with food and small-scale farming, it really connected with us and motivated us to start the project.”

“We’ve learned a lot about how fisheries are being privatized, and how that keeps the younger fishermen from entering. It really makes it difficult for people to get into the trade,” he added.

The team has since filmed fishing lives in Kodiak, St. Paul Island, Maine and the next stop is the Gulf of Mexico.

“A lot of people are losing their livelihood and the coastal communities are losing families and generations of practices and culture,” echoed Kelley. On the flip side, the documentary highlights how many fishermen are now making their own inroads with direct sales to chefs and other consumers, and learning how to get the most value out of their fish.

“We’ve seen that in Southeast Alaska and in Maine, and I think that is empowering small scale fishermen,” she added.

To help tell their story, the film makers have launched a $35,000 Kickstarter campaign in hopes of getting Last Man Fishing on the national film festival circuit next year.

“This isn’t about us making money,” the Schuylers said. “It’s about us telling an important story that is so meaningful to fishermen and communities. We are thankful to be a part of it.” - More...
Monday PM - February 15, 2016

Ketchikan Education: Ketchikan students prepare for GCI Alaska Academic Decathlon - Students from across Alaska will gather in Anchorage Feb. 25–27 to represent their schools and compete at the 31st Annual GCI Alaska Academic Decathlon at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel. Students from Ketchikan, Craig and Metlakatla will be among the participating teams.

Students competing from the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District are Lora Starr, Gabrial Canfield, Largim Zhuta, Sage Acteson, Jesalyn Cachero, Ingrid Anzueto, Elizabeth Vossen, Lydia Sumrall, Max Varela, Emme Andersen and Adrian Antonio. They are led by coach Peter Stanton. Students from Craig City Schools are Robert (Wyatt) Hilder, Brynna Ververs, Baylee Schneider, Tristan Douville, Tahren Torsey, Noah Castle, Liam Price, Alex Price, Duane Wood, Hannah Atland and Kaylie Yorgensen. They are led by coach Jessica Hughes. Representing Metlakatla High School are Madisyn Janes, Barak Wahl, Jeanette Kaleikau-Buxton, Alana Williams, Cameron Commack, Raquel Schoolcraft, Alonzo Leisholm, Tim Williams, DaShaun Atkinson, Collin Williams, Cheyenne Marsden and Shae-Lynn Hudson. This team is coached by Kathy Anderson and Jason Webber.

The Academic Decathlon was created to provide high school students with opportunities to experience the challenges of rigorous team and individual academic competition. Each participating student will compete in 10 events: economics, essay, art, interview, math, music, science, social science, speech and language and literature. Students also participate in an event called the Super Quiz, a team competition featuring a student relay. It’s one of most exciting events in the competition and the only event that is open to the public.

The program offers students the chance to compete in non-athletic events while building relationships and fostering a positive inter-school community. The Academic Decathlon is uniquely designed to include students of all academic abilities and achievement levels by requiring each nine-member team to consist of three “A” students (honor division), three “B” students (scholastic division) and three “C” or below students (varsity division). - More...
Monday PM - February 15, 2016