Southeast Alaska: Murkowski Announces Sealaska Lands Bill Meetings - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today announced two community meetings on the Sealaska lands bill to be held on Prince of Wales Island.

"These meetings will allow those most affected by the Sealaska bill to have their concerns fully heard," Murkowski said. "I'm hopeful this effort will help us improve the legislation."

Murkowski is sending her staffer Arne Fuglvog to conduct meetings at the communities of Edna Bay and Port Protection. Meetings scheduled in the communities earlier this month were cancelled due to weather. - More...
Friday - May 26, 2010

Southeast Alaska: CENSUS TOTEM POLE TRAVELS TO CENSUS EVENTS IN SAXMAN - The Census Totem Pole is making its way to Saxman where a Census Day event will be held to bring awareness of the 2010 census and urge residents to fill out and mail back their forms. The journey of the totem pole is part of the Census Bureau's effort to reach hard-to-count communities in Alaska, which had the lowest response rate of all the states in the 2000 census.

"The ultimate purpose is to inspire people to fill out the form," said Eric Morisson, partnership specialist for Alaska Native communities. "Not only is it important [to count] tribal membership for tribes, but also for the community overall-for future development, as far as day cares, health clinics, city programs, roads, and economic development [go]."

Tommy Joseph, of the Eagle Moiety, Kaagwaantaan Clan, carved the eight-foot pole in Sitka. Joseph, a resident artist and educator at the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center, incorporated three totem figures: the two moieties in Tlingit society-Eagle and Raven-representing all peoples, as well as Human who is crouched in between with a painted overlay of the multi-colored hands seen in census logos.

Households throughout Alaska began receiving the much-anticipated, 10-question form in their mailboxes mid-March. Some Alaskan residents, mostly in rural areas, were hand-delivered the form earlier this winter. Census officials hope that households will fill out their 2010 census questionnaires and mail it back. In more remote areas, face-to-face interviews will be immediately conducted at the household and counted on the spot. - More...
Friday - March 26, 2010

Alaska: State Sues Manufacturer of Fast Ferries - On behalf of the Alaska Marine Highway System, the State of Alaska today filed a lawsuit against the contractor responsible for the design and construction of the fast ferries Fairweather and Chenega. The suit also named the companies responsible for the vessels' propulsion systems.

"Since we accepted delivery of the vessels in 2004 and 2005, the propulsion systems have been subject to recurrent problems," said Jim Beedle, deputy commissioner of marine operations with the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. "Given the ongoing problems and an approaching deadline for filing suit, the state has been compelled to take this unresolved issue to court. However, we have not ruled out further negotiations, if we can get a favorable result for Alaska." - More...
Friday - March 26, 2010

Alaska: Governor Submits Legislation to Stimulate Tourism, Economy - Alaska Governor Sean Parnell on Thursday submitted legislation to boost tourism and stimulate the economy in Alaska. The governor's bill establishes corporate income tax credits to boost tourism marketing and reduces the cruise ship passenger tax from $46 to $34.50 with offsets for local passenger taxes.

After decades of steady growth in cruise ship passenger visits to Alaska, the state is facing a 17 percent decline in cruise visitation this summer. That means 140,000 fewer passengers during the upcoming four-month cruise season, resulting in fewer jobs for Alaskans and less revenue for small businesses. - More...
Friday - March 26, 2010

Alaska: NOAA Fisheries Service seeks comment on Chinook salmon bycatch management plan - NOAA Fisheries has published a proposed rule designed to minimize the accidental catch of Chinook salmon in nets trawling for pollock in the Bering Sea.

"Minimizing Chinook salmon bycatch is very important for the pollock fishing industry and also for the subsistence and commercial fisheries in Western Alaska that depend on salmon," said Dr. Jim Balsiger, Administrator for the Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries Service. "I hope people take time to find out about the proposed program, understand what it will mean for them, and give us their comments."

NOAA Fisheries will accept comments on the proposed rule until May 7, 2010. - More...
Friday - March 26, 2010

Alaska: Fix to Public Safety Employee PERS Medical Gap Announced - Responding to a "gap" in medical coverage for certain disabled public safety employees (peace officers, firefighters and correctional officers), Commissioner Annette Kreitzer has announced that the Department of Administration is pursuing regulations that will allow these employees to receive major medical coverage if disabled on the job.

"A small number of public safety employees had become disabled between their 20th and 25th year of state service and it was discovered that because of their different retirement eligibility rules they were not going to get major medical until age 60," said Kreitzer.

"In consultation with the Department of Law and the sponsors of legislation to address this 'gap' I determined that an effective fix could be made through the regulatory process," she said. - More...
Friday - March 26, 2010

National: It will take years to build the new health care systems By LEE BOWMAN - It's going to take four years for federal and state officials to set up systems to cover as many as 32 million Americans now lacking health insurance under the legislation approved by Congress and President Barack Obama this week.

In the meantime, stop-gap measures tucked in the bills are expected to give some regular access to health care for about half of the uninsured. But the burden of health expenses will continue to erode family budgets of the insured and uninsured alike, experts warned in a new study released Thursday.

"The uninsured are not all uninsured for the same reasons -- a lot are unemployed, others are in jobs that don't offer coverage or coverage they can afford, or they opt out for various reasons. But we can expect their numbers to keep growing at least until the economy gets stronger,'' said Peter Cunningham, a senior fellow at the Center for Studying Health System Change.

As author of a new report that looked at a growing financial burden from health care both among the insured and uninsured, Cunningham says he doesn't expect the reforms will do much to reduce premiums or out-of-pocket costs for most Americans in the near term. - More...
Friday - March 26, 2010

Science - Technology: Courts struggle over rights of outrageous bloggers By MACKENZIE CARPENTER - A New York model is called "a skank" by an anonymous blogger, so she sues Google for the blogger's name.

A Maryland Dunkin' Donuts franchise is called "dirty" by another unnamed blogger, so its owner sues a newspaper website to unmask the critic.

As anonymous content proliferates across the Internet -- one 2006 study estimated that 55 percent of American bloggers post under pseudonyms -- so does the opportunity for robust debate, invective, insights, insults and lawsuits.

Just how easy should it be to silence John or Jane Doe holding forth about a school superintendent's cronyism, a company's illegal dumping of toxic waste -- or just claims that a neighbor is of dubious moral character? When is anonymous Internet speech a richly textured exchange of ideas full of nuance, and when is it trash talk?

In this new digital era, courts are struggling with an increasing number of legal actions against bloggers or the websites that post their comments, searching for ways to balance First Amendment free speech rights with the right to not have one's reputation trashed or privacy invaded online.

Most of these cases can't go anywhere unless the speaker is identified, and that's where the battle begins -- usually with a subpoena aimed at the website provider, says Sam Bayard, assistant director of the Citizen Media Law Project at Harvard University. - More...
Friday - Marhc 26, 2010

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Southeast's Economy and Promises By U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski - Once upon a time, the Southeast timber industry was one of the largest economic drivers in Alaska. In 1990, timber jobs hit an all time employment high. Now the timber industry consists of a few remnants, scratching desperately to hang on. Southeast has one of the highest rates of unemployment in Alaska, and it's the only region in the state where the population is declining and the average age is increasing. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 24, 2010

Kayhi Academic Decathlon By Miguel Torres  Mr. Powell's leadership and passion to direct these great students is an inspiration. Thank you for your commitment. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 24, 2010

RE: City Council, Who are you representing? By Leonard Bergamaschi - I think the only thing that surprises me anymore is how surprised some people are when they realize how much bullheaded biases local businesses have to go through while anything that will benefit "short term" business,IE tourist related, goes on the fast track for approval. 'Nuff said? - More...
Wednesday PM - March 24, 2010

Permits for Yellow Taxi By Shane Sooter - Now, I must be honest, I was against the permit increase for the simple fact it would increase the competition between my fellow drivers and the other two companies, but with the comments made at the Ketchikan City Council meeting last Thursday, I have had a mind change. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 24, 2010

Front Page Photos By Susan McMurray - Monday's featured front page photo by Mike Gates is one of the most beautiful shots I have ever seen of the Ketchikan area, and I have seen several. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 24, 2010

Subject: SB 129 -- Residential Sprinkler System Requirements By David Hull - This residential sprinkler system debacle needs some air clearing I believe. First of all, I oppose SB 129 because I don't think the state should pick and choose the way the local community should conduct their business. It has nothing to do with the installation of residential sprinkler systems. This bill has to do with whether or not the local community can make an appropriate decision on their own to require the sprinkler systems or not. The state and the home builders apparently think we can t be trusted to do things the way we always have. We need more process and state guidance on this one specific issue. Why? - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

Subsistence Rights opinion By Aan Kadax Tseen aka Don Hoff Jr. - Our Lands, Our Seas, So fight for it!

I was thinking a lot about my Brothers and Sisters living in Southeast Alaska. I love and miss the fishing. I really need to teach a few of you how to subsists off the land and sea, I noticed that you lucky dogs catch a King Crab every now and then, but you throw them back because the State of Alaska State laws say so. I say hell with the State of Alaska... the State and Federal Governments are protecting the King Crab and Halibut for the commercial fisheries only. Watch the Deadliest Catch... you don't see any Subsistence Users! Money and greed is all I see by a very few people dictating what we Indigenous People can eat or can't eat and when to eat it! Time to say No! - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

Landless, money-less, heritage-less By Chris Barry - It has been my experience personally, and what I have witnessed & read that when a group of people want to be accommodated and repaid, that they never stop. With every restitution they seek, they state that they will be happy, yet with every restitution given them, they become more hungry and seek to gain more and more. This is true with all peoples. And the Natives of SE Alaska it is no different. Once they get land for payment, what will stop them from seeking more of 'their' land. After all, they did live here first. - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

CITY COUNCIL WHO ARE YOU REPRESENTING? By Charles Edwardson - OK I tried, I have tried to not put my two cents in but I cannot help it with headlines like "CITY COUNCIL NIXES TAXI PROPOSAL" WHAT ?? SERIOUSLY?? - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

Don't Sell KPU Telecom, Part II By Mike Harpold - Never mind that GCI is forty times KPU's size; the backers of the sale of KPU Telecom say that it is unfair for a public utility to compete against a private company. But the competition has been good for Ketchikan, facilitating the lowest telephone and cable TV rates in Alaska and bringing a variety of Internet related services not found in most other Alaskan communities. - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

WASTE, FRAUD, & ABUSE By Rob Holston - The following is taken from a recent email from Senator Mark Begich: "Health reform will NOT bust the bank ­ it is fully paid for. The money will come from cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs, ending big subsidies to insurance companies and increasing efficiency by coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. Reform takes money already being spent on health care and re-allocates it. We can reduce unwarranted subsidies to insurance companies, negotiate cheaper drug prices and cut unneeded hospital readmissions. The Senate bill also taxes the most expensive insurance plans (the vast majority of Alaskans won't be affected) with the goal of making good benefits affordable, while the House pays for reform through a health tax on families making more than $1 million annually." - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

Sincere thanks By Sean Powell - I would like to thank the following ten people: Marco Torres, Leslie Snodderly, Kate Guillemette, Dorsey Winter, Maxx Keizer, Jodie Gatti, Michael Hosley, Valena Johnson, Amelia Cooper and (Kayhi's own team Mom) Ellen Funk. This is our 2010 Kayhi Academic Decathlon State team and they did something magical on the last weekend of February. For those of you who don't know what it is: Academic Decathlon (AcDc...small "c" no copyright infringement here!) is a school sponsored activity that has kids studying Math, Music, Art, Economics, Literature, Science (Chemistry this year) and the Superquiz (this year it was the French Revolution) so they can take tests on those subjects. For fun. They also write an essay, give two speeches and attend an interview as part of the competition. This year they placed in all but one event, took third in the Oral Superquiz and were the second place OVERALL in the STATE! While that is a matter of some indifference to some, it is an amazing accomplishment! - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

Fawn Mountain By Kay Jones - After years of waiting, planning and hoping the new turf field at Fawn Mountain is finally ready for Ketchikan to use and enjoy. It is going to make such a difference in the playing ability and experience for our soccer and football players. Our track and field participants now have beautiful track and field event place. This is a dream come true for many. Now it is up to all the folks of Ketchikan to work together and take care of this beautiful facility. This means NO DOGS! No exceptions. I love dogs as much as the average Ketchikan citizen (I have 3), but dogs will destroy the track and field. Their nails tear up the track and rubberized field surface. Urine will clog the drainage system and disintegrate the rubber pellets and I will avoid describing what dog poop does to fields. Not to mention it is just gross and unfair to our players as they come out to enjoy the new field. - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

Ice Hockey Rink By Randy Cooper - It's nice to see others interested in an ice hockey rink. Kids love hockey and we are one of the few communities in Alaska that doesn't offer it. It's a fun pastime for families and is a wonderful sport to watch. - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

Ice rink & sport facility By Penny Eubanks - Both an indoor skating rink and an indoor sporting facility has long been a discussion in our home as a good idea for Ketchikan. I think both would benefit the community economics. Hotels and restaurants would see a boost from outside teams coming for competitions. All stores would see more spending. It would open some jobs up as those industries would need more year round employees, as well as the new skating and sporting facilities needing employees. - More...
Monday PM - March 22, 2010

Don't Sell KPU Telecom By Mike Harpold - Saying that the KPU Telecommunications Division is losing profitability, the city wants to sell it. But voters need to ask if selling the utility is truly in the best interests of city residents. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

Ensuring Accurate Tribal Counts In 2010 Census By Norman Arriola & Lee Wallace - Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) and Organized Village of Saxman (OVS) are proud partners with the 2010 Census. The 2010 Census will provide us with a snapshot of our nation and tribal communities. By being counted, tribal citizens will help paint a clearer picture of Alaska Native peoples. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

Stolen Tongass Tribe Lands, 202 By Aan Kadax Tseen aka Don Hoff Jr. - We are the lineal descendants of the Taan ta Kwaan means Sealion People or known as Tongass Tribe a traditional and historical Alaskan Native Tribe in Ketchikan indisputably recognized by all Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes in Southeast Alaska. My Clan, Gaanax adi Clan is the oldest Clan in the Tlingit Nation, with that said, Ketchikan is the aboriginal territory of the Gaanax adi Clan that is Tongass Tribe. We still claim all the low tide lands starting from Tatsuda's to the Tunnel. Tongass Tribe also owned unoccupied village sites on Tongass Island, Long Island, Village Island, Cat Island, Duke Island, Annette Island, Portland Channel, Nakat Bay, Cape Chacon, Pennock Island, Gravina Island, Prince of Wales Island, and Kasaan. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

Lands Sealaska Wants NEVER Belonged to Sealaska By Roger DiPaolo - The following argument has become very prevalent of late: "Sealaska only wants the lands they are entitled to returned to them" - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

Sealaska Land Bill By Jean Bland - I attended the meeting in Craig; Sealaska's Attorney said to quit hiding behind these letters and call them, they welcome calls and will answer your questions, the land will still be open for public use, if you read the paperwork they handed out. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

Sealaska Land Swap bills By Roger DiPaolo - As a resident of Edna Bay, one of the 3 communities most affected by this bill, the major reason that these bills are bad is that the lives of the residents of our 3 towns were not adequately taken into consideration. We residents of these towns are not hostile to Sealaska nor our native neighbors, we wish to see them live and prosper equally beside us. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

Big thank you to Sitnews By Sandy Powers - I just want to thank Sitnews for their lack of bias in running articles and letters which present various points of view, THANK YOU! Also for running a lot of user generated content, pictures, classified ads, etc. It is very encouraging that, while the local printed newspaper's content shows a marked bias, yours does not. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

THE OLD FOLKS AND THE CORPORATION By Lois Morgan - There was once an old woman who had spent her whole life in the Great Forest. She was the daughter of a lumberman on the most southern edge of the Great Forest, she grew up benefiting from the beauty and purity of the nature around her and learned at an early age that the nature beings were much kinder then most humans; counting on the creatures of nature to soothe her when a human had abused her. She grew up wanting to go to Alaska, at the far north of the Great Forest, where there were alleged to be fewer humans as well as more pristine nature. When she met a man who wanted to go with her, she abandoned her studies and left with him on their grand adventure. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

Ice Rink Suggestion By Kara Steele - I was reading Linda Beaupre's letter and wanted to say kudos! An ice rink is an EXCELLENT idea for Southeast! - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

Energize with Nuclear Power By Donald A. Moskowitz - Oil is a diminishing and expensive source of energy, and coal is dirty. - More...
Tuesday - March 16, 2010

The Need to Stop S. B. 881 By Eric Muench - The people of Southeast Alaska need to know what is in Senate Bill 881, sponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Nick Begich, and the subject of a meeting Saturday, March 13 at the Borough Assembly Chambers. So far much of it appears to be unknown to most people. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

Sealaska Bill listening sessions on POW By Bob Claus - The Sealaska Bill listening sessions on POW proved the bill is controversial and splits our communities. But they did not serve the stated purpose of letting affected communities be heard. Nor do the way they were handled give residents confidence that their statements will be accurately conveyed to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

S881 Sealaska Lands Bill: Port Protection & Point Baker By Judy Magnuson - Port Protection and Point Baker residents deserved the common courtesy of notification that their meeting was canceled. Residents of both communities kept calling to ask - has it been canceled? And the answer was always the same- no word yet. Finally, with no notification to the contrary and needing a half hour to travel from Point Baker across the open Bay to Port Protection, and not wanting to miss the only opportunity to be heard we have had , people came. We were never notified by Mr. Kleeshulte that he was not coming until 5 minutes AFTER the time the meeting was to start. Even though he must have known in advance of that he would not make it. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

S.881 Impact: Town Hall Meeting Canceled in Edna Bay By Myla Poelstra - The community of Edna Bay is deeply disappointed that Chuck Kleeschulte has unilaterally canceled a meeting in Edna Bay scheduled for 1:00 pm Wednesday. Had he consulted with us first we could have told him the timing of the meeting was ill conceived and dangerous.  - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

S.881/HR.2099 - SEALASKA LAND GRAB LEGISLATION THE WRONG ANSWER FOR SOUTHEAST ALASKA By Myla Poelstra - S.881/HR.2099, two highly questionable pieces of legislation that are quickly becoming stark examples of the wrong approach being taken to resolve an issue that cannot possibly be defended by its sponsors as equitable. The responsibilities being avoided or ignored by our representatives only add to the perception that something is wrong with this process. The recent ethics violations by Senator Kookesh during his lobbying on behalf of Sealaska Corp., in which he is Chairman of the Board, bring into focus the tip of an iceberg many now believe exposes unconscionable support for a contentious proposal that will only represent the interests of its proponents. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

Prohibition of U.S.Citizens from Commercial, Personal fishing By A.M Johnson - The Obama administration has ended public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing some of the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

DXM By Lela Raymond - I would like to say how thankful I am to the Ketchikan school board, police chief Ed Talik, Kyle Johanson, Dave Scott and the Ketchikan Daily News for really getting the issue of DXM out there. I missed getting tapped in to the school districts mailing to get this thank you out to all the parents for the support that I have received which has been overwhelming and more than I expected. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

Indoor Ice Rink By Patrick Branco - Thank you Linda. Families can skate together, boys and girls can learn figure skating, boys and girls and men and women can play hockey. And on the heels of the olympics we could try a curling club here. (that wasn't a joke, by the way). I love the idea of an ice rink for family fun. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

The cup half full By Ivy Rose - With the days seeming to fly by and caos of our everyday life we all fall short of looking at the cup half full. I remember not to long ago writing a letter on sitnews about customer service and being positive, and it got me thinking. Customer service is more than just serving people, and being nice, but what how we react day to day. It is a proven fact that people remeber and hold on to negative experiences more than the positive ones. How easy it is to let the zen of goodness be zapped by something as silly as someone not letting us out in traffic when we are in a hurry. Then we feel that the whole world needs to know of the wrong doing. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

Re: Wake Up Parents By Bethany Phippen - So the debate continues. First and foremost I have totally given up the talk about the older children who ditch their coats. There is only so much that can be done when it comes to the kids who can actually speak for themselves leaving their coats when they are told to put one on. - More...
Friday - March 12, 2010

S 881 meeting set for Ketchikan By Johnnie Laird - I want to take this opportunity to thank those that sent in emails to Sen Murkowski asking her to set a meeting about this legislation in Ketchikan. It has been set for Saturday, March 13th at 12 noon at the borough chambers.

I want to make a few statements about this legislation. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Why are S 881 meetings being rushed through? By Alan Stein - The Sealaska's Bill S 881 should die immediately in committee in Congress. Two weeks ago, I warned the Senate Staffer, Chuck Kleeschulte, who is conducting the S 881 dog and pony shows in Alaska, how dangerous travel conditions are on Prince of Wales this time of year. In a stampede to get this bill through Congress, Chuck Kleeshulte did the opposite. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Landless By Charles J. Jackson Jr. - As part of the landless and relatives, when is Sealaska going to help-out the landless people of Southeast? - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Sealaska S 881 observation By Michael Lee Beasley - Arm in arm and toe-to-toe, Sealaska tribal member shareholders are united in their quest to secure acreage owed for for a debt unpaid on behalf of the Federal Government and the People of the United States, since 1971. Nearly 4 decades or 40 years have not satisfied this debt totally. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

South Tongass Hiway Ferry Terminal By Rob Holston - Back in 2007 Saxman missed an opportunity. Perhaps this is their second and last chance to take advantage of their strategic location. The measure failed at that time because the Saxman political leadership took the position that the waterfront property could never be replaced once it is sold. I think they can have their cake and eat it to. The Saxman community should sell the land necessary (Seaport A or B) for the new terminal for 100% of commercially appraised value with the following conditions: - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Ketchikan Wellness Coalition: Letter to the community By Karen Eakes - In July of 2006, the United Way of Southeast Alaska sponsored the United Way Compass II Community-Building Assessment in Ketchikan. The McDowell group completed this assessment with 300 randomly selected phone interviews, ten focus group discussions with different segments of the community and individual interviews with community citizens and leaders. The comprehensive report on the results was released in January of 2007 and copies were distributed to our governmental bodies and throughout the community. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Ward Cove By Rob Holston - As I enter my 11th year of trying to purchase or long-term lease waterfront property in Ward Cove, perhaps this information, gleaned from a news article by Dave Kifer will help folks understand the history behind the present circumstances in Ward Cove: - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Annual immigration cost By Al Johnson - Do you wonder as you watch the various newscast reporting Tea Party frustrations, what it is that has these usual normal non-activist citizens on the streets and in front of public buildings or at Town Hall meetings? Lord, there are so many encroachments by Government into the lives of private citizens to the extent the collective weight test the patience and patriotism of each. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Good Samaritan By Will Roberts - Dear Good Samaritan, the words "thank you" aren't enough to describe the gratitude that I feel when I think about what you did for me Tuesday in line at Wal-Mart. I've been thinking about what you did ever since and am proud to have met you. Love for one another is rare these days, especially between strangers. You are the proof that "love thy neighbor" isn't a pointless phrase these days. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Uncle Al By Jay Jones - I heard with my own ears The "Honorable" Senator Kookesh threaten, bribe the Craig/Sitka City Council. He received a slap on the wrist and has to write a letter of apology to the Craig Council for use of a poor choice of words which implied he would use his senatorial power to block funding for capital improvement projects for the City of Craig. Since the ethics findings Kookesh has already denied intent and claims his statements were "misconstrued". - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

RE: WAKE UP PARENTS By Julie Steiner - Okay! Sounds like we have some controversy along the "kids and coats" subject. Lori Headley is right: You can't force your kids to wear something they don't want to wear! You can try, however, you can also give them consequences when they disobey! But they will just leave and then take it back off! It's a battle your gonna fight until they are 18! - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

GOLDEN PARACHUTES & BIRDS THAT CANNOT FLY By David G. Hanger - Mr. Jarvi keeps referring to these bills (plural) that I have not paid and I must confess you have one on me, because I am not familiar with any unpaid bills. I duly noted back in July I was late paying a bill, but that has nothing whatsoever to do with your allegations that I am not paying my bills. Where did you get that from? You have been carping so loudly about all these unpaid bills of mine, I invite you simply to provide the venders' names, the amounts of the bills, and copies of all of these invoices you keep saying I have not paid. Put up or shut up. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Thank yous to others By Judith Green - You know it is just nice to finally see that our community can and will and does put on sitnews.com the positiveS about our town and peoples and organizations. - More...
Monday - March 08, 2010

Good Things Happen in Ketchikan By Charles Edwardson - WHAT does lumpia and the Cape Fox Dancers have in common? Nothing but the KAYHI girls' basketball team. So often I write this publication to complain or find fault in our elected officials. Today I want to change the tone. - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

Customer Service By Scott R. Davis - In 1989 I popped a hole in my fuel tank. While the details of that particular incident aren't important, what happened after that is. - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

New Column - "Community Endeavors" by Enough is Enough Citizens Committee By Bobbie McCreary - The Enough is Enough citizens committee is proud to announce a new Sitnews column written by Jessi Chapman addressing positive actions taken by individuals and groups of citizens to improve the quality of life in Ketchikan. - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

Re: Wake Up Parents By Bethany Phippen - I just finished reading Lori Headley's letter responding to Spring McCurry's statement. I don't know if you have children, but I don't know of one single Pediatrician who is going to have ANY child with a fever outside in just a diaper. Yes, my kids are 4 and 7, and I have to argue with them occasionally about wearing their coats outside to go play. I can understand where high school students don't wear coats, but having an infant outside in a diaper there is no excuse for. If a child has a dangerously high fever you alternate tylenol and ibuprophen every 4 hours, you run them a cool bath, not so cold that they go into shock. If you know of ANY doctor that is recommending a child go outside in 40 even 50 degree weather to get them over a fever, they need to be turned in for malpractice. That is just asking for pnemonia. - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

Indoor sports facility By Linda Beaupre - Instead of a indoor turf field, why not an ice rink? - More...
Wednesday - March 03, 2010

SB 881: No Lands Bill Meeting for Ketchikan By Johnnie Laird - I was surprised to read the schedule of meetings about SB 881 being arranged by Senator Murkowski's staff do not include Ketchikan. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2010

Indoor Sports Facility By Jeff Carson - You may have noticed a petition going around town that asks for your support in urging the Borough to help a local group remodel the veneer building into an indoor turf field facility. This letter is to answer the questions that have come about because of this petition. First of all, the plan is to install a 250' by 100' sport turf field that would run from the south wall of the building 250 feet to the north. Currently in Ketchikan there are 2,241 kids who participate in Little League baseball, youth softball, youth soccer, wrestling, dribblers league, gymnastics, Kayhi baseball, softball & soccer & youth football. All of these kids would benefit from this facility, especially in the Winter months. That doesn't include adult soccer, baseball & softball leagues that could benefit from a field like this. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2010

Congressional Reform Act of 2010 By A.M. (Al) Johnson - The following caught my attention while studied current events surrounding the arrogance of our Congress in addressing many important issues of the day relating directly to our well being. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2010

Brief Letter of Thanks By Jeff Hendrickson - This brief letter is just to say thanks to Kris W. I too am tired of reading the "childish bantor" and business bashing that happens regularly by Mr. Hanger. - More...
Monday - March 01, 2010

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