Ketchikan's first cruise ship of the 2006 season, the Norwegian Wind, arrived Tuesday morning. The Norwegian Wind was escorted by the US Coast Guard Cutter Naushon as a part of the Homeland Security effort. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 02, 2006

Top Stories U.S. News U.S. Politics Alaska Ketchikan

Alaska: Alaska capital budget set to fund diverse range of projects By KYLE HOPKINS - A version of the capital budget recently proposed by lawmakers spreads more than $2 billion worth of love across Alaska, and special interests, towns and cities are about to soak it in.

The Homer hockey rink would get a new Zamboni to replace an old clunker that came from Fairbanks. The town of Hooper Bay, where most of the estimated 1,100 people use honeybuckets, would get $9.2 million worth of flush toilets and running water.

No project seems too big or too small: Ketchikan could get $144,500 for the local rod-and-gun club and $91 million for the Ketchikan-Gravina Island bridge. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006

Ketchikan: Public Land Sales A Bad Idea Says Conservation Group - On Monday, May 1, 2006, the Tongass Conservation Society submitted comments to the U.S. Forest Service strongly opposing the sale of public lands in order to fund the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, a proposal put forth by the Bush Administration.

The Forest Service failed to consider the high cultural, recreational, and historical values of these places before labeling them ready for potential sale. Local governments, private landowners, subsistence users, and conservation organizations were not given an opportunity to participate in the selection of parcels, said Gregory Vickrey the Executive Director of TCS. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006

Alaska: Coast Guard Establishes Security Zone - The Coast Guard has implemented a final High Capacity Passenger Vessel (HCPV) and Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) security zone in the navigable waters of Alaska, which will become effective May 15, 2006, and will remain in effect until terminated by the 17th Coast Guard District Commander.

An HCP vessel is defined as a passenger vessel over 100 feet in length that is authorized to carry more than 500 passengers for hire. An AMHS vessel is defined as any vessel owned or operated by the Alaska Marine Highway System. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006

Alaska: Report Shows Oil Tax Proposal Would Cost State $1 Billion Says Gara - A report issued by the Alaska Department of Revenue this week shows tax proposals by Governor Frank Murkowski would cost the state $1 billion annually when compared to the tax rate recommended by the Alaska Legislature's lead consultant. The report compares state and oil company revenue under three oil tax proposals before the Legislature.

In March the Legislature's lead consultant, Daniel Johnston, recommended the Legislature adopt a tax rate of 25 percent. Legislative consultants say a 25 percent rate would attract additional investment, result in a competitive, lower tax than the world average oil tax, and maximize long term investment and revenue for the state. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006

Alaska: Alaska Democrats Call For Fuel Tax Relief - In a letter to Governor Frank Murkowski on Tuesday, Sen. Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage) and Rep. David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks) urged that a temporary motor fuel tax relief proposal be added to the agenda for the special legislative session, beginning May 10th.

The proposed tax relief would come in the form of a 90-day suspension of the state tax on auto, marine and aviation fuel, ranging from 4.7 to 8 cents per gallon. The suspension would coincide with the beginning of the summer driving season, a time when Alaskans will be most affected by recent increases in the price of gasoline. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006

People of Ketchikan Lordy, Lordy, looks who's forty! Larry Walker, the Water Man, celebrates his 40th birthday on Wednesday, May 3, 2006. Happy Birthday!

Alaska: Coast Guard Approves AMHS LeConte Plan - The U.S. Coast Guard approved an operating schedule for the M/V LeConte that would comply with its "835" directive concerning work-rest rules aboard the ship. - More...
Tuesday Pm - May 02, 2006

Alaska: Governor Signs Bills Relating to Date Rape Drugs, Bootlegging in Rural Villages, and UA Investments - Alaska Governor Frank H. Murkowski on Monday signed into law three bills dealing with "date rape" drugs, bootlegging in dry villages, and allowing the University of Alaska to partner with private corporations building on university-generated research. - More...
Tuesday Pm - May 02, 2006

Alaska: Exempting Alaska from Daylight Saving Time - Alaska Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman announced Moday he certified an application for an initiative entitled, "An act providing that this state exempts itself and all of its political subdivisions from advanced time, also known as daylight saving time, whenever daylight saving time is observed in each calendar year," designated 06 DAYS by the Division of Elections. - More...
Tuesday Pm - May 02, 2006 

Viewpoints Opinions/Letters Spirit of cooperation By Eugene Martin Sr. - Tuesday PM Controlled by big business interests By Dionne Jackson - Tuesday PM Integrity and Ethical Behavior Part II By Jon T. Van Essen - Tuesday PM Safety priorities By Tony Alenskis - Tuesday PM RE: A Warning to Alaskans By Samuel Bergeron - Monday DENYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS JOBS IS ESSENTIAL TO SECURE BORDERS By Mike Harpold - Monday Forever grateful to residents of Ketchikan By Sherry Freeman - Sunday SLIGHT OF HAND - SALES TAXES CHARGED ON KPU SERVICES By Georgianna Zimmerle - Sunday In defense of the Ketchikan Borough and Animal Protection By Georgianna Zimmerle - Sunday THE AQUARIUM OF DEAD FISH By David G. Hanger - Saturday Ketchikan's litter problem By Karen Ramsey - Saturday Bear Valley Pride Despite Zoning Ruling By Lynne Miller - Friday Response to integrity & ethical behavior lacking By Tamela McColley - Friday Protests against aerial spraying By Frances Natkong - Friday RE: Drugs By Catlin Rettke - Friday Murkowski Must Show His Cards By Sarah Palin - Thursday A UNIQUE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN By David G. Hanger - Thursday Aerial Spraying By Andreas Lenz - Thursday Alaskans deserve full disclosure new bill would provide By Rep. Berta Gardner - Thursday Drugs By Kayleigh Martin - Wednesday More Viewpoints/ Letters Publish A Letter Political Cartoonists Political Cartoons Ketchikan May 03, 2006, Wednesday, 11:00 am - Ketchikan Charter Commission Meeting - City Council Chambers Agenda - Information Packet May 03, 2006, Wednesday, 5:30 -7:00 pm - Chamber After Hours to celebrate the official opening of AIRLIFT NORTHWEST Ketchikan base. More Information May 04, 2006, Thursday - Ketchikan City Council meeting - City Council Chambers Agenda & Information Packets April Calendar Arts This Week Today's Forecast Ketchikan Weather Data Current AK Weather Map City Police Report AK Troopers Daily Dispatch Classifieds & Announcements April - May 2006 Click on the date to read the stories published on that day. S M T W T F S 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 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02         Front Page Archives

Science - Technology: 'Free' Unlimited Energy Source Developed That Draws
Power From Environment; Energy Generated by Non-Animal Organism Multiplied Into Clean, Free Electric Current - An alternative electric power generating system that draws energy from a seemingly unlikely yet abundant, eminently renewable and virtually free power source has been submitted for patenting by MagCap Engineering, LLC, Canton, Mass., in collaboration with Gordon W. Wadle, an inventor from Thomson, Ill.

Wadle has invented a way to capture the energy generated by a living nonanimal organism - such as a tree. Chris Lagadinos, president of MagCap, developed circuitry that converts this natural energy source into useable DC power capable of sustaining a continuous current to charge and maintain a battery at full charge.

"As unbelievable as it sounds, we've been able to demonstrate the feasibility of generating electricity in this manner," said Wadle. "While the development is in its infancy, it has the potential to provide an unlimited supply of constant, clean energy without relying on fossil fuels, a power generating plant complex or an elaborate transmission network."

The developers now intend to establish a collaborative agreement with a company, academic institution or potential investors who can help finance the additional research and development necessary to take the invention to the next level - a practical, commercially viable power generating system. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006

National: 'Emergency' spending on war now regular feature By JAMES ROSEN - When Lawrence Lindsey, then President Bush's top economic adviser, said in September 2002 that the war in Iraq might cost the United States as much as $200 billion, other top aides rebuked him and Bush fired him three months later.

Turns out, Lindsey's projection was indeed way off the mark - way low off the mark.

The Senate is expected to pass an emergency spending bill this week to provide $71 billion for military costs in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the bulk of it going to Iraq.

The new money would bring to at least $320 billion the total cost of a war that senior Bush aides once promised would be financed largely by Iraqi oil revenues. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006

National: Experts doubt oil shale answer to energy crisis By LANCE GAY - Massive deposits of oil shale are locked up under America's Western prairies, but even with crude prices at historic highs, some experts doubt it will become economical to extract it anytime soon.

The Energy Department remains enthusiastic about the prospects of using the deposits, saying the United States needs to take a second look at this "strategically located, long-term source of reliable, affordable and secure oil."

The Bureau of Land Management says it is reviewing proposals from eight companies to conduct research into how to extract the oil from shale in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. U.S. deposits of oil shale hold the potential of providing enough oil "to meet U.S. demand for oil at current levels for 110 years," the agency says. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006

National: Hydrogen fuel far from ready for prime time - President Bush has pointed to hydrogen technology as the ultimate solution to the nation's fuel supply problems, but one big question waits to be answered: Where will all the hydrogen come from?

Even if manufacturers can produce affordable hydrogen-powered vehicles that people will want to buy, energy experts say the nation's petroleum addiction - a key source of carbon emissions contributing to global warming - won't end until an environmentally sound hydrogen supply and distribution system is at hand.

"If we don't generate hydrogen in an environmentally responsible way, we'd be going five steps backward, rather than forward," said Scott Samuelsen, director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at the University of California-Irvine, where he is also an engineering professor. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 02, 2006