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Southeast Alaska: Thorne Bay Teen Succumbes to Critical Injuries Month After Collision By MARY KAUFFMAN - Approximately a month after being medivaced to Harbor View Hospital in Seattle after sustaining critical injuries in a nearly head-on collision near Klawock, Johnny Bean Botello, 18 of Thorne Bay, succumbed to his critical injuries Friday, according to the King County Medical Examiner's Office in Washington. Botello passed on July 17th, at approximately 7:55 a.m. His next of kin were notified.

Botello, who was originally from Port Protection, lived in Thorne Bay and attended Thorne Bay High School. He worked as a fishing deckhand and enjoyed hunting.

He sustained his critical injuries on June 20th while on his way to work on Prince of Wales Island during a two vehicle collision. The Prince of Wales Post Alaska State Troopers responded to the collision at mile 9 Boundary Road, near Klawock.

Their investigation revealed Botello was operating a 1993 Nissan pickup southbound on Boundary Road when for unknown reasons, Botello crossed the centerline and drove into the northbound lane. Timothy Burns, age 63, of Klawock was operating a 1996 Kenworth Logging Truck northbound on Boundary Road and was stuck nearly head-on by Botello.

Investigation also revealed Botello was not wearing a seatbelt and received injuries that required he be medivaced to Seattle for medical care where he was listed in critical condition. - More...
Sunday PM - July 19, 2015

Fish Factor: Sockeye salmon run: From “bust” to “unbelievable” By LAINE WELCH - The world’s biggest sockeye salmon run at Bristol Bay went from “bust” to “unbelievable” in one week.

Landings last week broke records every day for five days for that time frame, bringing the total sockeye catch to nearly 28 million fish on an unusually long-tailed run - and the reds were still coming on strong.

That had overloaded processors scurrying to replace workers they’d sent home the previous week when the big forecasted run was deemed a no show. The late surge of sockeyes also left many fishermen frustrated with limits to their catches, while tenders were trekking the abundance of reds to other regions for processing. It remains to be seen how long the run will last, and if it will produce the 38 million projected catch.

Bristol Bay’s sockeye catch can add up to nearly two-thirds of Alaska’s total salmon fishery value. Going into the season, buyers were bracing for another huge sockeye haul amid freezers and shelves still full of fish from last year’s big haul. Now, the uncertainty has put any updated price indications on hold until buyers see how the Bay run plays out. Market reports from the U.S., Japan and Europe say most buyers are waiting for the majors, such as Trident and Ocean Beauty, to make large volume sockeye purchases before sales prices will start to surface and settle out.

For more than a month, unconfirmed reports have put the grounds price for Bristol Bay sockeye salmon at $.65 a pound, with an extra 15 cents for chilled fish. That compares to a Bay base price average of $1.20 last year.

The Kodiak sockeye base price to fishermen was reported at $.80 and $.95 at Southeast Alaska. Both regions paid in the $1.75 a pound range last year. The statewide average sockeye price to Alaska fishermen in 2014 was $1.37 a pound. - More...
Sunday PM - July 19, 2015

Alaska: Governor Announces Alaska to Become the 30th State to Expand Medicaid By MARY KAUFFMAN - Alaska Governor Bill Walker (I) sent a letter to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee last Thursday, giving members the required 45-day notice of his intention to accept additional federal and Mental Health Trust Fund Authority money to expand Medicaid in Alaska.

Next Steps on Medicaid Expansion Announced by Governor Walker, seated behind the Governor is Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Valerie Davidson
Photo Office of the Governor Video

Governors and legislatures in 29 states plus the District of Columbia have already made the decision to accept Medicaid expansion. Ten Republican governors have approved Medicaid expansion. Republican legislatures in five states have approved Medicaid expansion.

Legislative Budget and Audit Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Hawker acknowledged he received notice Thursday of Gov. Bill Walker’s intention to expand Medicaid in Alaska.

At this point, Hawker has not determined what, if any, action Legislative Budget and Audit Committee will take. The Committee’s role is strictly a formality, as the governor noted in his announcement. Approval is not required.

“The only thing LB&A can influence is how quickly the money is available,” Hawker (R-Anchorage) said. “Right now, there is a 45-day waiting period, no matter what the committee does. If we act sooner, the governor can accept the funds sooner. The governor has not requested expedited review, but I am open to that discussion.”

Hawker reiterated on Thursday that while the LB&A role is a formality, he isn’t ruling out any specific action at this point.

“The reality is that, with a unilateral decision accepting Medicaid, LB&A hearings on this issue may be the only available forum for legislators to further discuss the governor’s action,” Hawker said. “Personally, I support Medicaid expansion, but would have preferred a process that would have ensured expansion is sustainable, particularly in these challenging financial times.”

Governor Walker first included Medicaid expansion funds in his fiscal year 2016 operating budget, and later submitted his own Medicaid reform and expansion bill after the legislature removed the funding in his budget. Expanding Medicaid would bring $146 million to the state in its first year and provide health care to more than 20,000 working Alaskans.

Governor Walker’s Medicaid expansion bill was not taken to the floor for a vote during the regular legislative and two special sessions. Now, the Governor has provided notice to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, which has the authority to review requests to accept receipt of non-general fund money when the Legislature is not in session.

“Thousands of Alaskans and more than 150 organizations, including chambers of commerce, local hospitals, and local governments, have been waiting long enough for Medicaid expansion,” Governor Walker said. “It’s time to expand Medicaid so thousands of our friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family members don’t have to make the choice between health care or bankruptcy.” - More...
Sunday PM - JUly 19, 2015