Ketchikan: Ketchikan Reunion Picnic, 2006 By LOUISE BRINCK HARRINGTON - Hugs, smiles, ice cream and visits in the park. Hot summer weather, a cool sea breeze, large shade trees, a picnic shelter and wading pool. - More...
Friday AM - August 04, 2006

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

Alaska: Governor: "I Will Veto a Gross Tax on Oil" - Alaska Governor Frank H. Murkowski said today that he will veto a gross tax on oil production. He also asked for an explanation why the Senate Special Committee on Natural Gas voted down (7-5) the Stranded Gas Act Development Act amendment package that committee members had crafted earlier Thursday evening.

"Yesterday, the House Finance Committee moved a form of PPT out of committee. So progress is being made," Murkowski said. "Today there was a call from some in the House for their Senate colleagues to substitute a gross tax for what appears likely to pass the House and move to the Senate.

"I will veto a gross tax on oil if it comes across my desk because it will not get us the North Slope investment we desperately need. - More...
Friday - August 04, 2006

National: Bid to raise minimum wage dies in Senate By MARGARET TALEV - A plan to raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 was scuttled Thursday when Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bid that tied the increase to tax breaks for heirs of multimillion-dollar estates.

Republican leaders tried to bring the combination wage and tax bill to a final vote hours before the Senate's scheduled adjournment for a month-long recess but fell short of a 60-vote supermajority needed to end debate.

The 56 to 42 vote reflected the opposition of all but four Democrats. Two Republicans crossed party lines to oppose the legislation. The House of Representatives passed the combination bill last week.

"What's going on is block and blame," said Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., of the Democrats. "They want to say this is a do-nothing Congress."

Democrats accused Republican leaders, who traditionally have opposed minimum wage increases, of trying to confuse voters in a crucial election year. - More...
Friday AM - August 04, 2006

Alaska: State Appeals Juneau Superior Court Ruling on Marijuana Legislation - Alaska Attorney General David Márquez said the State of Alaska has filed a notice of appeal with the Alaska Supreme Court last week asking the court to overrule a recent decision by Juneau Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins upholding a challenge to the marijuana provisions of the HB 149 ­ the drug bill that was passed this past legislative session.

"The majority of Alaskans recognize that marijuana is dangerous and needs to be kept out of the hands of our children and other vulnerable people who are victimized by the dealers involved in this huge illegal industry," said Governor Frank H. Murkowski. "I commend the legislature for passing this law and it is my sincere hope that the Alaska Supreme Court will uphold this law in the coming judicial debate." - More....
Friday AM - August 04, 2006

Alaska: Fire ravages Hooper Bay - Alaska Department of Public Safety officials said 16 structures have been destroyed in a fire that started early Thursday at the Bering Sea coastal village of Hooper Bay. Officials said a change in wind direction kept the fire from stretching to Hooper Bay's bulk fuel tank farm. Among the 16 structures destroyed were the elementary and high schools, one of the two village stores and homes.

Governor Frank H. Murkowski said, "To see the effort and quick response augmented by support from the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry workers, Bethel Volunteer Fire Fighters, Nome Volunteer Fire Fighters, the American Red Cross, Bethel U.S. Fish & Wildlife personnel, Department of Public Safety Fire Marshals and State Troopers and scores of others was a tremendous display of teamwork and inter-agency coordination." - More...
Friday AM - August 04, 2006

Alaska: NOAA scientists name Alaskan fish with Aleut words - NOAA Fisheries scientists have chosen Aleut words to officially name four fish species they found in the Aleutian Islands that were new to science.

Scientists Dr. James Orr, Duane Stevenson, and Morgan Busby of NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center collaborated with Aleut language teacher Moses Dirks from the Unalaska School District and with NOAA Fisheries anthropologist Jennifer Sepez on naming the species. Dirks, a native speaker and linguist, worked with local elders to see if there were already any Aleut names for this kind of fish, then helped suggest names or offer translations of descriptive terms suggested by NOAA's scientists.

"Moses Dirks has worked tirelessly to preserve, document, and teach Unangam Tunuu," said Dr. Sepez. "We were honored to work with him." Unangam Tunuu is the Aleut name for the Aleut language. - More...

Friday AM - August 04, 2006

Viewpoints Opinions/Letters ON CONSOLIDATION By David G. Hanger - Sunday Honest Leadership Will Restore Trust By John Binkley - Sunday Boon-Doggles By Don Hoff Jr. - Saturday Baseball By Michael McColley - Saturday Children's Clothes Over The Line By Jim Dahl - Friday Cigarette taxes By Joan Hurliman - Friday State for the record... By Al Johnson - Thursday Waste of Alaska dollars By Frances C. Natkong - Thursday Poor Mel! By Mark Neckameyer - Thursday Youth Baseball By Chris Elliott - Wednesday PM Governors saving Time By Charlotte Tanner - Wednesday PM The Global Warming Hysteria rears it's ugly head again! By Marvin C. Seibert - Wednesday PM Lick Three Times, Then Bite? By Suzan Thompson - Tuesday PM Youth Baseball By Brad Groghan - Tuesday PM Re: Consolidation can be for the better. By Rodney Dial - Tuesday PM Borough Assembly Candidate By Gregory Vickrey - Tuesday PM Concrete Classic Closed By Hunter Davis - Tuesday PM Pennys for the Poor, Millions for the Rich By Alan Lidstone - Tuesday PM MURKOWSKI JET TIME QUALITIES By Pete Ellis - Monday TIME FOR THIS GENERATION TO STAND UP FOR ALASKA By Eric Croft - Monday Cowards Of Our Own Destiny By Don Hoff Jr. - Monday Ketchikan O.B. Floor By Tracey Scadden - Monday Consolidation can be for the better. By Robert McRoberts - Monday Murkowski's jet By Victoria Canul Dunne - Friday If You Want My Vote By Samuel Bergeron - Thursday Ketchikan Concrete Classic By Tracy Mettler - Thursday Picturesque City By Bill Thomas SR. - Thursday Four years is enough By Charlotte Tanner - Thursday Don't forget your year-round customers By Jean Bland - Thursday Protesters & Baseball By Scott Kline - Thursday The Government is Here to Help By Alan Lidstone - Thursday Tax or Not to Tax or even Tax Higher By Marvin Seibert - Thursday More Viewpoints/ Letters Publish A Letter Political Cartoonists Political Cartoons Ketchikan Arts This Week Today's Forecast Ketchikan Weather Data Current AK Weather Map City Police Report AK Troopers Daily Dispatch Classifieds & Announcements August 2006 Click on the date to read the stories published on that day. S M T W T F S   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 31     Front Page Archives

Ketchikan: This Week In Ketchikan - This week in Ketchikan the Pet and Doll Parade kicks off the 2006 Blueberry Arts Festival Friday, August 4th at 2:00 PM! Meet at 1:45 PM to line up in the parking lot on Main Street (across from the police station). Children will receive a popsicle at the end of the parade. Registration not required; dress in blueberry theme if you would like. Pets must be on leash or otherwise contained. Call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 247-3350 with questions.

Best Blueberry Dish Contest open to all! Do you have a good old blueberry dish which is popular at all the happenin' potlucks? Or maybe you have a new recipe you would like to try out? Then the Blueberry Arts Festival Best Blueberry Dish Contest is for you. Bring your culinary delights to the Mainstay Gallery by 3pm on Friday, August 4th to be a part of this annual event. Prizes given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and all entries will be served at the Juried Art Show opening from 5-7pm on Friday. The Mainstay Gallery is located at 716 Totem Way.

2006 Blueberry Arts Festival Juried Art Show, Friday, August 4th, 5-7pm at the Mainstay Gallery. Local artists working in various media will be showcased as well as local culinary artists with their blueberry dishes out for all to taste. Don't miss this spectacular sweet blue event. Sponsored by the Arts Council, 716 Totem Way.

9th Annual Gigglefeet Dance Festival shimmies, shakes, taps and quakes its way onto the Kayhi stage on Friday, August 4th and Sunday, August 6th. Both performances will begin at 7:30pm with local and regional dancers and choreographers showing off their stuff in this local festival event. Sponsored by First City Players, Ketchikan Theatre Ballet and the Arts Council. For tickets and more information call 225-2211.

The 2006 Blueberry Arts Festival Saturday, August 5th from 10am-5pm at the State Building in downtown Ketchikan is an event you don't want to miss. Artist booths, food and game booths, slug races and weigh-ins and the feisty Battle of the Bands competition are just a few of the highlights for this annual hometown event. Visit the arts council website at www.ketchikanarts.org for more information.

Classes at the Totem Heritage Center: Registration for fall classes at the Heritage Center runs July 31 - August 4. Register online, by phone, mail or in person, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm 225-5900, or click here.

Shakespeare Workshop. Acting Shakespeare with Ketchikan raised Ty Hewitt will explore the meaning in the works of Shakespeare through acting. This workshop runs July 25, August 1, and August 8 from 7-10pm at the Creek Side Meeting Center (formerly the Wellness Center) at 640 Park Ave. The fee for all three workshops is $50, and actors 15 yrs. and older with or without experience are welcome. Contact the First City Players to sign up or for more info: 225-4792.

Dance! Dance! Dance! Every Friday night from 7-9pm is your opportunity to cut a rug with your fellow dancers. Enjoy salsa or ballroom at various locations around town. Call Tina Mander at 617-1284 for exact location information.

Holy Name School Summer Adventures offers one more class this summer. Painting Pandemonium lets students play with paint. Learn how to mix an infinite number of colors with the three primary colors and black and white. Open to those entering Kindergarten through 7th grade. Call the church office for more information and to register 225-2570. Summer Adventures will hold its last session on August 7-17, Monday through Thursday, 9am-11am. Space is limited so don't wait, register by August 4th to ensure your space. - More...
Friday - August 04, 2006