Ketchikan: Guard, Ketchikan Police, Alaska State Troopers respond to people in water in Ward Cove - The Coast Guard, State and local agencies responded to a report of people in the water after a crane on a barge overturned Thursday evening in Ward Cove near Ketchikan. - More...
Saturday - September 18, 2010

Alaska: Sen. Murkowski mounting write-in bid for Senate By BECKY BOHRER (AP) - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who lost Alaska's GOP primary last month in a stunning upset to a tea-party backed rival, announced Friday that she's mounting a write-in candidacy in a bid to hold onto her job.

Murkowksi told supporters at a late afternoon rally in Anchorage that she's worried about Republican nominee Joe Miller's extremist views, as well as the Democratic candidate's inexperience.

The decision follows Miller's surprise win in last month's primary. Murkowski acknowledged she made mistakes during the primary campaign, but promised she'll be more aggressive this time in running against Miller.

"The gloves are off," she said.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin urged Murkowski on Twitter Friday afternoon to recognize that the state's primary voters demonstrated their support for Miller, a tea party favorite.

"Listen to the people, respect their will," said Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee. "Voters chose Joe instead."

The convention center where the rally took place had a table where people could sign up to help Murkowski's campaign. Prominently displayed, too, was a photo of the late Sen. Ted Stevens with his arm around Murkowski.

Stevens is beloved in this state for bringing billions of dollars in federal aid and project to Alaska, and he was one of her biggest cheerleaders before his death last month.

Earlier this month, Murkowski told The Associated Press she wasn't a quitter and "still in this game." On Thursday, she told reporters that while there's a lot of risk involved in a run, success was possible.

"And I think this is the hope that Alaskans have been sharing with me," she said, "that if it is possible, Lisa, will you give it a try? Will you give us a choice?" - More...
Friday - September 17, 2010

Ketchikan: Proposed New Ketchikan City Fire Station Presented to Rotarians - The proposed new City of Ketchikan Fire Station was the subject of the presentation to the Rotarians luncheon at the Cape Fox Lodge on September 14th. Addressing the Rotarians were Tim Whiteley and Deanne Teeter of Bettisworth Welsh Whiteley Architects and Ketchikan Fire Chief Jim Hill.

Hill said, " The project has been discussed for more than 20 years... and now it's finally coming together." He said, "The City has purchased the property and we are proceeding to the 65% design phase. We are in the process of hiring a contractor to be a part of the fire station design and planning team. The firm Rise Alaska of Anchorage is under contract as the Project Managers and the State of Alaska has provided grant funding in the amount of $5 million for the project and we will ask City voters to provide the rest, about $7 million on October 5th." - More...
Friday - September 17, 2010

Fish Factor: ADF&G Commissioner Lloyd Retiring By LAINE WELCH - Denby Lloyd is retiring as Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game Commissioner on December 1. He informed Governor Parnell personally late Thursday and then broke the news to me.

"I planned for quite some time to retire at the end of this term, even before the DUI incident. But you can't really announce something like that very early and still get good work done," he said. "The timing seems right, and I also want to give time for the staff to get used to the idea, and for the constituents to decide who they might want next for commissioner.

"And to be honest, the demands of a job like this take a toll, and I don't know if I have the drive or desire to keep up this kind of pace," Lloyd added.

Denby Lloyd has held the commissioner's seat since 2007. He is a 1985 UAF graduate with degrees in biology and economics. For more than 30 years he has worked in resource management in Alaska, three times within ADF&G.

He shared these thoughts about the top job as Fish and Game commissioner.

"Going to work every day, the most rewarding thing is workforce development. We've got 1,700 hardworking and dedicated staff here and they are the ones who get things done. They need acknowledgement and reinforcement. We work hard on retention and recruitment issues and those are the things that really keep me going. What I'd really like to able to do is give everyone a raise."

The toughest part of the job is dealing with attitudes, and trying to get out correct messages, Lloyd said.

"People want messages fast, and communication speed is increasing. But the types of issues we deal with are scientific or technically based and they really do require some time and attention. Often times issues are condensed down by the media or in political debate into convenient sound bites, that don't do the issues justice. That is really frustrating for our staff." - More...
Friday - September 17, 2010

Alaska Science: Summer's over for northern sea ice By NED ROZELL - On or within a few days of September 15, sea ice experts will make the call declaring that sea ice floating on northern oceans is covering its least amount of ocean surface in 2010. The great northern winter is about to
begin, and sea ice will soon be growing instead of shrinking.

"It's the turn of a new season, like the beginning of a new semester," said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colo.

Serreze estimated that 2010 would rank third on the list of years with the lowest sea ice extent at the end of the northern summer. Since the satellite era allowed a view from above since the late 1970s, the technology has show that 2007 was the record low year of sea-ice extent, followed by 2008 and 2010. Last fall, the arctic sea ice was a bit more widespread than this year.

"The four lowest extents in September have been in the past four years," Serreze said.

This year might have been a good one to attempt to sail through the Northwest Passage, a feat first completed by Norwegian Roald Amundsen in the early 1900s.

"The Northwest Passage has been navigable in the past, but it's fairly unusual this year," said Jenny Hutchings of the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. "There's a large area of open water in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, and north of Svalbard there's lower ice concentration than normal. Icebreakers have been getting pretty far north this year."

"The northern route is really open this year," Serreze said, referring to a somewhat clear big-ship pathway including M'Clure Strait north of Banks Island in arctic Canada. "The last time we saw that was in 2007. You could, in a sense, circumnavigate the Arctic right now . . . But only for a few more weeks." - More...
Friday - September 17, 2010

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McDowell Study: Ketchikan Economic Indicators 2010 By A.M. Johnson - First blush reading the McDowell economic report brings to the fore front a burning challenge to the State of Alaska's economic position and potential. Actually the challenge is made to ALL States of this great Country. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

The North Tongass Road Crew Rocks! By Ardy Piston - I would like to say thank you to all of the men and women working to improve our road out North.  I admire all of the hard work you are doing.  I love to watch the operators as they load the dump trucks with dirt... tapping ever so delicately to level out each load.  Observing a seasoned operator maneuvering a huge piece of equipment to do some of the most delicate jobs... well, it's impressive. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

Alaskans Vote - November 2nd 2010 by Ken Bylund - It feels like we are at a crossroad; communism vs. capitalism. Both of these nouns are controversial and despised. So what's the difference? Let's use that proven scientific method; but first, a validation of that "method". - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

CROY VS.CITY By Charles Edwardson - My wife looks over at me sometimes when I'm typing feverishly either cussing or laughing. It's all the same it's laughably cussable what goes on in this town I mumble. She rolls her eyes saying, "You're not writing SitNews are you?" I say I can't help it babe, 'it just gets curiouser and curiouser' as the Mad Hatter says. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

Too much Gov't regulation By Robert K. Rice - Referencing a column by DeRoy Murdock, Era of unlimited government arrives, "Perhaps one of the most important accomplishments of my administration has been minding my own business," President Calvin Coolidge told journalists in March 1929. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

Library By Tory (Edwardson) Shultz - I have never, ever written to SitNews as I have never had an issue with the topics or opinions discussed. Just out of curiosity I decided to see what my dad had written earlier (he loves to voice his opinion on issues, and I will always support him). No, I have never used the library as an educational purpose until I was in college, and even then it was very rarely - I used the campus library. And I feel that a "new" library building/location will not change the educational endeavors of students in Ketchikan. Maybe we should spend the money on the actual education of the students in Ketchikan rather than spend thousands/millions on a building? The people who use the library now will probably be the same people who use the "new" library when it's built. Having a new library building/location will not affect those who do not use it. The library is not the only entity that allows students to meet or not meet the "standards" of the educational system. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

"GYPPO JOE" By David G. Hanger - Hey, waddaya know its Gyppo Joe wants to teabag his way into the U.S. Senate. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

KGH- I feel fortunate By Tom LeCompte - It is with interest I have read the letters regarding Marta Poore's experience as a patient at KGH. Personally I have never had anything but excellent experiences at the Ketchikan General Hospital and their associated clinics. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

Appreciate what we have. By Nancy Ball - Recently I was injured in a fall, the staff in the KGH ER was excellent. I spent 3 days in the hospital while Dr. Silvas tried to find a reason for my falling. All the nurses were great and even the food was very good. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

Glass houses?!? By Teri J. Wilson - Regarding Dr. Richey's letter, I will concede the point of the takeover date, however, much has changed in the medical community in the past 10-15 years. You have been here for quite a bit of the changes, albeit you also work for Ketchikan General Hospital, as does Marta Poore. And you didn't mention the takeover of Wilson Clinic and the assimilation of Ketchikan Medical Clinic, which did NOT occur in 1923. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

In Praise of KGH By Shari Irizarry - I just thought it was about time someone spoke up for Ketchikan General Hospital staff. And no, I am not employed there or related to anyone who is. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

KGH Emergency Room By Steve Smeltzer - Odd that the lady with her child had to wait four hours to see the emergency doctor. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

Language Diversity = Divisiveness By Donald A. Moskowitz - The U.S. is an English speaking country, not a bi-lingual or multi-lingual speaking country. Our government conducts all business in English. Our military communicates only in English. Can you envision military commanders giving commands to attack in numerous languages? U.S. businesses typically communicate in English. One of the many strengths of this country is its outstanding communications system. - More...
Wednesday - September 15, 2010

RE: Praising KGH; A Double Standard? By Karl Richey, MD - Eileen, the kindest reply I can give to your letter is, "Sour grapes!" Neither you, nor Teri J. Wilson, should need to be reminded that we live on an island, & that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. - More...
Thursday PM - September 09, 2010

RE: A Double Standard By Vicki Campbell - As an employee of Ketchikan General Hospital and as a member of this community ,I am truly appalled at the letter written by Eileen Small regarding our hospital and its staff. We are lucky to have a medical facility of this calibar in S.E. Alaska. - More...
Thursday PM - September 09, 2010

Road construction By Shannon Smith - I DO NOT share the sentiment of the last two people who sang the praises of the construction work being done on our roads. - More...
Thursday PM - September 09, 2010

Something smells funny By Robert McRoberts - Recently I've been seeing some strange doings at the city that I do not understand. Our economics are solely seasonal now. Building new homes has slowed dramatically, but yet a new friggin library, a luxury item, is a top priority project. - More..
Thursday PM - September 09, 2010

Ward Cove Pending Sale By Rob Holston - For many of the past ten years I was told by the Borough that Ward Cove was needed to anchor the forest products industry for the sake of our economic future. This was back when the Borough loaned large sums from the federal $25,000,000 post KPC shutdown fund. 8-9 & 10 years ago I was arguing that Loggerville deserved a piece of the pie while the Roy Eckert administration said those tidelands were needed for log storage for the saw mill and veneer mill. After Gateway Forest Products folded I thought I had another window of opportunity to purchase land. But this time the entire site was sold to Jerry Jenkins for the veneer mill and a variety of other ventures, such as electrical generation, bottled water, hotels, etc. I did take the opportunity afforded by the KGB / Renaissance sales agreement to enter into a long-term lease with option to purchase with Jenkins. This purchase opportunity was thwarted when Jenkins went belly up and the mill was gutted. I assume that with the sale of veneer site or 29 acres to AMHS that the KGB is no longer insistent that the property be used for wood products production. It is probably safe to say that the KGB felt very comfortable in selling to the state because the sale basically guarantees that quality jobs will be maintained and created in an industry that is in no way controversial. I agree. - More...
Wednesday AM - September 8, 2010

AN OPEN LETTER TO MARTA POORE: "Praising KGH" By Teri J. Wilson - With derision I read Marta Poore's Letter to the Editor "Praising KGH" (Ketchikan Daily News, September 4, 2010). For those who are not familiar with you, you neglected to state that you are employed by Southeast OB-GYN Clinic, which is owned by Ketchikan General Hospital/Peace Health. Therefore, I am not surprised that you had such a pleasant time during your ordeal of a broken wrist. You stated that you "came into surgery the next day and felt greeted by friends." Of course you were, these "friends" are your co-workers. - More...
Wednesday AM - September 8, 2010

Road Construction By David Hull - I would like to echo the comments by Al Johnson on the road construction crew working on the North Tongass Highway project, especially the flaggers. We have had several occasions to pass through the construction area on our way to an emergency call and the people with the stop signs got us through every time with very little wait time. I'll be they would have been willing to kick a car to get it move if the occasion called for it. The operators were always willing to immediately stop what they were doing to let us pass.- More...
Tuesday - September 07, 2010

Ketchikan's Port Ranking By Linda Koons Auger - Congratulations to our commercial fishing fleet and processors for the Port of Ketchikan's ranking of #15 in Landings & 18th in Values. (See, Sit News September 03, 2010 issue of the Fish Factor By LAINE WELCH.) With Ketchikan's early beginnings at the base of Ketchikan Creek, it should be evident, now more than ever, that this industry is essential for the economic well-being of our community. It's long-term viability is possible (in part) by to the State's Constitutional mandate to manage Alaska's fisheries for sustainability. With increasing demand for wild Alaska seafood in the marketplace comes the opportunity for growth. To our benefit, some of our local processors currently staff and operate year-round. - More...
Tuesday - September 07, 2010

Thank You Senator Murkowski By Scott Cragun - I want to post a note of thanks to Senator Lisa Murkowski and thank her for her time served representing the State of Alaska, and particularly to thank her for not being a "puppet" to the party and having the courage to cross party lines when she thought it best served the people of Alaska. - More...
Tuesday - September 07, 2010

Church and State: What was By A.M.Johnson - All of us who have been educated in our public schools over the past 50 plus years and present day,have been taught the separation of church and state. It has been driven home that there is no common relationship between the two. Now in the current venue of public debate, the schism between religions has become wider. In the Village Square Judo-Christian religions are being viewed in even more disparaging terms. - More...
Tuesday - September 07, 2010

Chloramine in our drnking water By Sharon Nobilio - I have read many letters by citizens concerned about the hazards of chloramination of Ketchikan's drinking water, but none suggest how we can prevent Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU) from forging ahead with this treatment. - More...
Tuesday - September 07, 2010

A DOUBLE STANDARD? By Eileen Small - DID ANYONE READ THE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IN THE WEEKEND EDITION OF THE KETCHIKAN DAILY NEWS? NOW I WANT TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT I KNOW THAT ANYTHING I WRITE ON FACEBOOK GOES TO EVERYONE AND SECONDLY THAT I DERIVE NO PLEASURE FROM ANYONE BEING INJURED IN ANY WAY, HOWEVER, I THINK MORE THAN A FEW OF YOU WILL SHARE THE LAUGH I GOT FROM THIS PARTICULAR LETTER. - More...
Tuesday - September 07, 2010

More positive than negative By Charles Edwardson - For the woman who did not like my word friggin, I have had many more positive responses than negative about my 'no new library of any kind' opinion. - More...
Tuesday - September 07, 2010

Congratulations to Joe Miller by Ken Bylund - My hat's off to you, Joe, best of luck; enough honest effort will bring this once great ship of state back into safe waters. Only hope you can be strong in the face of bribery [aka compromise and arbitrary justice]. These seem to be the primary tools in Washington. Best advice -- buy a copy of Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, by Ayn Rand, read it again, or better, get the Audible read by Anna Fields... refresh that keen memory as to what we are. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 01. 2001

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Ketchikan
Regular Election
October 05, 2010

For the 9th year, Sitnews will provide a free web page to all local 2010 candidates. Local candidates are requested to provide background information, experience and qualifications for the public office for which they seek election. Candidates are also requested to provide a statement in which important issues facing the community are addressed and what each would like to achieve if elected. Deadline September 24, 2010
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Post your question(s) for the candidates as a group and read the responses from the candidates. Candidates are encouraged to participate and address questions from the public.
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Ketchikan
Regular Election
October 05, 2010

For the 9th year, Sitnews will provide a free web page to all local 2010 candidates. Local candidates are requested to provide background information, experience and qualifications for the public office for which they seek election. Candidates are also requested to provide a statement in which important issues facing the community are addressed and what each would like to achieve if elected. Deadline September 24, 2010
(Posted 09/09/10)

_Assembly
_School Board
_City Council

Post your question(s) for the candidates as a group and read the responses from the candidates. Candidates are encouraged to participate and address questions from the public.
Forum Began
09/09/10 PM