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Tuesday
September 04, 2012
Once in A Blue Moon
The August 31st 'blue moon' rising over Deer Mountain is the last to be seen until 2015. The second full moon in one calendar month is sometimes called a blue moon. This usage results from a misinterpretation, in the March 1946 issue of Sky and Telescope, of the traditional definition of blue moon. The Maine Farmers' Almanac defined a blue moon as an extra full moon in a season. One season was normally three full moons. If a season had four full moons, then the third full moon was called a blue moon.
Front Page Photo By LES HARRINGTON ©2012
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Ketchikan: Serious Concerns Raised With Ketchikan School District's Compliance with Indian Education Act By MARY KAUFFMAN, SitNews - Concerns have been raised that the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District is not in compliance with the Indian Education Act which provides Title VII funds to the school district.
In a recent letter written to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District's Superintendent Robert Boyle, concerns were expressed that over the past several years the local Ketchikan School District has been administering Title VII funds without the participation of tribal parents putting the district out out of compliance with the Indian Education Act. The July 30th letter was written by Cara Wallace who is the Deputy Director of Ketchikan Indian Community's Southern Southeast Alaska Technical Education Center.
Title VII, also known as the Indian Education Act or IEA funds, has been recognized as the landmark legislation establishing a comprehensive approach to meeting the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students. The 1972 Indian Education Act was the landmark legislation which established a comprehensive approach to meeting the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students. The latest revision occurred with the amendments made by the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which reauthorize the program as Title VII Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Indian Education legislation is unique in the following ways:
- It recognizes that American Indians have unique, educational and culturally related academic needs and distinct language and cultural needs;
- It is the only comprehensive Federal Indian Education legislation, that deals with American Indian education from pre-school to graduate-level education and reflects the diversity of government involvement in Indian education;
- It focuses national attention on the educational needs of American Indian learners, reaffirming the Federal government’s special responsibility related to the education of American Indians and Alaska Natives; and
- It provides services to American Indians and Alaska Natives that are not provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Concerns arose when Ketchikan Indian Community was applying for a grant in 2011. At that time, Ketchikan Indian Community reviewed previous records of public notices by the district of Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee meetings that were printed in the local Ketchikan Daily News paper for the period of September 2009 through March 2011. The review found that no public notices were given during that time period to ensure open consultation with parents of Indian children and teachers and a full opportunity for parents of Indian children to understand the programs and to offer recommendations.
After several years of inactivity, Ketchikan Indian Community stated in the letter that the Ketchikan School District did advertise an Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee meeting that was held April 30, 2012. This meeting was scheduled to meet the requirements as outlined in Title VII. However, one week prior to this meeting, KIC attempted to request a meeting change date since the Parent Advisory Committee was scheduled by the Ketchikan School District to be held the same night as KIC's Constitutional Reform meeting. Title VII mandates open consultation, and KIC suggested that the school district host the Parent Advisory Committee on a date that did not conflict with an important tribal meeting. KIC stated in their letter of concern, this request was rejected by the Ketchikan School District's Curriculum Director Linda Hardin because she had already informed the Committee of the meeting date. - More...
Tuesday PM - September 04, 2012
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Ketchikan: Diabetes Prevention Program Graduates Second Class - Ketchikan Indian Community Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) recently wrapped up a second 16 class session with nine participants. The class is funded through the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) initially authorized by Congress in 1997. The program, which concentrates on treatment of those with diabetes and prevention for pre-diabetics, is set to expire in 2013 unless re-authorized before then.
Graduates - Back Row Left to Right: Bill Hardy, Behavioral Health Director/Health Educator; Shirley Snook, Becky Wagenius, C.J. Seludo class members; Helene Simpson, Program Recuiter; Merle Hawkins, class member; Leslie Wheeless Diabetes Program Director. Front Row Left to Right: Martin Smith, Dietician/Health Educator; Brehanna Johnson, Lifestyle Coach; Not pictured: Rebecca Magee, Pharmacist/Health Educator
Photograph courtesy of KIC
American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rate of type 2 diabetes in the nation. Since the program’s inception in 1997 through 2011 remarkable achievements have been made. The mean blood sugar level (A1C) has decreased to 8% in 2011 from 9% in 1996. This translates into a 40% reduction in diabetes related complications.
With budget deficits and a bulging federal debt there is mounting pressure to justify government funded programs. Clearly SDPI is having a profound and positive effect on KIC members participating in the program. Renewal of funding makes sense; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
The DPP’s first 16 class session resulted in 9 participants losing a cumulative 101 pounds with one person losing over 28 pounds. The recently concluded session achieved good results as well. A total of nearly 98 pounds was lost by nine participants with the largest weight loss of nearly 32 pounds. The age range is impressive; the youngest class member is 23 and the oldest is 81. - More...
Tuesday - September 04, 2012
Ketchikan: UAS Ketchikan Honor Society Promoted to Two Star Chapter - The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan’s Alpha Rho Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK) is proud to announce that it has fulfilled all requirements to be named a “Two Star Chapter”.
The Five Star Chapter Development Plan serves as a blueprint for developing a strong chapter, improves student engagement and recognizes progress in the attainment of goals set by the chapter. Using the Five Star Plan as a guide, chapters enhance their strategies to recognize eligible students, provide significant personal and professional development opportunities for members through Honors in Action, and build a working relationship with the college administration by becoming active on campus and in the community.
UAS Ketchikan’s Alpha Rho Beta Chapter has become a Two Star Chapter by having two inductions in the past academic year; holding scholarly events such as hosting regular community guest speakers during Spring Semester 2012; service activities including having PTK members speak with Schoenbar students about college life; awarding a tuition scholarship to Maggey Baca, winner of a scholarly essay contest at Ketchikan High school; membership campaigns and other activities. - More...
Tuesday - September 04, 2012 |
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Alaska: Arctic sea ice breaks lowest extent on record - The extent of the sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean has shrunk. According to scientists from NASA and the NASA-supported National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colo., the amount is the smallest size ever observed in the three decades since consistent satellite observations of the polar cap began.
Scattered ice floes are seen from the bridge of the USCGC Healy on August 20, 2012 northwest of Barrow, Alaska. Arctic sea ice fell to its lowest daily extent in the satellite record on Sunday, August 26, 2012.
Credit: U.S. Coast Guard
Arctic sea ice cover melted to its lowest extent in the satellite record on August 26, 2012, breaking the previous record low observed in 2007. Sea ice extent fell to 4.10 million square kilometers (1.58 million square miles) on August 26, 2012. This was 70,000 square kilometers (27,000 square miles) below the September 18, 2007 daily extent of 4.17 million square kilometers (1.61 million square miles).
"By itself it's just a number, and occasionally records are going to get set," NSIDC research scientist Walt Meier said about the new record. "But in the context of what's happened in the last several years and throughout the satellite record, it's an indication that the Arctic sea ice cover is fundamentally changing."
According to NSIDC Director Mark Serreze, "The previous record, set in 2007, occurred because of near perfect summer weather for melting ice. Apart from one big storm in early August, weather patterns this year were unremarkable. The ice is so thin and weak now, it doesn't matter how the winds blow."
"The Arctic used to be dominated by multiyear ice, or ice that stayed around for several years," Meier said. "Now it's becoming more of a seasonal ice cover and large areas are now prone to melting out in summer."
The sea ice cap naturally grows during the cold Arctic winters and shrinks when temperatures climb in the spring and summer. But over the last three decades, satellites have observed a 13 percent decline per decade in the minimum summertime extent of the sea ice. The thickness of the sea ice cover also continues to decline. - More...
Tuesday - September 04, 2012
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 August in Alaska - “My Mind is Full and My Heart is Happy” By U. S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski -
I can't decide whether I am the luckiest woman in Alaska or the luckiest person in America. I have just had the best 30 days anybody could have in any place ever. I have been home. - More...
Tuesday PM - September 04, 2012
Performing Arts Center By
Lallette Kistler -
The Performing Arts Center (PAC) survived the Ketchikan Legislative Liason committee meeting on August 27th, and we have been placed as #3 on the area-wide priority list to the governor! - More...
Tuesday PM - September 04, 2012
Re: THE MISERABLE MILE By
Alan R. McGillvray - I agree totally with Mr Pickrell about that stretch of highway, it is truly a 'miserable mile' with elevation changes great enough to throw a car traveling at speed, across the road and into oncoming traffic. - More...
Tuesday PM - September 04, 2012
Archie Van Winkle By
Judy Van Winkle -
I would just like you to say thank you to author of the letter about my dad Col. Archie Van Winkle. - More...
Tuesday PM - September 04, 2012
RE: Rights of People with Disabilities By
Amanda Mitchell - I want to thank Kevin Gadsey for coming forward and voicing his approval towards the CRPD. I still respectfully disagree with the CRPD, but I do see that Kevin wants what is best for those that he serves. I wish all people were a little more like you, Kevin. SAIL is a really good organization and I would recommend it. However, I am looking out for my children’s long term interests and I believe the CRPD is detrimental to their welfare. - More...
Tuesday PM - September 04, 2012
Feral Cat Lady not from Metlakatla. By
Christina Martinez -
An article that was published in the Ketchikan Daily news this last week ran a story about a woman who was escorted off the Annette Island Reserve by the Metlakatla Police Department whose car was occupied with 53 cats, some pregnant most, feral. - More...
Monday - August 27, 2012
Re: Irregularities in Ketchikan's fiscal forecast By
Agnes Moran -
The Aquatic Center and the replacement generator are the two items of concern to Mr. Plute that lie in purview of the Borough. Unfortunately, Mr. Plute's letter contains many inaccuracies regarding these two projects and I would like to address those here. - More...
Thursday AM - August 23, 2012
Shameful By
Laura Plenert -
Jack Shay's "performance" in court on Monday was shameful and disgusting. Entertainer til the end. - More...
Thursday AM - August 23, 2012
Tough Questions By
Guy Archibald -
If the Ketchikan Gateway Borough (KGB) Assembly is to protect the long term interests of its citizens, they need to ask tough questions before agreeing to locate an ore processing facility within KGB. They need to ensure that the promises made by the mine are enforceable and will protect the community far into the future. Unfortunately, mines have a history of making grand promises in the early stages and then abandoning them after closure or when market conditions change. - More...
Tuesday - August 21, 2012
Thank you! By
Vicki Harsha -
My son, Nick Martin, was recently involved in a jet boat accident on the Stikine River in Wrangell, Alaska. Twelve hours after the accident he called to tell me he was on the way to the hospital in Wrangell and asked if I would let the Ketchikan Indian Community know that he would be going to the emergency room for treatment. He assured me he was fine and that he just needed some stitches in his forehead and possibly his finger. - More...
Tuesday - August 21, 2012
Irregularities in Ketchikan's Fiscal Forecast By
Ed Plute -
Currently the City of Ketchikan is $158 million in debt according to the 2012 annual budget. Established here are just a few examples of financial irresponsibilities that need to addressed and not behind closed doors. - More...
Tuesday - August 21, 2012
Cabin elimination By
A. M. Johnson - Will the results of the public comments regarding the removal of various cabins from the Tongass National Forest reflect a corresponding reduction in the excessive number of U.S.Forest Service employees in the respective areas? - More...
Tuesday - August 21, 2012
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