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Monday
September 15, 2014
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Humpback Lake
In a glacier-carved basin in the beautiful Misty Fjords, Humpback Lake is located 60 miles southwest of Ketchikan Alaska.
Front Page Photo By BILL BOLLING ©2014
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Ketchikan: Action Urged on Ketchikan Shipyard Contract; Final decision expected in September By MARY KAUFFMAN - Independent candidate for Alaska Governor Bill Walker is calling on Governor Parnell to make a final decision to build the new Alaska Class Ferries in Ketchikan.
Ketchikan Shipyard
Photograph courtesy VIGOR Industrial, Ketchikan
Walker said, "Ever since the Parnell administration made a decision in 2012 - with zero public input - to change the concept for new ferries from one that would serve all of Southeast Alaska for years to come to one serving Lynn Canal only, there has been delay after delay in doing one simple thing: pledging that the state administration will do everything possible to assure that Alaskan ferries are built in Alaska with Alaskan workers."
During a visit to Ketchikan in December 2012, Governor Sean Parnell announced that the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) will pursue plans to build two smaller, less costly Alaska Class Ferries, rather than one large Alaska Class Ferry orginally planned. The governor announced the new direction after it became apparent during the design phase that building a 350-foot ferry on budget, in Alaska, could not be accomplished.
All indications are the ferries will be built by Vigor Alaska which operates the Ketchikan Shipyard, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Deputy Commissioner Reuben Yost told the Alaska Senate Transportation Committee April 15, 2014.
The award of the shipyard contract was originally projected to be in the Spring of 2014. However, the release of the Request for Proposals was delayed with the release to the Ketchikan Shipyard in early August 2014 by the Alaska Department of Transportation.
Doug Ward, director of shipyard development for Vigor Alaska, which owns the Ketchikan Shipyard, told SitNews today that Vigor Alaska is coming up with the final numbers for the project and has been working with the state.
Ward added, the project has not yet been finalized by the state which means there remains a possibility that the ferries may not be built in Ketchikan.
As part of the contract with the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, the Ketchikan Shipyard would have the ability to submit the first price proposal for the construction contract. If the price the Ketchikan Shipyard submits is acceptable to DOT&PF, a contract would be initiated with the Ketchikan Shipyard to construct the vessels. If a price could not be agreed upon the state would advertise the project for competitive bids which would allow firms located outside of Alaska an opportunity to construct the vessels. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014 |
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Fish Factor: Sullivan to Participate in Fisheries Debate After All By LAINE WELCH - Fish on! The lure of reaching a statewide audience was too much to pass up for US Senate hopeful Dan Sullivan, who will be at the Oct. 1 fisheries debate at Kodiak after all.
Sullivan was able to reshuffle a packed travel schedule to fit in the fisheries event, said Ben Sparks, campaign manager. Sullivan initially was going to be in Bethel on a multi-day swing through Southwest Alaska during the time of the Kodiak event.
“Dan recognizes the importance of Alaska's fisheries, and our campaign has rescheduled our southwest swing to ensure that Dan could make the debate. He looks forward to a healthy exchange of ideas with Mark Begich on the future of Alaska's fisheries, and is excited to attend the debate in Kodiak," his campaign said in a prepared statement.
Since 1990 the fisheries debates have been an election year tradition and always have attracted 100 percent participation by leading candidates. The debates are limited to one topic: Alaska’s seafood industry.
Sullivan, a former Alaska Attorney General and Dept. of Natural Resources Commissioner, will face off for one hour against incumbent senator Mark Begich, chair of the US Senate subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard.
Also on deck: for a second hour, US House Representative Don Young will debate fish issues against Democratic newcomer Forrest Dunbar, who said he is expecting it to be tough. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Southeast Alaska: State Seeks to Intervene in Big Thorne Project Lawsuits - Governor Sean Parnell today announced the state has filed motions to intervene in lawsuits where various environmental organizations are seeking to halt the Big Thorne timber project in Southeast Alaska. The motions focus on the state’s interest in rebuilding and maintaining a healthy timber industry in Southeast and the damage the lawsuits could do to federal funds used for education and transportation in rural Alaska.
“Any delay to the Big Thorne project not only prevents the timber industry from contributing to a diverse and robust economy, but also reduces vital funding for schools and roads in our rural areas,” said Governor Sean Parnell. “It is important that we take an active role in the litigation and represent the interests of Alaska’s families and communities.”
The U.S. Forest Service took final action on the Big Thorne project on August 22, 2014, more than a year after the record of decision was originally issued. The project authorizes the harvest of 148.9 million board feet of timber and encompasses 8,500 acres. This is the only federal timber project in Southeast that could provide timber supply in the short term, as no other projects are far enough along in the review process. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Alaska: Alaskans receiving unemployment benefits must file work search reports - Under new federal legislation, Alaskans filing for unemployment insurance benefits must report their work search efforts beginning with the week of September 21- 27.
Most unemployment insurance claimants must make and report two valid employer work search contacts for each week that benefits are claimed, under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Not conducting and reporting a valid work search may result in a denial of benefits.
Claimants currently filing for unemployment insurance benefits will be notified of the number of required work search contacts they must make and report each week. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014 |
Southeast Alaska: New Cultural Building to Showcase Dramatic Masterpieces by Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Artists - The permanent, monumental art in a cultural center under construction in Juneau will feature master works by some of the most renowned Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian artists in the world, Sealaska Heritage Institute announced today.
Placeholder art on the schematic of the Walter Soboleff building shows where the Robert Davidson panels will be installed.
Graphic courtesy Sealaska Heritage Institute
The cedar-clad exterior of the Walter Soboleff building will feature huge, 40-foot panels designed by Haida artist Robert Davidson that will give the center a dramatic façade unlike any other structure in Southeast Alaska. Upon entering the main foyer, visitors will see an enormous carved-and-painted Tsimshian clan house front by Tsimshian artist David A. Boxley. An interior clan house space will showcase a spectacular carved glass house screen flanked by two house posts depicting Eagle and Raven warriors made by Tlingit glass artist Preston Singletary.
All three tribal groups of the region will be represented in monumental art made by some of the best artists of our time, said Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI), which is building the facility.
“Robert Davidson, David Boxley and Preston Singletary are some of the biggest names in Northwest Coast Native art. They are internationally renowned and recognized for their work,” said SHI President Rosita Worl. “We have a dream team.”
The Davidson panels will be based on his original painting “Greatest Echo,” which the artist donated to SHI’s recent Tináa Art Auction, a fundraiser for the Walter Soboleff building. The design represents a supernatural being called the Greatest Echo—a theme chosen by Davidson because the building’s namesake “echoed the past to bring it to the present.” The design will be replicated on metal panels, a medium recommended by SHI’s Native Artist Committee. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
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Southeast Alaska: HOPE honors seven at 5th Annual Women Who Rock Awards - Prince of Wales Island’s domestic violence advocacy group, Helping Ourselves Prevent Emergencies (HOPE), will host its Fifth Annual Women Who Rock Awards on Saturday, October 18th in the Craig Tribal Association Hall.
This year’s recipients are Carolyn Duncan (Coffman Cove), Karen Head (Craig), Pam Penrose (Hydaburg), Doreen Witwer (Hydaburg), Paula Peterson (Kasaan), E. June Walcott (Klawock), and Myrn McCord (Naukati).
Left to Right: E. June Walcott (Klawock); Carolyn Duncan (Coffman Cove); Doreen Witwer (Hydaburg); Myrn McCord (Naukati)
Left to Right: Paula Peterson (Kasaan); Karen Head (Craig); Pam Penrose (Hydaburg)
HOPE initiated the awards in 2009 to honor women of Prince of Wales Island for their commitment and passion in making POW communities healthier and safer. Each recipient is nominated by a member of their community, with several island communities represented each year. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Southeast Alaska: Tongass National Forest advertises Tribal Relations position - -The Tongass National Forest’s tribal relations specialist position is currently being advertised on the USAJOBS website. The tribal relations specialist will be responsible for building, sustaining, and enhancing positive working relationships between the Tongass and its Tribal partners.
The working environment for the person selected for the position is unparalleled. Their office is the largest intact temperate rainforest on earth and the largest national forest in the United States, consisting of nearly 17 million acres of pristine habitat whose fish, wildlife and forest resources are largely unchanged. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014 |
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Columns - Commentary
DAVE KIFFER: As The Salmon Turns - As another visitor season winds down…..
A couple from Switzerland were concerned about the downtown “smell.”
It’s the humpies dying in the Creek, they were told.
“Well, why is that?”
They were told that it was a natural thing that salmon returned to Ketchikan Creek, more than a million and, well, spawned and died.
The couple seemed concerned at this information.
“Well, who cleans it all up?” - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
JEFF LUND: Work now eat later - All summer I’d been passively seeking to get ahold of a pressure cooker to put up some salmon for the winter. I say passively because though I wanted to do it, I was doing little to make it happen. I talked about it, even made noncommittal plans to borrow one and process some fish with a friend, but it didn’t happen. It’s probably one of those things many Alaskans would be shocked to hear - that someone who grew up in Alaska used mason jars to drink coffee more than preserve fish.
Mom used to make honey and Fireweed jelly, but filets always went into the freezer.
What intrigued me about the process, was not only that I thought it might be column-worthy, but that once fish are pressure cooked, the whole process is pretty much done. It’s just a matter of scooping it out, adding mayo, cream cheese, or just scooping it with a cracker. It’s ready to go. There’s no thawing, waiting, seasoning, cooking then eating. It’s pantry to mouth in seconds. I have prepared a lunch in December already. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
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Political Cartoon: Popular Support for War
By Daryl Cagle ©2014, CagleCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
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 Obamacare: The “Unaffordable” Care Act’s Impact On Alaskans And Small Businesses By DeAnn E. Karlson and Terie Hicks - We are now seeing how detrimental the "Affordable Care Act", (also called "Obamacare") is to small businesses and individuals throughout Alaska. The intent was admirable - provide access to affordable health insurance. However, that was not accomplished. Premiums have skyrocketed. Deductibles and out of pocket maximums are higher than ever. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Alaska's Fisheries By U.S. Senator Mark Begich - Alaska’s U.S. Senator has to understand the unique needs of our coastal communities and the vital role commercial, subsistence and recreational fishing play in our economy and our culture. As chair of the Senate Fisheries and the Coast Guard Subcommittee, I work to listen to and represent the needs of Alaska fishermen. I am honored to have the endorsement of United Fishermen of Alaska because of this work. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Water / Sewer Bond Vote By Rodney Dial - Ketchikan City Residents; On October 7th, you will be asked to vote on approving 10 million in bonds to repair city water and sewer infrastructure. A few things you should consider: - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
US Fish & Wildlife Service Building By Chris Elliott - 624 Mill Street. Have you taken a good look at it? The home of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, it crouches like a filthy rodent behind the new fire station and fronts on Thomas Basin. Thousands of tourists stroll by it every day during the cruise season. You can see it clearly from the dining room of Cape Fox, and it's not a pretty sight. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
WARNING ALERT!!! BEWARE OF THE 1099K IRS AUDIT, COUNT YOUR INVENTORY PRECISELY By David G Hanger - Some of you have already experienced a 1099K, or Form 14420, audit. In two years my firm has dealt with more 1099K audits than field audits since 1989. Form 1099K is the IRS form invented only about four years ago that informs merchants how much their credit card sales have been annually. For a year or two there was a line on IRS forms for posting the 1099K amounts that was not even used; then a posting was expected, and in relatively short order we all discovered how this new tidbit of information was going to be used by the IRS. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Pro Walker & Mallott By Ann Graham Radford - I have lived in Alaska for 58 years and have seen many changes. I have always been a staunch, rather conservative Republican so it is no surprise that people are asking me if I still support Bill Walker for governor with the change of his running mate. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Re-elect Senator Begich By Michael Baines - As a lifelong Alaskan with experience in many Alaskan fisheries - including personal and charter sport fishing, hand and power trolling, seining, gill netting, subsistence salmon and halibut fishing, commercial halibut fishing, factory long lining, and crabbing, I am appalled by GOP senate candidate Dan Sullivan's complete lack of respect for Alaska's largest industry. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Kudos to Captain Zero By John Suter - Now that the primary election is over, the oil companies change their mind and decide not to increase oil production. Kudos to Captain Zero for not asking the oil companies to give back the state's money. The dividend checks were set up to help Alaskans pay their bills. Captain Zero knows that the millionaires and billionaires of the lower 48 who own oil stocks in the oil companies here that are getting the state's free billions of dollars have bills to pay as well. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Time to debate By Jody Serrano - Dan Sullivan claims to be a fighter in several of his ads, and even says he’ll be warrior for Alaska in one. Last time I checked, being a warrior meant having the courage to show up to a fight and look your opponent square in the eye. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Ohio Sullivan By Linda Sharp - Ohio Sullivan is under investigation for tax breaks he got on his million dollar home in Maryland. Sullivan is dishonest. He claims to have been an Alaskan resident since '97. Ohio Dan was getting tax breaks for a "primary residence" in Maryland in 2007 and 2008. Alaskans: Check facts and see through Ohio Sullivan' lies. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
KPU PROBLEM.... By Joey Garcia - I think our local Ketchikan Public Utility actions and interactions have a lot of oversights that needs to be known and seen from the inside out. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
KPU Tech? By Marlene Steiner - I want to know why when someone calls local KPU Tech about a problem with TV (I had a problem last weekend about a channel I could not get) I had to go through the whole weekend getting either Montana or North Carolina for this problem. I don't want to talk to someone in those states when I have a local Tech in Ketchikan. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Convention of States By Kathryn Jacobsen Meng - It is exciting to see the interest the Convention of States has garnished. It has been in the Constitution since its inception but has since been forgotten. The Convention of States was put in place by our Founding Fathers because they came from a place similar to what The United States of America has become. They saw the destructive nature of a government such as ours, and supplied us with this wonderful provision, a provision we can and should use to protect ourselves and our future generations. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
Fair Tax By Amerigo M Cimino - Taxes; one item in my life that infuriates me! I have read many articles about taxes in general. I have read the books about the Fair Tax, and was impressed! Particulary about the simplicity. I believe the "simple" part, is the problem with Politicians and those people I call "Taxperts"! - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
FairTax propagandist By Stephen C. Eldridge - Ms. Martin, a long time FairTax propagandist posts this same drivel in every publication she can find. - More...
Monday PM - September 15, 2014
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Ketchikan
Regular Election
October 07, 2014
Attention Local Candidates
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Send your statements & photos to editor@sitnews.us by September 25, 2014
Candidates 2014
Borough Mayor
2 Year Term
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Lewis L.
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Landis
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Michael
Painter |
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Thompson |
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Harrington
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School Board
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Glenn J.
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