Ketchikan Borough Mayor Candidates 3 Year Term, 1 Seat Open Rodney Dial Filed 08/05/19 Candidate's Statement 08/27/19 Sidney Hartley Filed 08/08/19 Candidate's Statement 08/31/19 Michelle O'Brien Filed 08/23/19 Candidate's Statement 09/03/19 Borough Assembly Candidates 3 Year Term, 2 Seats Open Austin Otos Filed 08/01/19 Candidate's Statement 08/28/19   David Landis Filed 08/01/19 Jeremy T. Bynum Filed 08/26/19 Candidate's Statement 09/08/19 Ketchikan School Board Candidates 3 Year Term, 2 Seats Open Bridget Mattson Filed 08/06/19 Candidate's Statement 09/05/19   Jordan Tabb Filed 08/20/19 Ketchikan School Board Candidates 1 Year Term, 1 Seat Open Leslie Becker Filed 08/15/19 Candidate's Statement 08/29/19 Hilary Kvasnikoff Filed 08/16/19 Candidate's Statement 08/27/19 Paul Robbins, Jr. Filed 08/16/19 Candidate's Statement 09/02/19   Kathleen Yarr Filed 08/23/19 Ketchikan City Council 3 Year Term, 2 Seats Open   Lew Williams III Filed 08/05/19   Judy Zenge Filed 08/05/19   Spencer Strassburg Filed 08/26/19 October 1, 2019 Ketchikan Local Election Sample Ballots & Propositions This is the 17th year, SitNews has provided FREE unfiltered web exposure to all local Ketchikan candidates to tell the voters why we should elect you. Tell your possible future constituents about your background, work experience, qualifications for the position, etc. Please send a photo. Links to your contact and social media page accepted: Email to editor@sitnews.us Submit Your Statements By: 09/15/19 The sooner the better; absentee voters may vote as early as 15 days prior to the Borough election - absentee voting begins Sept. 16th. Last day to register to vote in the local election is September 1, 2019. Ketchikan: Public Meetings Ketchikan: Upcoming Events Ketchikan: Announcements Ketchikan: Classifieds CLASSIFIEDS Publish Your Ad Click Here Historical Ketchikan June Allen Dave Kiffer Louise B. Harrington Ketchikan Weather Ketchikan's Forecast August Daily Records 2019 July: Daily Records 2019 Ketchikan July 2019 Data Ketchikan June 2019 Data Ketchikan May 2019 Data Ketchikan April 2019 Data Ketchikan March 2019 Data Ketchikan Feb. 2019 Data Ketchikan Jan. 2019 Data Nat Weather Service KTN Ketchikan Tides & Currents Sunrise - Sunset Ketchikan Search the News Ketchikan Alaska

Alaska: Governor Dunleavy Recognizes Patriot Day; State and U.S. flags flown at half-staff to honor victims and their families, first responders, caregivers, and service men and women –Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy proclaimed today, September 11, 2019, as “Patriot Day” and issued the following remarks:

“On September 11, 2001, the American people endured the worst terrorist attack on United States soil in the nation’s history, with courage and heroism.

“While the attacks were meant to divide our great nation, we responded by standing together in a remarkable display of the spirit of unity, resolve, and compassion for one another that represented the best of the American spirit.

“We will forever remember and honor the nearly 3,000 innocent Americans who lost their lives on that day, and remember their families, friends, and loved ones who continue to carry the memories of their lives forward.

“We recognize and honor the heroism of the first responders – the firefighters, police, emergency personnel, health care providers, and citizens who came to the aid of others during, and immediately following the attacks, some of whom laid down their lives while helping to evacuate and rescue others.

“On this day and every day, we as Americans reflect on the importance of freedom, liberty, patriotism, and love of our country, and are grateful for the privileges and rights that we hold as Americans. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 11, 2019

Fish Factor: Defining U.S. Dietary Guidlines for 2020-2025 By LAINE WELCH - Federal agencies are meeting now through next March to define U.S. dietary guidelines for 2020-2025, and a high powered group of doctors and nutritionists are making sure the health benefits of seafood are front and center.

For the first time in the 40 year history of the program, the dietary guidelines committee has posted the questions they are going to consider. They include the role of seafood in the neurocognitive development in pregnant moms for their babies, and in the diet of kids from birth to 24 months directly, said Dr. Tom Brenna, professor of pediatrics and nutrition at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas. 

“We really got jazzed when we saw that because we wanted to figure out what the committee would find when it does its literature search on what medical evidence is out there and boy, did we find a lot,” Brenna said. 

Brenna also chairs the advisory council of the  Seafood Nutrition Partnership which on September 17 is holding its 3rd annual  State of the Science Symposium in Washington, DC. The non-profit hosts the event as part of a public health campaign started in 2015 aimed at getting Americans to eat more seafood.  

Over 40 studies address the two committee questions, Brenna said, and provide evidence of how nutrients in seafood, such as omega 3 fatty acids, are so especially important to brain and eye development.

 “The brain and the retina in the eye are omega 3 organs. As calcium is to the bones, omega 3 is to the brain,” he said. “These kinds of data are exactly the kind of human study the dietary guidelines focus on, They are not cell studies, not rat studies, they are based on real studies on humans. It’s direct evidence. That’s why we are so excited.” 

For centuries fish has been regarded as “brain food” and a plethora of studies has shown that seafood can prevent or relieve dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and reduce depression, among other things.

“I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t be thinking of seafood if they wanted to keep their brain in good working order,” Brenna said, adding that he is baffled why such positive health messages have not “stuck” in the U.S.

Answers could be forthcoming in a discussion of Building Lifelong Seafood Consumers at the DC symposium.

Unlike the meat or dairy industries who use sustained, national campaigns such as “Where’s the Beef?” or “Got Milk? the seafood industry has never banded together on its own behalf.

“Getting the seafood industry together to promote one message has been difficult,” Brenna said, adding that the industry appears fragmented instead of coming together as a national “whole.”  

He is hopeful that putting the spotlight on seafood’s health advantages will help move the message and that national media will show more interest.

“We’re generating the ammunition for the policy guys,” Brenna said. “There’s only so much that the science guys can do and boy, we’ve spent a lot of time doing it. We can lay the evidence in front of the policy makers. They have to implement it.”

 The 2015-2020 dietary guidelines recommended at least two servings of seafood per week, but only one in 10 follow the recommendation. Consumption of seafood by Americans reached 16 pounds per person in 2017, in increase of 1.1 pounds over 2016, according to federal data. 

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will meet five times with the last meeting tentatively scheduled for March 12-13, 2020. All meetings will be open to the public and two will include opportunity for public comment. Written comments are being accepted until the committee completes its work.  A final report will be submitted to the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 11, 2019

Alaska: U.S. Senate Leaders Introduce Arctic Refuge Protection Bill; Congressman Don Young Stands with Organized Labor to Keep ANWR Open for Business. – Leaders in the U.S. Senate today introduced the Arctic Refuge Protection Act to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness and protect its coastal plain from oil and gas leasing and development. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA); Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO); Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE); Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM); and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY).

The coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge was recommended for wilderness status under its current Comprehensive Conservation Plan — issued in 2015. The Trump administration fast-tracked efforts to hold a lease sale by the end of this year to allow oil drilling.

And this week the House of Representatives is set to consider measures that would restrict America’s future energy supply, including one that would block responsible development in northeast Alaska. Today, Congressman Don Young (R-AK) issued a prepared statement on the same day the Senate introduced the Arctic Refuge Protection Act reminding U.S. House Democrats that their efforts to close ANWR to resource development is opposed by a significant number of national labor organizations in addition to trade unions.

Young said, “Sometimes bad bills make for strange bedfellows, and this remains true for the Democrat-led effort to close ANWR. Organized labor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – who oftentimes find themselves opposing one another – have united against H.R. 1146 because they know it will destroy well-paying jobs, jeopardize long-term American energy production, and threaten thousands of American manufacturing and construction workers who depend on resource development to feed their families. I am proud to stand with labor in opposition to this disastrous legislation.

"We need to develop our resources at home. In Alaska alone, the oil industry supports over 110,000 direct and indirect jobs. Washington State is home to five oil refineries that process billions of dollars of Alaska crude. Shutting down ANWR before production begins takes good jobs off the table. These jobs aren’t limited to Alaskans – people come from around the country to work on Alaska’s North Slope. I urge my Democratic friends to listen to their blue-collar constituents and stand with organized labor against H.R. 1146,” said Young.

Quoting a news release from a coalition of environmental and human rights organizations on the introduction of the Arctic Refuge Protection Act in the Senate today, against the wishes of the 70 percent of people across the United States who favor permanent protection for the coastal plain, it was opened for leasing and development by a provision in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Supporters of the Senate bill say Drilling in the Arctic Refuge could have disastrous effects for people and wildlife. The coastal plain provides vital habitat for polar bears, migratory birds and other species and is the calving ground of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. Indigenous Gwich’in communities have a spiritual connection to the Arctic Refuge and depend on the caribou to maintain their culture and way of life.  - More...
Wednesday PM - September 11, 2019

Southeast Alaska: Coast Guard inspectors in Southeast Alaska find discrepancies on commercial vessels – The Coast Guard inspected several passenger vessels in Juneau and Sitka that are owned and operated by Allen Marine and found some discrepancies ranging from material condition to crew familiarity to be corrected.   

The Coast Guard conducted 10 vessel inspections to the Allen Marine fleet, to include three in Sitka, and seven in Juneau.  The discrepancies that were found have been corrected, or are being corrected to allow operation to resume.  

“The Coast Guard and Allen Marine are working hand-in-hand to correct deficiencies that have been identified, and Allen Marine has voluntarily planned a series of internal safety inspections to ensure operators are trained and the vessels are safe,” said Capt. Steve White, Captain of the Port and Officer-In-Charge of Marine Inspections of Southeast Alaska.  “The cooperation between the Coast Guard and Allen Marine has been very good.  The Coast Guard works hard to ensure passenger vessels in Southeast Alaska are safe, and we appreciate the partnership with them in that endeavor.” 

Allen Marine has been a long-time operator in Southeast Alaska region, and the Coast Guard has provided oversight of their long history of safe operation.  The goal of these types of inspections conducted is to ensure continued safety on the water.  

Coast Guard inspectors, along with industry partners, work to ensure visitors to Southeast Alaska will enjoy safe opportunities on the water.   - More...
Wednesday PM - September 11, 2019

According to the legislatures' letter, Gov. Mike Dunleavy in a July 30 letter to the chief executive officer of Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. claimed that the state will actively defend the company’s investment in the proposed mine at the edge of Bristol Bay from “interference” and “frivolous and scurrilous attacks.” 

These twenty lawmakers responded Monday in a letter to CEO Randy Smallwood, saying, “Opposition to this project is both local and statewide, and is not frivolous, slanderous or interference. As individual Alaskans, our opposition to this project arises from the potentially severe social, economic, and cultural risks that the Pebble Mine represents.

“Alaskans will vigorously defend their existing cultural and economic interests, and assuming that permitting will be pro forma carries substantial risk. As Alaskans, we refuse to jeopardize an existing, sustainable resource for the sake of an economically dubious project.” - More...
Wednesday PM - September 11, 2019

Program aims to provide Alaska Native and rural students with opportunities at NOAA
By PAULA DOBBYN
Students participating in the PEP AK program visit Toolik Field Station.
Photo Bu Kara Chuang

Alaska: Program aims to provide Alaska Native and rural students with opportunities at NOAA By PAULA DOBBYN - Alaska Sea Grant is partnering with NOAA Fisheries to provide opportunities to Alaska Native and rural students at the federal agency. The goal is to increase their representation in marine-related professions at NOAA Fisheries, an arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration formerly known as the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Over the summer of 2019, NOAA Fisheries and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), which houses Alaska Sea Grant, launched a marine education and workforce development program that brought five undergraduate students to the UAF campus for a two-week course run by Vladimir Alexeev, research professor at the International Arctic Research Center (IARC). It’s called the Partnership in Education Program Alaska (PEP AK). The program was developed by policy analysts Sorina Stalla and Megan Hillgartner, and UAF faculty member Alexeev.

This summer’s curriculum focused on marine sciences and the drivers of Arctic change, climatology, oceanography, marine resource management and policy, law, subsistence use and perspectives, hydrology, climate modeling, permafrost, interior wildfires, meteorology, atmospheric science and more. Following their coursework and a trip to the Toolik Field Station on the North Slope, students applied their knowledge and completed internships with NOAA’s regional Alaska office and its Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Juneau.

The Partnership in Education Program Alaska fosters understanding and practical use of knowledge (including indigenous knowledge) and policy for undergraduates entering marine-related professions. - More...
Wednesday PM - September 11, 2019

JEFF LUND: Dude... - I thought about Matt Hamilton’s “Dude” shirt as my buddy Ryan and I ambled up the mountain’s eroded path as the sun came up. It’s the best bargain hike around, by far. The name is all the social media captain you need and, in Matt’s usage, a reference to a movie that had a cult following, but outgrew it. So, it works on so many levels.

The trail was a muddy chute though it hadn’t rained in a few days. In some places, it took on the braided qualities of some of the larger area rivers. I wondered which was the main channel. 

I wondered how many people who don’t live here wondered if they had what it takes and thought about trying it once reaching the top. 

I wondered how many people were up there on the opening day of deer season. 

I wondered how many people hiked up it then realized it was opening day of deer season. 

I wondered how many people went up with a coveted goat tag, and down with a goat.   

I wondered how many people used the mountain for photography or camping. 

I wondered how many people used it for medicine. 

At the exposed section, I of course looked over, but didn’t get too close. I’m pretty good at standing, but the addition of consequences sometimes shakes my confidence.  

I looked over. 

“Dude, that’s steep.” - More...
Wednesday PM - September 11, 2019

Political Cartoon: 911 Anniversary
By Milt Priggee ©2019, Oak Harbor, WA
Distributed to paid subscribers for publication by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.