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Tuesday
September 20, 2022
Norwegian Sun
Recently docking at Ward Cove.
SitNews Front Page Photo By STEVE SPEIGHTS
To have your photo(s) featured on the front page of SitNews
email your photo(s) to editor@sitnews.us |
COVID-19 DATA SUMMARY – September 14, 2022Reporting data for September 7-13, 2022
STATEWIDE OVERVIEW – 1,494 new cases - 26 newly reported deaths - 66 hospitalizations
SE ALASKA POSITIVE CASES:
Ketchikan 12; Juneau 54; Metlakatla 11; Petersburg 3; Sitka 23; Wrangell 1; Haines 2; Hoonah_Angoon & Yakutat 3.
COVID-19 DATA SUMMARY – September 7, 2022
Reporting data for August 31 - September 6, 2022
STATEWIDE OVERVIEW – 1,391 new cases - 0 newly reported deaths - 62 hospitalizations
SE ALASKA POSITIVE CASES:
Ketchikan 11; KGB 2; Metlakatla 3; Juneau 44;
Sitka 23; Skagway 3; Wrangell 2; Hoonah-Angoon & Yakutat 5.
s
COVID-19 DATA SUMMARY – August 31, 2022
Reporting data for August 24-30, 2022 (Link will be provided when report available online)
STATEWIDE OVERVIEW – 1,988 new cases - 0 newly reported deaths - 80 hospitalizations
SE ALASKA POSITIVE CASES:
Ketchikan 9; KGB 3; Juneau 66; Metlakatla 2; Craig 2; Haines 9; Hoonah, Angoon & Yakutat combined 4; Petersburg 2; Sitka 11; POW-Hyder 2; Skagway 2; Wrangell 11.
COVID-19 DATA SUMMARY – August 24, 2022
Reporting data for August 17-23, 2022
STATEWIDE OVERVIEW – 2,435 new cases - 8 newly reported deaths - 78 hospitalizations
A male resident of Ketchikan age 80+ was counted among the 8 newly reported Alaska deaths.
SE ALASKA POSITIVE CASES:
Ketchikan 23; Juneau 70; Haines 2; Craig 1; Metlakatla 4; Petersburg 1; POW - Hyder 2; Sitka 22; Skagway 7; Wrangell 4.
COVID-19 DATA SUMMARY – August 17, 2022
Reporting data for August 10-16, 2022
STATEWIDE OVERVIEW: – 2,103 new cases - 0 newly reported deaths - 86 hospitalizations
SE ALASKA POSITIVE CASES:
Ketchikan
10; Juneau 68; Metlakatla 9; Petersburg 2; POW-Hyder 3; Sitka 18; Wrangell 4; Haines 8
COVID-19 DATA SUMMARY – August 10, 2022
Reporting data for August 3 - 9, 2022
STATEWIDE OVERVIEW – 2,553 new cases - 21 newly reported deaths - 65 hospitalizations
SE ALASKA POSITIVE CASES:
Ketchikan 21; Juneau 52;
Haines 18; Metlakatla 1; Sitka 39; Skagway 3; Wrangell 11; Petersburg 4; POW_Hyder 5
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Southeast Alaska: Southeast Lawmakers Voice Support of Local Use Lumber Initiative; Stakeholder meeting Sept. 23, 2022 Posted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN -
Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins and Rep. Ortiz voiced their support Friday for the Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Forestry’s plan to develop a local lumber grading training program in Alaska, similar to Wisconsin's Local Use Dimension Lumber (WLUDL) grading certification. This initiative will increase marketability of second-growth forest products produced in Alaska to preserve industry jobs, expand the current sustainable local lumber market, lower home-building costs, and stimulate rural economies.
Despite high demand for locally-sourced dimensional lumber, small Alaskan sawmills cannot sell their lumber for load-bearing construction purposes such as one- and two-family residential units. The State of Alaska’s building codes require lumber to be graded and stamped for these types of construction projects, but Alaska does not currently have a local grading or self-certification option. The majority of wood used for residential construction must therefore be sourced from the Lower 48 or Canada.
“Alaskans should be able to use local lumber for their load-bearing construction projects, including homes," said Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins (D-Sitka). "It’s just common sense. With housing shortages and high construction costs, it’s in everyone’s best interest to create a local lumber grading option.”
“This program would make Alaskan products available for Alaskans, and it’s a win-win for multiple sectors of the market," said Representative Dan Ortiz (I-Ketchikan). "I encourage stakeholders and future legislatures and administrations to expand on this program idea.”
“The Sitka Conservation Society is supportive of this proposed program because it would allow for more widespread use of local forest products and help us build more sustainable communities with stronger economic linkages," said Andrew Thoms, Director of Sitka Conservation Society.
Thoms said, "This program, and work with local young growth timber, is part of a larger region-wide process of collaboration to figure out the best ways to manage our forest lands for long term social, economic, and environmental sustainability.”
This training program is additionally supported by the Southeast Conference, small sawmills and contractors, and Alaskans who care about decreasing housing costs and expanding housing options across the state. By increasing opportunities for small mills to grade their own lumber, Alaskans will be able to buy local lumber for their home construction needs and dreams, decrease shipment carbon pollution, and stimulate local economies.
The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection is developing a new program to increase the use of Alaskan wood by allowing local sawmill operators to self-certify their lumber. Local Use Lumber is a concept that promotes locally produced dimensional lumber to be used in some residential construction, usually single and double family houses.
“We want to see more Alaskan homes built with quality Alaskan lumber,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “Because Alaska sawmill operators often do not have the financial resources to pay for lumber grading, most of the wood used for construction in Alaska is imported from the Lower 48 or Canada. The Local Use Lumber program will increase the use of Alaskan lumber in Alaskan markets, create family wage jobs, and contribute to self-sufficient and thriving economies in rural parts of the state.”
Current residential building codes such as the 2018 International Residential Code requires that lumber be graded into quality categories by one of the six associations that publish grading rules for softwood dimensional lumber, to ensure that dimensional lumber can withstand the stresses of loadbearing parts of a structure. To meet current building codes, Alaska imports about $20 million annually in wood products from Canada, much of that in dimensional lumber.
The financial and social cost of sourcing outside lumber has continued to rise:
- Alaska Housing and Finance Corporation: new building permits fell by 15% in the last year because of high lumber prices
- National Association of Home Builders: lumber prices increase single family home construction by as much as $36,000
- Tanana Chiefs Conference report: an eight-foot 2X4 can cost as much as $30.00 in remote Alaskan communities
“The benefits of a local construction lumber program go far beyond soaring prices and supply chain issues,” said Helge Eng, Director of the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Eng said, “Small sawmill operators would independently inspect their product to confirm it meets the necessary specifications for construction, save cost-prohibitive membership fees for certifying agencies, and access a larger market for the rough-cut dimensional lumber that they produce. This program will also support rural Alaskan communities in particular moving from cash-only purchases to financing quality, reliable housing like the rest of the state.” - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022
Alaska: Governor Signs Bill Repealing Minimum Wage Exemption for Alaskans with Disabilities -
Last week at Special Olympics Alaska, Governor Mike Dunleavy singed Senate Bill 185 to repeal an antiquated statute which has allowed employers to pay Alaskans with a physical or mental disability subminimum wage. The bill, sponsored by Senate President Peter Micciche, ensures individuals who are impaired by disabilities, age, or injury, are not discriminated against in jobs where performance aligns with their counterparts. The bill signing ceremony was attended by Senator Micciche and Sue Perles of Special Olympic Alaska.
“Alaskans with disabilities play a valuable role throughout our state. Competitive and unified employment provides individuals with a sense of pride, financial security, stable living conditions, access to better health management, and increased independence. By signing Senate Bill 185, we can show our fellow Alaskans with disabilities that we support them and will continue to advocate for them in the workplace and beyond,” said Governor Dunleavy. “I’d like to thank Sue Perles and her team at Special Olympics Alaska for welcoming us here today and for being involved in this process. The work you do in this community is immeasurable and really sets an outstanding example. I’d also like to thank Senator Micciche for his work on this bill, and those in the Legislature for supporting this effort. I am proud to sign SB 185 and ensure excellent opportunities for Alaskans with disabilities.” - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022 |
Ketchikan Regular Election Oct. 04, 2022 - Tuesday
Early & In-Person Absentee Voting
Begins September 19, 2022 |
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| Ketchikan Borough Mayor - 3 Year Term (One Seat Open) |
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Rodney Dial
Filed 08/01/22
Candidate's Statement
09/02/22
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Katie Jo
Parrott
Filed 08/22/22
Candidate's Statement
09/24/22 |
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| Ketchikan Borough Assembly - 3 Year Term (2 Seats Open) |
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Austin Otos
Filed 08/01/22
Candidate's Statement
09/07/22
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JoshuaTitus
Filed 08/17/22
Candidate's Statement
09/12/22
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Michael Iann Martin
Filed 08/17/22
Candidate's
Statement
09/26/22
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Glen Thompson Filed 08/19/22
Candidate's Statement
09/24/22
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| Ketchikan School Board - 3 Year Term (2 Seats Open) |
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Tom Heutte Filed 08/02/22
Candidate's Statement
09/02/22
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Melissa O'Brien
Filed 08/19/22
Candidate's Statement
09/15/22
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Robb Arnold
Filed 08/24/22
Candidate's Statement
09/04/22
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Ginger yeil atoowu McCormick
Filed 8/25/22
Statement |
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| Ketchikan City Council - 3 Year Term (2 Seats Open) |
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Lallette Kistler
Filed 08/01/22
Candidate's Statement
09/07/22
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Mark Flora
Filed 08/10/22
Candidate's Statement
09/15/22
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Dion Booth
Filed 08/18/22
Candidate's Statement
09/02/22
|
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Kevin Kristovich Filed 08/24/22
Candidate's Statement
09/04/22
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Jamie King
Filed 08/25/22
Candidate's
Statement
09/24/22
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Amy Williams
Filed 08/25/22
Withhdrew |
| Ketchikan City Council - One Year Term (1 Seat Available) |
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Jack Finnegan
Filed: 08/22/22
Candidate's Statement
09/19/22
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Dave Timmerman
Filed 08/24/22
Statement |
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Christopher Cumings
Filed 08/25/22
Candidate's Statement
09/15/22 |
Proposition 1: Assembly Representation - All qualified Borough voters will have the opportunity to vote on Proposition 1.
(A ballot proposition regarding Assembly representation is required following each decennial federal census. More specifically, State law requires the Borough Assembly to submit to the voters every ten years, one or more plans for the manner in which the Assembly will be elected.) Shall the present form of assembly representation whereby all members of the assembly are elected at-large by the qualified voters of the borough be retained?
Proposition 2: Nonareawide Library Powers - Proposition 2 will be submitted to the nonareawide Borough voters (voters registered outside the City of Ketchikan and the City of Saxman), registered in the North Tongass 1, North Tongass 2, and South Tongass precincts.
(The Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s nonareawide library powers were adopted through voter approval in 1985. Resolution 2956- CI proposes to repeal the nonareawide library powers. If this proposition is approved, the effective date of the repeal would be January 1, 2024. Shall the Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s adoption of nonareawide library powers be repealed, as proposed in Resolution 2956-CI?) Currently property is taxed at .7mil. The library tax is included annual property taxes paid.
Download the Voter Information Pamphlet for the October 04, 2022 KGB Election- Includes sample ballots, propositions, voting precincts and more information.
Printed ballots for inspection for the October 4, 2022 election will be available September 14, 2022.
KGB Election Information Click Here
City of Ketchikan Election Info Click Here |
Amtgard’s Iron Sky
Amtgard’s Iron Sky, the Live Action Roleplay group in town, is transitioning to indoor and covered events for the fall and winter season. Persons interested in medieval style fighting with foam weapons and fantasy role play can join the free-to-play events twice a month.
Upcoming vents are posted to the Iron Sky - Amtgard Ketchikan Facebook group. Park Days include holding court, battle games and quests. Fighter Practices consist primarily of battle games and competitions. Events are currently scheduled through January.
SitNews Front Page Photo By PAUL ROBBINS©2022 |
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Alaska: Typhoon Merbok, fueled by unusually warm Pacific Ocean, pounded Alaska’s vulnerable coastal communities at a critical time By RICK THOMAN -
The powerful remnants of Typhoon Merbok pounded Alaska’s western coast on Sept. 17, 2022, pushing homes off their foundations and tearing apart protective berms as water flooded communities.
Storms aren’t unusual here, but Merbok built up over unusually warm water. Its waves reached 50 feet over the Bering Sea, and its storm surge sent water levels into communities at near record highs along with near hurricane-force winds.
Merbok also hit during the fall subsistence harvest season, when the region’s Indigenous communities are stocking up food for the winter. Rick Thoman, a climate scientist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, explained why the storm was unusual and the impact it’s having on coastal Alaskans.
What stands out the most about this storm?
It isn’t unusual for typhoons to affect some portion of Alaska, typically in the fall, but Merbok was different.
It formed in a part of the Pacific, far east of Japan, where historically few typhoons form. The water there is typically too cold to support a typhoon, but right now, we have extremely warm water in the north-central Pacific. Merbok traveled right over waters that are the warmest on record going back about 100 years.
The Western Bering Sea, closer to Russia, has been running above normal sea surface temperature since last winter. The Eastern Bering Sea – the Alaska part – has been normal to slightly cooler than normal since spring. That temperature difference in the Bering Sea helped to feed the storm and was probably part of the reason the storm intensified to the level it did.
When Merbok moved in to the Bering Sea, it wound up being by far the strongest storm this early in the autumn. We’ve had stronger storms, but they typically occur in October and November.
Did climate change have a bearing on the storm?
There’s a strong likelihood that Merbok was able to form where it did because of the warming ocean.
With warm ocean water, there’s more evaporation going in the atmosphere. Because all the atmospheric ingredients came together, Merbok was able to bring that very warm moist air along with it. Had the ocean been a temperature more typical of 1960, there wouldn’t have been as much moisture in the storm.
How extreme was the flooding compared to past storms?
The most outstanding feature as far as impact is the tremendous area that was damaged. All coastal regions north of Bristol Bay to just beyond the Bering Strait – hundreds of miles of coastline – had some impact.
At Nome – one of the very few places in western Alaska where we have long-term ocean level information – the ocean was 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) above the low-tide line on Sept. 17, 2022. That’s the highest there in nearly half a century, since the historic storm of November 1974. - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022 |
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Southeast Alaska: Scientists Discover Ancient Underwater Fish Weir In Southeast Alaska; Stone fish trap could be oldest ever found in the world -
A team of scientists exploring an underwater region of southern Southeast Alaska has discovered what might be the oldest stone fish weir ever found in the world.
The existence of the fish trap, which is thought to date to at least 11,100 years ago, was confirmed earlier this year by a group of university academics and Sunfish Inc., a robotics company specializing in undersea exploration and inspection.
The scientists, in partnership with Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI), are using artificial intelligence to explore ancient, submerged caves in the region and to seek evidence of early human occupation.
The age of the weir, which was found in Shakan Bay on the west side of Prince of Wales Island, pushes back Native occupation of the region by more than 1,000 years, said SHI Rosita Worl, noting previous scientific studies have confirmed that Indigenous people lived in Southeast Alaska at least 10,000 years ago.
“It further substantiates the great antiquity of Native people in Southeast Alaska. It also demonstrates that Native people had acquired knowledge about salmon behavior and migrations, then developed the technology to harvest a significant number of salmon,” Worl said.
“I am excited that we are able to use science and technology to substantiate our beliefs and oral traditions that say we have lived in Southeast Alaska since time immemorial and to incorporate our knowledge into these narratives,” she said.
One scientist affiliated with the project said she suspects that people were in Southeast Alaska a few thousand years prior to the construction of the weir.
Stone weirs, or tidal fish traps, were typically low arced walls made of boulders and sited across gullies. The weirs were built so that during high tide, the fish would swim over the stone walls, and as the tide ebbed, the fish would be trapped behind them, allowing fishers to catch them with nets, spears and other means.
Fish weirs - which also were made of other materials, such as reeds or wooden posts - were commonly used around the world in ancient times, and other stone weirs have been documented in Southeast Alaska. However, this is by far the oldest one ever found, and it is the first one ever confirmed underwater in North America.
The structure was first found in 2010 by use of side-scan sonar technology, which detects and images objects on the seafloor. Scientists suspected the vague image to be that of a stone weir, but mostly due to funding constraints, the team was not able to confirm their hypothesis through underwater exploration until earlier this year, said Dr. Kelly Monteleone (co-PI), an archaeologist at the University of Calgary. - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022
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Alaska: Alaska Office of Food Security Announced -
To protect the health and wellbeing of Alaskans, Governor Mike Dunleavy on Friday signed Administrative Order 338, creating the Office of Food Security. Alaska currently imports 95 percent of its food supplies at a cost of $2 billion per year. As an isolated state with limited infrastructure and tremendous dependency on imports, the State of Alaska has a duty to improve the local production, harvest, and growth of foods and increase access to a sufficient supply of nutritious and safe food, and A.O. 338 helps to fulfil this duty.
The Office of Food Security will operate within the Office of the Governor and has a number of duties and responsibilities, including coordinating the state’s efforts related to food security and serving as the first point of contact with agriculture, mariculture, food processing, and other related industries. Additionally, the Office of Food Security will be responsible for creating marketing materials and presentations that describe the state’s food security efforts and opportunities.
Governor Dunleavy announced the Administrative Order in a video Friday afternoon.
“Like many other Alaskans, I enjoy filling my freezer with our wild fish and game, but I also recognize that’s not how every Alaskan can meet their needs. Alaska imports about 95 percent of our food supply, but that vulnerability has largely been masked for the past few decades as global logistics and just-in-time systems have generally worked smoothly. The pandemic changed all that, and it caused a change in my thinking about what we must do to build a secure food system in Alaska,” said Governor Dunleavy. “We have created the Food Security Task Force. We’re working to open more lands to agriculture and boost our investments in mariculture. We’re working to identify and take down the barriers to increased food production, and today, to further advance this critical objective, I signed an Administrative Order that creates the Office of Food Security within the Governor’s Office.” - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022
Alaska: Bill to Simplify the Recognition of Political Parties Becomes Law; Parties with at least 5,000 Registered Voters Will be Officially Recognized -
Senate Bill 161, sponsored by Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage), became law yesterday after Governor Mike Dunleavy declined to sign or veto the bill. Senate Bill 161 creates a new and simple criterion for the state to recognize political parties. For future election cycles, the Division of Elections will now automatically recognize parties with at least 5,000 registered voters. Currently, political parties gain or maintain official recognition by having registered voters equal to at least three percent of the total votes cast for governor, U.S. Senate, or U.S. House in the last election, depending on which office was on the ballot that year. The new registered voter threshold will be adjusted every ten years based on census data.
With the passage of Ballot Measure 2 in 2020, which created Alaska’s new primary and ranked-choice voting system, official party status will no longer be used to determine ballot access except for the president and vice president. Senate Bill 161 is expected to save the Division of Elections the time and expense of reviewing presidential petitions since parties with fewer than 5,000 registered voters routinely secure ballot access by petition. - More...
Tuesday - |
Fish Passage Projects Break Ground in Southeast Alaska; Projects to Open More Than 75 Miles of Salmon Habitat
The second project, in Gustavus Alaska, will see a 60-foot glulam timber bridge installed over the Harry Hall Creek, a tributary of the Good River.
With beginnings in Glacier Bay National Park and an end in Icy Strait, the Good River is like many Southeast Alaska rivers - a nursery for fish, cold, and relatively short (for Alaska standards). For the mountains along Alaska’s Panhandle generally rise abruptly from deep fjords and have felt the presence and pressure of glaciers for at least 7 million years. Rivers here tend to tumble quickly from mountains to sea. But that’s where the Good River departs from the usual story - it’s groundwater fed and makes a lazy traverse across a relatively recent outwash plane.
Photo By Shorezone (Public Domain) |
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Southeast Alaska: Fish Passage Projects Break Ground in Southeast Alaska; Projects to Open More Than 75 Miles of Salmon Habitat -
Two fish passage projects have broken ground that will restore free-flowing waters, allowing for enhanced salmon and trout migration and protect communities from flooding thanks to the nearly $2 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. "Aquatic restoration projects funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are important examples of how nature-based projects can enable ecosystems and communities to be more resilient to climate change," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams.
Fish Passage Program’s work to restore degraded and fragmented aquatic habitats decreases public safety hazards, improves infrastructure resilience, and creates jobs, stimulating the local economy."
These are the first projects to break ground of 40 fish passage projects funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in fiscal year 2022. In total, the Law makes a $200 million commitment over the next five years to removing in-stream barriers, restoring rivers and conserving our nation’s aquatic resources under the National Fish Passage Program.
The first project to break ground, a bridge over the Little Tonsina River in the Valdez-Cordova Borough, will open more than 70 miles of salmon habitat with $1.3 million from the Infrastructure Law. This project will remove an undersized, double barrel culvert on the Little Tonsina River and support the creation of a two lane, 100-foot bridge spanning the channel and floodplain on Burma Pit Road near mile post 74.2 of the Richardson Highway. The new bridge will utilize the Service’s comprehensive Alaska design guidelines for building road-stream crossings that have fish and flood resiliency in mind.
During a storm in 2006, the site’s existing bridge and river culvert were overwhelmed and washed downstream, where they still sit in the riverbed today. Removing the old culvert and replacing the existing bridge will open up 70.4 miles pristine Coho and Chinook Salmon spawning and rearing habitat that lie above this barrier which eventually meet Alaska’s Copper River, one of the world’s most important sources of salmon.
The Little Tonsina River project is a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Copper River Watershed Project, the Chugach Alaska Corporation, the State of Alaska, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resource Conservation Service, NOAA Fisheries, and The Denali Commission.
The second project, in Gustavus Alaska, will see a 60-foot glulam timber bridge installed over the Harry Hall Creek, a tributary of the Good River. The bridge will replace an existing culvert that has become too elevated, impeding fish passage - and is the last of eight other bridges to be set as part of a 10-year effort to reconnect the river’s entire watershed. This will complete the effort to provide unimpeded access to six miles of rearing habitat for juvenile coho salmon. In addition to salmon, Dolly Varden and coastal cutthroat trout use this creek. - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022
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TOM PURCELL: THANK YOU FOR BEING MANNERLY - “No problem.”
That is how I used to reply to people who thanked me for holding the door open for them or for offering some other small gesture.
I don’t know where I got into the habit of saying this to people, but I do not say it anymore.
My mannerly response of choice now is the one my mother taught me over and over again as a child: “You’re welcome.”
You may see no difference between the modern, slangy reply “no problem” and “you’re welcome,” but there is one, slight though it may be.
So why not make the change back to the traditional response?
After all, any time you are more polite to your fellow human beings you spread the desire for them to be more polite to others. - MORE...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022
JOE GUZZARDI: HOW THE YANKEES ALMOST STOLE AN NFL LEGEND - The National Football League has started its second century as the gridiron world’s highest achievable professional level. Formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, it rebranded itself in 1922 as the NFL.
Going back to the American Professional Football Association’s birth, George Halas was football’s most prominent and creative head coach. Moreover, had George Herman “Babe” Ruth not been slamming baseballs into outer space, Halas might have been the New York Yankees’ regular right fielder.
Halas’ success as a head coach began in 1921 when he led the Chicago Staleys to a 10-7 victory over the Buffalo All-Americans in an end-of-season league championship contest. For the next half-century, Halas was a player, head coach, owner and front office executive. Most well-known for leading the Chicago Bears, the “Monsters of the Midway,” to eight NFL titles, Halas also took credit for renaming his team. Halas had a close personal relationship with Chicago Cubs owner Philip Wrigley. In rebranding the Staleys, Halas concluded that since football players are much bigger than baseball’s Cubs, they must be “Bears.” - MORE...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022
TAYLOR KOVAR: Ask Taylor: Credit Card Offer or Trap? By Taylor J Kovar, CFP® - Hey Taylor - I got a credit card offer in the mail that seems really good. Low spending limit but the interest rate is good and I get cash back. So… what’s the catch? Should I be suspicious?
Hey Tommy - I think a dose of suspicion is always healthy when it comes to credit card companies. Their one big goal is to have you pay too much in interest. With that in mind, as long as you check your blindspots, there is such a thing as a credit card worth having. - More...
Tuesday - September 2-, 2022
FINANCIAL FOCUS: Look closely at open enrollment choices Provided By BEN EDWARDS, AAMS® - Once again, it’s the season for football games and back-to-school activities. And if you work for a medium-size or large employer, it will soon be open enrollment season – the time of year when you can review your employee benefits and make changes as needed. What areas should you focus on?
Actually, it’s a good idea to pay close attention to all your benefits. Some of the offerings may have changed from last year — and you might have experienced changes in your own life, too, which might lead you to look for something different from your existing benefits package. - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022 |
POLITICAL CARTOONS
Political Cartoon: The new pandemic
by Rivers©2022, CagleCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com
Political Cartoon: Fentanyl Cop Sleeping
by Dick Wright©2022, PoliticalCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com
Political Cartoon: Don’t just sit there!
by Rivers©2022, CagleCartoons.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com
Political Cartoon: College starting blocks
by John Cole©2022, Pennsylvania Capital-Star, PennCapital-Star.com
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com
Political Cartoon: TikTok Problem
by Gary McCoy©2022, Shiloh, IL
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com
Political Cartoon: Inflation hamster wheel
by John Cole,©2022 The Scranton Times-Tribune, PA
Distributed to subscribers for publication by CagleCartoons.com |
Prop 2 - A Civics Lesson By Dan Bockhorst - Apparently, it doesn’t matter how we vote on the library proposition. If we vote "no" the assembly can continue to fund the library; if we vote "yes" the assembly can continue to fund the library.
It says so right there on page 5 of the borough’s voter information pamphlet: ‘If the library power is repealed, the borough could still support the library by utilizing a different power.’ The assembly made that declaration by a unanimous vote earlier this month – it wasn’t even debated.
What contempt for voters. What arrogance. What abuse of power. More...
Monday - September 26, 2022
Misrepresentation by Some Of My Corporal Punishment Statement in Forum By Robb Arnold - I would like to take the time to respond and clarify my public candidate statement in the recent KRBD forum as well as a recent op-ed posted in Sit-News. We were asked, due to a recent change in a school districts policy in Missouri that reenacted corporal punishment, if we agreed or disagreed with that.
My response was somewhat misrepresented by some, and I would like to explain.
As I stated, I grew up in a public school system that had corporal punishment. From first grade on I was slapped, hair and ear pulled, scratched, by teachers, paddled and swatted by the principle. As I got older, I received rulers across the back of my hands and head, the teachers up to seventh and eighth grade would use paddles in class, after school, I would go home and receive a belting from my dad or mom. I do not think this helped me, it gave me a strong indication of boundaries in society but made me rebel more and disrespect authority.
I would not wish this on any students, in our schools and I am totally against teachers using paddling in anyway shape or fashion. The recent situation at our high school is something we all disagree with and if a teacher mishandles our students, we should call for accountability and investigation of the matter. - More...
Monday - September 26, 2022
Candidates Asked If They Would Ever Consider Corporal Punishment in the Ketchikan School District By Keenan Sanderson - My opinions are mine and mine alone, this statement does not reflect any body that I may be affiliated with.
Last night [09/20/22], KRBD radio hosted a school board candidate forum. Upon the conclusion of the forum, a number of Ketchikan residents reached out to me about a topic that came up during the forum. I would like to address that topic and address the concerns that people have.
The question that I will be referring to is the following: “A Missouri School District recently reinstated policy that would allow school district faculty to spank students as a form of punishment, including the use of a paddle. Is this a policy, or any form of this policy, that you would ever consider for the Ketchikan School District? Specifically state yes or no. Why or why not?” In other words, corporal punishment.
Let me be abundantly clear with you all, in no way, shape, or form will I ever support corporal punishment in any part of our school district. This is non-negotiable for me. Here are my reasons why: - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022
Proposition 2 is a Meritless Proposal By Ghert Abbott - Severe measures require solid reasons and good intentions. A moment’s consideration shows that the advocates of Proposition 2 are deficient in both.
Mr. Harrington and company do not think the Drag Queen Story Hour hosted by the Ketchikan Public Library was appropriate for young children, fair enough. But the public library’s Drag Queen Story Hour was a purely voluntary event. Given this fact, I am 100% confident that no person who was morally opposed to the event took their children there. The event was also very forthright about its contents, right down to the name, so no one would have attended ignorantly nor accidently.
So the only children present were those that were brought to the library, willingly and knowingly, by their parents or with their parents’ permission. And presumably every parent whose children attended felt this event to be morally beneficial (or at the very least harmless) to their children’s education and development. Maybe they were right, maybe they were wrong, but every parent has the right to decide such questions themselves and teach their children what values they see fit.
Given the event was purely voluntary, how then could those opposed to the Drag Queen Story Hour have been remotely harmed by it as they and their children clearly did not attend? And lacking any such harm to their families, what justification is there for defunding the library for hosting it? - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022
Vote NO on Proposition 2 By Lori Ortiz - In the midst of these few weeks leading up to a vote on Proposition 2, I have been reading, Clams on the Beach, Deer in the Woods, edited by Louise Brinck Harrington and Mary C. Smith. It is a compilation of oral histories from 19 Ketchikan pioneers. The first dedication pages describe the passion for this project by the book’s editors, the thanks extended to the Friends of the Library (and no doubt some librarians) and a shout out to John Harrington for his efforts in editing, etc.
I find great irony in this.
On the one hand I think, I am just so Darn grateful that the stories… indeed the voices of these amazing pioneers have been preserved. The stories are like magic, and they are instructive. For example, within Marie Henn’s story, I read this paragraph with interest,
“,...I liked to read. I used to go to the library and just pick out books at random. If I didn’t know words, I looked them up in the dictionary.”Wasn’t it great that Marie, a child with less than two pennies to rub together, had the Public Library as a refuge and a resource where, in her own words she Learned to Read! - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022
Dial Versus Inclusivity By Janalee Gage - Ketchikan likes to say we are a community that comes together and supports each other in times of need, and I have seen this repeatedly. Still, I have also seen it used to put shackles upon those of us who identify in marginalized groups if we do not get in line with a select group.
In the past year, we have heard mayor Dial point fingers at marginalized community members and blame them for division and unrest within the community. We have listened to people speak about how they have nothing against LGBTQAI+ community members, and they treat them equally every day, and in the same breath, call them monsters, lump them in with pedophiles and say they are indoctrinating members into a cult.
Let's talk about who divides and creates unrest in the community, Mr. Dial. His current ad states voting for him will keep Ketchikan Affordable, prosperous, friendly, and safe. Really, for who? Those in the community who have the greatest wealth and go to specific religious establishments, and get in line with his agenda requirements? - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022
Thank You Dial By Jasen Hansen - I graduated from Ketchikan high school in 1993 and then proceeded to take classes at the Ketchikan campus of the University of Alaska SE until my father's passing in early 1996 that took me off island. I finally found my way back home in early 2014 when my son was 6 months old and my wife and I were looking for a wonderful community to raise our son in. It was shortly after moving back that I met Rodney Dial and was immediately impressed with his love for the community and more specifically the people of the community.
We did not spend a lot of time together though, so I would be lying if I told you that I knew his true character at that time. I wouldn't have hesitated to say that he was a friend, but that was more to do with his cordial demeanor every time we spoke than being able to point to shared experiences. Every time we spoke though, his passion for the community of Ketchikan and the people was evident. I had no idea how hard he worked behind the scenes putting that love and passion into action and quite honestly am still unaware of his countless hours of service.
I do know one thing clearly now though and that his service is to the community and for the community comes out of sincere love for the town and people of Ketchikan. I can say that unequivocally and I would like to share how I know this to be true. - More...
Saturday - September 24, 2022
Forcing Views By A.M. Johnson - This afternoon, Tucker presented during his show, the article regarding the deviant actions of one soul forcing his views on children while employed as a teacher. The "Woke" authorities failed to address the situation and continue doing so. - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022
Pro-Abortion advocates By Rob Holston - Hi Caity Pearson and other pro-Abortion advocates. If your abortion did not KILL an innocent HUMAN life then I would agree with the sign you are holding and the arguments you have. - More...
Tuesday - September 20, 2022
 Ketchikan Deserves to Know the Truth By Dan Bockhorst - The Pew Research Center reports that 64% of adults in America say it’s “hard to tell the difference between what is true and not true when they hear elected officials.” - More...
Thursday - September 15, 2022
Upcoming Ketchikan School Board Election, Choose Carefully Our Children's Future Depends On It By Charles and Debi White - It is with great hope and a clear vision, an awareness of the problems adolescents face today, that we endorse Robb Arnold for the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District School Board. Robb has this vision and awareness, he has an honest pragmatic, and hopeful insight into our community's educational problems, acquired by his willingness to examine issues and listen closely to the public's questions and concerns....... - More...
Thursday - September 15, 2022
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APFC Keeps Steady Keel During Turbulent Year By Chair Craig Richards, APFC Board of Trustees - As the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation’s Board gathers in Anchorage this week for the annual meeting, the Trustees would like to update Alaskans on the status of the Alaska Permanent Fund, the outstanding job our staff has done in these turbulent times, and our search for a new executive director. - More...
Thursday - September 15, 2022
The Ketchikan Elections By David G Hanger - Well, the soap opera that is the Dallas Cowboys came to a conclusion Sunday night, morphing in to the ‘Mike McCarthy Retirement Tour.’ Oh yawn. (Look yonder in San Diego’s way the pundits say.) That soap opera concluded let us at least to the prelims of our local annual soap opera add a touch of ginger and spice. - More...
Thursday - September 15, 2022
Ketchikan library funding By A. M. Johnson - Regarding the upcoming election regarding funding the Ketchikan library with borough taxes, in following the submitted letters to the other news outlet, one would assume the issue is the reluctances of borough residents to fund the library with library levies which is a misnomer. And a misleading message to unsuspected taxpayers, particularly those of recent residence, say 10-15 years in time.. - More...
Thursday PM - September 15, 2022
Vote NO on Proposition 2 By Barbara L Bigelow - As a long-standing member of the Ketchikan Borough this letter is in support of our Library.
My reading career started and was enhanced by a kind librarian who suggested books for me as an 8-year-old child. It is hard to imagine a reputable community without a library for all its citizens. Libraries enrich us, compel us to read and supports our communities. The Ketchikan Public Library has so many programs and offerings for its citizens. There are many positive attributes of community, including housing, arts, open spaces, recreation, good schools, jobs, and yes libraries. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022
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Never again. By Susie Dotson - Former Governor Bill Walker started confiscating our statuary PFD AS 43.23.025 in 2015 with his bill SB26. The Permanent Fund Dividend formula has not been used since 2015 but remains a law under AS 43.23.025. In 2016 he vetoed half of the $2,083.00 statuary PFD to only pay $1,022.00 to each Alaskan. Bill Walker became the first governor in the history of the state to veto a portion of the annual dividend owed to Alaskans. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022
Is this what you really want? By Heidi Ekstrand - On October 4, borough voters in only three precincts outside of the Ketchikan and Saxman city limits (two precincts north and one south) will be given the chance to slash 45% of the Ketchikan library’s budget. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022
Vote NO on Proposition 2 By Janalee Gage - The city operates Ketchikan's public library, but since half of the population and all the school districts fall under the borough instead of the city, the borough covers about 40% of the public library's budget via a small non-areawide tax that is .7 mil from our property tax. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022
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The Jewel in the Rock By Bridgit Stearns - Embedded in our island community there is a jewel, our Public Library. It holds a rich and valuable trove of materials that are available to everyone who lives in the Borough, whether town or “out the road”, north or south. Library staff are another part of its treasure. They are a dedicated group who have the knowledge and expertise to maintain and refresh the collection, to help library users find needed materials, to troubleshoot computer problems, develop a busy schedule of programming for all ages, to provide library service to the homebound, and to help instill a love of reading in the youngest users. They make the library a place that is welcoming to all. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022
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Support Our Library Vote NO on Proposition 2 By Kathy Flora - Leaving the library the other day, I realized trips to the library for fifty years were never simply about picking up reading material. They were about talking with the staff knowing their names, and them knowing mine. It was about running into neighbors, hearing the laughter of children’s voices during story time. Browsing the new book shelf, taking a moment to look out at the breathtaking views from our library.
The people in our community depend on our library not only for books, but also for computers, internet access, and a safe, warm, accepting, accessible space. - More...
Tuesday - September 13, 2022
The Tank (A Labor Day Story) By Rodney Dial - On a Saturday morning in August 2010, I was working at our family business Alaska Ink when I received a call that two Hoonah Police Officers had been shot. My day job was the Deputy Commander of the Troopers in SE Alaska and my responsibilities were to manage Trooper Patrol functions in SE Alaska. - More...
Sunday - September 04, 2022
Ketchikan Library Issue & Academic Goals By A. M. Johnson "Grade School is for learning reading, writing, math, not cross-dressing, breast augmentation and castrations.".... Auth unknown.
In light of the current library issue, the above statement is anticipated reflection of liberal bent education professionals (not all) for fads, trends and "Current Research" anticipated, if not already manifesting locally, or soon, to be, left unchecked. - More...
Sunday - September 04, 2022
Open Letter to Ketchikan City Council By John Harrington - O see that the Library Initiative is on your agenda. I also assume that the request for funding will pass in some form. Given that it is on the agenda it is open for some related amendments. - More...
Saturday - September 03, 2022
Open Letter to Ketchikan City Council By John Harrington - It is good to see the Borough Initiative has been addressed by the Acting City Manager, it gives me the opportunity to address the issues. - More...
Saturday - September 03, 2022
It's Time For A Change; Time For Mike Sheldon By Susie Dotson - Bert Stedman is out of sync with the times. He got into the office when we still thought oil could save us, and for a time it did. He found his place as finance committee chair, doling out the money back when we had money. Now that we're broke, he has no interest in finding a new way forward but only in finding a new source of money to continue his power. He's taking our PFDs to do it.. - More....
Sunday - August 28, 2022
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Tom Heutte for Ketchikan School Board By Bridget Mattson - first met Tom Heutte the night I was appointed to fill a one year term seat on the school board in the fall of 2018. I had run and come in fourth in the October election for three open seats. The board had an immediate open seat for appointment following the election. Mr. Heutte also applied for the appointment and he was chosen to interview prior to my turn. Mr. Heutte told the board that the hundreds of voters who had chosen me should be respected and he withdrew from consideration to allow for my immediate appointment. - More...
Sunday - August 28, 2022
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In defiance against the Binding Caucus; My vote is for Jeremy Bynum By Susie Dotson For many years both the Alaska Senate and House of Representatives have employed the rule of a Binding Caucus on the majority caucus in both houses. Only in this last election cycle did we witness the Senate breaking away from a Binding Caucus and organizing under what they called a "Caucus of Equals" where individual senate members were allowed to "vote their conscience" regarding the final budget. - More...
Sunday - August 28, 2022
Idea for Local Use Lumber Program By Rep. Dan Ortiz - Our timber industry has been an integral part of Southeast for generations. Like many people, the timber industry directly impacted my life: I worked for the Ketchikan Pulp Mill during summers and a short stint in the late 1970s, which helped pay for my college education. - More....
Sunday - August 28, 2022
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