Alaska: Gov. Promotes Higher Teacher Evaluation Bar; Encourages performance-based teacher evaluations - Governor Sean Parnell, in a letter to the State Board of Education and Early Development, expressed hope that the board will adopt higher professional content and performance standards for teachers and principals.

The governor encouraged the board to be bold in setting the bar higher and weigh teacher evaluations based on student learning. His letter also proposes dropping certain outdated and unnecessary testing of Alaska children.

The Governor said he is encouraged the State Board of Education is proposing and working through a regulatory proposal regarding professional content and performance standards for Alaska's school teachers and administrators. He thanked the Board for their focus on including student learning as an important factor in teacher and administrator performance evaluations. I write to encourage the Board

“I know that student learning is important to members of the board and I am asking you to be bold and lead in this with me,” Governor Parnell wrote. “Together, let’s set the bar high and focus on improving student learning in our schools and getting the resources to properly assess progress.”

Governor Parnell sent a simultaneous letter to parent-teacher associations and other organizations in the state, encouraging support for performance-based teacher evaluations.

“In Alaska, we hold our skilled and caring educators in high regard,” Governor Parnell wrote. “Across the nation, educators and advocates for change have adopted these higher standards that reward effective teaching.” - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Alaska: Reported flu and pertussis cases increase in Alaska- Influenza activity in Alaska has increased in recent weeks and has been confirmed in most regions of the state, according to the Alaska State Virology Laboratory. Pertussis (whooping cough) cases are also still on the rise.

“The flu is here,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, chief epidemiologist for the state of Alaska. After minimal activity during the summer and fall, the State Virology Laboratory has confirmed 91 cases of influenza in the last four weeks, including 23 cases from Nov. 10 to 17. The majority of recent positive test results came from the Anchorage/Mat-Su and Interior regions.

The Department of Health and Social Services expects continuing increases in influenza activity as the influenza season progresses. “During the holidays we see an uptick in respiratory illnesses, especially influenza,” McLaughlin added. “People congregate, and viruses spread.” - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Alaska: New federal fisheries observer program for Alaska fisheries goes into effect January 1 - NOAA Fisheries will implement a new fisheries observer program for Alaska's commercial groundfish and halibut fisheries beginning January 1, 2013.

Observers are trained biologists who collect detailed biological and operational information while aboard vessels and at shoreside plants during commercial fisheries. The information is then used by fisheries managers, scientists, and policymakers in making decisions critical to sustainably managing Alaska's billion dollar fisheries industry.

Since the inception of the industry-funded groundfish observer program in 1990, there have been several attempts to restructure Alaska's program to improve data quality, to more equitably distribute industry's costs, and to include halibut vessels.

The final rule filed in the Federal Register on November 23, 2012 – applies to vessels and processors of all sizes, including the commercial halibut sector. It divides the existing observer program into two observer coverage categories—full coverage and partial coverage. - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Alaska: Alaska departments advise caution in harvesting shellfish; No “safe” months for recreational harvesting - The Alaska Departments of Health and Social Services and Environmental Conservation want all Alaskans to know that an article in the most current issue of Alaska Magazine (December/January), titled “Hunting the Mighty Cockle,” contains incorrect information about the safety of eating recreationally harvested shellfish.

Contrary to information in the article, shellfish can contain the toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) any time of the year. The DHSS Section of Epidemiology has received reports of Alaskans with PSP during every month of the year; there are no “safe” months. In fact, pre-harvest testing by the Department of Environmental Conservation of commercial shellfish, sampled this week from Southeast Alaska, revealed toxic levels over four times what is considered safe for human consumption. Commercial shellfish that test positive for elevated levels of toxin are prohibited from being harvested or going to market. - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Alaska: NATIVE HERITAGE REFLECTED IN STATE NAMES - As National American Indian Heritage Month continues, many people across the country may not be aware that the states they live in have names derived from Indian words. In fact, the names of 22 states are derived from American Indian-Alaska Native words, including Alaska, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Ohio, as well as Connecticut, Michigan, and Illinois.

National American Indian Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of the peoples who were the original inhabitants, explorers and settlers of the United States.

“National American Indian Heritage Month” had its origins in 1986 when Congress passed Pub. L. 99-471 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week of November 23-30, 1986 as “American Indian Week.” As directed by Congress, President Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 5577 in November 1986 proclaiming the first American Indian Week. Both law and proclamation recognized the American Indians as the first inhabitants of the lands that now constitute the United States as well as making mention of their contributions to American society.

In 1990 Congress passed Pub. L. 101-343 which authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the month of November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month. Congress chose the month of the November to recognize the American Indians as this month concluded the traditional harvest season and was generally a time of thanksgiving and celebration for the American Indians. - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Alaska: Alaska Board of Fisheries to Meet December 4-12th - The Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) will meet December 4-12, 2012, at the Bristol Bay Borough School, 2 School Road, Naknek, Alaska. During this nine-day public meeting, the board will meet to consider 91 proposals regarding Bristol Bay finfish issues that have been submitted by the general public, fishing organizations, local Fish and Game Advisory Committees, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

In addition to submitting written public comments, the board also invites members of the public to give oral public testimony during the meeting beginning December 4. Any person intending to testify must sign up at the meeting site in Naknek by 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 5. Public testimony will continue until members of the public who have signed up before the deadline and who are present have been given an opportunity to testify. - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Viewpoints
Commentary
Opinions/Letters
Basic Rules &
Freedom of Speech

There once was a girl who gave up By Jordan Flory - On September 13, 1995, that girl was born, bright eyed and innocent to the ways of the world. All was good. As she grew up she learned about the hardships of life. Not only did these hardships cause her to become numb and distant, she also felt that there was no way out. That no one understood. That NO ONE could help. Her heart felt cold and empty. Somehow, it didn’t matter how many friends she had. It didn’t matter that she had a loving supportive family waiting at home. She knew there were people to talk to, but she didn’t know that there were people who understood. Giving up on living was the only possible fix she could see. - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Dumping items over the 3rd Ave. bypass By Vanessa Bruns - I ask that the residents of Ketchikan be more thoughtful and respectful when they are wanting to dispose unwanted items. The 3rd Avenue Bypass is not a dumping ground. There have been many items thrown over the 3rd Avenue railing ranging from bicycles, household garbage, cans, bottles, insulation, animal remains from hunting or fishing trips, small appliances, and scrap wood to name a few. What individuals may not realize, there are houses below the Bypass. - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Unwanted Pregnancies By Chris Elliott - My apologies to Mr. Jarvi. When he asked Mr. Holston to "convince the males...not to start the problem...", I thought he was talking about males taking responsibility for birth control. In response to Ms. Irizarry’s comments, I say (sans sarcasm): While conceiving is a 50-50 proposition, in the case of an unwanted pregnancy, it is almost always the female who shoulders the responsibility for the child. - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Abortion By Rob Holston - Sorry Paul, I don't see the comparison of Roe V Wade with crossing Ketchikan Creek. I do see several valid comparisons between Roe V Wade being the "law of the land" and other "Laws of the Land" observed as pathetic reminders of our historical past & present. Here are a few: women are property; only property owners can vote; slaves can be purchased, held, sold or killed; natives can be killed or put on reservations; Jews can be killed (by the millions); pre-born children can be killed (by the 10's of millions). - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

Fix-It By Joey Garcia - Perhaps it is high time for me to reconcile my own with David Boone's opinion of "Fix It Right". It is a very sad note that in the electronics department of Ketchikan's Walmart, sans [sic] the smile of the employees to help out a customer. What it missed along this line is the knowledge of assigned people in their electronics IT department area. - More...
Friday PM - November 23, 2012

The old swimming hole By A.M.(Al) Johnson - Back in the days of yore, prior to 'Indoor Swimming', a young lad grew up living on the south side of Ketchikan in the area of "Buggy Beach" a tidal pool, now referred to as "Rotary Beach'. For the first toddling years of living near this location, mother would take me wading, allowing me to chase beach crab, throw rocks and enjoy the feel of water. As I grew, the time to learn to swim was nearing and one day, while treading water behind a floating log, I slipped off in water at deep end of the tidal pool. Not knowing how to swim, and near the third time down, a local Boy Scout, Harry Johannsen saved my live. - More...
Tuesday AM - November 20, 2012

Re: Open letter to the Ketchikan Borough Manager By Agnes Moran - Thank you for voicing you concerns about the Gateway Aquatic Center (GAC). The issues you raise have been previously identified by GAC staff and they are actively working with the contractor to resolve them. - More...
Tuesday AM - November 20, 2012

Reproduction & Responsibilities By Shari Irizarry - With all due respect and without expressing any opinion on abortion per se, I thought condoms, and "whatever else is available to men" were the answer to unwanted pregnancies. If you can't be bothered to use contraception, maybe you should consider the cost of child support for the next 18 years. Perhaps that would stick in your mind and make you a little more careful. - More...
Tuesday AM - November 20, 2012

Once again my point... By Paul Jarvi - I think Ms Elliott missed the point of my letter. Contraception is legal and the law of the land. Mr. Holston seems not to understand this point. - More...
Tuesday PM - November 20, 2012

Israel Will Strike Iran By Donald A. Moskowitz - According to various intelligence agencies Iran could have nuclear armaments ready for use against Israel by early 2013.  The devices could be nuclear bombs, or more likely, nuclear warheads on missiles. - More...
Tuesday PM - November 20, 2012

FIX IT RIGHT By David Boone - I have been an appliance repairman for 40 years.  My natural inclination is to fix things.  As I look at the state of national affairs today, nothing seems to be working right.  One hardly knows where to begin the repair.  May I suggest tax reform? - More...
Tuesday AM - November 20, 2012

Stifling our economy By John S. Fellows - I am a retired foreman from the Dow Chemical Co. My political affiliation is independent. - More...
Tuesday AM - November 20, 2012

Open Letter to the Ketchikan Borough Manager By Peg Travis and Dave Hirchert - We are writing with our concerns of the “new” Gateway Aquatic Center. We are disappointed in the design and construction of the facility and feel the citizens are paying for a building of inferior design and workmanship. - More...
Friday PM - November 16, 2012

Stopping the Use of Cigarettes By Alan R. McGillvray - I had been wanting to stop smoking cigarettes for some time. In my desire, I finally figured out that it was the first light-up in the morning that set the day. The idea that since it was that first cigarette that set me up for smoking for the day, why not just not light it up and set a whole different tone on the day. Well I tried that, and it WORKED. I still have not lit up that first cigarette of the day. That was some 3 & 1/2 years ago. - More...
Friday PM - November 16, 2012

RE: Abortion By Chris Elliott - Regarding Mr. Jarvi's letter: "...convince the males of our great land to not start the problem..." ? With all due respect and without expressing any opinion on abortion per se, I thought birth control pills and IUDs and whatever else is available to women were the answer to unwanted pregnancies. Unless a woman is raped or her contraception fails her, she will not become pregnant. Let's convince the females to take advantage of what's available. - More...
Friday PM - November 16, 2012

Ketchikan Homeless Shelter Food Drive By Gary Boatwright - The Ketchikan Homeless Shelter (PATH) is conducting its annual food drive. Collection boxes will be at local grocery stores or donations can be dropped off at the Shelter at 628 Park Avenue (across from the American Legion). - More...
Tuesday PM - November 13, 2012

RE: Issue of Abortion By Paul Jarvi - You have good points my good friend about the fetus, however Roe V. Wade is the law of the land. It is not a question of how to get across Ketchikan Creek. - More...
Tuesday PM - November 13, 2012

Fair Tax Needed By Roy T Newsom - The income tax creates a stagnant economy for the United States.  Companies have moved overseas to give their investors a tax advamtage.  They will not return to the U.S. until our system gives them an advantage in the world market. - More...
Tuesday PM - November 13, 2012

Col. Archie Van Winkle Is Missed By Stephen C. McGowan - On Veteran's Day we missed Col. Van Winkle, Alaska's favorite son. To his daughter for thanking me, for the Letter, you are most certainly welcome. The sad thing is that a lot of Americans only remember those who served, and those who are serving, on this Day. I asked a stranger when she mentioned the Marine Corp Patch on my sleeve if she had served our country in the military, she replied "no". I asked why not? She hesitated, and said, "That's why we have people like you". - More...
Tuesday PM - November 13, 2012

RE: Gas price relief By Paul Jarvi - Ms Ramsey, I just sold my beloved Ford F150. Think about an electric car. - More...
Tuesday PM - November 13, 2012

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