 Contact 
Call 617-9696
Webmail
Letters
News Tips
Copyright Info
Archives
Quick News
Search
Alaska
Ketchikan
SE Alaska
Alaska News Links
Columns
- Articles
Dave Kiffer
Fish
Factor
Money Matters
Historical
Ketchikan
June Allen
Dave
Kiffer
Louise
B. Harrington
Ketchikan
Arts & Events
Ketchikan
Arts
Ketchikan
Museums
KTN Public
Library
Sports
Ketchikan Links
Public Records
FAA Accident Reports
NTSB
Accident Reports
Court Calendar
Court Records Search
Wanted:
Absconders
Sex Offender Reg.
Public Notices
Weather,
Webcams
Today's
Forecast
KTN
Weather Data
AK
Weather Map
AK Weathercams
AK Earthquakes
TV Guide
Ketchikan
Ketchikan
Phone Book
Yellow
Pages
White
Pages
Government
Links
Local Government
State & National
|
|
Monday
November 04, 2013
Orca
George Inlet was active last week with Orca whales moving through -- jumping, breaching, Tail- slapping the water and chasing birds that were too heavy to fly.
A Marbled Murrelet was swimming crazily through the water as a Killer Whale was chasing it. All this just feet in front of the photographer who had too large of a lense to focus on all the activity going on so close.
Front Page Photograph By JIM LEWIS ©2013
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Ketchikan: 2nd Annual Rotary Vocational Award Winners Recognized for Excellence - An awards banquet recently held at the Ted Ferry Civic Center recognized local individuals during Rotary Vocational Month for their exemplary contributions to Ketchikan's business community. Recognized were the United States Coast Guard - Station Ketchikan for “Excellence in Customer Satisfaction” and Dr. Marna Hall and the Island to Island Veterinarian Clinic for “Excellence in Entrepreneurism".
Heather Muench, Senator Bert Stedman, Dr. Marna Hall, and presidents Roppel and Guevarra
Photo courtesy First City Rotary
First City Rotary, Rotary 2000, and the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce held this joint Vocational Awards Banquet on October 23rd. Senator Bert Stedman was the keynote speaker and award presenter. The annual Rotary awards are to identify, recognize and applaud local individuals during Rotary Vocational Month for their exemplary contributions to Ketchikan's business community.
Before the awards were announced, Chelsea Goucher, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, opened the meeting with Senator Bert Stedman leading the pledge followed by four youth from Schoenbar Middle School singing the National Anthem in acapella. Presidents Rosie Roppel, First City Rotary and Marc Guevarra, Rotary 2000 rang their respective Rotary Bells, leading everyone in the Four Way Test, and that October is recognized as Rotary Vocational Service Month.
This is the second year the Rotary Vocational awards have been presented. The awards are to identify, recognize and applaud Ketchikan individuals during Rotary Vocational Month for their exemplary contributions to Ketchikan's business community.
The first award “Excellence in Customer Satisfaction" was presented to the United States Coast Guard Ketchikan Base. The USCG was nominated by Chris Baca, President Elect of First City Rotary. - More...
Monday PM - November 04, 2013
Alaska: State Requests U.S. Supreme Court Review of
Federal Reserved Water Rights – Today, the State of Alaska filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court in State v. Jewell. The petition requests review of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision extending control over fishing and hunting to the federal government on state-owned navigable waters not only in, but also adjacent to federal lands.
The case involves fundamental questions of control and authority over navigable waters in the state. When Alaska became a state, it was granted the same sovereign rights as all other states, including title to the lands underlying navigable waterways within its borders, and the right to control those navigable waters and the resources in them. This right applies regardless of whether the waterway goes through federal land.
According to Attorney General Michael Geraghty, “This decision not only threatens the principle that Alaskans should manage their own fish and game, which was the impetus for Alaska statehood, but also the ability of the State to conserve its resources for future generations.” - More...
Monday PM - November 04, 2013
Alaska: Marine debris cleanup season winding down - The Alaska Marine Stewardship Foundation (AMSF) announced today that the 2013 marine debris cleanup season is beginning to wind down. Director Dave Gaudet, said that he expects the final tally for the season to be 160,000 to 200,000 lbs of marine debris removed from AMSF sponsored projects around the state. “It seems that wherever we look, there is a great deal of marine debris to be found” he stated.
Unfortunately it is becoming more difficult to recycle the debris. “Once collected, we like to get the debris out of the community because many of the landfills in rural Alaska cannot handle the additional material. Some communities simply do not want debris that they had no part in creating to remain in their community.”
AMSF had been working with a recycler in Washington State for many years, but they are not currently accepting shipments due to poor markets for the material. Gaudet noted that AMSF is conducting a pilot project with another non-profit to recycle the material this fall. “Hopefully, this will provide a long term solution to the problem of disposing of plastic marine debris.” - More...
Monday - November 04, 2013
|
|
Ketchikan: Where Paths Cross, a Hospice Seminar - We each approach death and dying in our own way, informed by the traditions in which we are raised. Ketchikan is home to a surprising cross section of cultures with customs that are in some ways similar and in others quite different.
While Protestants often greet death with solemn, quiet funerals, November 2 is an often festive holiday in Mexico. On the Day of the Dead (“dia de los muertos) some visit cemeteries to bring gifts for the departed. “Shiva” is a seven-day period after burial observed by many Jews when the family gathers together to pray. Some totem poles in Southeast Alaska were carved to house funerary containers.
Ketchikan Volunteer Hospice is sponsoring an afternoon discussion about how our various cultural communities approach death and dying. “Where Paths Cross” will be Saturday, November 9 from 1-5 at the Cape Fox Lodge. - More...
Monday PM - November 04, 2013
Alaska: SEARHC WIC program may fill in for latest food stamp cuts - The WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) at SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) may be able to fill in nutrition gaps where food stamp assistance, technically known as the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) may soon be lacking.
According to a recent article in USA Today, “Food stamp benefits will be cut to more than 47 million Americans starting Friday as a temporary boost to the federal program comes to an end without a new budget from a deadlocked Congress to replace it.”
To clarify, a family of four that gets $668 per month in benefits will find that amount cut by $36. While that may seem like relatively little, it can equate to several meals per month and local food banks may not be able to fill the void.
Vulnerable populations will be hardest hit by the cuts. In Alaska there are approximately 95,000 recipients, 13% of the state’s population. They will see a total of about $12,000,000.00 in cuts to the SNAP program, which will affect 42,000 children and 13,000 elderly or disabled people. - More...
Monday PM - November 04, 2013
National: IRS Warns of Pervasive Telephone Scam - The Internal Revenue Servic eis warning consumers about a sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, throughout the country.
Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.
“This scam has hit taxpayers in nearly every state in the country. We want to educate taxpayers so they can help protect themselves. Rest assured, we do not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer,” says IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel. “If someone unexpectedly calls claiming to be from the IRS and threatens police arrest, deportation or license revocation if you don’t pay immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling.” Werfel noted that the first IRS contact with taxpayers on a tax issue is likely to occur by mail. - More...
Monday PM - November 04, 2013 |
|
Southeast Alaska: Sitka becomes first Alaska town to earn bronze-level Walk Friendly Communities designation - The City and Borough of Sitka became the first town in Alaska to earn a bronze-level Walk Friendly Communities designation, when the program announced eight new WFC awards (four bronze and four silver) on Tuesday, Oct. 29., from its offices in Chapel Hill, N.C.
“Once again, our community is miles ahead of other Alaska towns in its ability to take healthy steps,” Sitka Mayor Mim McConnell said. “The Walk Friendly Communities designation was a goal chosen at last year’s Sitka Health Summit, and it was a good one. This is a great achievement. And now, as a result of the award, we have the necessary steps outlined for us to continue to improve our policies, programs and standards. Congratulations to the team working to achieve these high standards.”
The WFC award is the result of a 2012 Sitka Health Summit community wellness project, where community members decided they wanted to improve and recognize Sitka as a walkable community. The Walk Sitka work group followed a national template developed by the Walk Friendly Communities program designed to help cities and towns become more walkable. The community assessment tool/application helps communities identify their walking strengths and weaknesses by asking dozens of questions in the following categories — community profile, current status of walking, planning, education and encouragement, engineering, enforcement, and evaluation. - More...
Monday PM - November 04, 2013
Southeast Alaska: New website focuses on British Columbia - Alaska transboundary watersheds and growing development pressures - The University of Victoria’s Environmental Law Centre and Rivers Without Borders unveiled a collaborative website, Wild Border Watersheds. This new website aims to both raise awareness of the extraordinary conservation values of the transboundary watersheds shared by British Columbia and Alaska, and to highlight the growing development pressures on those watersheds. The website is also a framework to highlight the recently revised Canadian and British Columbian regulatory processes for mining and hydroelectric permitting and environmental assessment.
“The website is called Wild Border with good reason” says Will Patric, Executive Director of Rivers Without Borders. “The transboundary region of northwest British Columbia and southeast Alaska embodies some of the wildest country left on the planet. In a time of diminishing wild salmon, the international watersheds here rank among the top salmon producers on the West Coast. And in a time of accelerated climate change, the significance of these still largely intact ecosystems as reservoirs of biodiversity can hardly be overstated.”
“This website focuses on a region of North America that is under unprecedented resource development pressure,” says Chris Tollefson, Executive Director of the University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre. “The website will enhance the public’s ability to stay abreast of these developments, and participate effectively in the many regulatory approval and environmental assessment processes that lie ahead for this region.” - More...
Monday PM - November 04, 2013 |
|
Viewpoints
Commentary
Opinions/Letters
Basic
Rules &
Freedom of Speech
Questions, please contact
the editor at editor@sitnews.us or call 617-9696
Sitnews reserves the right to edit.
 A Great Friend passes By James Schenk -
I lost a wonderful friend last night, Ketchikan lost a great person. I wish to thank all from South Tongass Fire department for their valiant efforts and the wonderful people of the ER department of PeaceHealth Hospital. God Bless all of you, we as a community are truly blessed to have all of you including the nurses who travel here to work in our little town. - More...
Thursday AM - October 31, 2013
Affordable Care Act By Norm Noggle -
I am retired and currently receiving Medicare benefits. Prior to the Affordable Care Act I was paying $75 for 100 test strips for my diabetic condition. I now pay $8 thanks to this Act. I also recently underwent a very expensive (to me) colonoscopy and all but 20% of the pre-op visit was paid. I also benefited from the most through physical exam of my life by my Primary Health Care Provider, Lani Hill; again at no cost to me, because of the benefit of ObamaCare. - More...
Thursday AM - October 31, 2013
RE: Wondering about Jackson Street? By Linda Hansen -
This is a very good questions, reguarding Trick or Treat on Jacksone Street? Will it be open to trick or treaters for Halloween day? What time does Halloween trick or treaters start? After dark? - More...
Thursday AM - October 31, 2013
RE: Halloween on Jackson By Teri Dickey -
I don't know what is happening on Jackson St., however we are celebrating at our house! The front yard is ready! Kristen, I hope to see you and your girls tomorrow night! And the rest of you too! - More...
Thursday AM - October 31, 2013
No More Traditional Paper Marine Charts By Michael Moyer -
The Federal Government recently announced it will stop printing Marine Navigation Charts this April. I find this to be another example of the absurd logic prevailing in our modern society. We foolishly believe everyone has an i-Phone, expensive electronic GPS plotters or has a lap top in their possession at all times. We have become so dependent upon our electronic devices we have no concept of how vital something like a paper marine chart can be. We cannot possibly conceive of the failure of our devices or the need for anything else. - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
Will there be Halloween on Jackson? By Kristen Gilliard -
As Halloween creeps closer, I wanted to confirm if anyone has any information about Jackson Street being closed becuase of construction? My daughters and I, like many other families, traditionally "treat" throughout the Jackson Street neighborhood. If Jackson is closed, I am in need to make other holiday arrangements! - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
Open Letter: Affordable Care Act By Michael Singsaas, MD; Rob Lieberson, MD; Colleen Murphy, MD; Peter Mjos, MD; Leif Thompson, MD; Joseph W. Vargas, DDS; Paul D. Forman, MD; Diane Maythorne, ANP-C; Emily Kane, ND, LAc; Norman Thompson, MD; & Burt Vanderbilt, MD - As medical professionals in Alaska, we are writing to correct the record with respect to the Affordable Care Act. As you probably have noticed, interest groups from Outside are running numerous, misleading television ads about the Affordable Care Act. Given the incredible amount of money being spent on these ads, we hope this letter plays a small role in providing accurate information about implementation of the Affordable Care Act, particularly as the Marketplace opened on October 1st. - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
Ketchikan International Airport By Marvin Seibert -
Time for a little chuckle with all the problems Washington D.C. is causing the citizens of this great country. Recently there was a list of world's most thrilling airports and our very scenic airport in Ketchikan made the list. - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
For an exciting landing try Sitka By Alan Rudolf (Rudy) McGillvray -
The people who decide the exciting landings for airplanes must not have gone to Sitka, where the tail of the plane landing is over the water at High Tide, when the wheels hit the tarmac, and when the plane finally stops, the nose of said jet plane is hanging over the far end of the runway. I would say that makes for an exciting landing every time, and I've done that a few more times than desired. - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
Sealaska's need of a new CEO By Dominic Salvato -
As many of "facebook's" Sealaska Shareholders Underground (SSU) members know and I hope Sitnews readers understand, SSU doesn't want Sealaska to fail. Sealaska Shareholders Underground suggests we change from a resource extraction corporation to a Motion Picture and Television Studio based in Juneau or Ketchikan. One that would be creating a new Alaskan Industry to benefit all Alaskans with Sealaska's people involved at every level. - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
RE: Shutdown was orchestrated... By Duane Hill -
Oh, I'm certain that every National Park keeps a printer able to create signs on 2'x3' sheet of plywood. Complete with a dark brown back ground. - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
RE: IRS Tea Party Scandal By Paul Jarvi -
Getting rid of the IRS is Mr. Brooks' solution to helping the Tea Party. How do you solve funding our national government, the military, social security, and other functions of the government that you rely on in your daily life? - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
Float plane Follies By James O'Neill -
Ketchikan is the child of prostitution and smuggling so it should come as no surprise that it is steeped in scandal and corruption. Long before I arrived, environmental concerns shut down the the town's primary industry. Hardworking loggers and pulp mill workers were forced out and a new industry grew out of the modern gold rush of tourism. The transition was slow and painful but the new revenue revitalized a depressed economy. - More...
Monday PM - October 28, 2013
Webmail your letter or
Email Your Letter To: editor@sitnews.us
|
Articles &
photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright
and may not be reprinted or redistributed without written permission
from and payment of required fees to the proper sources.
|
|
'
Weekly Specials |
|
|
|
