Alaska

NOAA closes out its $5.2 million Rainier overhaul at Ketchikan Shipyard

NOAA closed out a $5 million repair order for the survey ship Rainier at Ketchikan Shipyard, clawing back $392,172 in unused funds.

by Melinda Communities.News2w ago1 min read

Kodiak Borough asks lawmakers whether to keep village projects on its state funding list

Kodiak's borough will ask two lawmakers whether village projects, like Larsen Bay's eroding spillway, stay on its state funding list. Ten of 17 are villages'.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Coast Guard watched Russian navy ships map the seafloor in U.S. waters off Alaska

The Coast Guard told fishery managers it watched Russian navy ships map the seafloor in U.S. waters for the first time. Chinese research ships stayed busy, too.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readFrom Oct 5

Alaska Gateway School District and Upper Tanana slated to sign agreement Nov. 13

Alaska Gateway School District and the Upper Tanana region plan to sign an agreement Nov. 13 at TCC's Fall Summit. The agenda doesn't say what it covers.

by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Old Harbor tribe seeks permit for hydro plant to replace the village's diesel power

The Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor asked the Army Corps to permit a hydro plant expected to cut 95% of the diesel the Kodiak Island village burns for power.

by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Boats of any size can fish Chignik's last 229,000 pounds of state-waters cod from Oct. 31

Chignik pot boats caught nearly all of a cod limit the state raised by nearly half this year. The last 229,000 pounds opens to boats of any size Oct. 31.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Comments close Friday on Mat-Su plan setting which roads can get federal money

Public comment on MatSu 2050, the Valley's first federal transportation plan, closes Friday, Oct. 30. Without an adopted plan, the region loses access to federal road, pathway and transit money.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readFrom Sep 30

Proposed rules would require Alaska prisoners' books and packages to come from sellers

Alaska's Corrections Department proposed that books and packages for prisoners come straight from sellers. Packages would need prior approval, too.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Group asks Alaska to close Western Arctic caribou hunting if herd falls to 75,000

A Western Arctic caribou group asks the state to close its hunting season if the herd, counted at 121,000, falls to 75,000. The Board of Game meets in January.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago5 min read

Alaska barber and hairdresser board proposes dropping school size and inspection rules

Alaska's barber and hairdresser board wants to drop the notary on exam applications, a 1,000-square-foot school minimum and pre-license school inspections.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

White Tacoma backs into parked vehicle at Fairbanks Circle K and leaves, troopers say

A white Toyota Tacoma backed into a parked vehicle at a Fairbanks Circle K and drove off. The store's cameras caught it, and troopers want to hear from you.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Whittier wins largest federal port grant as Alaska projects take nearly $105 million

Whittier's 73-year-old Army-built dock got $50.6 million for a replacement, the biggest port grant in the country this round. Alaska won the most of any state.

by Alaska News2w ago2 min read

Anchorage Assembly vote could decide whether new housing rules reach quake-hazard zones

The Assembly votes Nov. 4 on letting more duplexes and townhomes into much of Anchorage. Open question: whether that includes the ground that slid in 1964.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

JBER is buying four Alaska-winterized buses to carry kids in its youth program

JBER is buying four Alaska-winterized buses, with block heaters and seat belts for every passenger, to carry kids in its youth program. Cost: $565,095.

by Melinda Communities.News2w ago2 min read

Champi's remnants track south, but Hooper Bay could see water 2 to 4 feet above high tide

Typhoon Champi's leftovers are now forecast to pass well south, easing the West Coast's hit. Hooper Bay could still see water 2 to 4 feet above high tide.

by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Anchorage brewery sells limited Uncle Ted Ale to mark USS Ted Stevens commissioning

49th State Brewing's limited Uncle Ted Ale, made to mark the USS Ted Stevens commissioning, is almost sold out. Get it at the Anchorage pub while supplies last.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min readFrom Oct 3

Anchorage Assembly takes up rezone for 44 townhomes sitting on land zoned for shops

Forty-four Anchorage townhomes sit on land zoned for shops and offices. The Assembly takes up a fix Nov. 4. The city says no one objected, but one neighbor did.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Haines and Skagway power bills could rise about $180 a month to pay for an undersea cable

Haines and Skagway households could pay about $180 more a month for power under a proposed fund for their undersea cable, the state's consumer advocate says.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Chugach Electric asks Anchorage to zone its Third Avenue utility yard heavy industrial

Chugach Electric wants its 60-year-old utility yard near Third and Post zoned heavy industrial, which would erase a greenway marking. The hearing is Dec. 1.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Assembly takes up industrial rezone for an equipment yard on Laurel Acres wetland lot

A company wants to put an equipment yard on a Laurel Acres lot a city planner says is almost all wetlands. The Assembly takes up the rezone Nov. 4.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Anchorage police would get state money to go after street racers and impaired drivers

Anchorage street racers, take note: the Assembly votes Nov. 4 on $2.5 million in state grants paying police to chase racers, speeders and impaired drivers.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Anchorage police ask for help finding Jess Rush, 65, last seen on Lake Otis Parkway

Anchorage police seek help finding Jess Rush, 65, last seen walking Lake Otis Parkway near Oak Street. He wore a black coat and pants. Call APD at 907-786-8900.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

FEMA public assistance obligated for Typhoon Halong recovery reaches $9 million

FEMA has obligated just over $9 million in disaster aid for Typhoon Halong recovery in western Alaska. The biggest chunk so far, about $3.4 million, covers debris removal in Napakiak and Tununak.

by Melinda Communities.News2w ago2 min read

Cordova's pool loses its only full-time lifeguard Friday, with little money for temps

Cordova's only full-time pool lifeguard leaves Friday, and $25,000 for temps covers about three months of October's hours. Nonprofit fees are in play too.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Seward council members question proposed property tax cut, float exemptions instead

Seward's council poked at a $500,000 property tax cut tied to a summer-only sales tax. Some want the money for year-round residents or young families.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

State lenders want Seward's first water and sewer rate study since 1993 finished

Seward hasn't studied its water and sewer rates since 1993. A state loan program wants one done, and depreciation puts the utility funds' costs over revenue.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

North Pole council splits over adding a $110,000 chief of staff with director job vacant

North Pole's mayor budgeted $110,000 for help in his office. Some council members would rather fill the vacant director job, which Santa Claus says is required.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Wasilla planning clerk says role lacks authority to sign commission resolutions

Wasilla's planning clerk says she lacks authority to sign Planning Commission resolutions or minutes. The acting city planner post sits vacant, raising legal questions.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

Fairbanks borough panel backs grant bids for a Chena Lake loop and a Tanana Lakes trailhead

A Fairbanks borough panel backed grant bids to start a paved loop around Chena Lake and add a toilet and better parking at Tanana Lakes' Flicker Trailhead.

by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Anchorage water utility seeks up to $675,000 for an expert witness in rate cases

Anchorage's water utility wants up to $675,000 for an expert to argue the return built into your bill. Its manager says rate case costs land on customers.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Sitka hires Gerrie Cotter as municipal administrator at $200,000 a year

Sitka hired Gerrie Cotter, a township administrator, as city administrator at $200,000 a year. Her stated reason for leaving: more natural beauty.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min readFrom Oct 13

Follows: Sitka Assembly votes to negotiate contract with Gerrie Cotter for municipal administrator

LaFrance names 12 to Anchorage boards and asks the Assembly to confirm them Nov. 4

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance named 12 people to seven Anchorage boards, including an additional reappointment memorandum, asking the Assembly to confirm them Nov. 4. Five fill vacant seats and seven are returning members.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Eaglecrest has brought in $2.77 million of its $4.26 million budget, report shows

Juneau's $1.68 million for Eaglecrest is already in, about 40% of the ski area's budget. Season pass sales have reached about $941,000 so far.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Alaska optometrists can hand routine tasks to unlicensed staff starting Nov. 26

Alaska optometrists can hand routine tasks to unlicensed staff starting Nov. 26. The state asked the public what it thought of the rules. Nobody answered.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago3 min read

New Copper River Basin plan could put more state land up for sale

Alaska's new Copper River Basin land plan makes 200,000 more acres eligible for private ownership and closes 306,000 acres to new mining claims.

by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Murkowski endorses Democrat Kreiss-Tomkins

Three days after Trump called her a disgrace, Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor. Wilson vowed to work to unseat her.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read

Troopers arrest Deering man after reports he assaulted multiple people in the village

Nome troopers arrested a Deering man Tuesday after reports he assaulted multiple people and damaged property in the village. The school sheltered in place.

by Walter AlaskaNews2w ago1 min read

Paratroopers carry out the first armed drone strike on JBER's Richardson Training Area

Paratroopers at JBER flew armed drones into live-fire drills this fall, the first armed drone strike on the base's Richardson Training Area, the Army says.

by Alaska News2w ago2 min read

Preliminary magnitude 3.5 earthquake west of Hope is felt in Anchorage

A preliminary magnitude 3.5 quake hit west of Hope Tuesday and was felt in Anchorage. It is the third quake near Hope this year, after a 4.2 in June and a 3.9 in August.

by Alaska News2w ago1 min read

Park Service corrects wording of new Alaska harvest rule's "subsistence uses" change

The Park Service fixed one instruction in its new Alaska harvest rule so the terms under "subsistence uses" stay put. The rule still starts Nov. 18.

by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min read