Petersburg
RSSNews from Petersburg, Alaska
Petersburg planning commission to vote next month on one-year data center ban
Petersburg's Planning Commission votes September 8 on a one-year data center ban while the borough drafts permanent rules.
by Walter AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAI
A Petersburg-area drift gillnet fishery opens for about 40 hours
The state will open a fishing section near Petersburg to about 40 hours of unrestricted drift gillnet fishing, from Tuesday evening through Thursday noon.
by Walter AlaskaNews5d ago2 min readAI
Petersburg hospital board weighs buying housing to address staffing gaps
Petersburg Medical Center is exploring buying or building staff housing to fill nursing and technician jobs that now rely on expensive temporary workers.
by Walter AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAI
Petersburg Medical Center disputes Medicare cut to its interim outpatient rate
Medicare cut Petersburg Medical Center's outpatient reimbursement rate to 95 percent from 115 to 117 percent, and the hospital is disputing roughly $600,000 in clawed-back payments.
by Walter AlaskaNews3d ago2 min readAI
The king window is closing near Petersburg and Wrangell
The king run near Petersburg and Wrangell is past its peak, and the window to fish the hatchery-fed terminal harvest area is closing — with wild-king waters still locked down till July 15.
by Bill AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
A small Petersburg timber sale is a marker of the Tongass's long turn away from old growth
A young-growth-only timber sale near Petersburg is a small marker of the Tongass's contested, decades-long turn from old-growth clearcuts to second-growth logging. Bids due Aug. 25.
by Maggie AlaskaNews2w ago2 min readAI
Petersburg's Blind Slough opens fully to king salmon as hatchery return surpasses forecast
Petersburg's Blind Slough opens fully to king salmon fishing starting Saturday after Crystal Lake Hatchery's return beat forecasts and broodstock needs were met.
by Bill AlaskaNews4w ago1 min readAI
A Petersburg cell tower proposal died without a second
A Petersburg cell tower plan died the quietest death possible Tuesday — nobody would even second the motion to approve it.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
ADF&G extends Districts 6 and 8 drift gillnet fishery 48 hours with mesh and area limits
ADF&G extended the Petersburg-area drift gillnet fishery 48 hours through Saturday noon with a 6-inch mesh cap and subarea closures in District 8 to protect Chinook salmon escapement.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
A sixth straight weak week points to a below-average chum run near Petersburg
A sixth straight below-average week points to a weak chum run near Petersburg, with pinks running low and mixed, as the season's test fisheries close out.
by Walter AlaskaNews1w ago1 min readAI
Petersburg pushed back when the state pulled Sullivan off the ballot
Newly released letters show Petersburg residents demanding the state show its evidence for pulling their neighbor off the Senate ballot.
by Walter AlaskaNews3w ago1 min readAI
Planning Commission maps cell tower sites to guide wireless companies
Petersburg Planning Commission identified cell tower sites on public and private land to guide wireless companies away from homes. Overlay zone ordinance would let companies build towers by right at approved spots, up to 200 feet tall. Commission drafting legal descriptions and ordinance language for June meeting before assembly vote.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago2 min readAI
Petersburg residents can finally get an MRI without leaving the island
Petersburg just got its first MRI, so island residents no longer have to travel off-island for a scan. A July 14 open house lets people tour the new suite.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAI
Petersburg voters to decide on sales tax cap increase in October
Petersburg Assembly voted 6-1 Monday to put a sales tax cap increase on the October 6 ballot, raising the single-purchase limit from $1,200 to $5,000 and the maximum tax owed from $72 to $300.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago2 min readAI
Assembly advances cell tower ordinance requiring conditional use permits
Assembly votes to require Planning Commission approval for new cell towers in Petersburg. Companies must first try mounting antennas on existing structures before building new towers. Public hearing set for June 1 with comment deadline May 25. Ordinance needs two more readings before final adoption.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min readAI
Petersburg's hospital more than doubled its cash reserves in three years
While rural hospitals nationwide struggle, Petersburg's has more than doubled its cash cushion in three years, to 133 days on hand, on tighter billing and better management.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago1 min readAIPetersburg trades a sliver of land for a place to put its 911 gear
Petersburg sold a 0.23-acre scrap of public land so it wouldn't have to build its own tower. 300 signatures couldn't stop the 6-0 yes.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Petersburg sewer rates to rise 20% as EPA bans mixing zone
Petersburg Assembly approved 20% sewer rate hike starting July 2026, adding $12 monthly to residential bills. • EPA banned mixing zones for wastewater, requiring $12-15 million in new treatment equipment. • Borough got $8 million federal funding but faces additional 10% annual increases through 2030. • Nine Alaska cities including Anchorage face similar EPA mandates.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min readAI
Petersburg Planning Commission roundup: massage CUP approved, three land sales recommended, Scow Bay rock pits out of wireless overlay
Petersburg Planning Commission approved a home massage business, recommended three land sales, and removed Scow Bay rock pits from a wireless tower overlay after residents cited drinking water concerns.
by Alaska News2mo ago2 min readAI
Petersburg Medical Center receives state approval for MRI service
Petersburg Medical Center won state approval to offer MRI scans and plans to install the machine within 30 to 45 days in its new Work Building.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago1 min readAI
Petersburg sees early revenue gains after senior sales tax exemption removal
Petersburg gained 26000 dollars in January and 22000 dollars in February sales tax revenue after removing a senior exemption. • The borough removed the exemption to balance its budget without drawing reserves. • The assembly will consider raising the 1200 dollar sales tax cap in May, the lowest in Southeast Alaska. • Voters must approve any cap increase. Final budget approval is June 1.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago2 min readAI
Fish and Game Opens Two-Week King Salmon Fishery at Gunnuk Creek
Alaska Department of Fish and Game opens a two-week king salmon fishery at Gunnuk Creek near Petersburg and Wrangell from June 1-14, allowing residents two fish and nonresidents one fish while most surrounding waters remain closed.
by Alaska News3mo ago3 min readAIPetersburg fire training center relocation could cost $800,000-plus
Petersburg fire department must move its training facility from the airport by December 31, with relocation costs exceeding $800,000 and no confirmed funding source yet identified.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Petersburg police, fire face staffing crisis with 5 open positions
Petersburg police have three dispatcher and two patrol officer vacancies while fire and EMS rely on volunteers with limited actual response capacity, complicating plans to expand services to Thomas Bay.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Petersburg Medical Center loses bids for facility, equipment grants
Petersburg Medical Center's two largest grant proposals for a new facility and medical equipment were deferred by the state Rural Health Transformation Program on Wednesday, though five smaller projects advanced to a second funding round.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
The other Dan Sullivan case tests Alaska's election-law limits
Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom opened an investigation into Daniel James Sullivan Jr. of Petersburg, who filed as a Republican U.S. Senate candidate with the same name as the incumbent, testing Alaska's election-law authority to determine ballot eligibility and prevent voter confusion.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago3 min readAI
Petersburg anglers now required to carry rockfish release devices
Petersburg anglers must carry rockfish release devices on all marine vessels and return unharvested rockfish to capture depth or 100 feet. • Residents can keep one demersal rockfish daily year-round. Nonresidents only July 1 through August 25. • King salmon season opened May 15 in Wrangell Narrows and Blind Slough Terminal Harvest Area.
by Bill AlaskaNews2mo ago4 min readAIPetersburg's cell tower rules advance, flaws and all
Petersburg advanced new cell-tower rules 5-0 — but a vice mayor called the 15-amendment process "deeply flawed," and residents are fighting cuts to safety setbacks.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Petersburg Medical Center employee satisfaction hits 91%
Petersburg Medical Center employee satisfaction rose to 91% in 2026 from 84% in 2024, exceeding national healthcare averages across all measured areas.
by Walter AlaskaNews2mo ago2 min readAI
Data center project promises rate relief amid public concerns over noise, power
Cryptocurrency data center would generate $2 million yearly and stabilize electric rates using existing power. • Residents worry about noise, fire safety, and power availability for future housing growth. • Company says facility quieter than old cannery equipment and willing to cut operations during peak demand.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago3 min readAI
Assembly hears call for tower rules as residents warn of land-use impact
Assembly delayed vote on cell tower rules as residents warned towers will rise without zoning limits. Planning Commission proposes overlay directing towers to borough and Forest Service land away from homes. Two companies seeking Petersburg sites. Mayor aims to introduce ordinance at next meeting if attorney approves.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago2 min readAIPetersburg to receive Papke's Landing dock, tidelands from state
Petersburg Borough will take ownership of Papke's Landing, a deteriorating state dock and 8.8 acres of tidelands on Wrangell Narrows, but will need to hire staff and buy equipment to maintain the busy public boat launch.
by Alaska News2mo ago1 min readAI
Alaska Supreme Court puts Petersburg's Dan Sullivan back on August ballot
Alaska Supreme Court ordered the Division of Elections to place retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. on the August 18 primary ballot alongside U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan.
by Walter AlaskaNews1mo ago2 min readAI
Craig, Klawock anglers face new ban on filleting fish at sea
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has banned marine anglers from filleting or de-heading certain fish at sea before returning to Craig and Klawock ports to enable creel sampling for fisheries management data.
by Alaska News3mo ago2 min readAICity Creek king salmon site permanently closed near Petersburg
Alaska Department of Fish and Game has permanently closed the City Creek release site to king salmon retention near Petersburg, ending a hatchery program discontinued in 2022.
by Alaska Newsadded 3mo ago2 min readAIPetersburg proposes area-wide property tax to balance FY27 budget
Petersburg adds 1.71 mills to property taxes to cover 5% budget increase. • Health insurance costs rise $90,000, plus vehicle replacement and wage raises. • Marine passenger fee increases from $5 to $8 per head starting January 2027. • Final budget vote scheduled for June 1.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago2 min readAI
Petersburg faces 53% wastewater rate hikes over 5 years for major projects
Petersburg wastewater rates to rise 53.5% over five years starting 2027 to fund three major projects worth 18.5 million dollars. • Average monthly bill jumps from 62.54 to 75.05 dollars in year one. • Assembly wants alternative rate schedules with flatter increases before voting.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 2mo ago3 min readAIKing salmon retention at Blind Slough ends Aug. 15
Anglers fishing the Wrangell Narrows/Blind Slough Terminal Harvest Area near Petersburg can keep kings until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. After that, every king caught there must be released immediately, and ADF&G says the remaining fish are already dark as coho arrive.
by Bill AlaskaNews1w ago2 min readAI