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Northern Lights
The recent clear skies & sun activity presented numerous opportunities to enjoy the Northern Lights in Ketchikan.
Front Page Photograph By RYAN BUDDE ©2014
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Ketchikan: Five Key Employees Resign From KIC's Education Department By MARY KAUFFMAN - Five key employees representing the Tribal Education Department of the Southern Southeast Alaska Technical Education Center (SSEATEC) submitted their letters of resignation Wednesday afternoon to the Ketchikan Indian Community Tribal Council.
Southern Southeast Alaska Technical Education Center
Photo courtesy Google Maps
In a joint letter to KIC President Irene Dundas and the KIC Tribal Council, the resigning employees based their resignations on the Ketchikan Indian Community's not valuing the importance of following policy in relation to supervisors and employees. Quoting the joint letter, "While we feel strongly that the programs we represent serve our Tribal members well, we cannnot continue our employment while impacted by the lack of respect and appreciation for hard-working, committed employees demonstrated over the last two months."
Those submitting letters of resignations Wednesday are: John Brown, Tribal Education Director; Camille Booth, SSEATEC Director; Pete Jensen SSEATEC Program Coordinator; Cameron Sivertsen, Success Pathways Coordinator; and Judy Leask Guthrie, Tribal Education Department Office Manager.
The five further stated in their joint letter, "With the resignations of the key individuals representing the Tribal Education Department and the SSEATEC Department, the programs currently in place will not be able to continue. We certainly hope that programming more in line with Tribal capacity will soon replace the high quality programming previously operating at KIC."
Inferring the current program is being dismantled and their dissatisfaction, the five stated in their joint letter, "We regret that the only course left to us is to walk away rather than bear responsibility for the dismantling of the programs that have been consistently meeting the needs of our people." - More...
Thursday PM - March 06, 2014
Ketchikan: The Tsunami Bowl: The 17th Annual Alaska National Ocean Sciences Bowl By MARY KAUFFMAN - Each year, Alaska holds a regional ocean sciences competition as part of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl with the goal of the competition to recognize and reward excellence among students interested in ocean studies. The annual bowl also aims to encourage high school students, their teachers and parents to increase their knowledge of the oceans and to broaden awareness of the critical value of ocean research.
This year, the 17th annual Alaska Region National Ocean Sciences Bowl competition, called the Tsunami Bowl, was held in Seward on February 28 – March 2, 2014. Following up the regional bowls, the national competition will be hosted by the Orca Bowl in Seattle on May 1–4, 2014 with the theme ocean acidification.
The Alaska Region National Ocean Sciences Bowl consisted of two equally weighted parts: a tournament quiz-style academic competition, designed to challenge and recognize the students' knowledge of sciences in the context of the oceans; and a project with written and oral components. The research project is optional.
Teams consisted of 5 high school students: 4 team members plus an alternate with the alternate being optional. The coach is usually, but not restricted to, a science or math teacher.
Ketchikan High School sent the Saber-Toothed Salmon team of five students to compete in the Tsunami Bowl competition which took place in Seward. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 05, 2014
Ketchikan: Local Credit Union Holds Annual Meeting - Tongass Federal Credit Union held its annual business meeting and luncheon at the Ted Ferry Civic Center in Ketchikan. The meeting, held on Feb. 23rd, was attended by 170 credit union members.
Members elected Mike Cruise and re-elected Larry Tillotson and Justin Breese to the Board of Directors at the annual membership meeting. Cruise fills the seat held by Bret Hiatt, who served a full three-year Board term and chose not to seek another term.
In a board meeting following the membership meeting, the Board re-elected its current officers: Jeannette Rosier, Chair; Mark Tollfeldt, Vice Chair; Larry Tillotson, Treasurer; and Jeanne Sande, Secretary. Nathan Fawcett of Metlakatla also serves on the Board of Director. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 05, 2014
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Alaska: Alaska woman may earn spot on Mars trip By MEGHAN MURPHY - They say reach for the stars, but 21-year-old Jessica Eicher is reaching for a terrestrial orb closer to home – Mars. In fact, the chances that the University of Alaska Fairbanks senior will go to the Red Planet just got better.
Jessica Eicher stands against the background of a starry February night.
Photo by Todd Paris
The nonprofit organization Mars One received 200,000 applications, including Eicher’s, for its proposed one-way trip to Mars. After narrowing the applications to 1,058, the organization sent Eicher an email to say she was still in the running. They also sent her fiancé, Anchorage firefighter David Barbeau, an email that read the opposite.
“More than being disappointed, I was excited that Jess had made it into the top 1,000,” he said.
The two had hoped to pioneer a life together as the first Martian family. Although their wedding is still on for this October, plans beyond 10 years might be a little hazy. The first four Earthlings are scheduled to land on Mars in 2024. Yet technology and funding must first converge on Earth before humans can dig their space boots into Martian soils. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 05, 2014
Alaska: It's National Consumer Protection Week - The Alaska Attorney General’s Office has joined with government agencies, advocacy organizations, and private sector groups nationwide to remind consumers that March 2-8, 2014, is National Consumer Protection Week.
The Alaska Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit urges Alaskans to take a few minutes during National Consumer Protection Week to learn about Alaska’s consumer laws. Many people know about the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive business practices. But did you know that as a consumer you have “a private right of action” under the Act, meaning that you can file a lawsuit to stop unfair or deceptive practices or to get triple damages? - More...
Wednesday PM - March 05, 2014
Alaska: National Park Tourism in Alaska Creates $1 Billion in Economic Benefit; New report shows visitor spending supports 16,000 jobs in Alaska - A new National Park Service report shows that 2.41 million visitors to national parks in Alaska spent $1.06 billion and supported 16,181 jobs in the state in 2012.
Alaska, with 23 units of the 401-unit National Park System, ranks third (behind California and North Carolina) among the states, territories and the District of Columbia in national park visitor spending and job support.
"Alaska's parks attract local users and visitors from across the country and around the world," said Joel Hard, acting regional director. "Whether they are out for an afternoon, a school field trip, or a long family vacation, people come to have a great experience, and end up spending a little money along the way. This new report shows that national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy - returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service - and a big factor in our state's economy as well, a result we can all support." - More...
Wednesday PM - March 05, 2014
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Alaska: Dog protects injured owner after snowmachine crash By MARY KAUFFMAN - A Trapper Creek man may well owe his life to his dog who protected him overnight in below freezing temperatures after he crashed his snowmachine.
Trooper Hegg is pictured with Amber.
Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers
Otis Orth, age 52, was rescued more than 24 hours after he crashed his snowmachine Sunday and had been laying in the snow until he was discovered Monday afternoon. According to the Alaska State Troopers, Orth's dog "Amber" had remained with him, keeping him warm overnight, until she heard some snowmachines in the area Monday.
"Amber" was able to get the attention of snowmachiners Tom Taylor, age 68, of Trapper Creek, and a friend of Taylor's riding in the area. "Amber" ran up to them from the direction of Jake Lake, near mile seventeen Petersville Road. "Amber" then led them approximately 400 yards to where her injured owner was hidden by snow.
Several local cabin owners living near the area responded and assisted in keeping Orth warm until medics arrived. According to the Alaska State Troopers, Orth was conscious, breathing, and alert, but unable to move due to multiple injuries.
Life Med responded from Anchorage in a helicopter while the Trapper Creek Ambulance responded with their Off-Road rescue equipment. Troopers, Life Med, and EMS arrived at the scene at approximately 3:40 pm Monday. Orth was stabilized, and transported by Life Med helicopter to an Anchorage hospital where he is currently listed in Stable Condition. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 05, 2014
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Viewpoints
Commentary
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the editor at editor@sitnews.us or call 617-9696
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 Re: Ketchikan Government Parties By Dave Kiffer - Unfortunately, Lt. Dial takes a reasonable political argument and blunts its relevance by not getting some of the facts straight. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 05, 2014
40 Days For Life By Rob Holston -
The 40 Days For Life spring campaign begins March 5th and continues through April 13. This is part of a global effort to bring awareness to the issue of abortion. One aspect of the campaign is to provide an opportunity for those interested in ending or diminishing abortions, increasing adoption &/or becoming a voice for the innocent pre-born among our community; to demonstrate their concern on a public street corner. This year's vigil site is near the corner of Jefferson and Tongass in the vicinity of Key Bank. - More...
Wednesday PM - March 05, 2014
Ketchikan Government Parties Down By Rodney Dial -
The average low wage worker in Ketchikan brings home about $6.20 per hour after taxes and various deductions are taken out. With the recent sales tax increase that will soon take effect, low income citizens will work over an hour to pay their sales tax for every $100 they spend. Spend $100 in groceries… work an hour for the local government. Spend $1000 in rent… work six hours for the government… and so on. How many people realize that sales tax is factored into the gas you buy? If a retailer sells gas for $4 a gallon, your price at the pump will soon be $4.26. Our city sales tax rate is going to 6.5%, the second highest in the state out of over 300 communities. The city sales tax is increasing because the Ketchikan City Government claims it is flat broke… out of money… running on reserves and would have to cut services if they didn’t raise taxes. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
Alaska: State of Confusion By Tara Jollie -
The Education Session, the Gasline Project, the Fiscal Cliff, which is it? Can legislators pick one and get something done during this legislative session? Alaska’s future depends on it. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
No to Chloramine! By Chevell Lamar - I’m a freshman at Ketchikan High School, and I’d like to talk to you about the dramatic effects of Chloramine. Did you know that chlorinates are derivatives of ammonia by substitution of one, two or three hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms? I’m reasonably sure that you all know what chlorine is, and if you don’t it is the stuff we use to chemically balance pools, but you wouldn't want to drink the pool water would you? - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
We are getting soaked and poisoned By Ed Plute -
There will be a meeting at the Ted Ferry Civic Center at 6:00 pm on the 5th of March concerning our water problems and what we can do. Bob Bowcock will be there. He is a lead researcher for the Erin Brockovich team. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
Power demand By A. M. Johnson - Regarding area power demand solution: Here we go again! Today's (3/1/14) Ketchikan Daily News carries the various reports of the community elected official group priority "Community Needs" trip to the legislature. It was interesting to read that the Governor is aware of the hydro issues and requirements with farsightedness to encourage the Ketchikan contingency to get its act together including looking outside the box. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
Postal Woes By Kathy Fitzgerald -
I'm not so sure that Senator Begich has earned the thanks of the Ketchikan community yet. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
Chloramine By Michelle Anderson -
Please do not subject Ketchikan's citizens to chloramine in their tap water. I will never forget my six-year-old son grabbing his stomach and screaming. I will also never forget having the shower water hit my forehead and feel like hot burning acid. My gut swelled to twice its normal size. I later discovered it was the chloraminated tap water making us both sick. After we stopped drinking our tap water, and after I stopped using it on my face, we both got better. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
RE: Explanation please! By Kasia Polanska Thank you Gina Palmer for taking the time to read my letter regarding the firing of the KTB artistic director and for responding to it. I agree that the KTB is a wonderful organization and I feel fortunate that we have the ballet school in our community. However, I respectfully disagree that the actions taken by its Board are above all criticism. I feel that parents like me, who support KTB by getting their children involved in ballet, paying tuition, and voting for the board members, have a right to know the reasons for its decisions. As a matter of fact, I am assuming that you were not given the reason either and do not know what happened behind the closed doors. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
More Bigfoot sightings than Dan Sullivan sightings in Ketchikan By Tom Schulz -
I call Ketchikan home. I have for years. And former Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan’s recent trip here tells me a lot about someone who wants our vote. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
RE: The Fair Tax INCREASES WELFARE By Wiley Brooks -
Mr. Eldridge standard introductory remarks are very telling: “I am a retired lifetime tax consulting professional (JD, LLM in Taxation, CPA, co-author of a 3 volume tax treatise, lecturer), with no financial stake in ANY tax system.” His credentials are very impressive. But, there are professionals with equally impressive experience and credentials in taxation matters who believe strongly it is time to abandon a tax on income and the FairTax legislation offers the best answer. Many of the nation’s leading university, business and law-focused economists, including Nobel Laureate Vernon L. Smith discredit Mr. Eldridge arguments. If you want the most thoroughly researched truth on the Fair Tax I suggest a visit to www.FairTax.org. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
RE: The Fair Tax INCREASES WELFARE By David Boone -
For some reason Stephen Eldridge has taken it upon himself to be a one man wrecking crew whenever he gets a Google Alert that someone has said something in print favorable to the FairTax. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
Every citizen should fear the IRS By Roy Newsom - When Marx and Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto in 1848, they presented ten steps necessary to destroy any free enterprise system and replace it with Communism. Step number two is to establish a heavy progressive or graduated income tax. At that time, this country did not have an income tax. It took 65 years for the progressives to sell it to the American people. Back then, it was hard to realize the dangers it brought to this nation. Today, we can see why Marxism considers it a necessary tool to bring down any productive nation and turn it into a Socialist State. - More...
Monday PM - March 03, 2014
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