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Evening Rays
Front Page Photo by RYAN BUDDE ©2013
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Ketchikan: Ketchikan Medical Center Project Receives State Funding - Governor Sean Parnell signed the Fiscal Year 2014 budget into law on May 21, 2013 , with funding for the first and largest phase of the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center Addition and Alteration project in that budget.
Coming in at 14 percent under last year’s budget, this year’s budget includes only those priority projects that “grow our economy and strengthen our families — for Alaskans today and tomorrow,” states Governor Parnell on his website.
In the Ketchikan/Wrangell House District, several high priority projects made it through the legislative process into the adopted budget. By earmarking $15 million for the Ketchikan Medical Center “Your Health—Your Future” project, state lawmakers confirm the economic importance of maintaining high-quality health care in southern Southeast Alaska.
These state funds allow the City of Ketchikan and its health care partner, PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center, to continue moving forward with the first phase of the project. Previous design development funding of $1 million from a federal grant as well as a $3 million state grant in 2013 have completed the necessary architectural and engineering construction documents, bringing the project to shovel-ready stage. - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
Ketchikan - Statewide: April 2013 Alaska Weather Summary; Precipitation, temperature and snowfall records set in April - Winter lingered across Alaska in April with seasonably colder than normal temperatures reported at all 20 first order stations.
The station with the greatest deviation was Delta Junction at minus 15.2 degrees Fahrenheit below normal. Fairbanks followed with minus 14.6 degrees, as well as Anchorage with minus 7.2 degrees. The mean deviation for all stations was a significant minus 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Fairbanks had the third coldest April on record, Anchorage the sixth. Cold Bay was the station reporting the smallest deviation of just -0.2°F. Four record high events experienced by Cold Bay during the month kept the monthly mean temperature near to normal.
Precipitation was mixed around the state, with four of nine stations reporting below normal totals. The remaining five stations exceeded precipitation levels. Expressed as percentages, Anchorage reported the greatest positive deviation with 119 percent above normal, followed by Juneau with 117 percent and Fairbanks with 113 percent. King Salmon was the relatively driest station with just 21 percent of the normal amount of precipitation. The mean deviation of all nine stations was 23 percent above normal.
Ketchikan reported an average temperature in April of 41.8 degrees Fahrenheit, 0.8 degrees below the long-term mean of 42.5 degrees. The maximum temperature for the month was 55 degrees that occurred April 23. The month’s minimum temperature, 28 degrees, was reported on the 21st, and 30th. Ketchikan's temperatures stayed around normal for most of the month.
Ketchikan's precipitation was light in April, totaling 7.53 inches. This was 80 percent of the long-term mean of 9.38 inches.
The average temperature in Juneau for April was 36.1 degrees Fahrenheit, 4.7 degrees below the long-term mean of 40.8 degrees. The maximum temperature of the month was 51 degrees on the 7th. The month’s minimum temperature was 22 degrees that occurred on the 20th. A low of 24 degrees Fahrenheit was experienced April 15 and tied the record set in 2005. Temperatures were varied, but tended below normal for nearly all of the month. - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
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Ketchikan: Report for Ketchikan Sport Fishermen - The
marine angling effort for saltwater fishing remained low last week, which is typical for this time of year in the Ketchikan area. According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, there was a few king salmon and halibut harvested last week and harvest should continue to increase as the days move into June. The ADF&G said effort will increase dramatically this weekend with the start of the local Ketchikan king salmon derby.
Anglers freshwater fishing and chasing steelhead will still find good numbers in many streams, however, runs will be winding down soon with many fish actively spawning and returning to saltwater. Roadside anglers should try Ward Creek for steelhead, or if remote fishing is on your agenda, give the Naha River, Mcdonald Lake, or Fish Creek a try.
Cutthroat and Rainbow trout fishing will also continue to improve with lakes now being ice free and water temperatures on the rise. - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
Ketchikan: USCG terminates voyage of recreational vessel near Ketchikan; National Safe Boating Week in Alaska - Coast Guard Station Ketchikan crewmembers terminated the voyage of a recreational boat fishing in the Carroll Inlet after discovering safety and fishing violations aboard the vessel last Thursday.
The Station Ketchikan 25-foot Response Boat – Small crew safely escorted the 20-foot boat, with two people aboard, to Mountain Point near Ketchikan.
The station crew conducted the at-sea boarding and discovered life jackets missing, an expired Alaska state boat registration and several federal subsistence Halibut fishing violations including fishing in closed waters and using excess amounts of gear.
“Having a life jacket for every person aboard a boat is not only the law, but the life jacket is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment that a mariner can have in an emergency,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Kevinn Smith, officer-in-charge, Coast Guard Station Ketchikan. “Having the proper safety gear is essential in Alaska as the maritime environment here is cold, and often remote and isolated. A mariner needs to be able to take care of themselves until we can get there to rescue them.”
The fishermen will have to obtain life jackets before operating the boat again. They were met by National Marine Fisheries Service agents who will investigate and determine if a formal Notice of Violation will be issued for the Halibut subsistence violations. - More...
Thursday - April 23, 2013 |
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Columns - Commentary
 DANNY TYREE: Needed: Federal Control of Garage Sales - Having just helped my mother with her annual yard sale, I have come to a disturbing conclusion.
As much as it pains me to say it, for the sake of buyers and sellers alike, the federal government needs to intervene in the yard/garage sale industries.
Homeowners displaying collectibles for sale need to receive some sort of stipend for enduring endless sob stories from shoppers whose mothers saw fit to dispose of valuable baseball cards, etc. And the shoppers themselves need consoling via a free copy of the LGBT-approved book "Heather Has Two Mommies — And Both of Them Threw Out Her Comic Books!"
Call it the nanny state gone amok, but we need protection from ourselves. Folks displaying unappreciated shower gifts they received in the past six months need a spin doctor to help them respond when the gift giver unexpectedly shows up at the sale. ("Believe me, I discovered at the same time you did that this 'Steve and Marcia, Wishing You A Lifetime of Wedded Bliss' platter was a shower gift.")
Likewise, sellers may need emergency relocation if their minister makes a surprise visit and sees all the shot glasses, bawdy T-shirts and well-thumbed "Playboy" magazines. This service is popularly known as the "Federal Jehovah's Witness Protection Program." - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
 DOUG PATTON: The Danger in D.C. is Bipartisanship - The growing scandals enveloping the Obama administration are becoming a series of shiny baubles being dangled before the right and the left alike. The right wants to impeach Obama, while the left, of course, wants to blindly defend him. Meanwhile, the American people are being sold a bill of goods that this is a partisan fight and that partisanship is a danger to the Republic. The truth is, the real danger lies in so-called bipartisanship.
While the investigations surrounding Benghazi, the IRS and the Justice Department's ham-handed intimidation of reporters — especially at Fox News — continue to suck all the oxygen out of the air in Washington, another threat looms: immigration reform. Armed with the misguided support of otherwise conservative Members of Congress like Marco Rubio, Jeff Flake and Paul Ryan, as well as the usual suspects like John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Orrin Hatch (with RINOS like these, who needs Democrats?) Senate Dems like Chuck Schumer are steadily pushing through a scheme to ensure that their party gains a permanent majority — everywhere.
After five days of debate over dozens of amendments, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13 to 5 in support of a sweeping immigration bill that promises to further cripple the economy of the United States. The legislation would legitimize and make legal 12 to 20 million illegal aliens. Adios, Texas. So long, Florida. Sayonara, Arizona. Goodbye, Virginia. With California already falling into the ocean, politically speaking, unless the U.S. House of Representatives can prevail and save us from this insanity, the GOP will never see another national victory in this century. - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
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 Taxes & the Local Government By Rodney Dial -
If you read the newspaper on May 21st, you are aware that Ketchikan Borough Leadership caved to special interests and passed a property tax increase. If you are keeping track, this is the third property tax increase (City and Borough) in the last two years. The latest tax increase was done to appease those asking for yet another education increase… after years… and years… of large increases. - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
RE: The Whisper App and Your Kids By Dawn Luna -
First off I want to say to Jessica Travis, I commend you on your letter, and I could not agree with you more. I am not a parent, but I am an Aunt, and I am an Aunt who is very concerned with the bullying that goes on in our community amongst our youth. Not a day has gone by in the last month that I have not heard a youth talking about being bullied and/or a parent talking about their child being bullied. WHEN, WHERE, and HOW does it STOP I ask you??? - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
No Peace for Israel By Donald A. Moskowitz -
I take exception to the two state solution proposed for Israel and Palestine. Some people, including world leaders, are proposing setting borders for a Palestinian state in the West Bank, a conditional Israeli settlement building freeze, a Jerusalem agreement and a Palestinian relinquishment of the claim for the right of return for millions of Arabs. - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
Petition to repeal SB21 oil tax giveway By Jim Stimpfle -
Helping to get the petition signed here in Nome to repeal SB21. If you think our oil partners will fill the oil pipeline with 1 million barrels you better pray hard... or sign the petition and vote yes and then pray that Parnell does not get reelected. - More...
Thursday - May 23, 2013
Open Letter: Eliminate the IRS By A. M. Johnson - Now is the opportune time to eliminate the Internal Revenue Service. A service that was created by Congress, oversighted by the President and corrupted many times by both parties by many many members of Congress, and lobbies who have had rules bent and made illegal in so very many incidents. Always at the expense of the common man. - More...
Monday - May 20, 2013
Sealaska Nobility & Decreased Dividend & By Andre LeCornu -
To say that these Sealaska people are actually avaricious and elitist is a gross understatement. The current lands bill is under fire throughout the state. This corporation has wrought more divisiveness and disunity than unity. It is a corporation and will not and cannot meet our needs as tribal people. It is farcical to think for a moment that the corporate goals are even compatible with our tribal needs. The philosophies of these organized entities are at opposite ends of the spectrum. To have a Sealaska board member as President of the tribe clearly defines contradiction. Even the use of the term"tribal member shareholder" is a cruel joke and nonsensical in the real world. - More...
Monday PM - May 20, 2013
Time for a FairTax By Roy Newsom - The FairTax Plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll based taxes with an integrated approach including a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue replacement, and, through companion legislation, the repeal of the 16th Amendment. This nonpartisan legislation (HR 25/S122) abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax - administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities. The IRS is disbanded and defunded. The FairTax taxes us only on what we choose to spend on new goods or services, not on what we earn. The FairTax is a fair, efficient, transparent, and intelligent solution to the frustration and inequity of our current tax system. - More...
Monday PM - May 20, 2013
VOTE FOR MYRNA GARDNER By Martha Gallagher -
I urge all family, family & shareholders to vote directed and give your votes to Myrna Gardner. - More...
Monday PM - May 20, 2013
SEAPA Study – Waste of Ratepayers’ Money By Bob Sivertsen -
The Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) is a nonprofit wholesale power provider, not a monopoly as recently alleged. As a nonprofit, revenues are invested back into the Agency's operations and maintenance, and most years, rebates are given back to the member communities, all of which benefit our communities. Revenues are not pocketed by owners or stockholders. Working through contracts with the member communities, including the Power Sales Agreement, is a standard part of a sound business plan, which is evidenced by the Agency’s delivery of reliable wholesale power to the communities of Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Wrangell at the low rate of 6.8 cents/kWh for over 15 years. Our stable wholesale power rate is the lowest in the State of Alaska and has significantly benefited this region. This is "unique" considering costs for almost everything else have gone up significantly over the same period of time. - More...
Thursday PM - May 16, 2013
Management Slate v Independent By Myrna Gardner -
For the first time in my life, I decided to run as an Independent candidate for the Sealaska Board. The challenges Independents face are many. There are only 44 days from the date the proxy is issued before the Annual meeting. The Corporation uses shareholder money to send board slate out to informational meetings. The meetings are scheduled one right after the other and unless you have an endless pit of money, it is expense to attend on your own dime. - More...
Thursday PM - May 16, 2013
Sealaska Corporation and the New Tlingit Nobility By Clarice Johnson -
I am a Sealaska shareholder. I grew up commercially fishing with my father, Moses Johnson, who taught us if we wanted the land to care for us, we needed to care for the land. - More...
Thursday PM - May 16, 2013
Kayhi 1963 Reunion? By Barb Burgett Johnson-
Does anyone know of plans for a (gulp) 50th reunion for Kayhi '63, &/or can give me a contact name? I understand they're normally around July 4th, or the preceding weekend. - More...
Thursday PM - May 16, 2013
RE: Trolls & Fraudsters By Edwin Irizarry -
After reading Mr. Hanger's initial letter on guns and the rebuttals that followed, I could not resist. I would like to address some statements that Mr. Hanger made and ask him some questions. I am not going to write about who I am or what great deeds I may have or not have done. Those who know me here in Ketchikan truly know my history. - More...
Thursday PM - May 16, 2013
The Whisper App and your kids By Jessica Travis -
I am appalled at the recent talk about the "whisper app" and what's even more disconcerting is what our youth, right here in Ketchikan are using this app for bullying. These things may be hidden under the guise of "anonymous" - but the words and photos being posted are not. Parents, you should be outraged! Take a look at this app. Search your child's phone and/or other devices for this app and see what they are posting. Some of the things that I have seen posted since I found out about this: - More...
Monday PM - May 13, 2013
Speed Limits North and South of Ketchikan By Marlene Steiner -
I would like to know why that the State of Alaska DOT has different speed limits, one going to Beaver Falls and two going to the end of the road out north. - More...
Monday PM - May 13, 2013
S.340 Transfers Public Wildlife Habitat to Private Ownership By Bruce Baker -
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s S.340 would transfer some of the highest quality old-growth wildlife habitat on the Tongass National Forest to Sealaska Corporation for clear-cut logging. The bill is not necessary to fulfill Sealaska’s land selection entitlement under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). It is a poor conservation tradeoff, and it is certainly NOT in the public interest. - More...
Monday PM - May 13, 2013
RE: Trolls & Fraudsters By Douglas J. Thompson -
Well you had me going there Mr. Hanger. I thought you were trying to convey a true and cogent point of view. It wasn't until your second letter that I realized you were doing a parody of the gun control position. When I realized you had not included or responded to one legal or historical fact, failed to address any opposing argument, arbitrarily threw out the Amendments and by extension the whole Constitution with its rule of law, filled your letters with disinformation, went off on irrelevant tangents, then the Bush/Obhama tactic of labeling any opposition as "terrorist" that I caught on. By the way thanks for the great compliment of calling me a "traitor" and "terrorist". That stands me in great company as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and all the other founding fathers. The Sons of Liberty were called terrorists in their time also. Trouble is it is hard to take a compliment that is given in context of a greater jest. - More...
Monday PM - May 13, 2013
RE: Trolls & Fraudsters By LCDR James Thompson USN -
Mr Hanger, in response to your letter implying I'm a troll or a fraudster several points of rebuttal are in order; - More...
Monday PM - May 13, 2013
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