Ketchkan: 2017 Year in Review - Wet Summer Set Local Tongues Wagging in 2017 By DAVE KIFFER - Another year in Ketchikan where “weather” was the big story. At least that’s what everyone was talking about. The summer weather that is.

Ketchikan’s summer seemed like it was one of the most dismal ever. Rain, rain, rain. Turned out we weren’t imagining it.

June, July and August were wetter than any time other summer in recorded history, topping the previous drizzle-a-thon of 1967. Nearly 50 inches of rain were recorded in those three months, topping the previous high by nearly half a foot. Of note, in June there were only two sunny days and in July only six. August started off with 8 sunny days, but immediately turned bad the rest of the month and featured the remnants of a tropical typhoon dropping nearly eight inches of rain two plus days.

The good news was that all four holidays – Memorial Day, 4th of July, Blueberry Festival and Labor Day – were sunny for the first time in …. forever.

Oddly enough, the deluginal summer was followed by an unusually dry fall and early winter.

One day, Dec. 11, was actually the warmest Dec. 11 on record with a high of 58. Fortunately, it cooled off in time for Christmas and Ketchikan had a slight dusting of snow making for a rare White Christmas. The snow stayed on the ground until New Year's Day as the temperature dipped well below freezing and local lakes froze up enough to provide for some ice skating, if one could survive the sheet ice on the roads to the lakes.

In other 2017 news, in January local mariners worked together to rescue a humpback whale that had become tangled in a steel cable in Nutkwa Inlet on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island. Employees of Alaska Commercial Divers and Olson Marine were involved in the rescue of the 35-foot whale.

The first baby of 2017 was a boy, Jacko Reyes Scudero, born to Gerardo Reyes and Giovanna Scudero at 11:38 PM on January 5. He weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces.

In January, the Edgewater Inn became part of the Clarion/Rodeway Inn chain. In February, a new hotel, a Ketchikan “My Place” opened across from the Vigor Shipyard. In the summer, the renovation of the Bayside Hotel was completed and it opened as part of the Inn at Creek Street operation.

Zach Willard was sentenced to 18 years in prison following his guilty manslaughter plea in the 2015 death of Wayne Nathan.

Dry weather and cold temperatures lasting from mid December 2016 through mid January limited hydro usage and put Ketchikan on diesel generators for several weeks. It was the first time in five years that cold winter weather had been a significant issue, according to Ketchikan Public Utilities officials.

Former Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly member Agnes Moran was named the new executive director of Women in Safe Homes (WISH).

Two former Ketchikan residents, sisters Laurie Carroll-Bakk, 36, and Brooke Gilpin, 26, were killed in a car accident in January in Wasilla.

A fire on the top floor of the Tongass Towers killed longtime Ketchikan resident Weston Davis, 49, in January.

Early in January, Ketchikan Indian Corporation purchased 34 acres of logged land near Mud Bight. Officials say the land may be used for housing in the future.

Heavy northerly winds, up to 75 mph, struck Knudsen Cove early in February, damaging docks and several boats.

Lee Gray was hired to be the new Tongass Historical Museum Director and Patricia Tully came on board as the new Ketchikan Public Library Director in January. Gray resigned two months later and a search for her replacement began. Longtime museum curator Anita Maxwell was named museum director in July.

Four people were elected to positions on the Ketchikan Indian Corporation Tribal Council. The new members are Irene Dundas, Melissa Johnson, Norman Skan and Gianna Flannery.

After months of controversy, the Alaska Mental Health Lands Trust announced that it is temporarily backing away from a proposal to log its land on Deer Mountain. The trust cited efforts in Congress to approve a land swap with the Forest Service for other lands. An agreement was eventually reached later in the year to transfer the Mental Health land on Deer Mountain for other lands on Prince Of Wales, ending a two decade controversy.

A local sports highlight occurred in January as the Kayhi boys basketball team swept defending state champion Juneau twice in Ketchikan.

Retiring doctor David Johnson was named the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. Johnson retired after 40 years in Ketchikan. The chamber also saluted Marble Construction (business of the year), Trevor Sande (entrepreneur of the year), Bella Posey (youth leader of the year) and Russell Anderson (community service).

Two Metlakatla men, Troy Smart and Timothy Staples disappeared during a late-night skiff ride from Mountain Point to Annette Island. Searchers found their boat and some supplies.

The Samson tug Mariner ran aground on Rosa Reef in February, the barge it was towing north also ran aground. There was an oil spill of approximately 1,200 gallons and no injuries. Less than two weeks later a different tug towing the same barge ran aground on Mariposa Reef near Port Protection. - More...
Tuesday PM - January 02, 2018

Ketchikan: Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary acquires Juneau zip line operator - Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, LLC announced today that it has acquired longtime Juneau zip line operator, Alaska Zipline Adventures, LLC. The addition strengthens the respected reputation of Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary as a first-rate visitor experience company, which already owns and operates several other tours, including three zip line courses through its company, Alaska Canopy Adventures. 

“Our goal has always been to provide Alaska visitors and locals with a safe, enjoyable and memorable experience and we are confident that ARS will pick up where we left off,” said Davy and Gin Anderson, owners of Alaska Zipline Adventures, LLC. “It has been a joy operating this business and sharing the excitement of zip line adventures with others. We’re very grateful to our customers and to ARS for its commitment to continue the fun culture that we’ve established at Alaska Zipline Adventures.”

There are no major changes planned for Alaska Zipline Adventures this upcoming summer season. Favorite amenities at Alaska Zipline Adventures, such as its tree house platforms, axe-throwing experience and relaxing lodge, will continue to be offered.  - More...
Tuesday PM - January 02, 2018