Ketchikan: At approximately 1200 hours on 4/24/2011, searchers found David Ford in good health with minimal injuries. He was transported by Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad to PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center for evaluation.
Ketchikan fisherman missing on POW - Ketchikan dispatch received a 911 call reporting a missing person in the area of Salmon Bay Lake on the northeast corner of Prince of Wales Island around noon on Saturday. It was reported that Taquan Air had flown David Ford, 57, of Ketchikan to an area U.S. Forest Service public use cabin on Salmon Bay Lake for a solo fishing trip. When Taquan Air flew back to pick Ford up on Saturday, the pilot was unable to locate him in the area.
Klawock Search and Rescue was advised and sent a four member hasty team to the area. At approximately 6 pm, the hasty team located a small skiff with Ford's gear near the mouth of the creek, which drains into the ocean. - More...
Monday - April 23, 2012
Executive Council being sworn in L-R: Youth Representative Rick Tagaban, 4th VP Richard Peterson, 3rd VP Yodean Armour, 2nd VP Robert A. Sanderson Jr., President Edward K. Thomas, 1st VP Will Micklin, 5th VP Harold Houston, 6th VP Lowell Halverson
Photograph courtesy CCTHITA
In an overwhelming show of support for the Tribe’s leadership, the tribal delegation re-elected incumbent President, Edward K. Thomas, and the six incumbent Vice Presidents, to additional two-year terms. This is the first time in the history of the Tribe that the full Executive Council has been reseated in their current positions.
Vice presidents re-elected are 1st Vice President William Micklin of San Francisco, 2nd Vice President Robert Sanderson Jr. of Ketchikan, 3rd Vice President Yodean Armour of Klawock, 4th Vice President Richard Peterson of Kasaan, 5th Vice President Harold Houston of Juneau, and 6th Vice President Lowell Halverson of Seattle.
Also seated were Chief Justice Debra O’Gara of Juneau, Tribal Judge Betty Jo Moore of Sitka, Youth Representative Rick Tagaban of Juneau, and Delegate/Citizen of the Year Robert W. Loescher of Juneau. - More...
Monday - April 23, 2012
Fish Factor:Halibut bycatch joint workshop By LAINE WELCH - Brainstorming over halibut bycatch is the theme of a two day workshop this week in Seattle.
Topping the discussions: the methods used to collect bycatch numbers and the accuracy of the data.
Setting a precedent: the IPHC and NPFMC working together to reduce the estimated 10 million pounds of halibut taken as bycatch and discarded in Alaska’s fisheries.
“As far as I know, this meeting represents a first ever joint effort by the two bodies to meet together to discuss current "science" and/or research,” said Duncan Fields of Kodiak, a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The NPFMC sets halibut bycatch limits in federal-water fisheries, which produce 80% of Alaska’s seafood landings. The International Pacific Halibut Commission tracks and studies the stocks and sets annual catch limits for commercial halibut fisheries in the U.S. and Canada.
It has been more than two decades since bycatch levels were soundly re-evaluated by the NPFMC ; two years ago, the IPHC reconvened a task force to study how bycatch removals affect halibut stock assessments and, ultimately, fishery management.
Fields said he has “high hopes” that the joint meeting “will be informative and further more co-operative public presentations.”
The North Pacific Council plans to reduce halibut bycatch limits in Gulf of Alaska fisheries at its June Council meeting in Kodiak.
Tune into the Halibut Bycatch workshop April 24-25 from 7am to 4:30 (Alaska time). The Internet broadcast will include presentations for viewing and audio of the entire session, but will not be interactive, said Bruce Leaman, executive director of the IPHC. Sign on at the IPHC NPFMC websites. - More....
Monday - April 23, 2012
Southeast Alaska: Tribe Strongly Opposes Exclusion from Violence Against Women Act - The Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Central Council) announed today their strong opposition to the exclusion of Alaska Native tribes from the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Members of the Tribal Assembly and other supporters stand united against domestic violence, while Pamela Dalton Stearns shares her story.
Photo courtesy CCTHITA
The United States Congress will be voting on a law that is intended to protect women, particularly Native American women from domestic violence. However, Central Council says S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, excludes Alaska Native women from this protection. The State of Alaska and Representatives and Senator in the Alaska Legislature are being asked to support Central Council and urge Congress to include Alaska Native women in this Act.
Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska is a federally recognized tribe representing over 28,000 tribal citizens. Central Council considers this an emergency situation and has directed the Central Council's President and the Executive Council to work with the Alaska Congressional Delegation, National Congress of American Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives, Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood, and other federally recognized tribes to ensure Alaska Native women and children have the same civil protections as all Native Americans in the United States.
As presently written, VAWA allows Alaska Native tribal courts to issue civil domestic violence protection orders to provide culturally appropriate intervention in family crises. It also allows significant cooperation between tribes and the State of Alaska, State Troopers and the Judicial System. Central Council says the current versions of the re-authorization of VAWA (H.R.4154, H.R.4271, and S.1925) discriminates by singling out all Alaska Native tribes with the exception of the Metlakatla Indian Community located near Ketchikan, and removes the pre-existing authority of Alaska Native tribes to issue civil protective orders. - More...
Monday - April 23, 2012
Alaska:Invasive plants may threaten Alaska’s native berries - Climate warming is allowing invasive plants to take hold in Alaska and possibly luring pollinators away from native berries, says University of Alaska Fairbanks ecologist Christa Mulder.
Christa Mulder measures and records the growth and fruit production of blueberry and cranberry plants in a boreal forest near Fairbanks, Alaska.
Photo courtesy UAF
Blueberries and cranberries are a major part of Alaskan’s subsistence lifestyle, both directly, by providing berries for eating, and indirectly, by providing forage for animals that people eat. But Alaska’s native berries share similar habitats and pollinators with invasive plants such as sweet clover.
“If bees and other pollinators abandon native berries for invasive plants like sweet clover, we could see a lot fewer fruits on these plants,” said Mulder, a scientist at the UAF Institute of Arctic Biology who leads a project studying whether the presence of sweet clover can alter the production of bog blueberries and mountain cranberries. - More...
Monday - April 23, 2012
Ketchikan: Disabled vessel aided by Coast Guard - Coast Guard Station Ketchikan crewmembers assisted four people Saturday after their 40-foot pleasure craft was disabled and in danger of running aground nine miles southwest of Ketchikan.
Sector Juneau watchstanders received the call from the crew of the disabled vessel over Channel 16 early Saturday afternoon and directed Station Ketchikan personnel to respond.
A 25-ft response boat-small crew arrived on-scene to assess the situation and a 47-ft motor lifeboat crew arrived shortly thereafter to take the disabled vessel in tow.
The Station Ketchikan crewmembers safely towed the vessel to Pennock Island. - More...
Monday - April 23, 2012
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Thank you for all the letters and for your patience in my delay in updating. I apologize for the delay.
“Walk the Change” May 4thBy
Karen Eakes - I am writing on behalf of the Strengthening Cultural Unity (SCU) task force of the Ketchikan Wellness Coalition. This group has brought Challenge Day to Ketchikan secondary schools for the past three years and is currently working on plans and funding for the next school year. As a follow up to the Challenge Day events there have also been “Be the Change” student efforts at Schoenbar and at Kayhi. - More...
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
Girls on the Run 5K By
Aftan Lynch- Saturday, April 28th, Girls on the Run will be hosting an untimed Spring 5K at Ward Lake at 10:30 am. Women in Safe Homes invites you to attend this event and run with or cheer on the participants. This season, over 35 girls are participating from three schools: Houghtaling, Point Higgins, and Fawn Mountain. - More...
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
Re: Boat TrailersBy
Ken Lewis -
Supporting the local economy can be very frustrating, especially if you are a misunderstood parking space hog. Ode to the curbside sailors. - More...
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
Stop signs and crosswalksBy
Alan R. McGillvray -
Well if there is one thing (or too many) that any city in the WORLD has it's STOP SIGNS. - More....
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
Good-bye Credit CardBy
A.M. Johnson - The following letter was sent to the mangement of Alaska Airlines regarding their credit card account managed by Bank of America. - More...
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
Inuit Drum DancingBy
Carol Baines -
Here in Southeast Alaska, we don't seem to get to see much of northern aspects of native culture. - More...
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
Second amendment attack by Congressional Socialist By
A. M. Johnson - I recently sent the following letter to Alaska's Congressional Representative, Don Young. As I understand it, Senator Lisa Murkowski voted in favor of this legislation through SB 1813, legislation related to the highway construction funding. Her explanation to me was that the benefits of federal funding for construction including ferrys was too important. Yet, the content of the legislation included the following form of yet another effort to restrict and control the citizens of this Nation. RINO's such as Senator Murkowski are selling our Constitutional rights to the devil. While I am too old to suffer the consequences of this continued downward spiral to Socialism, my Grandchildren and worst, my Great Grandchildren, whom I am growing old with are the ultimate victims. - More...
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
The Closure of U.S. Oil Refineries By
Donald A. Moskowitz -
I recently wrote a letter on exported fuels by U.S. oil companies who reap higher prices paid overseas. - More...
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
RE: Care About KetchikanBy
Judith Green - Bobby McCreary and KYI, ingenious idea! This does not attack nor condemn - just a great idea of support for our community. A way for anyone & everyone to have a part by their own choosing, not a guilt trip. - More...
Tuesday - April 24, 2012
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