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Ketchikan: Ott Inman: One of the builders of Ketchikan; Boat builder, sawmiller, cooper, undertaker By DAVE KIFFER - A young city requires entrepreneurs if it wants to grow and survive. Austin "Ott" Inman was one of the first Ketchikan entrepreneurs,  there at the beginning as Ketchikan began its 130-year march from a collection of shacks by Ketchikan Creek into one of the Alaska's primary cities.

Inman first came to Ketchikan in 1891 and became a boat builder, a sawmill operator, even an undertaker, in the tiny village along Tongass Narrows.

Inman was born in Iowa on January 10, 1870, according to his obituary in the April 15, 1942 Ketchikan Chronicle. When he was six, he moved with his family to Puget Sound, eventually settling in Olympia. He later moved to Seattle, hoping to start his own boat shop.

"In Seattle, he heard about Alaska and its wealth of fish and furs and although he doubted the stories, he became interested in the Territory," the obituary noted. "Later he met a group of men who were coming to Alaska in a 32-foot sailboat and decided to join them. It was the fall and the group of four intended to return to Seattle the following spring."

It took three months for the sail boat to get to Ketchikan, according to the obituary. On Oct. 26, 1891, the sailboat reached Behm Canal. The crew maneuvered the craft through the canal and arrived in Loring, then a modesty-sized cannery town about 14 miles north of Tongass Narrows. They met Loring pioneer Dick Stack and he advised them to go to Ketchikan instead.

"Previously, they had met Yes Bay Johnny, an Indian, when they camped at Yes Bay," the obituary noted. "He informed them they were trespassing on his hunting grounds, but they stayed there for three weeks."

Compared to Loring which in those days had a large cannery, a salmon hatchery and a year-round population of 200. Ketchikan at the time was barely a blip with a population of 40 according to the 1890 Census.

"There were only five buildings here when the quartet came to Ketchikan, Mr. Inman used to recall, including warehouses and homes," the obit continued. ""There were also smokehouses on the other side of the creek. The following spring, Mr. Inman built three shacks, one for himself and two for the other men. Mr. Inman also had a hand in the construction of the old house, behind the First National bank building, which was torn down recently (in 1942). "

The obituary noted that that house had been owned by George Clark - who along with Mike Martin - is generally credited as one of the town founders. The Clark house - which housed Clark's wife and three children and two maids, the first white family in the area - was originally built near what the is the corner of Dock and Front streets. It was later moved to Dock and Main, behind the bank.

The obituary also attempted to clear up a little local lore.

"Robert McCoombs is generally credited with being the first white baby born in Ketchikan, but Mr. Inman disputed this," according to the obituary. "The first white child born here was to Captain Charles Dyer and his wife, in a shack Mr. Inman built alongside what is now the Commercial Building (later the NBA and Wells Fargo building). Captain Dyer was a partner of Tom (Helm Bay) Johnson who is now living in the Ketchikan."

The obituary also repeated the oft-told story of how Inman was involved in the "naming" of Ketchikan.

"There was no name for Ketchikan at the time that Mr. Inman came here, but about a year later, an a convivial gathering,  Mr, Inman, Mike Martin, George Clark and Julius Sternberg and a few others decided on Ketchikan - which in Indian means stinking waters," the obituary reported. "Mr, Inman recalled that the name was decided upon just after the spawning season, when the banks of Ketchikan Creek were littered with dead salmon."

That naming "ceremony" would have been in 1892. In the 1890 US Census, the 40-person community was already referred to as "Kichkan."

Finally, the obituary noted how Austin Inman came to be known as "Ott" Inman.

"Mr. Inman explained his name of Ott, as he was called, by saying that in the early days men were known by just a one-syllable word. His first name was Austin, but Ott made a more suitable nickname, and he didn’t object."

Inman almost immediately made friends in the local Native community. He also married a Tlingit woman, Virginia Wilcox and had four children. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Alaska: Governor Unveils Path to Reopening Alaskan Economy and CARES Act Funding for Alaska Communities - Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy today unveiled Phase One of the State’s approach to reopening segments of the Alaskan economy.

Beginning Friday, April 24, 2020, the following businesses and industries may reopen, following rigorous health and safety standards:

• Restaurants – limited dine-in services
• Retail Stores – limited in-store shopping
• Personal Services Businesses (ie. barbers, nail salons, hairdressers) – limited services
• Non-Essential Businesses (ie. professional business services) – limited services

“Through the public’s outstanding efforts to social distance and adhere to the health mandates set in place, we have witnessed a slow in the spread of COVID-19, effectively protecting the health of our families and loved ones. Compliance with the health mandates came with an economic slowdown and it is time to take a multi-phased approach to reopening our economy. Alaska’s many local businesses and industries are vital to the economic health of the state, and I am pleased that our efforts to protect the health and well-being of Alaskans are showing statistics that allow us to reopen business,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. 

Dunleavy said, “Many Alaskans may be able to return to work and participating in activities they enjoy. We will provide further guidance on what this looks like in the coming days and will closely monitor this reopening to determine further actions.”

CARES Act Funding

Governor Dunleavy announced the receipt of the $1.25 billion funding from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and his plan for the distribution of these funds for direct assistance to municipalities statewise, small business relief, direct agency funding and more.

The Governor is submitting his plan and associated documents to the Alaska State Legislative Budget and Audit Committee.

“I look forward to putting this federal appropriation to work for Alaskan communities, businesses, and non-profits, as well as augmenting the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services ability to respond as the situation unfolds,” said Governor Dunleavy.

Dunleavy said,  “We’re hopeful that through this process we can help offset what this virus has done to Alaska and we fully trust our communities to meet the needs of their residents. Our goal is to get these distributions out sooner rather than later to the municipalities and different entities of Alaska who need help right now.”

The governor's proposed Total Community Assistance Plus COVID Relief for the City of Ketchikan is over $12 million and the total of funds for the Ketchikan Borough is over $10 million. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Alaska: Seafood processing industry recruiting Alaskans for 2020 salmon season - Alaskans looking for summer employment have the opportunity to work in the seafood processing industry. Seafood processing employers are recruiting to pre-hire for more than 3,100 full-time, temporary seafood workers for the 2020 salmon season and other fishery seasons. Most employers offer transportation, and room and board benefits for those who successfully complete their contract. Alaskans seeking to work in the seafood industry can consider openings in Dillingham, Dutch Harbor, Egegik, Naknek, Seward, Ketchikan, Juneau, Petersburg, floating processors, and other locations throughout Alaska.

The seafood processing industry works in partnership with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to improve the rate of Alaska resident hire. These jobs provide excellent income opportunities for Alaskans who want to earn and save money quickly, who enjoy physical work, and helps to establish a work history and move up the career ladder. Employing Alaskans benefits seafood employers by avoiding additional challenges of recruiting outside labor.

“The seafood processing seasonal workforce is among the largest in Alaska,” said Commissioner Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter. “Unemployed Alaska residents can take advantage of this timely employment opportunity. We focus on recruiting Alaskans first. We encourage and appreciate employers who make efforts to recruit Alaskans who depend on this seasonal income to support their families and local economies, especially where unemployment rates are high.” - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Alaska: Alaska Unemployment Benefit Claims Jump in March; $600 federal pandemic unemployment compensation money - More than 32,000 Alaskans filed an initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits in March (32,128), a 637 percent increase over the 4,359 who filed in March 2019, as Alaska businesses closed or reduced their services to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

The biggest increase in initial claims came during the second half of March, as the first attached chart shows. Most of those claims will result in benefit payments, but that usually takes about two weeks.  

The number who received unemployment benefits for at least one week in March was 14,239, an increase of 33 percent over March 2019. The number receiving benefits will spike in April as the large wave of initial claims from March is processed. 

Claimant numbers by industry show some were hit quickly by the shutdown. (See the second chart in the attachment.) The biggest jump came from accommodation and food services, with 2,689 receiving benefits — up from 884 in March 2019 — as hotels and restaurants closed or limited service. - More...
Tuesday - April 21, 2020

Ketchikan: Mischa Chernick assumes Foundation Director role - Mischa Chernick is the new director of the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center Foundation. She shifted from managing the Marketing and Communications department to her new position Monday, April 13.

As Foundation Director. Chernick will lead the already successful organization to meet new fundraising challenges.

“Our focus will continue to be supporting the medical center to meet our community’s healthcare needs. The Foundation raised money instrumental to the creation of both the Infusion Suite and the Women’s Diagnostic Imaging Center," said Chernick.

“I look forward to working with the Foundation Board members to continue to assess the areas of greatest need for our patients and community and make sure we have the resources necessary to meet those needs,” she said.

“We’re building on the successes of the Foundation like the Ken Eichner Healing Garden that has provided a place of respite for patients and caregivers alike,” said Chernick. The Garden is closed at present due to COVID19 concerns. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Ketchikan: Rapid testing available at PeaceHealth Ketchikan - New testing criteria have been implemented at PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center to provide rapid point-of-care (POC) Covid19 testing. Turn-around time for the tests can be less than an hour if the results are negative for the virus.

Initially the testing will used in the Emergency Department and New Beginnings Birth Center for everyone admitted for inpatient care. More POC testing supplies are expected next week and at that point testing will be offered both in the medical center and in the PeaceHealth Medical Group clinics in Ketchikan and Craig.

“We are excited to begin rapid testing for COVID-19,” said Medical Director Dr. Peter Rice. “It will be the first step to reducing our use of personal protective equipment at the medical center and will help to determine the prevalence of disease in our community.”

The Abbott Labs ID NOW point-of-care tests have turn-around times of under an hour. The test offers high accuracy for negative results; however all positive results require additional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to confirm results. PCR testing has a two- to four-day average turnaround time through the state and commercial labs being used by PeaceHealth Ketchikan. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Ketchikan - Statewide: Alaska COVID-19 Update; One new case in Ketchikan - The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced eight new cases of COVID-19 in four Alaska communities – Anchorage (4), Juneau (2), Eagle River (1), and Ketchikan (1). This brings the total case count in Alaska to 329 as of April 20, 2020.

Of the new cases, six are male and two are female. One is aged 10-19; four are aged 20-29; two are aged 50-59; and one is aged 60-69. There have been a total of 36 hospitalizations and nine deaths with no new hospitalizations or deaths reported Monday. Recovered cases now total 168, including seven new recovered cases recorded yesterday.

Ketchikan received one positive case of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Ketchikan to sixteen (16). Of these 16 cases, two (2) individuals had a recent history of travel, and thirteen (13) individuals were identified as having been in close contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. 15 cases have recovered and are no longer being monitored by Public Health.

247 tests have been conducted for COVID-19 in Ketchikan, with 16 positive results. There were 216 negative results with 15 test results pending. The combined test capacity in Ketchikan is just over 600. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Ketchikan: Ketchikan Animal Shelter Expands Operations - As of April 21, the Pat Wise Animal Shelter will modify emergency operations to resume limited adoptions, acceptance of animals for surrender and the retrieval of stray animals for return to owners.

Adoptions will be permitted by appointment only. Individuals interested in adopting can begin by viewing animals online. Individuals wishing to schedule an adoption appointment may call 228-6660. Appointments will be scheduled in 30-minute intervals Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Access will be restricted to one adult per visit and individuals will be required to wear their own facemask or face covering during the appointment. The Borough Animal Protection Department will provide nitrile gloves for each visitor to the shelter. Social distancing standards will be strictly adhered to during visits.

Shelter staff will once again begin retrieving stray animals. Residents may call the shelter to request assistance with a stray animal. Individuals wishing to surrender an animal or claim an impounded animal may call 228-6660 to set up an appointment.

The shelter will not be accepting visitors or volunteers at this time. As the community moves forward in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery process, visitor restrictions will be repealed.

Last month, the Borough closed its public facilities in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. The closures were in compliance with Governor Dunleavy’s health mandates. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Ketchikan: Rotary And South Point Higgins Beaches Opened - The Rotary Beach and South Point Higgins Beaches in Ketchikan were closed to the public on March 30th in order to address the public gatherings that were occurring, and in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Since that time Ketchikan residents have practiced safe social distancing and followed the health mandates issued by Governor Dunleavy. 

In recognition of Ketchikan’s efforts to practice safe social distancing, Rotary Beach and South Point Higgins Beach are now opened to the public according to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. The announcement was made on April 16th.

“As we strive to find the right balance between public safety and maintaining essential liberties, I am extremely proud of the citizens of Ketchikan who have responded with a great resolve to follow recommendations to safeguard the community from the COVID-19 virus,” states Rodney Dial, Borough Mayor. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Alaska: All options being considered after procedural ruling of dismissal of lawsuit against EPA - SalmonState and its co-plaintiffs are considering all available options after a procedural ruling of dismissal in the lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

“This ruling does not in any way change the fact that a mine of the size, type and location of Pebble will have a negative impact on the renewable resources of Bristol Bay and will not meet the standards laid out in the Clean Water Act,” said SalmonState Executive Director Tim Bristol.

 “We filed this lawsuit in hopes of stiffening the spines of EPA political appointees, who are turning their backs on years of science, independent review and public comment conducted by their own staff,” he continued. “The science is clear: the proposed Pebble Mine would endanger Bristol Bay — the world’s greatest remaining sockeye salmon run — and the jobs and ways of life that depend on it.” - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Fish Factor: Salmon Run Forecasts & Harvest Projections By LAINE WELCH - Alaska’s total salmon catch for 2020 is projected to be down 36 percent from last year’s haul of 207 million fish, the eighth largest on record that was valued at nearly $658 million at the docks.

In the Run Forecasts and Harvest Projections and Review of the 2019 Season just released by the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, managers are calling for a harvest of just under 133 million salmon across Alaska.  The decline is driven by a much lower forecast for those hard to predict pink salmon of just over 60 million fish, down nearly 53 percent.  

Here are the salmon harvest forecasts and outlooks for most Alaska regions: 

 A catch of 4.2 million coho salmon is projected this year, a 300,000 fish increase. For chums, a catch of 19.5 million would be a drop of 100,000 fish.  

For sockeye salmon, a harvest forecast of just over 48 million compares to 55.5 million reds taken in Alaska last year, or a drop of 13.3 percent. 

A run of nearly 50 million sockeyes is expected to surge into Bristol Bay’s nine river systems, six percent higher than the 10 year average. That should produce a catch of 37 million reds, down from nearly 42 million last year.  

Besides the Bay, the outlook for salmon fisheries in most other Alaska regions is fairly bleak. 

All eyes will be on market reactions to the first fresh fish of the year in mid-May when sockeyes and kings return to the Copper River near Cordova, regarded as the official start of Alaska’s salmon season. The famous fish typically commands the highest prices of the year at high end restaurants and markets, but there’s little confidence in strong salmon sales amid the COVID chaos.  

At Upper Cook Inlet a run of about 4.3 million sockeye salmon is projected with a commercial harvest of 1.8 million fish.  (In 2019, the UCI sockeye catch of 1.7 million was 1.3 million fewer fish than the preseason forecast of three million fish.)

Southeast Alaska’s pink salmon harvest projection calls for a dismal 12 million fish, down from last season’s low of just over 21 million.   

“Like many recent years, a potential source of uncertainty regarding the 2020 pink salmon return is the anomalously warm sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Alaska in 2019,” the ADF&G report said. “Pink salmon that went to sea from 2014 to 2018 returned in numbers below expectation and below recent odd- and even-year averages. The impact of warm sea surface temperatures on the survival of pink salmon that went to sea in 2019 is unknown and adds uncertainty to the forecast.”

Kodiak also is calling for a low pink harvest at around 12 million compared to 33 million humpies in 2019. Mediocre fishing seasons also are projected for pinks and sockeyes at the Alaska Peninsula.

ADF&G produces run forecasts for Chinook salmon in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region and for Yukon river chums, where summer catches could reach 1,200 fish and in the 550,000 range during the fall fishery.

For the fifth year since statehood, there will be no buyer for fishermen at Quinhagak and Goodnews Bay in the Kuskokwim area. The region’s Coastal Villages economic development group built and briefly operated a plant at Platinum but abruptly closed it in 2015.

ADF&G does not produce formal forecasts for salmon returning to the Norton Sound or Kotzebue areas. Harvest outlooks for those stocks are based upon parent year spawning escapements, age composition, recent trends, and the likely level of harvest and processing capacity that can be expected.

At Norton Sound, a catch of up to 250,000 coho salmon are expected, along with 180,000 to 230,000 chums. At Kotzebue, a summer catch of up to 650,000 chum salmon is projected.

Heading into the salmon season, here is a breakdown of statewide average salmon prices paid to Alaska fishermen in 2019, along with average fish weights: Chinook salmon - $4.48/lb at 11.84 pounds; sockeye: $1.45/lb at 5.24 pounds; coho: $1.15/lb at 6.77 pounds;  pink: $.30/lb at 3.27 pounds; chum: $.49/lb at 7.07 pounds. - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

JASE GRAVES: HOMESCHOOLING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 - After careful consideration and prayer, my wife and I decided against homeschooling our three daughters when they reached school age, mainly because we recognize our pedagogical limitations­ – and we value our mental health.

How ironic, then, that in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have joined scores of other American parents violently thrust into the math-eat-dad world of homeschooling! And we stand about as much chance of survival as the last four-pack of Ultra Soft Charmin on a Sunday afternoon at Walmart.

Because my wife is considered an “essential worker,” I’ve taken on the role of the nerdy homeschool vice-principal nobody takes seriously. Fortunately, my two older daughters are fairly independent in their schoolwork and only require my assistance when they need to place an Amazon Prime order for important educational supplies like pink hair dye or designer AirPod cases.

My youngest daughter, on the other hand, has the academic enthusiasm of a heavily salted slug. The problem isn’t that she lacks intelligence, creativity, and extreme cuteness. It’s just that she’d rather suffer a third-degree sunburn from the glare off her iPad screen than reduce fractions. Not only that, but getting her out of bed in the morning is like getting Ragú stains out of Tupperware.

Through a process of trial and comedy of errors, I’ve discovered a few strategies to make the homeschooling process no more painful than picking your nose with a hot glue gun.

First, as qualified educators are utilizing video conferencing tools like Zoom and GoToMeeting to communicate with their homebound students, it’s important for parents to assist their children by stifling curse words while frantically clicking various links and buttons on the computer in a futile effort to get their children in the correct video class on time. Because the camera on the laptop will unexpectedly activate during the random button-clicking process, it’s also critical that the belt on the supportive parent’s bathrobe is tightly secured at all times. (What’s the fine for indecent exposure these days, by the way? Asking for a friend.) - More...
Tuesday PM - April 21, 2020

Political Cartoon:Where's the Stimulus?
By Jeff Koterba ©2020, Omaha World Herald, NE
Distributed to paid subscribers for publication by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.