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Ketchikan: Street Value of Meth Seized in Ketchikan Over $100,000 - A probationary search on Monday led to the arrest of three Ketchikan men and the seizure of Methamphetamine with a street value of over $100,000.00.

Officers of the Ketchikan Police Department and Alaska State Troopers assisted Adult Probation on Monday in conducting a field check in the area of Ward Cove on William Riggs age 53, who is on felony probation. Charles Woosley, age 58, who is also on felony probation was also contacted along with Scott Arrington, age 55, who is on conditions of release.

During the probationary search officers located a glass pipe with white residue and a small orange container which had plastic baggies with a white substance inside them.

Officers stopped the search and obtained a search warrant for the building and vehicles involved. The orange container was found to have 3 plastic baggies containing a crystal substance weighing approximately 1 gram each that field tested positive for Methamphetamine. Officers searched the building and recovered 20 plastic baggies each containing a crystal substance with an approximate total weight of 205.6 grams that field tested positive for Methamphetamine. Officers also located additional plastic baggies, a digital scale, a plastic scoop and a glass pipe.

Officers also obtained a search warrant for Riggs' residence and recovered $4000.00 in cash.

The estimated street value of the Methamphetamine seizure was just over $100,000.00. - More...
Thursday AM - June 16, 2016

Ketchikan: UAS Ketchikan Names Spring 2016 Honor Students - The University of Alaska Southeast announced the students who have been named to the UAS Chancellor’s and Dean’s lists for the Spring 2016 Semester.

A student must be admitted to a program, earn a 4.00 grade point average, and complete at least 12 credit hours during the semester to make the Chancellor’s Honor List. Students on the Chancellor’s List Spring 2016 are Amy Bauer. Alexis McColley-Edwardson and Melyssa Nagamine. - More...
Thursday AM - June 16, 2016

Southeast Alaska: Legislation to Reform Federal Forestry Management Advances Through Committee - Yesterday, the House Committee on Natural Resources approved legislation introduced by Alaska Congressman Don Young (R) to reform the federal government’s system of forestry management in a manner that empowers local communities, builds resilient forests and streamlines burdensome management practices.

H.R. 3650, the State National Forest Management Act, was introduced by Congressman Young on September 29, 2015. The bill, which will work to address what has been described as major failures of the nation’s federal land management agencies. The bill would also authorize states to select and acquire certain National Forest system lands, up to 2 million acres, to be managed and operated by the state for timber production and other purposes under the law.

“Nowhere in the nation are federal land decisions more destructive to communities and hardworking people than in the 17 million acre Tongass National Forest,” said Congressman Young. “What should be a straightforward and balanced process, given the size of the Tongass, the Federal Government has time and time again failed. In Alaska, we have a proven record of success in managing millions of acres of state parks and forests. H.R. 3650 will give states and local governments an opportunity to show they are in fact the best stewards of our lands. My bill works to address the major failures of our federal land management agencies, while giving our States an opportunity to do better. This proposal works to end the constant fighting between our forestry communities and the federal government by allowing us to resolve our differences at home." - More...
Thursday AM - June 16, 2016

Alaska: Bills signed generating millions in new revenue and increasing access to healthcare across Alaska - Governor Bill Walker signed HB 137 and HB 234 into law Monday, creating new revenue for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and expanding access to healthcare across Alaska. Governor Walker signed the two bills in Juneau.

HB 137 signing: Gov. Walker with Rep. Talerico, Rep. Munoz, ADF&G staff, and members of user-groups
Photo courtesy Office of the Governor

Sponsored by Representative Dave Talerico of Healy, HB 137 increases hunting, trapping, and sport fishing fees, and generates over $9 million in annual revenue for the Department of Fish and Game. This will offset current and future cuts to the department, and help pay for the agency’s core services, including fish and wildlife management and research, habitat protection and restoration, and sport fisheries enhancement efforts. The money will also provide matching funds for federal aid dollars allocated to the department. - More...
Thursday AM - June 16, 2016

Alaska: Reps. Spohnholz and Kawasaki Call for Lawmakers to Honor Fallen Heroes by Supporting Their Families - Common sense legislation to honor Alaska’s first responders and their families is stuck in committee in both the Alaska House of Representatives and the Alaska Senate. House Bill 4002 and Senate Bill 4002 would allow the State of Alaska to continue insurance coverage for spouses and dependents of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

“Every day, the men and women who protect us put their lives on the line. We should honor that commitment and sacrifice by ensuring that their families are provided with the same health coverage they would receive if their loved one were still alive,” said Representative Ivy Spohnholz (D-Anchorage), whose father served 20 years as an officer with the Anchorage Police Department. “I find it unconscionable that six months into this session this issue has not yet been resolved. There are some huge issues before lawmakers that demand time and deliberate consideration. However, this issue is simple and, quite frankly, it’s the right thing to do. Pass the bill already.” - More...
Thursday AM - June 16, 2016

Alaska: Former Chiropractor Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Soliciting the Murder of a Witness and Federal Law Enforcement Officers - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that Guy Christopher Mannino, 57, of Fairbanks, was sentenced Wednesday in Anchorage to 17 years in federal prison for his convictions for soliciting the murders of a witness and two federal law enforcement agents.

Mannino, a former chiropractor who practiced for several years in Fairbanks, was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2015 for soliciting several murders while he was in custody at the Fairbanks Correctional Center on an earlier federal prosecution. Mannino had been indicted by another federal grand jury in August 2013 for a number of felony charges related to the unlawful possession and transfer of prohibited weapons, including a machinegun and silencers. While in custody on that case, Mannino solicited another prisoner to murder the principal witness against him, as well as some of the federal law enforcement agents who had been involved in the investigation of the first case.

Mannino proceeded to trial on the murder solicitation charges in February 2016 in Fairbanks, and, following a four-day jury trial, he was found guilty on three of the five counts charged. As a result of those convictions, Mannino faced a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years on each of the counts of conviction. - More...
Thursday AM - June 16, 2016