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SitNews - Stories In The News - Ketchikan, Alaska
September 24, 2009
Thursday

Catching a Can in Ketchikan;  A History of the 'Canned Salmon Capital of the World'  A feature story by DAVE KIFFER

Catching a Can in Ketchikan;
A History of the 'Canned Salmon Capital of the World'
A feature story by DAVE KIFFER
New England Fish Company complex from the Tongass Narrows, circa 1930
New England Fish Company Photo Album; Donor: Howard Lee, Tongass Historical Society
Photograph courtesy Ketchikan Museums


Alaska: 2009 Permanent Fund Dividend is $1,305.00 - This year, 628,499 eligible Alaskans will receive a 2009 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) in the amount of $1,305.00, according to the Department of Revenue. The amount of the 2009 Permanent Fund Dividend was announced Wednesday afternoon by Governor Sean Parnell. - More...
Thursday AM - September 24, 2009


  

Ketchikan: Catching a Can in Ketchikan; A History of the 'Canned Salmon Capital of the World' a feature story By DAVE KIFFER - In the Spring of 1900, Ketchikan was rife with rumors of war, a salmon war.

Washington-based Fidalgo Island Packing was building a cannery near Inman Hill, just south of Ketchikan Creek and the owners of the Alaska Packers Association Cannery near Loring, 20 miles to the north, were furious.

Ketchikan Creek was a prime location for its fishing operations in the area and the APA was not willing to let a newcomer poach its resources.

Although it could not stop the construction of the new cannery, the APA vowed to prevent the Fidalgo Island from catching any fish at the new $40,000 cannery. In July, when the silver hordes began to return, the mouth of the creek was flooded by fishermen from both canneries, vying to catch as many fish as possible and prevent their opponents from doing the same.

Scuffles broke out and more than a few fishermen ended up in the water, but cooler heads prevailed without any serious violence taking place.

No Company Owns a Salmon Stream

The real war was in the court system as Fidalgo sued the Alaska Packers Association. Several years later, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that no one company can claim exclusive rights to the waterways, that no company owns a salmon stream. Both companies would have to share the lucrative stream.

But the fish war had stirred up civic-minded sentiments and by the end of August, 1900 ­ just weeks after the Fidalgo cannery packed its first cases on salmon ­ the city of Ketchikan had incorporated. The first mayor was Mike Martin, one of the managers at the Fidalgo cannery.

Martin had lived in the Ketchikan area since the mid 1880s and had operated an early salmon processing facility in Tongass Narrows, as the Ketchikan area was called, prior to 1900. - More...
Wednesday - September 23, 2009

Ketchikan: KETCHIKAN FELON SENTENCED TO 46 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM - Acting United States Attorney Frank V. Russo announced today that Michael McLoon, a resident of Ketchikan, Alaska, was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage to 46 months in prison for his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

United States District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline imposed the sentence on McLoon, age 41.

According to information presented to the court by Assistant United States Attorney Craig M. Warner, McLoon was found to be in possession of several firearms when officers from the Ketchikan Police Department responded to a disturbance at his residence on November 8, 2008. Due to several prior felony convictions, McLoon is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. - More...
Wednesday - September 23, 2009

Petersburg: Southeast Region Crews Continue Battling Mudslides - Maintenance and operations crews from the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities' Southeast Region are doing battle with Mother Nature this week in Petersburg following mudslides.

A DOT&PF crew clears debris from Petersburg's Mitkof Highway Tuesday morning following several days of rainfall-caused slides.
Official DOT&PF photo courtesy Doug Jenny, Southeast Region

Petersburg experienced a mudslide Sunday at mile point 5.4 of the Mitkof Highway. That mudslide littered the highway with trees and other debris. Crews cleared the road after only a few hours.

An additional slide covered part of the Mitkof Highway this morning some time after midnight at mile point 4.5. Responding crews found a 36 inch cross culvert buried under about three feet of rock and trees, along with almost six inches of water washing over the road. - More...
Wednesday - September 23, 2009

Alaska: Governor Objects to Irresponsible Legislation from Feds Concerning Wildlife Management - In a letter Tuesday to members of Congress, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell expressed strong opposition to federal legislation designed to eliminate predator control programs that protect valuable wildlife populations in Alaska and other states.

"Predator control is about putting food in Alaskans' freezers," Governor Parnell said. "Our programs are scientifically defensible, are used only when absolutely necessary, and have resulted in increased moose and caribou populations. This legislation is an intrusion on states' sovereign authority to manage wildlife, and I urge our delegation and other members of Congress to oppose it."

Current federal law allows state employees or licensed individuals to shoot from aircraft to protect prey. Recently introduced legislation would ban airborne predator control unless a biological emergency is imminent and all hunting and harvest has been eliminated.

"Requiring a biological emergency to be imminent before aerial predator control action can be taken would be irresponsible, violate wildlife management principles and jeopardize our ability to maintain healthy, sustainable predator and prey populations," said Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Denby Lloyd. - More...
Wednesday - September 23, 2009

Alaska: Governor Parnell Selects Alaskans for Salmon Treaty Boards - Alaska Governor Sean Parnell on Tuesday selected Alaskans for service on the Pacific Salmon Commission and its panels relating to management of salmon fisheries in Southeast Alaska and Canadian waters.

The Pacific Salmon Commission was established by the 1985 Pacific Salmon Treaty between the United States and Canada to coordinate management of Pacific salmon stocks off their coasts. Members of the commission and its panels include representatives of government and fishing interests. - More...
Wednesday - September 23, 2009

   

Alaska Science: Albedo change about to alter Alaska By NED ROZELL - You can see it on the mountains-a clean, platinum finish that wasn't there yesterday. It's in the forecast for here in the lowlands, too. Snow. Our world is about to change.

We knew it was coming, right? The day I'm writing this, Sept. 21, is the average date at least a trace of snow shows up at the Fairbanks International Airport. So says my friend, National Weather Service hydrologist and fan-of-the-cold Ed Plumb.

Sept. 21 is also the date of the earliest measureable snowfall in Anchorage. The average date that snow endures for the winter in Anchorage is Oct. 16. Those in Barrow have already seen the white blanket; their average first date of measureable snowfall is Aug. 26.

Whatever the day, when snow appears and sticks, warmish temperatures usually don't make a comeback. A good case study for this was the abbreviated autumn of 1992 in Interior Alaska. Here in Fairbanks, about eight inches of snow fell on Sept. 13. You can still see some birches bent in an arc they assumed that day, when wet snow weighed down branches still adorned with leaves. - More...
Wednesday - September 23, 2009

Columns - Commentary

Michael Reagan: Newspaper Profitability -- Is it Critical to our Democracy? - Today, as you read this column in your favorite newspaper, I hope that you can appreciate the irony of where I am choosing to voice my opposition to President Obama's expressed "happiness" to look at proposals to provide federal funding to help "rescue" the struggling print segment of the Fourth Estate. Just what we needmore of our tax dollars going to pick and choose segments of the public sector that the administration deems worthy of assistance.

I do agree with President Obama when he states that good journalism is "critical to the health of our democracy." While I think we can all agree that the media find maintaining neutrality and hiding biases difficult in many circumstances, one cannot discount their role in keeping this nation's representatives in check and sometimes even holding them accountable for their actions. The essential nature of a free press was so recognized by our Founding Fathers that it was enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

But these views on the importance of journalism in a free society does not mean I am willing to submit or subscribe to the theory that we can abandon the principles of a free market in order to pick and choose select private industries deemed worthy of receiving federal dollars to bolster their chances of surviving the ever-changing marketplace.

Today, many of our nation's longest standing print outlets are struggling to garner advertisers and subscribers. The impact of the challenging economy on advertising budgets and the ease and freshness of online news sources have put traditional newspapers in a challenging position. However, rather than arrogantly assuming government dollars may be the key to their continued viability, we should step back and take note of the countless periodicals that are withstanding these unfriendly challenges to their profitability by exploring new, creative ways to remain viable during times of economic hardship and increasing competition from the online community. - More...
Wednesday - September 23, 2009

      

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If you submit a letter and it is not published, please contact editor@sitnews.us or call 254-1948.

letterPACE By Lonnie Adams - Good Day all. My name is Lonnie Adams and I am a 27 year resident of Ketchikan, my wife Lisa and have been married for 16 years. My two children were born and raise here in Ketchikan, we have one child in 7th grade at Schoenbar and one in fourth grade at Holy Name. Our youngest child was blessed with dyslexia and has struggled in school from the beginning. In third grade her teacher did research on dyslexia and our daughter had the same characteristics, after struggling for years to help, and get her help we finally have a direction that does help her, my wife spent countless hours researching ways to help her finally finding Camille Booth with the Pace Program out of Craig, AK. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009

letterVoting in Hydaburg's City Election By Frances C. Natkong - To Registered Voters of Hydaburg: I'm writing once again with the threat of being sued hanging over my head because I feel that our school here in Hydaburg needs to be about the children again. Right now there are two (2) teachers for Kindergarten to 5th grades. Sounds like way back in the day when all grades were grouped in one class. We're supposed to be moving ahead not going further back. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009

letter Catching a Can in Ketchikan By Bill Rentz - Great and informative article on the history of canning in Ketchikan! We have a very interesting history for such a young city. The fish wars were one of the most exciting. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009

letter Cats, Wolves, Winter By Ardath Piston - If you let your cats outside to roam, the likelihood that they will be eaten, hit by a car, stolen, or killed by ingesting poison is high. There are many possibilities as to why a cat does not come home besides being eaten by a wolf. If you let your cats outside, you must accept that they may not return. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009

letterMultiple pool indoor facility By Mick Nelson & Sue Nelson - The USA Swimming Facilities Development Department is pleased to learn of the community's interest in developing a multiple pool indoor aquatic facility that would include pools for not only competitive swimming but also pools and programs dedicated to water safety for children and health and wellness for adults. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009

letterConcert/ Spaghetti feed fundraiser By Kayla Howe - On October 8th, Ketchikan High School is holding a fund raiser for Kyle Palmer. As we all know Kyle is recovering at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Kyle is uninsured and will be requiring extensive surgeries. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009

letterRE: Customer service By Candice Bailey - I am a frequent shopper at our local big box store. I have had more bad shopping experiences there than good ones. - More...
Thursday - September 24, 2009

letterAlaska Airlines Fails to Live Up To New Moto, "North of Expected" By Russell Thomas - Before Alaska Airlines rolls out another catchy slogan to adorn its uniforms and promotional material, they ought to spend some time talking with their team about how it might actually be implemented. Yesterday I watched as nearly twenty of their customers were left in the Ketchikan lobby because, although they had been in line for more than hour, they checked in too late for the flight. Although most of my 45 clients and their bags made the 6:15 a.m. ferry, the ferry was too full to allow our last van (carrying some of the luggage) to board the ferry. When the last van did arrive the lobby was stilled packed with people and fish that had arrived on the 6:15 a.m. ferry. The people whose luggage arrived on the 6:45 a.m. ferry lined up behind the others who were already patiently waiting in line. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterDrugs By Ken Lewis - It is understandable that we have an emotional outrage over drug use, locally, regionally and nationally. And that focusing upon our young adults just might curb future use. But if the reason we send our youth to public schools is to get the best education, then I will suggest the following: - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterTo pee or not to pee By Chris Elliott - I'm confused. Is the current drug testing policy, the one in place in the Ketchikan School District, unconstitutional? What about Acton v. Vernonia? Is it lawful to drug test students who participate in extracurricular activities? My suggestion or recommendation that parents and teachers work together on a plan for selective or suspicion-based drug testing was just that. Perhaps it wasn t as clear as it could have been, but I was envisioning a voluntary, confidential program. My whole point was that it should not be punitive. In addition, I would strongly disagree that the only information teachers have is gossip picked up in the hallways. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterTo Pee or Not to Pee By Kristenia Johnson - I would first like to say that while I agree that drug testing should be performed and more frequently with no interference from coaches, it is not the only problem facing children and teens today. I do not know if drugs or alcohol were involved in the recent suicides but there certainly was no reference of them in the police reports as I saw. This should show that a mental or emotional issue was prominent and along with the debate (and action) of drug testing should be the debate (and action) of helping our young adults with their mental and emotional wellbeing. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterWolves in Ward Lake area By Ardath Piston - It is always good to be aware of wolf activity in our area. I appreciate Meghan Hogben taking the time to inform everyone that the packs are making their way closer to town. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterWolves By Bev Newell - I read Meghan Hogben's SitNews letter about wolves. We have two of our cats missing since April to Sept 3rd. Our last cat went missing Sept. 3rd. We were told by Humane Society for Animals that wolves could have gotten our last cat. It is odd, three cats missing in four months. One of our neighbors cats went missing this summer too. That makes three cats that I know of missing. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterGas Prices By Steve Randall - While visiting Juneau this past week (Sept. 18, 2009), I was astounded to see gas prices at multiple service stations that were 60-70 cents a gallon cheaper than any in Ketchikan. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterCustomer Service By Cayenne Rowton - Moving to Ketchikan from larger cities in the south has been quite an experience. Mostly positive, I find this town to be refreshing in its simplicity and beauty. Being that there are limited places to shop for general goods, I too am a frequent visitor to the local Wal-Mart. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letter Mr. Fisherman Sculpture By Mary Ida Henrikson - Regarding the "Mr. Fisherman" wire sculpture divers found off the Arctic Bar Deck, don't you just love that art is everywhere in Ketchikan? - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterSobriety Walk By Wanda Isaacs - On Saturday, September 26, 2009 in Klawock there will be an island wide Sobriety Walk. The event is intended for families and individuals. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterReckless Health Care Changes By Donald A. Moskowitz - President Obama continues to pitch his reckless and unrealistic health care initiative to the public. "Big Brother" Obama wants Congress to pass a bill quickly before Congress and the public understand the plan. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterAbusive treatment of animals By Alka Chandna - Reports of color blindness experiments on squirrel monkeys at the University of Washington (UW) have only speculated on any relevance to human beings and have failed entirely to mention the pain and misery suffered by the hundreds of monkeys, cats, dogs, gerbils, and rats used by the experimenters over the past 25 years. These animals are invariably forced to endure lives of deprivation, terror, depression, and physical trauma. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterMega-disaster pool By James Schenk - Thank you Mr. Dial. I appreciate your watch. - More...
Monday PM - September 21, 2009

letterImportant Community Information By Rodney Dial - As you decide how you will vote on the proposed Pool bonds on October 6th, you may want to consider the following concerning the health of the City and Borough finances: - More...
Thursday - September 17, 2009

letterTo Pee or Not to Pee By Evan Bolling - Aside from the extreme unconstitutionality of the current drug testing system, the proposal for a "selective drug testing policy" offered by Chris Elliot is much MUCH worse. - More...
Thursday - September 17, 2009

letterSuicide and abuse problems in Ketchkan By Donna Teal - I have read all letters with interest lately on this subject. - More...
Thursday - September 17, 2009

letterNorth Slope seas contain oil and gas vital to US By Senator Lisa Murkowski - Alaska's offshore oil and natural gas resources are vital to the nation's strategic economic and energy security. That's why I strongly support responsible exploration and production in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. - More...
Thursday - September 17, 2009

letterDrug Testing By Chris Elliott - As parents we are sometimes (oftentimes?) oblivious to what is going on right in front of us. We can't see the forest for the trees. We can't believe that our child would lie to us or take drugs or routinely drink too much. We believe that because their friends come from "good" homes, everything is fine. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterKPU DIESEL GENERATION EXPLANATION By Pete Ellis - The reasoning behind running diesel generators at this time of year needs to be further explained by KPU so that we can understand the economics involved in not waiting to see the effect of Tyee connection access and the extent of lake level changes that will be occurring later in the year as affected by Tyee and our further rainfall. Or perhaps the Tyee connection will cost more than the diesel generation? - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterRE: They just don't get it By Dave Kiffer - On Sept. 8, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly authorized $6,000 for a voter pamphlet for the swimming pool bond issue AND the transient occupancy tax changes. It is now estimated that the pamphlet will actually cost approximately $3,200. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterYes to Proposition 2 By Mary Schulz - YES, it is time to replace the Mike Smithers' pool with a new facility. The movement to build pools in Alaska began 40 years ago. The State of Alaska recognized the value of pools in each community and developed a plan to assist with the pool projects through the Department of Education. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterAirlift Northwest's History By Shelly Deering - In 1978, a Sitka house fire left 3 children severely burned. Dr. Michael Copass, founder of Airlift Northwest, was teaching there at the time and spent the day assisting Dr. Longenbaugh in caring for and trying to arrange transfer of these critically injured children to the regional burn center in Seattle. The children died before this could happen. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterDon't be too quick By Evan Bolling - Let's play a quick session of Q&A. Question: Does Ketchikan have a major drug abuse problem? Answer:Yes. Question II: Is that drug abuse the major force behind the recent suicides? Answer: No. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterSuicide, Violence, and Drug Abuse. By Ken Bylund - At thirteen [1955], two friends and I went to see "Rebel Without a Cause" [a movie] at the local cinema's 25 cent matinee; a few weeks later one friend began acting out, the distraught, misunderstood, unreachable character of young Jim Stark, arguing with his girl friend - and she played her part too - both seeming to enjoy the drama... then he did something that stunned us all. Won't go into detail, just that we all went to the funeral parlor, saw his mother sitting in a chair, her back against black curtains, crying her eyes out -- we all felt bad -- there in his coffin, rosy cheeks and handsome, was our friend, Doug. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterRendezvous Senior Day Services Adult Day Program - Adult Day Services week is celebrated September 21-25th by centers like Rendezvous Senior Day Services across the nation. Alaska has 12 adult day programs across the state, two in Southeast Alaska. Rendezvous Senior Day Services currently has an adult day program, among other programs which support our community. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterEyes Finally Opening By Nicole Esau - Upon watching and reading SitNews lately I have to say that I am encouraged that the people of Ketchikan are finally opening their eyes! - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterI Do Not Assert A Stigma By Harold A. Maio - There is such a stigma regarding Mental Health. The sentence actually reads, "I associate such a stigma." It is the writer's statement. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letter Mayor's support of 347 Bawden EPA Assessment By Kenneth Carpenter - As the owners of 347 Bawden Street, we extend our public thanks to Mayor Lew Williams III for his writing a letter of support for EPA assessment on the behalf of the City of Ketchikan. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letter The Time Is NOW To Act By Kristenia Johnson - After my letter was published on Sitnews I received a number of responses from my friends and family congratulating me on saying what they have been thinking for years. I also received a reply from a man I did not know who shared his struggles with staying positive while growing up in Ketchikan and having to combat depression almost year round during the rain. He suffers from SAD. I also knew to expect those replies who did not whole or at all agree with my opinion, one opinion more personal to me was from my boyfriend. While he agreed with some of what I said he still had his disagreements and it hurt me to hear a semi-lack of support from him. I soon realized that this was my big test to understand that not everyone shares the same opinion. However, this is not about me or whether you believe my opinion is one sided or not. Aren't all opinions usually geered toward one side? This is about protecting and saving our children and our town from drugs, alcohol and disruptive behavior which will most likely lead to a life in and out and in jail again. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterSuicide By Tracey Horne Scadden - Having read Ms. Martin's letter on her thoughts about suicide.I applaud you for taking the stand it wasn't your fault. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterWolves By Meghan Hogben - This is a letter to warn people who are walking dogs in the Ward Lake area. Minutes before 8 pm tonight my boyfriend and I were walking our dog on the road down to Ward Lake, they were unmistakable -- wolves, five of them, and they wanted our dog. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letter RE: Memorial fund By Linda Beaupre - First of all, my condolences to the Azure family. Not only do they have to grieve for their son, but they also have to process the tragic circumstances of his death. I cannot imagine the heartache they must be experiencing right now. - More...
Wednesday - September 16, 2009

letterResponse to "Enough" By Rebecca Clark - I couldn't agree with Mr. Ziegler more! Drugs, murder and suicide seem to be a big problem; EVERYWHERE! It seems more threatening when it is closer to home. "Gatekeepers" is a suicide prevention coalition that had their open house last night. I encourage those in our community who want to be proactive in the fight against these monstrosities(both physical and spiritual) to attend upcoming invitations. - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009

letterKetchikan Youth By Sara Skan - After reading and agreeing with Public Nuisance by Harry Howard, it got me thinking. Yes, there are quite a bit of Ketchikan youth that is disrespectful, destructive amongst other things. However, there is also a side of our beautiful town's youth that is worth encouraging. Three of my four children are enrolled in the Ketchikan school district, on many occasions my oldest has spoken with me about the things that are said and done on the bus, the way the "older kids talk" It makes me nervous to send her off! She is learning things that she shouldn't know at her age, things their father and I should be discussing with them at what we feel is the appropriate time. As a parent I also know that I am responsible for teaching my children to have good judgment and knowing the difference between right and wrong. Having respect and compassion for their elders and one another. - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009

letterWorried By Rebecca Simpson - I am a concerned citizen of Ketchikan and worried about the children and young adults in our area. There is so many actions being taken by the young people in our area. With all the drug and alcohol use in this town, WHY isn't drug & alcohol awareness being taught to our students? - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009

letter RE: Too many suicides and attempts By Charlanne Heath - While I realize that this forum is intended to spout your own point of view to a community, Kristenia Johnson's letter is a typical one-sided point of view. - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009

letter Mental Health Stigma By Jan Cadero - This letter is in response to Mykayla Martin's letter regarding too many suicides or attempts. Mykayla, it is really sad that you at the young age of 17, have a strong opinion regarding suicide. And it is a tragic thing that anyone should have to deal with, but you should not say it is an easy way out. - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009

letterHealthcare reform By Dale Albertson - In reading Dale McFeatters' oped on Healthcare reform I was inclined to ignore this issue. However, truth always wins out. Revisit the "speech" on this matter to the joint session. It is empty of fact or substance, full of rhetoric and grandstanding. There is plenty of denial on issues dear to the citizens but empty of sources to back up those denials, just denial, oh, and threats against any who oppose the "reforms". Here is just one "fact" relative to peoples concerns: In an article by Byron York, Chief Political Correspondent, The Washington Examiner, entitled: "Health care reform means more power for the IRS", he claims that the IRS would become the main agency charged with determining if you have "acceptable" health insurance. This article inspired Herman Cain, "The Herman Cain Show" to do some research. He found the following little tidbit: "It's Division A, Title IV on pages 167-215 called Amendments to IRS Code of 1986. The expanded powers of the IRS in H.R. 3200 would empower the IRS to require taxpayers to show proof of health insurance coverage, collect fines on individuals and employers who did not have adequate proof of health insurance and determine whether your health insurance was a government approved plan." - More...
Monday - September 14, 2009

letterTime to say "Enough" By Zig Ziegler - There is a huge problem in Ketchikan that appears to be the undercurrent to much of the criminal activity, suicides and social problems we are experiencing. That problem is drugs, specifically, meth and oxycontin. I would be willing to wager that drug use is directly linked to so much of what our community has been facing over the past few years. Is Ketchikan alone in this? Certainly not. Is that an excuse for not taking on this problem head on? Absolutely not. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009

letter RE: Too many suicides and attempts By Kristenia Johnson - I am having a hard time believing that people in Ketchikan could solely blame a person for ending their own life.There are two (from what I understand) different suicides in a matter of a few months in Ketchikan and neither share two commonalities. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009

letterKyle Palmer Had KIC insurance...but By Wayne Beaupre - Ketchikan Indian Corp has refused to cover Kyle Palmer, a 23 year member of Ketchikan Indian Corp because, they were not notified first. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009

letterThey just don't get it By Jon Van Essen - I really find it hard to believe that the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly feels the need to spend $55K to supposedly inform us voters all the details on why we need a new community pool. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009

letterMy Roof Thanks You! By Shauna Lee - I recently wrote a letter to Sitnews regarding my leaking roof and asked for ideas. I must say, Ketchikan didn't fail me. I had three phone calls and numerous letters with offers to help. I couldn't even get to them all so please know that to every one of you that called and wrote, I thank you so much!! - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009

letter Sea Otters By Mike Moyer - In response to Mr. Jean Bland's letter to me concerning the truth about Sea Otters, I can only say that if there are no shellfish around Craig, Klawock, or Hydaburg now, then how did people survive in the old days there before the Russians wiped out the Sea Otters? - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009

letterRE: Memorial Fund By Lisa McClould - Regarding the request from Deborah Harney, a child is a gift from God. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009

letterObama Attempts School Intrusion By Donald A. Moskowitz - President Obama continues to hover over us like "Big Brother". Tuesday, September 8, 2009 his targeted audience was our impressionable school children. - More...
Thursday PM - September 10, 2009

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