Southeast Alaska Building Association - Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan Area Arts Council - Ketchikan, Alaska

Alaskan & Proud

Creek Side Family Health - Ketchikan, Alaska

First Bank - Ketchikan, Alaska

Davies-Barry Insurance

Talbot's Building Supply - Ketchikan, Alaska

Hometown Furnishings - Ketchikan, Alaska
Click here...

Ketchikan Curves

Saltery Lodge - Ketchikan, Alaska -- Alaska Fishiing Lodge

Gateway City Realty, Inc - Ketchikan, Alaska

Re/Max of Ketchikan

Water Tap - Ketchikan, Alaska

KPU - Ketchikan Webcam

arrow Contact
arrow Call 617-9696
arrow Webmail Lettersletter
arrow News Tips
arrow Copyright Info
arrow Archives

Quick News Search
arrow Alaska
arrow Ketchikan
arrow SE Alaska
arrow Alaska News Links

Columns - Articles
arrow Dave Kiffer
arrow Fish Factor

Historical Ketchikan
arrow June Allen
arrow Dave Kiffer
arrow Louise B. Harrington

Ketchikan Arts & Events
arrow Ketchikan Arts
arrow Ketchikan Museums
arrow KTN Public Library

Sports
arrow Ketchikan Links

Public Records
arrow FAA Accident Reports
arrow NTSB Accident Reports
arrow Court Calendar
arrow Court Records Search
arrow Wanted: Absconders
arrow Sex Offender Reg.
arrow Public Notices

Weather, Webcams
arrow Today's Forecast
arrow KTN Weather Data
arrow AK Weather Map
arrow AK Weathercams
arrow AK Earthquakes

TV Guide
arrow Ketchikan

Ketchikan Phone Book
arrow Yellow Pages
arrow White Pages

Government Links
arrow Local Government
arrow State & National

 

SitNews - Stories In The News - Ketchikan, Alaska
October 20, 2011
Thursday PM

Front Page Photo By JIM LEWIS

Ketchikan Creek: Great Blue Heron
Front Page Photo By JIM LEWIS

Ketchikan

arrow Today's Forecast
arrow Weather Extremes
arrow Ketchikan Weather Data

Search the News

arrow Ketchikan
arrow Alaska
arrow Sitnews


Ketchikan: Little Bear tiptoes through the turnips By MARY KAUFFMAN - Shoppers at Tatsuda's IGA grocery store on Saturday evening had an unexpected adventure of the wild-kind when a small black bear nonchalantly followed a shopper through the automatic doors and proceeded to the produce section walking past the cashiers. It was surreal said one of the employees.

Little Bear tiptoes through the turnips

Little Bear tiptoes through Tatsuda's produce
Photo courtesy Joe Stollar
From Joe Stollar's video

Produce Manager Danny Hernandez said the little critter stood on his hind feet and proceeded to climb onto the produce display paying no attention to Hernandez's efforts to shoo the bear away.

The little bear made a brief walk along the produce display and became world famous through a video made by Manager Joe Stollar which appeared on CNN, Good Morning America and Fox News. Stollar's video uploaded to You-Tube went viral in a matter of hours.

The little bear's visit was short and it did not demonstrate any interest in grazing and appeared more interested in finding an exit, which Ketchikan Police and retired Ketchikan Firefighter Ken Holmes were willing to provide.

According to Holmes, on arrival police officers were expecting to find a large bear and were equipped and ready; however, they were surprised to discover the small cub. Ex-firefighter Ken Holmes offered to capture the bear and remove it from the store. With the assistance of the Ketchikan Police Officers, Holmes was able to isolate the bear at the end of the produce display and grab it by the neck -- a familiar move also used by mother bears.

The little bear was exited through a side-door and returned to the forested hill behind Tatsuda's where it was believed the mother bear may be hiding and in watch for her cub. Homes said once the cub was release, the little bear ran up the hill into the woods.

There was a concern as to where the mother bear might be thoroughout the event, but she was not reportedly sighted around the grocery store at any time. A call to the local Fish & Game Department regarding the cub was not returned.

Holmes estimated the weight of the bear to be between 25-30 pounds. Biologists report in their research that at the time of birth, a cub will usually weigh between six to twelve ounces. By the age of 4 months, a black bear cub may weigh about 10 pounds and by six months, a bear cub will weigh between 40-60 pounds. However, there is some disagreement in cub weights and ages in the available research. According to a study completed by Viriginia Tech conducted to obtain growth data on cubs, a six month old cub would weigh approximately 27- 35 pounds. - More...
Thursday PM- October 20, 2011


Alaska Science: Alaska Buildings Without Us By NED ROZELL - In Alan Weisman’s book, “The World Without Us,” the author ponders “a world from which we all suddenly vanished. Tomorrow.”

Alaska Buildings Without Us

A concrete foundation is all that remains of Shaktoolik’s old school, abandoned after the village moved to a new site about 70 years ago.
Photo by Aaron Cooke

In his great thought experiment, Weisman travels around the world to explore that question, revealing that cockroaches and bedbugs would not fare well without our sloppiness and warmth, and that Theodore Roosevelt’s granite face will stare down from Mount Rushmore for the next 7.2 million years.

Weisman devotes a chapter to buildings, going into detail on their natural, gradual destruction. It all begins with water, Weisman writes, quoting a farmer who said a sure way to destroy a barn is to cut an 18-inch hole in its roof.

Posed with the question of the fate of Alaska structures without us, researchers with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks agreed that the liquid stuff of life is the most powerful agent of demise.

“All it takes is water draining into the building for the failures to start,” said product testing director Colin Craven, who noted the spectacular, gradual death of a neglected Fairbanks hotel, accompanied by “amazing blooms of mold and moss.”

“The water and air carry all the destruction potential we need by bringing microorganisms, by causing dissolution of minerals and corrosion,” he said. “Of course, humans usually accelerate the process, as abandoned mines and military facilities get vandalized quickly before the elements have their chance. Without that, it would be a lot slower and more interesting.”

The research center’s Ilya Benesch has witnessed the slower and more interesting fade of a mining building in Poorman, Alaska, which benefitted from a still-intact tin roof. Built in the early 1900s, the structure, about 70 miles south of Ruby, was still in decent shape about 75 years later. - More...
Thursday PM - October 20, 2011


Obituary: Carroll G. Fader - Carroll George Fader, former long-time Ketchikan resident, Alaska legislator, educator and business owner, passed away peacefully after a long, courageous battle with cancer on October 14th at Sitka Community Hospital in Sitka, Alaska.  He was 88.

Obituary: Carroll G. Fader

Carroll George Fader

Carroll was born May 5, 1923, in Seattle, Washington, the son of George J. and Vivian Fader.  He attended local schools in the Seattle area. 

Carroll enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1942 and was called to active duty during World War II on February 21, 1943.  After completing boot camp in St. Augustine, FL. and Savannah, GA., Carroll went on to complete quartermaster training in Manhattan Beach, NY, port duties in South Carolina, California and Washington.  Carroll was stationed on the U.S.S. Carson City (PF-50) and the Columbia Lightship #93.  During his time on the Carson City he participated in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, worked New Guinea area, Philippine Liberation and ultimately weather patrol in the North Pacific. Carroll received an honorable discharge from the US Coast Guard on May 18, 1946.

Carroll’s long passion and career in education and public service began after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts in 1950, a Bachelor of Education in 1951 and a Masters of Education in 1958; all from Washington State University. 

Moving his young family from Pullman, Washington to Ketchikan in 1951, Carroll’s career in education began teaching industrial arts in the Old Main School. Carroll touched many with his passion and tireless advocacy for vocational education in the State of Alaska.  Carroll spoke proudly of the time when he applied to the Federal government and was awarded a $300,000 grant.  The grant was used to develop the Ketchikan Sea Ed project, a maritime and fisheries program for high school students.  Many of his students went on to careers with the U.S. Navy, Alaska Marine Highway, Alaska Sea Pilot’s Association, airline captains, air taxi operators and local business owners. - More...
Thursday PM - October 20, 2011

 
      

The Cost of Living in Alaska
Download: May 2011 Alaska Economic Trends

Real Time U.S. Debt Clock
http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Public Service Announcements
Public Meetings & Info

Ketchikan Animal Control

arrow Adopt a Dog
arrow Adopt a Cat
arrow Adopt Another Animal

Ketchikan Borough Assembly

Live Video streamarrowLive video stream of current meeting
arrowArchived videos
arrow Agenda and Information Packets
arrowAssembly Meeting Minutes

arrow Borough Records
arrow Calendar

Ketchikan Planning Commission

Live Video stream arrowLive video stream of current meeting
arrowAgenda, Information Packets & Minutes

Ketchikan City Council

Video Stream

arrowView a Video of Meeting
arrowAgenda & Information Packets

Ketchikan School Board

Live Video streamarrowLive video stream of current meeting
arrowAgenda & Information Packets

Gravina Access Project SEIS Alternatives Development

arrow Gravina Access Website

Ketchikan

arrow Jobs
arrow Ketchikan Police Reports
arrow AK Troopers Daily Dispatch
arrow Today's Forecast
arrow Satellite
arrow Today's Weather Images
arrow Marine Forecasts
arrow AK Weathercams
arrow Ketchikan Weather Data
arrow Current AK Weather Map


CLASSIFIEDS

arrow Publish

Publish Your Ad
Click Here


CLASSIFIEDS' CATEGORIES

arrow Announcements and
--Help Wanted
arrow For Sale / Free Stuff
arrow Garage Sales
arrow Homes / Apts/ Property
arrow Pets
arrow Wanted
arrow Lost & Found
arrow Publish Your Ad

Front Page Archives
Letter Archives
May - Oct. 2011
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
05 06 07 08 09 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 01 02
03 04 05 06 07 08 09
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 01 02 03 04 05 06
07 08 09 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 28 30 01
02 03 04 05 06 07 08
09 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20    

arrow More Front Page Archives & Archived Letters...

Viewpoints
Commentary
Opinions/Letters
Basic Rules &
Freedom of Speech

Questions, please contact the editor at editor@sitnews.us or call 617-9696
Sitnews reserves the right to edit.

letter RE: Septic System Boondoggle By Don Borders - I am in complete agreement with Mr. Stallings and Mr. Fry. A larger, intrusive, wasteful local government competing with private companies is just wrong. Their, Ketchikan Gateway Borough council, actions are competing with the private sector and being a government function very inefficient and a waste our taxpayer dollars. Other operations within the Borough are privatized; a Local sanitation company has a fee-based collection operation. So why not include the septic systems dealing with the pumped sludge. - More...
Friday AM - October 21, 2011

letter Political humor By A.M.Johnson - During these times of political moments, this perhaps, is a outstanding addition to the political speak depicting the current debate. - More...
Friday AM - October 21, 2011

letter Baby Bear By Deborah Hayden - AWWWWWW! Wasn't he cute, the baby bear running through Tatsuda's produce section? Oh, boy, it's great he was on national news and put Ketchikan into the national spotlight for something other than Nowhere status. - More...
Friday AM - October 21, 2011

letter Perspective By James Schenk - With all the negatives that affect our lives everyday it is sometimes hard to keep things in perspective. Well I am not here to preach but only to suggest something again you have heard before. This is your life, one person in life can make a difference in anything we wish to pursue, even if you do not see immmediate results everything we do affects people around us. - More...
Friday AM - October 21, 2011

letter Septic System Boondoggle By Shelley Stallings - I am in complete agreement with Mr. Fry about the waste of money and resources our current septic system policy imposes upon Ketchikan home owners. This one size fits all doesn't fit all, probably only 'fits' 10% or less of home owners. The frequency of pumping needed for any specific septic system varies widely from 1 to 2 years at the high end to possibly 15-20 years on the low end. Being a single occupant home owner who monitors carefully what is being put into my septic tank, I estimate I have easily paid thousands of dollars MORE than required to keep my system operating efficiently since this wasteful program has been in place. - More...
Tuesday AM - October 18, 2011

letter RE: Anti-American Funeral Picketers By Sam Barnard - As a former Alaskan resident and Ketchikan resident, I can assure you Mr. Moskowitz that this group of misfits are being handled. - More...
Tuesday AM - October 18, 2011

letter Pioneers' Home By Donald Charles - The Charles family would like thank everyone at the Ketchikan Pioneers' Home for the care of our mother, Patricia. - More...
Saturday AM - October 15, 2011

letter Update: Morning Bus Stops By Amber Anderson - Ketchikan never ceases to amaze me. The community is very strong and alive here in Ketchikan. People in this community take matters to heart, make a difference and change for the good in our community. - More...
Saturday AM - October 15, 2011

letter Open Letter to KGB: Septic system By Edmund J. Fry, III - I am in receipt of a second notice to pump my septic system from Shoreline Services. - More...
Saturday AM - October 15, 2011

letter Clarification By Art Bailly - Just to clear a few things up. Mr. LeCompte, please go back and re-read my first post on this. To clarify your accusation of me not telling the truth and sounding like Sarah Palin, what I meant by' it doesn t matter' is that it was 6 years ago and I don't remember which cruise line company had the last spot open on the dock and don't remember the number of spots they had. My point was that the cruise ships have more than we do and we need to reserve more spots on the docks for locals to do business. The city said that there are only a certain number (I don't remember what that number is) of spaces on the docks and the only one left was taken by the cruise ships. Not a lie, just don't remember which cruise ship has it and the majority of them. - More...
Saturday AM - October 15, 2011

letter RE: Cruise ships and crossing guards By A. M. Johnson - I resent Tom LaCompt's inclusion, in my opinion, the slander of Sarah Palin's name into his rebuttal. The ability to debate successfully is the ability to focus on the issue. When one's position appears weak and the defense lacks purpose, name calling or besmirching of one's reputation becomes a fall back position in an attempt to deflect from acknowledgement of a that weak position. - More...
Saturday AM - October 15, 2011

letter Alaska is asleep at the switch on natural gas By  Bill Walker - I am perplexed by the lack of industry acknowledgement of Alaska’s vast resources of natural gas. - More...
Wednesday PM - October 12, 2011

letter Webmail your letter or
letter Email Your Letter To: editor@sitnews.us


E-mail your news tips, news
releases & photos to:
editor@sitnews.us

SitNews
Stories in the News
©1997 - 2011
Ketchikan, Alaska

In Memory of SitNews' editor
(1999-2006),
Richard (Dick) Kauffman

1932-2007

Mary Kauffman, Webmaster/Editor,
Publisher...
editor@sitnews.us
907 617 9696

 

Locally owned & operated.
Online since 1999

Created 1997

 Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted or redistributed without written permission from and payment of required fees to the proper sources.

Rick Martin, Marine Surveyor

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center

Tatsuda's IGA - Ketchikan, Alaska

Madison Lumber & Hardware - Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan Public Utilities - Ketchikan, Alaska
Sneak peek this week:
Top Chef: Week 1

Tongass Business Center

Ketchikan H20 - Ketchikan, Alaska

Tongass Federal Credit Union

Lighthouse Services - Ketchikan, Alaska

Alaska Car Rental - Ketchikan, Alaska

Southeast Loan & Pawn - Ketchikan, Alaska

Tongass School of Arts & Sciences - Ketchikan, Alaska

Tongass Forest Enterprises

Air Van Moving Group - Ketchikan, Alaska

McPherson Music - Ketchikan, Alaska

  
North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department

Visit our new
website at
www.northtongassfire.org
  

The Home Office - The Local Paper; Ketchikan, Alaska

SitNews

 

KPU - Salmon Landing webcam - Ketchikan, Alaska KPU Webcams - Ketchikan, Alaska