The New Rain Gauge By Pamela Davies - As much as I wish I still lived in Ketchikan, I do not. I was born and raised to love the rain, and this story really sparked my interest... My first thought was, "Awesome! I love art!" My immediate thought after that was, "what a waste of money!!!" Don't get me wrong, the tourists need SOMETHING to look at, I guess. Why not our beautiful city? - More...
Monday PM - November 25, 2013

Running as a Democrat By A.M. Johnson - Been waiting patiently for a Democrat to announce his or her running for the Alaska State House. As I await I have given thought to the changing political scene where the Independent Party has attracted a logically thought of Democrat contender while the Democrat Party standing silent with no contender. That requires action. Given an open forum as well as an open candidacy I am giving thought to registering and running as a Democrat. You may ask why. As an example I am so taken with the Democrats Alternative Health Care progress as an example demonstrate the wonders of Big Government, I'd be jumping right in advocating the State of Alaska participate to the tune of Billions of our fiscal holdings. - More...
Monday PM - November 25, 2013

Save the Republic By Glen E Terrell - This is OUR COUNTRY!  We don’t have to accept the trash coming out of Washington DC that’s being presented to us as “the fruit of the government of the greatest nation on Earth.”  The president’s approval rating is 37% and that of Congress is about 9%.  Collectively those we have elected to govern us are unfit to do so.  It’s time for “change that really matters.” - More...
Monday PM - November 25, 2013

RE: Alexander Archipelago Wolves By Duane Hill - Alaska natives chased the glaciers up and ate fish. Wolves did not show up until after the deer established themselves. In other words, humans were here first, wolves are an invasive species. - More...
Thursday PM - November 21, 2013

Alaska’s busy week: Demonstrating its contempt for Alaska Natives By Mark Trahant - The State of Alaska had a busy week. There are only so many ways to demonstrate contempt for Alaska Natives. Yet the state seemed to find many ways. Logic be damned. - More...
Thursday PM - November 21, 2013

Random Acts of Kindness By Janet Engle - That is such a great act; pretty sure I know who did it as it was someone's birthday celebration, but so cool. - More...
Thursday PM - November 21, 2013

Ketchikan Rain Gauge By Debby Ward - I so agree with Sheri, What are these people thinking!! $96,000 for a rain gauge... You have got to be kidding me, Not to mention the $6,000 + they already paid some one to say we should hire outside the state, Really!! - More..
Thursday PM - November 21, 2013

Obamacare By Duane Hill - Mr Noggles certainly likes the understatement. As of 18 Nov, the number of people who had their insurance CANCELLED was over 5 million. The number able to sign up was around 50 thousand, or one percent. The whole idea is incredibly stupid as any young person who signs up for this mess is an idiot. - More...
Thursday PM - November 21, 2013

Support for Citizen's comment - KIC By James Llanos Sr - On 11-18-2013, several people rose and talked to the Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) Council to make comments.  Some commented on a need to provide better or more services, some about programs.  Once speaker, David Jensen, rose and talked to the KIC Council about their responsibility and duties as Council people of the Tribe.  He spoke about having a need for everyone to work together and that if they as individual Council persons exceed their authority, rules, regulations and Tribal laws then they are submitting themselves as being liable and subject to lawsuit as individuals.  He is right, I have seen this in other Tribes across the nation.  The Tribes lawyers are then unable to defend them as individuals since they go beyond their authority.  - More...
Tuesday PM - November 19, 2013

Random Acts of Kindness By Julia Zink-Kubley - I am along time resident of Ketchikan, born and raised here. It was on a cold and raining day this week while sewing in my Sew Suite and recovering from a (mild) case of the shingles that a young lady knocked at my door. She explained that it was her birthday and that to celebrate she was doing random acts of kindness. She handed me a large gift bag with necessary items in it. I thanked and wished her a Happy Birthday and waved to the group of friends down on the sidewalk. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013

The Arctic Opens Up By Donald A. Moskowitz - The article "Icy Frontier" in the October 2013 Military Officer magazine outlines the need for the U.S. to become more involved in the Arctic region. - More....
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013

Rain Gauge By Sheri Robertson - It's incredible how much money Ketchikan individuals pay out for nonsense items and I believe this is one of them. Like paying $96,000.00 for a Rain Gauge, REALLY...????? - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013

Rain Gauge By Laura Plenert - Perhaps the "$95,000.00 Rain Gauge debacle" will replace our spot on the map as the "bridge to nowhere" town.  Nothing wrong with the old one.  Thousands of people love it and have their pictures taken in front of.  I'm betting they would continue to take their pictures in front of it. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013 

Rights of Persons with Disabilities By Debbie Nance - We’ve just celebrated Veterans Day where we honored men and women who fought to preserve freedom and the sovereignty of the United States.  I am so thankful for what they do and have done. 

It has come to my attention that our US Senators are considering passage of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and that both of our Alaska US Senators support the ratifying of this dangerous treaty.  This treaty essentially threatens the sovereignty of the United States, one of the things that our Veterans fought hard for.  This treaty would give the United Nations authority over US citizens.  It would give the UN the right to make laws that would supersede US laws. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013

The Philippines' Wild Wild West By Joey Garcia - The recent rampaging typhoon, triple that of Katrina, name Yolanda within the Philippines area of responsibility,. or Haijan internationally, tested the 1,107 island group in their skills, not only with the present political scandal called the Pork Barrel Scam that up to the present, the Senate investigative arm called the Blue Ribbon Committee seemed helpless against a woman dubbed as the queen of this pork barrel scam operations, and the diplomatic covers of named 3 Senators and 12 members of Congress. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013

Alexander Archipelago Wolves By Rebecca Noblin - Thank you very much for your good story about our Alexander Archipelago wolf letter. I have one point of correction. You correctly note that we assert the wolf “is a unique Alaska subspecies of gray wolf.” But in the next paragraph you say, “Not everyone agrees that the Alexander Archipelago wolves are a unique species.” We are not arguing that they are a unique species, but a unique subspecies of the gray wolf. And as you go on to point out, the state of Alaska agrees that the Alexander Archipelago wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf. There is agreement all around on this point. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013

Last U.S.lead processing smelter and Affordable Health Care Act By A. M. Johnson- Recently a letter of concern regarding the eminent closing of the last U.S. lead processing plant due to overbearing EPA edicts was submitted to Representative Don Young requesting a response preferably by email as that is a requirement of the Representative's web site to facility submitting a letter to his attention. - More...
Saturday PM - November 16, 2013

The Skatepark is Happening! By Bob Fultz - The Shane Howard White Memorial Skatepark is nearing completion. After years in the making, Ketchikan is about to become the proud owners of a 21st Century skatepark that meets the criteria of all skaters - skateboarders, inline skaters and scooters.  Best of all, a 24/7 streaming web camera system will make use of the park totally transparent, available at any time—promoting  safe and appropriate usage - accessible for your viewing pleasure by going to www.kyiyouth.org from the convenience of your computer or smart phone. Very nice huh! - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013

Thank you By Kathy Paulson - I hiked the Carlanna Lake Trail this morning and was once again reminded how lucky we are to live here. Thank you to all involved in building and maintaining our trail system. I appreciate being able to hike so close to town. - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013

New Rain Gauge By D.A. Johnson - I read with interest the plan to replace the rain gauge on the dock for $96,000.00. How a panel of local Arts people decided to hire some artist from somewhere overseas to paint it and erect it. Is this town INSANE? People talk about out of control spending on the Federal level, and it is right here in Ketchikan. - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013

Open Letter: Obamacare - NOT AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT - By Laura Plenert - I am a normal, average, healthy American/ Alaskan. I have paid for my own Health Insurance for the past 4 years as a conscience choice. It has gone up incrementally each year with NO changes in coverage. I CHOSE the plan, it suited me had everything I wanted/needed, it was affordable and it met my needs (I DO NOT NEED OR WANT PRENATAL OR CHILDBIRTH COVERAGE AND DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING I WILL NEVER USE). - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013

RE: Affordable Care Act By Norm Noggle - As we have seen, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act has been less than stellar. Yes, there are people who are going to pay more as the act stands now. Is that a good reason to throw out an entire law that has been voted on and approved by the Senate, House, and President. I don't think so. - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013

KTUU By Robert Finlay - As a locum tenens practitioner, frequenting these communities, it has been only a negative experience I have had with GCI.  They do not seem to play nicely with anybody.  My AT&T iPhone doesn’t work due to greed, and despite paying dearly for the use of phone, and supposedly getting cable news, at least they did not replace KTUU with FOX NEWS. - More...
Wednesday AM - November 13, 2013