Alaska: Research Report Reveals Magnitude of Refiner Price Gouging in Alaska - Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) today released a research report prepared by the non-partisan Legislative Research Services Division that conclusively shows that price gouging by Alaskan refiners has continued unabated, and the average refiner margin in Alaska in August 2009 is twice the national average.

"During the last legislative session we were assured by a Tesoro representative that Alaskan gasoline prices were merely lagging behind those of the lower forty eight, and that they would soon come down," said Wielechowski. "These charts show that the refiners have continued to jack up the price of gas, even when the price of crude oil has gone down."

The refiner margin is very roughly the profit earnings, plus some costs, for a refiner. Tesoro and Flint Hills Refiners provide virtually all the refined gasoline for Alaska, with Tesoro dominating the gasoline refining, with over 80% of the market. According to the American Automobile Association, Alaska still has the highest gasoline prices in the nation today.

The Research Report shows refiner margin trends in Alaska, Washington and the United States since 2004. From January 2004 through July 2008, the refinery margins in Alaska have roughly tracked the refiner margins in Washington and the United States, with occasional fluctuations. However, when the price of oil spiked in the summer of 2008, Alaskan refiner margins exploded to $1.45 per gallon by October 2008, while the Washington and US average refiner margin peaked at 60 and 63 cents, respectively, in September 2008.

In November 2008, the Washington and US average refiner margins hovered at around 10 cents per gallon, while Alaska's refiner margin remained over 10 times higher, at $1.17 per gallon. As the Alaska legislative session progressed, and price gouging bills continued to be debated over Tesoro's and Flint Hills strong objections, the refiner margin difference narrowed. After the session ended in April, Alaska refiner margins dropped for two more months, hitting a low of 78 cents per gallon in June 2009, while the Washington refiner margin was 54 cents per gallon, and the US average refiner margin was 46 cents.

However, in July 2009, the Alaska refiner margin spiked again to $1.02 per gallon, while the Washington and US refiner margins both dropped, to 48 cents and 35 cents, respectively.

"The evidence is plain and speaks for itself. Alaskans continue to be gouged by Tesoro and Flint Hills refineries," said Sen. Wielechowski. - More...
Wednesday - December 30, 2009

Alaska: Apply for Your 2010 PFD Starting January 1 - The 2010 PFD application period opens January 1, 2010, at 12:01 A.M. Filing is easy! Either go online to www.pfd.alaska.gov or obtain paper application forms in your community. If the division received a paper application from your household address in 2009, you will receive a packet which includes applications and the list of statewide distribution sites where additional forms and instructions can be obtained. A list of the 275 distribution sites are available by using the online lookup tool on the PFD website.

While you may apply either on paper or online, online filing is the fastest way to submit your 2010 PFD application. Every qualified Alaskan, including first time filers, can apply for their PFD online or on paper. First time online filers will need to print and mail a signature page to complete their application.

Any adult who received a 2009 PFD can set up a myAlaska account, using information from an Alaska driver's license or an Alaska ID, to electronically sign their or their children's application. Alaskans with a myAlaska account do not need to set up another account. Applicants who do not wish to use an electronic signature can still apply online and mail a printed signature page to the PFD Division. Visit www.pfd.alaska.gov to learn more about the electronic signature option or to set up a myAlaska account now.

According to PFD Operations Manager Dan DeBartolo, in 2009 the Division received 487,250 online applications, 75% of the nearly 652,000 on time and valid applications received for the 2009 PFD. DeBartolo encourages all Alaskans to discover for themselves the convenience of applying for a PFD electronically. - More...
Wednesday - December 30, 2009

Alaska: New Alaska Minimum Wage Effective Jan. 1 - Alaska's minimum wage will increase to $7.75 an hour on Jan. 1, which is 50 cents above the $7.25 federal minimum wage.

When Senate Bill 1 was signed into law in June, it increased Alaska's minimum wage for the first time in more than six years, in two steps.

"In July, the law called for a 10 cent increase to match the federal minimum wage of $7.25," Labor Commissioner Click Bishop said. "Effective Jan. 1, Alaska's minimum wage will now automatically adjust to 50 cents above the federal minimum wage. Prior to 2003, Alaska's minimum wage was 50 cents above the federal minimum." - More...
Wednesday - December 30, 2009

Ketchikan: IFA to Serve Metlakatla; Driver Travels Free on IFA - The M/V Prince of Wales will be serving between Ketchikan and Metlakatla, in addition to daily round-trip service between Hollis and Ketchikan, effective January 9, 2010 and until further notice. We have agreed to provide round-trip service daily except Tuesday and Wednesday, during the period when the Alaska Marine Highway's M/V Lituya is out of service for scheduled maintenance, said Inter-Island Ferry Authority's general manager Bruce Jones.

The IFA ferry will depart Ketchikan at 11:30am, arriving Metlakatla at 2:00pm (Metlakatla time), and depart Metlakatla at 2:30pm (Metlakatla time), arriving Ketchikan at 3:00pm. Fares charged by the IFA will be the same as published for the M/V Lituya, including free transportation for the driver of a vehicle, effective January through April. Full restaurant service will be available aboard the M/V Prince of Wales.

The Inter-Island Ferry Authority has also announced that the driver of a vehicle traveling on the Ketchikan-Hollis and Ketchikan-Metlakatla routes will not be charged the passenger fare, on all sailings between January 1 and April 30, 2010. - More...
Wednesday - December 30, 2009

Ketchikan: NTFD Presents Fire Fighters Awards for 2009 - The North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department (NTVFD) held its annual awards ceremony December 12th. Awards, voted on by members of the department, are intended to acknowledge extra efforts made by members throughout the year according to information provided by Chief Dave Hull.

The recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award went to Greg Brown. Brown was nominated by his peers for his eagerness to lend a hand and for his ability to remain calm during stressful situations said Hull. It was Brown's ability to stay calm during a recent call where despite being momentarily short handed on a fire scene, due to the fact all other personnel were required on a related medical call, Brown was able to supervise the extinguishment of the fire said Hull. While only an official member of the department for a short period of time, Brown has a long-standing relationship of offering his services and skills to the department whenever help is needed said Hull. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

Ketchikan: AMHS Reschedules Matanuska's Return from Overhaul - The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry Matanuska will return to the 11-vessel fleet on January 26, 2010, following an extensive overhaul period in Ketchikan.

The ship was originally slated to return to service Jan. 12. Passengers previously booked to travel aboard Matanuska have been reassigned to sail aboard the Taku.

While the Matanuska remains in overhaul status, the ferry Taku and its crew will continue to provide service along Matanuska's regularly scheduled routes.

During the ship's overhaul that began Nov. 14, engineers have been upgrading the vessel's controllable pitch propeller (CPP) system. When the installation is complete, the vessel will be equipped with the most current CPP model. The CPP provides the highest propulsive efficiency for any speed and load condition. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

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Vandalism By Lois Munch - A random act of meanness. The most polite way to describe the vandalism to my car on December 27 while it was parked by the Frog Pond on the old Ward Lake Road. - More...
Wednesday PM - December 30, 2009

Officer in our schools By Charles Edwardson - Sometimes "maybe" I hit the wrong button and delete instead of send, but I sometimes send in letters that do not make this publication. I will be careful to SEND this one. I know it's not the sarcasm I mentioned in the"about section" that keeps my comments out of this publication.  - More...
Wednesday PM - December 30, 2009

Pay raises and other things By A.M.Johnson - Seems a nerve was stuck!! If Mr. Kling were to once again read the piece on pay raises and other things it will become clearer for him and other like thinking souls. - More...
Wednesday PM - December 30, 2009

RE: Speak up (O.K.) By James J. Schenk - Thank you Chaz Edwardson for your intelligent response to a problem that may face a lot of people soon. The loss of any job in a community such as Ketchikan is a tragedy, believe me I know. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

PROPOSED SMOKING TAX By Teri J. Wilson - The following is an open letter to the Members and Mayor of Ketchikan Gateway Borough: With disgust I read the article in the newspaper of Monday, December 21, 2009, wherein the borough is considering a cigarette tax, the supposed reasons for this are to discourage underage smoking and to create a new revenue source. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

RE: Obama's Czars By Gail Calhoun - I appreciate Mr. Johnson's letter of Nov.30, 2009, which compiled the new leaders in Obama's circle. I feel like this list is very informative. It offers the reader background information, and anything that offers more clarity is needed, because too much is filtered out of the news that is available these days. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

Bob Norton By Ken Leland - Like Neil Gray, I was also saddened to read of Bob Norton's passing. I knew that he gave a good fight until the end, yet was always upbeat despite his illness. I fondly remember those days at KTKN in the 80's when we worked at the radio station. He and Tom Allison used to collaborate on some very creative radio ads, and they always came to me as the station engineer to ask for my response. They always cracked me up! I will always remember his "Gramps" characterizations and some of the other zany pieces they put together. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

RE: Pay raises, and other goodies By Mike Kling - Congress does not vote on COLAs. It is set by a fixed formula based on the CPI (comsumer price index). There was no increase in the 2009 CPI, therefore no COLA increase for 2010. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

White House Immersed In Pork Barrel By Donald A. Moskowitz - When President Obama was campaigning for President he made a solemn pledge he would eliminate or reduce earmarks. He broke that promise during the push to implement the new healthcare program. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

Make a difference By Carol Alley - Reach out, offer understanding, if you want to make a difference. - More...
Tuesday - December 29, 2009

KPU TELEPHONE SALE: SPEAK UP By Charles Edwardson - WHAT do the Ketchikan telephone division employees think?? Last year I ran for city council. I went to several forums with telephone division employees at these meetings. I asked about the sale of the division and none of them spoke up. I told them I would stand with them, but not for them. They would not express their likes or dislikes about the pending sale -- in confidence I was told they feared for their jobs. This made no sense what so ever to me. Grown men and women (THEORETICALLY) represented by some phantom union that supposedly protects their interests, scared to lose jobs?? Guess what guys,, you're going to anyway if the utility sells so what have you got to lose? (Speak Up) - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

RE: Stimulate not Obliterate By Don Borders - Rhonda Green is correct in the position she wrote about on Sitnews Viewpoint. When I came to this town, I had to pay large deposits on the Electric and Telephone service. Nevertheless, I was happy to get them as other communities in Southeast Alaska had neither. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Open Letter to Sen. Begich By Rodney Dial - Dear Senator Begich, I am writing you in this forum because you seem unwilling to respond to those who question your support of the health care reform bills. My question for you is this: Since you support the Senate Health Care Reform plan, which is designed to comply with the President's mandate that the reform be "deficit neutral" (if that is even possible), can we expect you to stand by ALL elements of this bill? Specifically, this legislation requires congress to cut Medicare by $480 Billion over the next ten years. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Open letter to Sen. Begich By Jay Jones - Could Sen. Mark Begich please explain to me this part of the Health Care Bill you just voted for? "Section 3403 it shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment, or conference report that would repeal or otherwise change this subsection. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Another chance! By Al Johnson - Is it not the time for Senator Beigch to come to our local community's assistance? It would seem so. I believe all it would take would be the local Moderate/liberal Republicans jointly with the "Everything is free and all for Me" Democrats, in a bipartisan way, approach Senator Begich to make his vote for National Health Care worth something. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Bridge to Nob Hill By Rhett Jackson - The article, Pelosi snares millions in earmarks for her area from defense bill By JOE GAROFOLI, contained a piece of data interesting to Ketchikanites: The earmarks include $54 million for a flood-control project that will raise two trestles used by the Napa Valley Wine Train. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Our Community Spirit is Showing! By Bobbie McCreary - The Ketchikan City Council tackled the very difficult challenge of balancing their budget in tough economic times, with an uncertain future of tax revenues ahead. Beyond the wisdom of the council members, what impressed me was how the community stepped forward to give what they could to help. To help save jobs, employees offered to take furlough days without pay. To help protect the City's revenue, Kevin Gadsey withdrew his request for a donation of the rental fee at the Ted Ferry Civic Center for a SAIL event and offered his personal donation to cover this cost instead. This modeling of the community pulling together was really inspiring. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Cut equally or not at all By Beth Antonsen - This letter is written to encourage all of you to reconsider the recent cuts to the non-profits. It is commendable that you have decided to reinstate some of the non-profits to 90% of their budgets but there are still two vital agencies you have left at 50% in cuts. Please, if you are going to cut the agencies do it equally the same to all, including to the Visitor's Bureau. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Bob Norton By Neil Gray - I was very saddened when I received the news of Bob Norton passing away Monday. Beginning back in the 1970's Bob and I not only were working partners on the air and in Kayhi Sports on KTKN Radio, but became good friends. I'll always remember the days Bob and I covered Kayhi Basketball and Senior League Baseball. He was an excellent color commentator (and filled in play by play when I lost my voice), but one of the best stats man I ever had. He delveloped into a very good play by play man as well. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Parenting podcast By Inge Kummant - As a teacher and the parent of a teen, I often have the challenges of parenting on my mind. If you are a parent, did you know that there is a podcast and radio show available online from the award-winning, well-established, tried and true Love and Logic Institute? - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

What happened with the Christmas Lights? By Terry Miles - As everyone might have noticed, the Christmas "Snowflake" Lights that we've enjoyed in the past that hang on the power poles along Tongass Ave. are, at best, let's say, "Random", this year. I was wondering why? In years past the decorations hung from at least every other power pole. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Beautiful lights By Laurie Hodne - For the family that lives on 2nd Ave that went to obvious extensive work in your light/music display for us to enjoy, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!! - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Christmas Spirit By Ken Leland - As a long time Forest Park resident, I applaud your efforts and appreciate your obvious Christmas Spirit. I am disappointed that there is someone who would rather act as Scrooge and spoil it for you and all of us who appreciate your efforts. Please don't let this person or persons dampen your Christmas Spirit. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Puppy scams By Kathy Brendible - I read the BBB article on puppy scams and I was also a part of that. After reading the article it sounds exactly like what happened to me just last Christmas. I also thought I was buying a bull dog from a breeder, but the exact same thing happened . They said to send money by Western Union and I did . They said that the puppy was going to be shipped and it never showed and I never got any information on the shipping. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

RE: Dog Park By Kristin Coffin - Mr. Reed, I completely agree with you! I have two dogs of my own, and have thoroughly enjoyed using the local dog parks in WA and OR while completing graduate school. One of my concerns regarding a move back to town is the lack of open, safe space for my dogs to run and play. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

RE: Dog Park By Kim Morton - The trail at D2 loop is the best place we have found for walking our dogs. You can hit the right side and walk for miles and miles, or go to the left and they have an open area that is usually free (but sometimes there are 4 wheelers in the area). It 's a great place because you can keep an eye on your dogs but it is sheltered in by the trees. Also we have never had any problems with people getting angry about off leash dogs because there is no rule against it. Hope to see you out there. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

RE: Dog Park By Chris Barry - Mr. Reed, it is nice to have a confirmation that there are some responsible pet owners in Ketchikan that have a desire to let their pets run loose without bothering others. I love being around dogs, and I've always enjoyed having dogs (currently I don't have one). I would support having a pet designated area such as a dog park for multiple reasons that I am sure many locals will agree with. - More...
Wednesday - December 23, 2009

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