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SitNews - Stories In The News - Ketchikan, Alaska
Tuesday
December 13, 2016

Front Page Feature Photo By ALANNAH FARLOW

Rotary Beach Starfish
Front Page Feature Photo By ALANNAH FARLOW
©2016

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Arctic:
Unprecedented Arctic warmth in 2016 triggers massive decline in sea ice, snow - A new NOAA-sponsored report shows that unprecedented warming air temperature in 2016 over the Arctic contributed to a record-breaking delay in the fall sea ice freeze-up, leading to extensive melting of Greenland ice sheet and land-based snow cover.

Unprecedented Arctic warmth in 2016 triggers massive decline in sea ice, snow

Permafrost is thawing across the Arctic, causing northern lands to sink or change shape, according to the new Arctic Report Card. In Gates of the Arctic National Park, a bank of this lake thawed, allowing the Okokmilaga River to cut through and drain it to the sea.
Photo courtesy National Park Service

Now in its 11th year, the Arctic Report Card, released today at the annual American Geophysical Union fall meeting in San Francisco, is a peer-reviewed report that brings together the work of 61 scientists from 11 nations who report on air, ocean, land and ecosystem changes. It is a key tool used around the world to track changes in the Arctic and how those changes may affect communities, businesses and people.

“Rarely have we seen the Arctic show a clearer, stronger or more pronounced signal of persistent warming and its cascading effects on the environment than this year,” said Jeremy Mathis, director of NOAA’s Arctic Research Program. “While the science is becoming clearer, we need to improve and extend sustained observations of the Arctic that can inform sound decisions on environmental health and food security as well as emerging opportunities for commerce.”

Five University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers are among the 61 contributors to the report. They include Atmospheric Sciences Professor Uma Bhatt, Vice Chancellor for Research Larry Hinzman, Institute of Arctic Biology Researcher Martha Raynolds, IAB Professor Donald “Skip” Walker and International Arctic Research Center Chief Scientist John Walsh.

Hinzman co-authored a chapter in the report about the importance of viewing the warming Arctic as an interconnected system, rather than a series of individual changes. That integrated environment is one of the themes of the report.

Hinzman said the contents of the report aren’t surprising. Each subsequent NOAA report has showed an advancing trend toward a warmer Arctic, he said.

“We’ve been on a single trajectory - the temperatures are warming, sea ice is declining, permafrost is thawing,” Hinzman said. “That’s been the theme, year after year after year.” - More...
Tuesday PM - December 13, 2016

Arctic: Scientists see 'new Arctic' is more prone to melting and storms - Scientists in a rare and sometimes dangerous study of the Arctic have found that the region's thinning sea ice is more prone to melting and storms, threatening its role as a moderator of the planet's climate.

The researchers reached this conclusion after spending almost half a year, much of it on a ship frozen into the ice, as part of the first wintertime expedition to examine the younger, thinner sea ice that typifies the "new Arctic." They discussed their findings in the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union. -


Researchers on the ice.
Photo by Tor Ivan Karlsen, WSU


"Many things we experienced took us by surprise," said Mats Granskog, a research scientist at the Norwegian Polar Institute and chief scientist of the Norwegian young sea ICE, or N-ICE2015 project. "We saw that the new Arctic, with much thinner sea ice only three to four feet thick, functions much differently from the Arctic we knew only 20 years ago, when the ice was much thicker."

Global warming is proving to be particularly hard on the Arctic, with late summer sea ice coverage less than half of what it was in the 1970s. While they can't specifically link their short-term observations to climate change, the N-ICE researchers worry that the reduced sea-ice coverage and thickness will lead to even more melting, the so-called "Arctic amplification." Most of the solar energy that reaches Arctic snow and sea ice gets reflected back into space. But when the snow and ice is replaced by darker, open water, most of the energy gets absorbed and in turn helps melt more ice.

Now, the researchers say, what ice is left is particularly vulnerable. The thinner and younger ice works differently, said Granskog. It moves faster, breaks up more easily and is more vulnerable to winds and storms.

Von Walden, a Washington State University professor of civil and environmental engineering, spent a month on the project and helped to document the first observations of how winter storms affect the surface energy balance of the young, thinner sea ice.

Von Walden saw how high winds move the ice, stressing and breaking it. The winds also transport large amounts of heat and moisture.

One winter storm raised the surface temperature from -40 F to 32 F in less than 48 hours, while the moisture in the air increased by 10 times. These storms also bring clouds. All of these factors significantly warm the surface at a time when there is no sunlight, he said. - More...
Tuesday PM - December 13, 2016


 

Ketchikan: Efforts to thaw frozen pipes cause fire - Monday morning the Ketchikan Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from an outlet in a residence located near the 300 block of Deermount. On arrival crews found smoke coming from the residence and upgraded the alarm to a structure fire. The resident had evacuated the home prior to the Fire Department's arrival.

The Ketchikan Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from an outlet in a residence located near the 300 block of Deermount
Photo courtesy City of Ketchikan Fire Department

The fire was located under the structure extending up through a wall into the house. Crews used fans to remove the smoke from the middle and upper floors of the house.

No injuries to the occupant or firefighters were reported.

Units from South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, City of Ketchikan Police Department and KPU power also provided assistance. In all, three engines, one ladder truck, two ambulances and three command units responded with thirty three (33) personnel including on and off duty paid and volunteer staff. - More...
Tuesday PM - December 13, 2016

Columns - Commentary

jpg Jeff Lund

JEFF LUND: Risk & Reward - Life is an equation of risk and reward.

Will the benefits of this risk be worth it? I thought about this when I was looking online for stuff I wanted to convince myself I needed for Christmas. Things like a new GPS, a SPOT locator… you know, responsible toys.

In movies and books the main character is forced to move into a world of conflict. In real life, we don’t have to. Once we have achieved a level of comfort, we might not be compelled to move, challenge or change ourselves. Couch. TV. Netflix. Boom.

If for some reason we do feel compelled to recruit adventure into our routine, it provides an added zest to our existence.

Life is scary and dangerous enough as it is, but Alaskans do lots of things to make it even moreso in the name of fulfillment. We want, maybe need, to push the limits. - More...
Tuesday PM - December 13, 2016


 
jpg Ron Paul
RON PAUL: War on 'Fake News' Part of a War on Free Speech - A major threat to liberty is the assault on the right to discuss political issues, seek out alternative information sources, and promote dissenting ideas and causes such as non-interventionism in foreign and domestic affairs. If this ongoing assault on free speech succeeds, then all of our liberties are endangered.

One of the most common assaults on the First Amendment is the attempt to force public policy organizations to disclose their donors. Regardless of the intent of these laws, the effect is to subject supporters of controversial causes to harassment, or worse. This harassment makes other potential donors afraid to support organizations opposing a popular war or defending the rights of an unpopular group.

Many free speech opponents support laws and regulations forbidding activist or educational organizations from distributing factual information regarding a candidate's positions for several months before an election. The ban would apply to communications that do not endorse or oppose any candidate. These laws would result in the only sources of information on the candidate's views being the campaigns and the media.

Recently the Federal Election Commission (FEC) rejected a proposal to add language exempting books, movies, and streaming videos from its regulations. The majority of FEC commissioners apparently believe they should have the power, for example, to ban Oliver Stone's biography of Edward Snowden, since it was released two months before the election and features clips of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump discussing Snowden.

The latest, and potentially most dangerous, threat to the First Amendment is the war on "fake news." Those leading the war are using a few "viral" Internet hoaxes to justify increased government regulation ---- and even outright censorship ---- of Internet news sites. Some popular websites, such as Facebook, are not waiting for the government to force them to crack down on fake news. - More...
Tuesday PM - December 13, 2016


jpg Editorial Cartoon: Popular Vote Tree and Electoral College Tree

Editorial Cartoon: Popular Vote Tree and Electoral College Tree
By RJ Matson ©2016, Roll Call
Distributed to subscribers for publication by Cagle Cartoons, Inc.

      

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letter Shrinking Budgets and the Drug Epidemic Create the Perfect Storm… Not SB 91 By Alaska Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth - Change is hard but it can also provide opportunities. Last spring, an opportunity presented itself when our legislature and Governor Walker enacted Senate Bill 91, broadly reforming our criminal justice system. Before this happened, the legislature asked the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission to study our system and recommend changes. The Commission did this and came up with recommendations based on evidence of what worked in other states. This became the foundation for SB 91. The Commission – including Department of Public Safety Commissioner Monegan, Department of Corrections Commissioner Williams, and me as head of the Department of Law, all agree that SB 91 is the right path for our State. But it will improve public safety in the long run only if the State sees the reform efforts through. Tweaks will be needed to the new law, and the Commission will monitor implementation and recommend changes where needed. - More...
Sunday AM - December 11, 2016

letter Autopsy of Clinton's Loss By Donald Moskowitz - I am perturbed that Hillary Clinton and her campaign staff are blaming FBI Director James Comey for Clinton’s election defeat. Director Comey sent out a letter to Congress 11 days prior to the election reopening the investigation into Clinton’s emails. Two days prior to the election he stated there was nothing incriminating in the emails, and he was closing out the investigation. They claim he adversely impacted her momentum a week before the election, which is probably true. However, Director Comey should not be scapegoated for Clinton’s loss, because there are many reasons she lost the election. - More...
Sunday AM - December 11, 2016

letter RE: Making an Enrollment List and Checking It Twice By Laura Plenert - Just checking - this kind of 'information' should also be provided to be able to vote in an elections, right???? - More...
Sunday AM - December 11, 2016

letter Making an Enrollment List and Checking It Twice By Susan Johnson - Applications usually require supporting information and documents. Job applications, school applications, car insurance applications, scholarship applications, loan applications, and of course health insurance applications, require you to have certain information available to complete the process. While no one likes completing applications, it tends to go much more smoothly if you’re prepared. - More...
Thursday AM - December 08, 2016

letter How to Put Building Permits on a Fast Track By U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan - President-elect Donald Trump has made investing in U.S. infrastructure a priority. This country urgently needs to build and repair roads, bridges, airports, pipelines and rail lines. But a huge roadblock is the federal permitting system. Even with a more business-friendly administration, a trillion-dollar infrastructure plan won’t accomplish much unless Congress reforms the way public-works projects are approved. - More...
Tuesday AM - December 06, 2016

letter Giving Thanks By Nina Kemppel - As we approach the season for giving thanks and the time when we reflect on how grateful we are for the blessings in our daily lives, I want to acknowledge all of the individuals, community members, organizations, and visionaries whose generosity and service has made Alaska a place we are proud to call home. Despite the challenges our state has undergone this year, I find that we at The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) are in a fortunate vantage point to see how Alaskans have come together to weather the storm and have supported their communities now more than ever. At ACF, we witness your generosity every single day. - More...
Tuesday AM - December 06, 2016

letter KCCB in the Plaza Mall By Judith Green - QUESTION: What is a great way to utilize the open space in the Plaza Mall during the month of December? YES, filled with Chrismas music from the Ketchikan Community Concert Band. Many of us were thrilled to hear the sounds of music coming from that space Saturday. The KCCB gave us heart warming sounds as we went about visiting the local artisans and their creative, hand made items. - More...
Tuesday AM - December 06, 2016

letter Public Lands By Joe Ashcraft - It is interesting that the letter from Fielder is in a Ketchikan on line forum, soliciting for state control of federally administered lands in a different state. Maybe it had to do with corporations in Alaska wanting to trade for lands with uncut timber; lands now belonging to others. - More...
Tuesday AM - December 06, 2016

letter KCC's Historic Christmas program By Judith Green - Ketchikan Community Chorus has put together a program that is fun, interesting, informative, and professional. There is the musical director and conductor and the chorus, of course: all local people who gather together to practice together because (?) they enjoy music. Once again we are not disappointed in the wonderful program they present for the community to enjoy. - More...
Tuesday AM - December 06, 2016

letter RE: President Elect must Divest By Laura Plenert - Just wondering - does this include Presidents that come into office with literally nothing and walk away millionaires??? - More
Tuesday AM - December 06, 2016

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