Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Alaska state ferry not just for tourists
I read with interest the story about increasing the cost to ride the ferry system, and wonder what input there is from those towns not on the "tourist" runs.
Kreitzer conveniently ignores the facts
Annette Kreitzer painted a false picture with regard to the offers she made to state employee unions. A 4 percent increase for the General Government Union may be more than they have had in years, but she conveniently ignores the fact that over the course of the past 20 years, state salaries have actually decreased by 40 percent when compared to the Anchorage consumer price index.
Bristol Bay's natural resources good as gold
I have just become aware of the proposed Pebble Mine in the Bristol Bay watershed in Alaska. I encourage the citizens of Alaska to resist the lure of the potential wealth the developers of this mine hope to create. The price is much too high.
We have a common enemy - apathy
When Pete Weber suggested in his Oct. 8 letter that environmentalists and unions have sent our manufacturing jobs overseas ("Liberals, unions cause damage to the nation,") my first thought was that he is granting these organizations far more power than they really possess.
Stop domestic violence in Juneau
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. AWARE and the Juneau Domestic Violence Task Force submitted this letter:
Urge Alaska delegation to help override veto
It was ironic that the very day President Bush vetoed the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, we in Juneau awoke to hear that our community voted down protection for our children's dental health.
No surprise over fluoride vote outcome
It's not the least bit surprising to me that even after the people of Juneau voted with their health in mind, letters continue to pour in to the newspaper. I'm almost positive that for this one that was printed, 25 more were left on the cutting room floor.
Police & Fire
Reports from police, fire officials and state troopers
Still no clear winners in Angoon council election
Fifteen days after the Angoon city election, the community still doesn't know who won the three open city council seats, and the election is shrouded with questions of legality.
Photo: Perfect shot
Etienne Soboleff, a fifth-grader at Glacier Valley School, raises her hands in excitement Monday after her basketball goes through the net while playing H-O-R-S-E with high school student volunteer Alex O'Neal-Smith at the Juneau Boys and Girls Club.
Police & Fire
Reports from police, fire officials and state troopers
City OKs security cameras for docks
Big Brother could be watching you - even in Juneau. The Juneau Assembly appropriated $219,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at its regular meeting Monday.
Photo: Celebrating new business
Rob Skinner, the owner of Skinner Sales and Service, right, watches Monday as cook Saia "Joe" Lehauli prepares roasted pig and sweet potatoes following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Hundreds await housing vouchers
Her daughter was just 3 years old when Rayda Renshaw found herself homeless for the first time.
Recruiter complains about school protesters
National Guard recruiter Sgt. Seth Beebe asked the Juneau School Board to consider restricting protest groups' access to Juneau-Douglas High School while military recruitment is underway on campus.
Photo: Preparing for restoration
Addison Field, curator of collections and exhibits for the Juneau-Douglas Museum, looks Monday at an oystercatcher head, a piece that came loose from the "Four-Story Totem Pole" outside of the museum.
Living with Bears
Continued education and enforcement of the city's garbage laws has cut down on the number of nuisance bears in Juneau, city and state officials said Tuesday.
Dock representative of the season
Elizabeth Schoenfeld, holding award, poses with Princess Tours and Cruises staff after receiving her second Dock Representative of the Season award. Schoenfeld spent the season as customer service supervisor for Alaska Travel Adventures in Juneau.
Rountrees celebrate 50 years
Richard and Lucile Rountree celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family on Sept. 8, in the Gastineau Suite of the Baranof Hotel. Both were graduates of Juneau-Douglas High School, Richard in 1955 and Lucile in 1956.
Neighbors mailbox
Thanks for attending dance studio event; Thanks for a wonderful flower display this year; Thanks for helping our volleyball tourney; Thanks for making our conference a success;
Neighbors Digest
Red Cross to offer free disaster trainingFriday through Sunday; Southeast Alaska Career Center to open officially on Thursday; UAS Student Wellness to host Luna Fest film festival on Oct. 20
Showing they care: Juneau celebrates Day of Caring
United Way's Day of Caring, held Oct. 4 and 6, matched up approximately 120 volunteers from 15 local businesses with projects at 14 area nonprofit organizations.
Pets of the week
Pets at the humane society don't fight like cats, birds, Come visit these adorable animals from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday or 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Gastineau Humane Society.
Father confesses his parental fear of flying
I have a confession to make. I don't like to fly. I never really have.
Garnick, Mathwig to wed
Donna Kingery Mathwig and Joshua Garnick, both of Sitka, will marry on Oct. 20, 2007, in a ceremony at the home of the groom's parents. The Rev. Walter Soboleff will officiate. A reception will follow at 6 p.m. at the Hanger Ballroom.
Martin Ebona Jr.
Longtime Juneau resident Martin Ebona Jr. died Oct. 15, 2007, in Juneau.
My turn: Officials need heart, a brain and courage
I remember it well. This little girl had the red shoes on, and this nice lady was telling her ever so sweetly that she had the power all along. All she had to do was close her eyes, click her heels together and say three times, "There's no place like home."
Outside editorial: Illegals are here for the jobs
A court ruling Oct. 10 threw a major wrench into the Bush administration's chief mechanism for blocking the employment of illegal immigrants in this country. Despite the ruling, we still think the administration had found the right formula for workplace enforcement and should keep pressing to implement it.
My turn: We need Juneau vs. Ketchikan middle school soccer
I have lived in Ketchikan for more than 15 years. My three children have gone through the school system enjoying the opportunity to compete in sports and other activities both at Ketchikan High School and Schoenbar Middle School.
Outside editorial: Al Gore deserved his Nobel Peace Prize
Whether you think global warming is a hoax or an impending catastrophe, the fact is you do think about it. You have an opinion; you've debated it with friends and family.
Corruption specter, solution crosses party lines
The recent jury verdicts in the public corruption trials of former Alaska Legislators have been disturbing, to say the least.
Outside editorial: The Rendition Case: No further review
It's not often that the Supreme Court inadvertently promotes a Hollywood movie with one of its rulings. But the soon-to-open Jake Gyllenhaal thriller "Rendition" just got a big boost from the nation's highest court.
Alaska High School Swimming and Diving Top 16 Performances
Juneau Parks and Recreation Men's and Women's Volleyball Standings
Juneau Parks and Recreation Men's and Women's Volleyball Standings
SPORTS IN JUNEAU
Sports in Juneau is a service provided by the Juneau Empire to provide information on upcoming sports and outdoors events in Juneau.
Wunderlich's hat trick propels Doc Water's Pub
Three goals by Michael Wunderlich led Doc Water's Pub past the Ice Pirates 4-1 in a Juneau Adult Hockey Association Tier A matchup on Oct. 7 at Treadwell Arena.
SPORTS IN JUNEAU
Sports in Juneau is a service provided by the Juneau Empire to provide information on upcoming sports and outdoors events in Juneau.
ASAA won't reinstate Juneau's Levale
The incident that caused an official to eject one of Juneau-Douglas' top players from Saturday's large-schools state playoff game will keep him from Saturday's championship game against Palmer, according to Alaska's governing body of high school activities.
Crimson Bears going north
The Juneau-Douglas High School volleyball team's Tuesday practice kick-started with little wasted motion.
Juneau duo of Bursell and Rivera conquer world's toughest triathlon
Juneau's Tracy Rivera and John Bursell more than held their own Saturday at the 2007 Ironman World Championships triathlon in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Alaska Digest
Closed-door talks about mine continue; Fort Richardsonsoldier killed in Iraq; Fairbanks teen dies in high-speed crash; Pilots warned of ash from Russian volcano
Alaska Digest
New School Board members sworn in; New School Board officers elected; Second round of dividends delivered; Linehan says she won't testify in trial; Athabascan leader David Salmon buried; Soldier found dead at Fort Richardson; Fort Wainwright unit to deploy to Iraq
Young campaign pays thousands for lawyers
During the past three months, U.S. Rep. Don Young has continued to funnel tens of thousands of dollars from his campaign chest to attorneys, according to financial reports filed by his campaign on Monday.
This Day in History
In Alaska, in the Nation and the World
State worker union accepts new contract
Members of the Alaska State Employees Association voted to ratify a new contract with the state, despite strong opposition from chapter leadership in Juneau and elsewhere, the union announced Tuesday.
Palin promotes oil tax in Anchorage
Gov. Sarah Palin spoke to a crowd of oil industry representatives, lawmakers and residents on Sunday, trying to convince them that her proposed new oil tax should replace the one passed under former Gov. Frank Murkowski's administration last year.
UK explorer to measure effect of global warming on Arctic ice
A British explorer said Tuesday he plans to carry out the most accurate survey of the thickness of the Arctic ice during a 1,240-mile trek to the North Pole.
Alaska Territorial Guard celebrates 60th anniversary
Harold Bahr became a man at 11, when he joined a largely Native militia called up to protect the vast territory of Alaska from the threat of Japanese aggression during World War II.
Methanol spills from Prudhoe pipeline
State environmental officials on Tuesday reported a toxic spill of methanol at the Prudhoe Bay oil field managed by BP PLC.
Pregnant women told to limit fish consumption
The Alaska health department issued its first guidelines on Monday recommending pregnant women and young children to limit their consumption of certain fish from Alaska waters because of dangerous levels of mercury.
This Day in History
In Alaska and in the Nation
Anderson sentenced to five years
Former state Rep. Tom Anderson helped the FBI investigate a half dozen other cases of suspected public corruption in Alaska.
Alaska puts brakes on corruption probe
State prosecutors will back off an investigation of election campaign polling practices to avoid interfering with an ongoing federal corruption probe, Gov. Sarah Palin announced Tuesday.
Poll asks legislators about ties to VECO
The Alaska Public Interest Research Group on Monday released results of a survey asking sitting legislators whether they'd been the recipient of a VECO Corp. poll or had any other contacts with the company.
Kohring's lawyer: 'You dun got the wrong man'
"You dun got the wrong man." That was the folksy conclusion Vic Kohring's attorney presented to federal prosecutors last January in an otherwise very serious letter turning down a plea deal for the former Alaska state lawmaker.