State Briefs
Zoning change to allow bear sanctuary
JUNEAU - The Juneau Assembly on Monday unanimously approved a zoning change that will allow zoos, aquariums and animal rehabilitation facilities in some parts of town.
The change paves the way for BEARS, or Bear Education and Animal Rehabilitation Sanctuary, a nonprofit corporation that wants to educate people about garbage and bears and condition young problem bears for release.
BEARS Executive Director Chris Grant said his group supports the ordinance and is looking at eight possible sites for the sanctuary in Juneau. An earlier proposal to put the sanctuary at the little rock dump near Thane Road has been dropped as unfeasible, he said.
The change also could apply to the Juneau Raptor Center's plan to build a permanent facility near Brotherhood Bridge.
The city's old zoning code didn't allow any such facilities in Juneau, Community Development Director Dale Pernula said. BEARS still will need to apply for a conditional use permit, he said.
The ordinance allows animal facilities that would host "a significant number" of visitors in areas zoned for very rural, lowest density residential, light commercial, general commercial, waterfront commercial and mixed uses. Such a development along the waterfront would need to be water-related.
Chairman of Ahtna Inc. resigns
ANCHORAGE - The chairman of Ahtna Inc. has resigned, citing a lack of confidence in the corporation's new management.
Sue Taylor stepped down late last month. Her husband Paul Tony, also a board member, resigned as well.
Ahtna is the regional Native corporation for the Copper River basin area.
Taylor and Tony had been instrumental in the ouster of former Chief Executive Darryl Jordan nearly two years ago. Jordan was fired in February 2001 for alleged mismanagement and is being sued by the corporation.
Taylor said Ahtna's new chief executive, Ken Johns, and chief financial officer, Neil Anderson, who were hired to turn the company around, have not gone far enough in trimming expenses and cutting overhead. She also said some deals they've brought to the board have been too risky.
Both executives strenuously disputed Taylor's accusations. Johns, Anderson and acting chairman John Craig defended the company's efforts to recover from a troubled period in which Ahtna lost nearly $10 million in 2000 and $5.5 million last year. To keep the company afloat, Ahtna cashed out most of an $18 million investment portfolio, built over 25 years.
Fisherman goes overboard in Bering Sea
ANCHORAGE - The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a man who fell overboard from a commercial fishing vessel in the Bering Sea.
Coast Guard officials said Mike Moran, 35, fell overboard from the fishing vessel Western Queen shortly before 8 a.m. Monday when he became entangled in fishing gear. The accident occurred about 15 miles south of St. George Island.
Coast Guard officials said Moran is from the Seattle-Tacoma area. They said Moran was not wearing a survival suit or flotation device.
Police identify victim in fire
ANCHORAGE - Police have identified a 3-year-old boy who died Saturday in a house fire in south Anchorage.
Hezekiah Randall died of smoke inhalation in the blaze in a bottom unit of a four-plex where he lived with his mother, according to police. Police are investigating the circumstances of the fire.
Compiled from staff and wire service reports.