Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg

Matt Lichtenstein is a reporter at KFSK in Petersburg.

State Finalizes Petersburg Borough Plan

The state has finalized its approval of a Petersburg Borough plan. In a teleconferenced meeting Wednesday morning, Alaska’s Local Boundary Commission or LBC passed its written decision on the matter.

August 22, 2012 - 5:20 pm

Law Will Require Insurers Cover Autism

Insurance companies will have to help pay for autism treatments in Alaska under legislation that’s now slated to become law. Governor Sean Parnell gave tacit approval to the measure this month by sending it back to the legislature without his signature. The new requirement only covers a portion of the insurance market for now. However, supporters see it as an important step in providing relief for parents who struggle with the high cost of autism therapy and counseling.

June 21, 2012 - 5:14 pm

Petersburg To Ask For Reconsideration Of Redistricting Decision

Petersburg will ask the Alaska Supreme Court to reconsider its decision on redistricting. The City Council made that decision after consulting with its attorney in a special meeting yesterday afternoon.

May 24, 2012 - 5:15 pm

Redistricting Board To Redraw Southeast Districts

The Alaska Redistricting Board will start redrawing Southeast Alaska’s legislative districts on Monday.

May 11, 2012 - 6:01 pm

Coast Guard Rules Out Mechanical Problem In Ferry Accident

The U.S. Coast Guard says Monday’s ferry accident in Petersburg was not caused by a mechanical problem.

May 11, 2012 - 5:52 pm

Processing Plant Planning On Running This Summer Despite Ferry Collision

Ocean Beauty Seafood’s still plans to run its Petersburg plant this summer despite this week’s ferry accident. According to Vice president of Marketing Tom Sunderland, the company hopes to make repairs in time for the summer or find a way to work around the damage.

May 8, 2012 - 3:56 pm

Missing Teenage Hiker Found Uninjured

Searchers found a missing teenage girl on Prince of Wales Island Tuesday. 13-year-old Makayla McRoberts was apparently uninjured. Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Megan Peters got word shortly after noon.

May 8, 2012 - 1:07 pm

State Ferry Matanuska Crashes Into Seafood Processing Dock

The State Ferry Matanuska collided with a seafood processing dock in Petersburg early Monday afternoon. There were no reported injuries, but there was substantial damage to the Ocean Beauty Seafood facility. There were also some dents in the bow of the ferry above the waterline, though she tied up safely at the terminal shortly after the incident.

May 7, 2012 - 5:21 pm

Observers Soon Start Work On Southeast Gillnet Grounds

Federal observers are preparing to work the gillnet grounds around Petersburg and Wrangell this summer. Starting in June, National Marine Fisheries Service contractors in small boats will shadow individual gillnetters and monitor any interactions marine mammals or birds. They’ll also be interviewing fishermen about their gear and fishing practices. Federal officials say the information will be kept confidential and the contractors will be as unobtrusive as possible. But fishermen still have concerns as the season approaches.

May 4, 2012 - 5:29 pm

Southeast Seiners Approve Buyback

There will soon be fewer seiners allowed to fish Salmon in Southeast Alaska. A majority of the fleet has voted to pay for an industry-funded buyback program. Supporters say it will mean less competition on the fishing grounds while opponents say it isn’t worth the cost to remaining permit holders.

May 2, 2012 - 5:27 pm

Forest Service Approved Timber Harvest Plan For Kupreanof Island

The Forest Service has tentatively approved a major timber harvest plan for Kupreanof Island near Petersburg. The Tonka project would allow a substantial amount of logging in an area of the Tongass forest that’s seen a lot of it in the past. The agency emphasizes economic benefits from the sale but opponents say the cost is too high.

April 27, 2012 - 5:23 pm

Photo by Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK - Petersburg: MV Christian arrives at Petersburg's South Harbor

AK: A Journey

Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood leaders made a unique boat trip through the waters of the inside passage this month. Their voyage harkened back to the days when local camp officials from towns and villages around the region would travel on fishing boats to attend Grand Camp conventions. The brotherhood was founded a century ago, followed a year later by the sisterhood. So this journey had special meaning for the cultural and civil rights organizations. KFSK’s Matt Lichtenstein caught up with them when they stopped in Petersburg.

April 20, 2012 - 5:29 pm

Budget Includes Funds For Road From Petersburg To Kake

Forty-million dollars of state money is included in the Capital budget to buy a gravel road linking Petersburg to Kake. State Senator Bert Stedman, added the line item in the budget. The project has drawn a mix of support and opposition from area residents. It could become a reality if Governor Parnell approves the funding.

April 16, 2012 - 5:19 pm

USCG Crewman Gives Account Of Ghost Ship Sinking

The Ghost Ship was not easy to sink. That was the experience for the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Anacapa. They’d practiced with their deck gun but never used it to actually scuttle a ship. The Petersburg-based cutter gained worldwide notoriety last week when she was ordered to sink the derelict, Japanese fishing boat off the coast of Southeast Alaska. Back in Petersburg, several of the Anacapa’s crew gave a first-hand account to Matt Lichtenstein, who filed this report.

April 11, 2012 - 5:30 pm

Coast Guard to Sink Japanese Ghost Ship

The U.S. Coast Guard has a cutter at the scene and intends to sink the Japanese ghost ship floating off the Southeast Alaska coast this morning. The shrimper Ryou-Un Maru was cut loose a year ago in the tsunami and drifted un-manned across the Pacific . The cutter Anacapa arrived on scene last night, equipped with weapory. Read More

April 5, 2012 - 2:04 pm

Otter Pelt Restrictions Anger Native Artists

Federal officials say they are trying to clarify rules for Alaskan Natives’ use of sea otters. A draft set of guidelines from the US Fish and Wildlife Service is aimed at addressing some of the confusion over what’s allowed. But it’s been a frustrating situation… Read More

April 2, 2012 - 5:54 pm

New Ferry Service Buys Boat

Southeast Alaska’s newest ferry service just bought its first vessel. Officials with the Coffman Cove-based Rainforest Islands Ferry say they closed the deal for the used oil-rig supply vessel Tuesday morning. After a refit, the boat is slated to ferry passengers and vehicles between Ketchikan, Prince of Wales, Wrangell, and Mitkof Island, south of Petersburg.

March 29, 2012 - 11:43 am

Petersburg Will Weigh In On New Legislative Boundaries

Alaska’s redistricting board will be hearing from Petersburg again as it puts together a new plan for the state’s legislative boundaries. The Petersburg City Council voted this week to re-submit a proposal that it remain in a district with Sitka instead of being bundled with the much larger city of Juneau.

March 22, 2012 - 5:29 pm

State To Observe Recreational Beaches For Signs Of PSP

The State of Alaska plans to start monitoring recreational beaches for Paralytic Shellfish Toxins in a few communities this year. It will be the first time the Department of Environmental conservation tests non-commercially harvested clams and other shellfish for the dangerous substance.

March 19, 2012 - 5:31 pm

Petersburg Leaders Encouraged By Redistricting Ruling

Petersburg leaders are encouraged by the Alaska Supreme Court order on the state’s new legislative districts. The Southeast City was the only other town that had challenged the Redistricting Board’s plan. In that case, the Superior court ruled in favor of the Board last December and the city chose not to appeal.

March 15, 2012 - 5:17 pm