Angela Denning, CoastAlaska
Antique fire trucks in Petersburg get road ready
Petersburg’s fire department has two antique fire trucks in its fleet that are being overhauled. One man is volunteering his time to get the vehicles back on the road in top condition.
Deadly bat disease spreading; residents asked to help survey the flying mammals
A disease that’s killed millions of bats on the East Coast was recently found in Washington state. Experts fear it’s only a matter of time before it reaches Alaska. Very little is known about bats in the state. To help learn more about bats in Southeast region the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has started a program that asks the public to help survey the flying mammals. Download Audio
Commercial fishing to be opened for Stikine River kings
This year’s run of King salmon on the Stikine River is projected to be small but still large enough for limited commercial fishing near Petersburg. Download Audio
Aging Southeast: Bunking with the family in Petersburg
Some Southeast Alaska families have stayed with the tradition of helping loved ones age in place. Elders live at home, with children and grandchildren, instead of moving into assisted living or a nursing home. It’s a friendlier and lower-cost option for older residents of the region, whose numbers are growing faster than the state as a whole. As part of CoastAlaska’s Aging Southeast series, we talk to one Petersburg family with four generations living under the same roof.
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New life raft regulations for fishing boats no longer required
Commercial fishermen scrambling to buy life rafts for their boats this winter can rest a little easier. Congress has changed a new law that would have required life rafts for fishing boats traveling at least three miles off shore. Download Audio
ESA listing denied for Southeast wolves
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday announced that wolves in Southeast Alaska do not warrant an endangered species listing. The decision comes four years after a petition was filed by conservation groups asking for greater protection for the wolves.
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Southeast Dungeness crab harvest below average
Most areas in Southeast closed to commercial fall fishing for Dungeness crab on Nov. 30. The State has crunched the numbers and the season was below average in both harvest and participation.
Petersburg man convicted of driving salmon with explosives
Forty-three-year-old Andrew Kittams was found guilty in court of driving salmon from closed waters while commercial seine fishing.
AK: 100-year-old artifacts in building’s walls tell of early Norwegian settlers
Workers remodeling one of Petersburg’s oldest buildings have uncovered Norwegian artifacts dating back a century. The items are linked to some of the town’s earliest Norwegian settlers. And one woman in town is helping to make sure these treasures are preserved for future generations.
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Petersburg hatchery equipped with better technology for raising salmon
Millions of tiny baby King salmon are growing at Petersburg’s hatchery in brand new equipment. After the Crystal Lake Hatchery’s incubators and generator shed were destroyed in a fire in March of 2014 the facility was rebuilt with new technology. It’s helping to fine tune the fish rearing process.
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AFN keynote, Haida master weaver talks on family, heritage
Alaska Natives from all over the state are in Anchorage for the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, Oct. 15-17. The keynote speaker is Haida master weaver Delores Churchill and her grandson, Haida master carver Donald Varnell. This fall, Churchill was in Petersburg to hold a weaving workshop.
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Southeast red, blue king crab fishery closed, again
Commercial fishing for red and blue king crab will be closed again this year for Southeast Alaska. There just isn’t enough crab in the area.
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Red and blue king crab fishery closed again in Southeast
Commercial fishing for red and blue king crab will be closed again this year for Southeast Alaska.
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Flooding at Baird Glacier spreads green water
An explosive outburst of flooding from the Baird Glacier near Petersburg last week caused turquoise green water to spread into nearby Frederick Sound and the Wrangell Narrows. It’s something that residents hadn’t seen before.
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Government to Buy $30M of Canned Sockeye
The federal government has agreed to buy up to $30 million worth of canned Alaska sockeye salmon. The announcement was made this week by the US Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack.
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Budget Cuts Tighten Local Law Departments in Southeast
Fewer crimes in Petersburg could be prosecuted in the near future. At least that’s what the Petersburg Borough fears might happen with budget cuts to the regional D.A.’s office.
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In Petersburg, Childcare Shortage Leaves Parents Hanging
There is not enough child care in Petersburg. One of the preschools, the Petersburg Children’s Center, has a waiting list of 45 kids. A planned expansion could help drop that number.
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Indonesian Company Buys Alaska-Based Icicle Seafoods
Icicle Seafoods, one of Alaska’s largest seafood processors is being sold to Indonesian companies Convergence Holdings and Dominion Catchers owned by the wealthy Soetantyo family. The deal isn’t expected to close until August but private investment firm, Paine and Partners says they and Icicle Holdings, Inc. have entered into agreements to sell the company.
French Company Courts Petersburg As A Cruise Destination
A French tour boat carrying about 250 people is visiting Southeast Alaska this week. It’s the first of several visits planned this year and next. L’Austral stopped at Petersburg last week.
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April Breaks Rain Record in Petersburg
The month of May clearly brought more sunshine to the Petersburg area. It is especially noticeable after April, which broke the record for being the rainiest.