Henry Leasia, KHNS - Haines

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Large cruise lines won’t be sailing this year, but smaller lines could be sailing by June

The Centers for Disease Control implemented a no-sail order for cruise ships that carry more than 250 passengers, but smaller lines are hoping they can get local permission to sail as early as June.

Haines Borough Assembly fires borough manager Debra Schnabel

Detractors said Schnabel improperly directed municipal workers to sand and plow a private road leading to a trailer park she owns. She admitted that was wrong. She was also criticized for confronting a business owner over not wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
alaska canadian border sig

Canadian border closure extended until June 21

Alaskans driving home from the Lower 48 will still be allowed through, though they aren't allowed to stay in hotels or make stops along the way except for fuel.

Stranded seal pups rescued in Haines

Haines Animal Rescue Kennel director Tracy Mikowski had a very eventful weekend after two newborn harbor seal pups were found stranded on local beaches.

Haines filmmaker and former NBA star Mark McNamara dies at 60

McNamara, who lived in Haines since 2005, also had a role in the Star Wars movie "Return of the Jedi" where he stood in for the character of Chewbacca.

Tlingit master carver chosen for Rasmuson Foundation’s ‘Distiguished Artist’ award

The award for an artist's lifetime of work comes with a $40,000 payout.
An aerial image of Angoon shows buildings on a small peninsula next to several other inlets.

Angoon school asks Coast Guard to make food delivery during ferry shutdown

In Southeast Alaska, some schools have used the Alaska Marine Highway System to transport the food from Juneau. But that's not happening now.

In Haines, ferry chaos has made medical travel costs skyrocket

When seniors need to get to Juneau for those specialized appointments they have to travel by boat or plane. If they have mobility issues that limits their transportation options.

The best snow carvers in the world right now? They’re from Skagway.

A team of snow carvers from Skagway represented Alaska at the World Snow Festival in Grindelwald, Switzerland over the weekend. Teams from nine different countries competed to see who could construct the best snow...

State charters private catamaran for stranded travelers in Haines, Skagway and Juneau

Engine trouble on the Matanuska has stranded travelers in the Upper Lynn Canal. Communities, local businesses, a state senator, and the Department of Transportation put together a scheme to get almost everyone home.

Haines Borough convenes task force to deal with roaming, dumpster-flipping bears

According to Haines Borough Police Chief Heath Scott, the department received 182 bear-related calls in 2019. That is more than double the number of bear-related calls they received the previous year.

This Southeast Alaska town has convened a task force to deal with its marauding, dumpster-flipping bears

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Management Biologist Carl Koch estimates there were 12 to 15 bears roaming Haines this fall. “You couldn’t imagine how many dumpsters were flipped," he said. "Ten to 15 dumpsters."
Three newspapers one on top of the other with the title "Skagway News"

These two Chugiak women are buying Skagway’s newspaper – for $20

Owner Larry Persily chose Gretchen Wehmhoff and Melinda Munson of Chugiak from 200 people who wanted to run Skagway's newspaper. They learned about the opportunity through an article in the Anchorage Daily News.

Fewer ferry sailings means less work for many AMHS employees

Only four of the 11 state-owned ferries are currently in service, and the limited sailing schedule not only affects passengers but ferry employees as well.

Archivist returns to Haines Sheldon Museum to assist with collections

People donate artifacts and documents to the Haines Sheldon Museum regularly, and it can be hard to find enough space for the collections.

Angoon explores transportation options as AMHS works to fix its ferry dock

The City of Angoon is looking into hiring private marine transportation to shuttle residents to and from Juneau.

State regulators reject new limits on organized events at breweries and distilleries

Brewers and distillers can now continue to host parties, classes and events such as First Friday in their tasting rooms.

Elected officials, economic groups push to deploy Tazlina amid ferry service reductions

Several communities in Southeast Alaska lost ferry service this winter when the Alaska Marine Highway System docked the M/V Leconte for expensive repairs. Now some in the region are pushing the state to deploy the M/V Tazlina to make up for the reduced sailings.
A ferry parked at a dock, a mountain in the background.

Study examines possibilities for locally controlled Northern Lynn Canal ferry service

While the study focuses on governance and management of a local ferry authority, there are numerous other questions about how to create a ferry service. For example, where would they get the ships?

New research shows juvenile rockfish boomed during “the blob”

“The blob” is the ominous nickname used by fishermen and marine biologists to describe warm ocean conditions that appeared in the North Pacific in 2014. It lingered for about two years and the negative...