The time the Arctic Bar went in the drink
Fishermen went dipnetting for floating bottles in Thomas Basin
By DAVE KIFFER Friday PM (SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Just about every time there is a high tide in Ketchikan Creek or a storm swells the runoff from Granite Basin, someone mentions the time the Arctic Bar literally went into the drink.
Not everyone gets the date correct, some people think it happened back in the 1930s, others are convinced it was the 1940s or 1950s. Even old photographs show up on-line indicating the wrong date(s). Here is a primer. The actual date the bar collapsed, and spilled its contents under the Stedman Street bridge into Thomas Basin? December 10, 1962.
Legislation to Put PFD in Alaska Constitution Filed
Friday PM (SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - Today, Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) announced he has filed legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJR 1), to constitutionalize the Permanent Fund Dividend and give Alaskans the “first call” on distributions from the earnings of the Permanent Fund.
“The PFD was meant to give Alaskans their constitutional maximum benefit for the state s resources we collectively own and to protect the Permanent Fund, said Sen. Wielechowski.
Wielechowski said, The PFD statutory formula has been repeatedly violated since 2016, and with severe state deficits and no serious revenue plan offered by the legislature or governor, the Permanent Fund and PFD are now at grave risk.
Alaska lawmakers prepare to confront historic budget challenges
Friday PM (SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Alaska Legislature is preparing to confront a deep conflict between the immediate needs of Alaskans during historically challenging times and potential negative long-term financial consequences associated with deficit spending.
To prepare for the new session, which begins January 1th9, the House Finance Committee today held a hearing to receive an update on the state’s financial situation amid the pandemic and to begin reviewing Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy’s budget proposal. A few important facts came to light during the hearing:
The governor’s budget would create a $2.1 billion deficit in the upcoming budget year, much larger than the administration suggests.
Halibut Cove shellfish farmers are Alaska’s Farm Family of 2020
Saturday PM (SitNews) Palmer, Alaska - Alaska’s Farm Family of the Year for 2020 is the Bates family of Halibut Cove, whose determined operation of their shellfish farm in Kachemak Bay embodies the innovative, resilient spirt of Alaska agriculture even in the face of a global pandemic.
“Alaska agriculture is a growing, evolving industry, and nothing reflects that more clearly than the selection of oyster farmers as Farm Family of the Year, “ said Dave Schade, director of the Division of Agriculture. “Greg and Weatherly Bates have embraced the opportunities of aquaculture in Alaska, and their success in this new market sector points to a prosperous future for them and other farming families, as well.”
Additional COVID-19 vaccine arriving soon in Alaska; older Alaskans and front-line essential workers among those next in line
Saturday PM (SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - In January, Alaska will receive another 52,900 doses of COVID-19 vaccine: 27,300 doses of Pfizer vaccine (includes 7,800 doses allocated to the Indian Health Service - IHS) and 25,600 doses of Moderna vaccine (includes 8,400 doses allocated to IHS).
Vaccine continues to be distributed across the state through a phased allocation plan, with Alaskans in Phase 1a, Tiers 1 and 2 already receiving their first dose of the vaccine. Vaccination scheduling for Alaskans in Phase 1a Tier 3 began on Dec. 30, with those vaccination clinics beginning Jan. 4.