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P E N I N S U L A
Vol. 49, Issue 105
In the news Search suspended for missing Alaska plane with 3 onboard ANCHORAGE (AP) — The Coast Guard suspended its search Thursday for an air ambulance that went missing earlier in the week in Alaska with three people onboard. "This was an extensive search effort in some very challenging conditions," said Coast Guard Capt. Stephen White in a statement Thursday night. "Suspending a search for any reason is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make." The twin-engine plane took off from Anchorage on Tuesday and was expected to land in the tiny community of Kake to pick up a patient but never arrived. On Wednesday, an aircraft wing part and other debris were found in the search area. The Coast Guard said it had not confirmed that the debris is from the twin-engine King Air 200. However, officials of Guardian Flight, the medical flight company that owns the plane, said Thursday that they are resigned to accepting the wreckage is from the aircraft. The debris was found about 22 miles west of Kake near the plane's last known position. Guardian Flight said those on board the missing plane are the pilot, 63-year-old Patrick Coyle, the flight nurse, 30-year-old Stacie Rae Morse, and the flight paramedic, 43-year-old Margaret Langston. The company earlier said Langston's last name was Allen, but Lyman said Thursday she was recently married and her last name is now Langston. The company said all are based in Juneau. "We continue to ask for everyone's prayers and support as we focus on families, crew members and the entire Guardian Flight team and extended family of all those involved," Randy Lyman, a company vice president, said in a statement.
Friday-Saturday, February 1-2, 2019 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Trump issues disaster declaration for quake Borough ANCHORAGE (AP) — White House officials say President Donald Trump has issued a major disaster declaration following the Nov. 30 earthquake that rocked Anchorage and other parts of south-central Alaska. The declaration Thursday comes in response to a recent request from Gov. Mike Dunleavy. White House officials say the declaration frees up money to help the state recover more quickly. Initial estimates for damage and other costs have been pegged around $100 million. The declaration also makes federal funding available to people affected by the magnitude 7.0 quake in Anchorage, the Matanuska Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Funding also is avail-
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seeks extra seat on state gas development board By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
In this Nov. 30, 2018, file photo, workers inspect an off-ramp that collapsed during a morning earthquake in Anchorage. (AP Photo/Mike Dinneen, File)
able to state, tribal, certain nonprofits and eligible local governments.
Alaska’s three-member congressional delegation issued a statement Thursday,
thanking the Trump administration for its “swift attention” to Dunleavy’s request.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is hoping to expand the borough’s representation on the board that advises on gas development in the state. A resolution to formally request a seat on the Municipal Advisory Gas Project Review Board will be introduced at Tuesday’s assembly meeting. The resolution will recommend Kenai City Man-
See GAS, page A2
Bill aims to open up shellfish habitat rehabilitation By KEVIN BAIRD Juneau Empire
A shellfish habitat enhancement bill could improve the stocks of sea life such as crabs and clams in Alaska’s coastal waters. Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, introduced Senate Bill 22 to the Senate Resource Com-
mittee on Wednesday. In short, the bill would allow for organizations to get permits to rehabilitate shellfish habitats. “Large-scale enhancement projects, especially for king crabs, have significant possibility for economic development,” Stevens wrote in his sponsor statement.
“Eight of 11 king crab stocks in Alaska have been closed for many years. If successful, these enhancement projects could help reestablish localized populations, which could in turn provide breeding populations to help reestablish larger areas.” Tim Lamkin, one of Stevens’ staffers, explained the
bill to the committee. “At one time these crabs were the dominant biomass in our oceans,” Lamkin said. “These crabs and clams, when they’re small they’re eaten up. This bill will provide some legal framework for hatcheries to grow these babies, protect them and nurture them. (It would) have
a net positive effect on our economy.” He said these shellfish would supply the private sector, not compete with it. He explained how shellfish stocks have been on the decline for decades and the state Department of Fish and Game’s only tool was to reSee SHELL, page A2
Where artists and crystals mingle Board of Fisheries now accepting proposals By BRIAN MAZUREK Peninsula Clarion
When Kylee Swircenski moved to Kenai two years ago, she had no intention of starting her own business. As someone who regularly uses various forms of holistic medicine, however, Swircenski found herself driving a considerable distance any time she needed to buy materials. One day last October while driving home, she looked over at the empty commercial property next to RD’s Barber Shop, and a thought suddenly occurred to her: “You know what? I can do this.” Fast forward just a month later and Swircenski had opened the doors of Positive Vibe, her very
By KAT SORENSEN Peninsula Clarion
Local business owner Kylee Swircenski poses in front of the logo of her store, Positive Vibe, on Wednesday in Kenai. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
own healing consignment currently on display is a set shop that doubles as a gal- of spirit masks handcraftlery for local artists. A no- ed by artist Helene Griffith See ART, page A3 table example of the work
The Alaska Board of Fisheries is accepting proposals for changes to personal use, sport, guided sport and commercial fishing regulations until April 10. Proposed regulation changes are now being accepted for the Lower and Upper Cook Inlet finfish, statewide (except Southeast and Yakutat) King and Tanner crab management area. Lower and Upper Cook Inlet finfish include all types of salmon, herring, trout, freshwater finfishes and groundfish. The board will consider proposals in the 2019-2020 meeting cycle. Proposls should be submitted online at the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game’s website, via email to dgf.bof.comments@alaska.gov, by fax to 907-4656094 or via mail to PO Box 115526, Juneau AK 99811. All of the proposals are reviewed prior to publication. The Department of Fish and Game warns, in a press release, that emotionally charged language may detract from the substance of the proposal and “may draw opposition not germane to the elements of the proposal. Such language may be edited or deleted prior to publication.” Pertinent proposals will be published in the proposal book and submitted to advisory committees and the public for review.
Public health monitoring Washington measles outbreak By BRIAN MAZUREK Peninsula Clarion
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The Alaska Division of Public Health is taking several precautionary measures in the wake of reports of a
measles outbreak in Washington state. On Jan. 25, the governor of Washington state declared an emergency after two dozen cases of measles were reported in the state. Since that time, the state’s
department of health website has reported a total of 42 confirmed cases of measles, with all but one of the cases coming from Clark County. Because Washington state is one of the primary
thoroughfares for Alaskans traveling to the Lower 48 and vice versa, Alaska’s Division of Public Health is concerned that the outbreak could possibly spread to Alaska. According to Tami
Marsters, a nurse with the Department of Health and Social Services, all medical providers in the state have been alerted to the situation and have been told to be See HEALTH, page A2
Governor taps Tshibaka as new Assembly looks Administration commissioner toward 2020 census By MOLLIE BARNES Juneau Empire
Gov. Mike Dunleavy appointed Kelly Tshibaka to serve as the next commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration after his former nominee, John Quick, resigned after he was accused of lying on his resume. Tshibaka was tapped to round out the governor’s team of senior policy advi-
sors — focusing primarily on areas of management, audit and government efficiency — but was recently asked to step into this role following the vacancy made available by the previous Department of Administration commissioner-designee, according to a press release. “We are excited Kelly has accepted this role to help refocus and reprioritize areas of management,
operations and government efficiencies within the Department of Administration,” said Dunleavy in a press release. Tshibaka was born and raised in Alaska. She graduated from Stellar Secondary School in Anchorage in 1995. She has over 16 years of leadership experience in federal government and intelligence oversight roles, including in audits,
See NEW, page A7
By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly is already gearing up for the 2020 decennial census efforts. A resolution to support the 2020 census will be introduced at Tuesday’s assembly meeting. In a Jan. 24 memo to the assembly, Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and Assem-
bly President Wayne Ogle write the resolution is intended to help begin the process of bringing the upcoming census to the attention of borough residents and encourage participation. “The U.S. Census Bureau is gearing up and reaching out to communities all over the country to motivate and encourage people to participate in the census,” the See 2020, page A7