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Man in kidnap case appears in court
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P E N I N S U L A
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 49, Issue 90
In the news Southeast man arrested with meth at Ketchikan airport KETCHIKAN — A rural southeast Alaska man suspected of carrying methamphetamine was arrested at the Ketchikan airport. Alaska State Troopers say 50-year-old Stanley Lynch of Hollis was carrying 159 grams of meth when he was arrested at about 5 p.m. Friday. Hollis is a village on the east side of Prince of Wales Island. Troopers say the street value in Ketchikan of the seized methamphetamine is about $50,000. Troopers contacted Lynch with the assistance of a drug dog. Troopers say Lynch tried to discard the drugs when he was contacted. Lynch is charged with drug misconduct and evidence tampering. Officers with the Craig Police Department assisted with the arrest. Lynch is represented by the Alaska Public Defender’s Office, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
Homeowner confronts teenage burglary suspect, fires gunshot ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers say a homeowner confronted a teenage theft suspect and fired a shot when the young man came at him. Troopers at about 10:30 a.m. Sunday took a call of a home invasion northwest of North Pole. Troopers say 18-yearold Raymond Koonaloak of Utqiagvik climbed through a dog door into the home and stole gloves and a circular saw. The homeowner, carrying a gun, confronted Koonaloak outside the home. Troopers say Koonaloak charged toward the homeowner, who fired a shot. No one was injured. Koonaloak was jailed on suspicion of burglary, theft and criminal trespass and scheduled for arraignment Monday. Online court documents to not list his attorney. — Associated Press
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Suicide risk assessments on rise in schools By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has so far this year seen an increased number of suicide risk assessments and referrals to the Office of Children’s Services compared to the previous year. As of last week, the district has conducted 210 suicide risk assessments on students this year, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction John O’Brien told the school board during a work session on Monday. Last year, the school district reached a record high of 140 suicide risk assessments for the full year. Suicide risk assessments are done on students who have exhibited suicidal ideation. In recent years, the district has been working to get more
By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meet for a work session on Monday in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
counselors and psychologists in schools to help alleviate growing issues with students’ mental health. O’Brien said he
was hoping the district would southern peninsula and eastern be able to fund four additional peninsula, which would cost counselors, two for the central $400,000. See SCHOOL, page A3 peninsula, and one each for the
Session to begin with House in disarray By KEVIN BAIRD Juneau Empire
The 31st Legislative Session convenes Tuesday but uncertainty hangs over the Capitol as the Alaska House remains unorganized. The House session convenes at 1 p.m. and new Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer will swear in new representatives. But if the House remains in disarray, it will essentially be crippled. The House would not be able to perform basic functions such as organizing committees and holding hearings
School superintendent announces retirement
would not be authorized to work starting Wednesday. Each of Alaska’s 40 representatives generally have two staffers, said Skiff Lobaugh, the legislative human resource director. There are also floor staff and the chief clerk. Lobaugh said the number of House staffers can vary and they have not been tallied yet. The possibility of staffers The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau is pictured in this undated being out of work remains a major concern among House photo. (File photo) members. on bills. The House could not Mike Dunleavy’s State of the “I’m optimistic a bipartiinvite the Senate to hear Gov. State Address. House staffers See HOUSE, page A3
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District superintendent Sean Dusek announced his retirement on Monday. Dusek will be leaving the district at the end of the school year, effective June 30. “I’m resigning for retirement purposes,” Dusek said during Monday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education work session. There is no one lined up to replace Dusek. On Monday, the school board discussed plans to create a committee that would begin the process of finding a new superintendent. Dusek has served as the superintendent for nearly five years. During Monday’s work sessions, school board member Dan Castimore said the district was large enough to have a CEO instead of a superintendent. The school board’s committee will see what’s the most suitable plan of action for filling the superintendent’s role later this year.
Dunleavy admin plans Alaska marijuana Trump declares he’ll ‘never back down’ in shutdown fight board change By CATHERINE LUCEY and JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WASHINGTON — With the government mired in shutdown week four, President Donald Trump rejected a short-term legislative fix and dug in for more combat Monday, declaring he would “never ever back down.” Trump rejected a suggestion to reopen the government for several weeks while negotiations would continue with Democrats over his demands for $5.7 billion for a long, impregnable wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The president also edged further away from the idea of trying to declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress. “I’m not looking to call a national emergency,” Trump said. “This is so simple we shouldn’t President Donald Trump speaks at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention Monday in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) have to.” No cracks were apparent in the president’s deadlock with path forward, and little else was wall and their demand that he re- than dealing with House Speaker lawmakers after a weekend with in sight. Congressional Republi- open government before border Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to no negotiations at all. His rejec- cans were watching Trump for talks resume. a signal for how to move next, The White House has been try and chip away at Democratic tion of the short-term option and Democrats have not budged considering reaching out to opposition to the wall. A White proposed by Republican Sen. See FIGHT, page A3 from their refusal to fund the rank-and-file Democrats rather Lindsay Graham removed one
JUNEAU (AP) — Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration plans to replace the public safety member on the board regulating Alaska’s legal marijuana industry. Dunleavy spokesman Matt Shuckerow said by email that for “various reasons,” Dunleavy’s boards and commissions director chose to reopen the search for applicants. Shuckerow says the decision was not based on prior policy positions. Sitka Police Chief Jeff Ankerfelt has held the seat since May but wasn’t confirmed yet by the Legislature. He was a critical vote in last month’s board passage of rules for allowing onsite use of marijuana at certain shops. Ankerfelt was out of the office Monday and didn’t immediately return a message. An officer has sued the city of Sitka, its police department and Ankerfelt, saying he was retaliated against for complaining about alleged department misconduct.
Two people indicted on charges Dunleavy admin denies request of assaulting, robbing cab drivers resignation details for their jobs. Dunleavy’s chief By CLARION STAFF
Two people were indicted last week for allegedly assaulting and robbing two Anchorage-area cab drivers last year. Hector Rivera, 21, and Shirley Borrero-Qinones, 21, were indicted Wednesday, Jan. 9, each for two counts of robbery in the first degree, one count of assault in the second degree, one count of
burglary in the first degree, one count of assault in the third degree, and five counts of theft in the second degree, according to a Jan. 10 press release from the Alaska Department of Law. In March of last year, the two allegedly assaulted a cab driver near Anchorage’s Spring Creek area, robbed him at gunpoint and tried to shove him in the trunk of his cab, according to the release.
The two are also accused of assaulting and robbing a second cab driver in the Girdwood area in March. If convicted at trial, both defendants face sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment for each of the robbery charges, up to 10 years imprisonment for burglary and second-degree assault charges, and up to five years imprisonment for the assault in the third degree and seconddegree theft charges.
By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration has denied a request for information on employee resignations after Dunleavy took office. The Associated Press requested the number and a list of employees whose resignations were accepted and details on any owed severance. After Dunleavy’s election, his transition said it asked at-will employees to resign and reapply
of staff said asking if they want to work for the administration was appropriate. Dunleavy’s public records officer, Angela Hull, said neither Dunleavy’s office nor other agencies have lists of personnel who did or did not submit requested resignation offers; who had their resignations accepted or left state work because they did not offer to resign. Hull said even if such lists existed, information derived from certain employee personnel records is confidential.