The Skagway News Feb. 23, 2024

RFP plan for old clinic site passes assembly

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

A motion to create a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seek developer interest in building housing, to include senior housing, passed the Assembly Feb.17, but not without discussion that spanned a number of housing topics and locations.

The motion, brought forward by Assemblymember Orion Hanson, would have the municipal staff develop the RFP with the intent to encourage developers to look at the old clinic site at 11th and Broadway as a site for multifamily housing. Hanson believes an RFP is a more expedient process.

“It’s non binding. And it’s sort of a way to gauge interest of whether there’s a project out there that could be profitable for a private entity to do it and match the city’s desires,” Hanson said.

The old clinic was removed a decade ago. The area is buffered by a creek and trees. It already has utility infrastructure available.

“The old clinic site is shovel ready. Garden City will take a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of money. And my concept here is that we put out an RFP or at least we get a draft of the RFP from staff that advances this process a little faster, we can then bring it back to committee. The old clinic site is three lots. It could be without any changes to code with conditional use,” Hanson said.

Hanson provided a copy of a resolution addressing the future of the property from 2013, Res. 13-06R.

Assemblymember Alex

Float dock destined for Ore Dock peninsula damaged during tow

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

The new Cruise Float Dock en route to Ore Dock peninsula is stalled in Ketchikan due to damage sustained Feb. 12.

According to a report by Skagway Borough Manager, Brad Ryan, the float dock, which began its journey north from Washington State on Feb. 2, was docked in Ketchikan awaiting improved weather conditions.

The journey was to continue on Feb. 12.

It was later that morning that the Pacific Pile & Marine (PPM) notified Skagway officials that “the dock had unexpectedly suffered damage during the towing process and separated into three sections.”

PPM is the contractor working on the dock and isplanning to attach the dock to the Ore Dock peninsula. The tug operator with Boyer, contacted PPM with the news.

The damaged and separated sections of the float dock

continue to be moored in Ketchikan’s Ward Cove as representatives from KPFF Engineering Consulting, PPM and Skagway evaluate the damage. Ryan flew to Ketchikan to assess the situation and meet with the contractors involved.

Transpac built the dock.

Ryan’s report says the tentative plan is to replace the two broken sections while the dock remains in Ketchikan and to deliver the dock before the 2024 cruise ship season.

“We understand the importance of the Cruise Dock Float to our community and visitors alike, and we are committed to resolving this situation promptly and effectively,” Ryan said in the statement.

Ryan noted Monday that

it may be challenging for the parties responsible for repairing the dock to have all the materials they would need.

Mayor Sam Bass was optimistic that the dock could be repaired, but he warned the assembly and MOS staff to be ready for challenges.

“I also want to be as pragmatic as possible and will, with collaboration of the assembly and city staff, work to develop alternative options if it becomes necessary,” Bass said

“Regardless of the path ahead, I would ask the members of the assembly to please be prepared to attend special meetings and executive sessions as the need arises,” Bass said.

An executive session was scheduled for Feb. 22.

The Port of Skagway’s new Cruise Dock Float Is seen in sections in the foreground moored at Ketchikan’s Ward Cove on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. In the background to the left the retired AMHS ferry Malaspina can be seen at The Mill at Ward Cove. Photo by Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News

Cruise Dock Float Is seen in sections moored at Ward Cove.

Photo by Christopher Mullen/Ketchikan Daily News

The Skagway News.

Skagway’s First Newspaper

Christened in 1897, buried alive in 1904 and resurrected in 1978, The Skagway News is currently celebrating 47 years of reporting in Skagway and Dyea, Alaska, recording our Centennial years and beyond.

ADVERTISING & NEWS COPY DEADLINES

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Vol. XLVII, No 2 (964) February 23, 2024

Published online the second and fourth Friday of the month

Phone: (907) 983-2354 www.skagwaynews.com editor@skagwaynews.com sales@skagwaynews.com

Publisher Gretchen Wehmhoff

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Letters and Opinion

It’s American Heart Month, take a hike for your heart

By Priya Helweg

February is American Heart Month, a time to recognize that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, especially in the African American community. African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites. However, African Americans can successfully prevent and beat these diseases by understanding the risks and taking steps to address them. Being physically active, eating healthy, not smoking, and finding healthy ways to deal with stress are all ways we can improve our heart health now and in the future. For me, that means hiking in the mountains or walking my dogs around Green Lake in Seattle.

As the Deputy Regional Director for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), I know many Alaska residents rely on life-saving medicines to keep their hearts healthy and im-

prove their quality of life. For patients with cardiovascular disease, prescription drugs can be expensive. Many patients with heart disease may also have other chronic conditions that come with high costs, such as diabetes. As HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra often says, medication is only effective if you can afford it. Under a new law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Medicare program, can, for the first time, negotiate a fair price for certain prescription drugs taken by millions of beneficiaries. This year the Secretary selected the first ten high-cost medicines for negotiation, including five that treat cardiovascular disease or prevent complications that impact the heart. Drugs selected for negotiation include Xarelto and Eliquis, drugs taken to prevent blood clots that can lead to a heart attack or stroke, which together are taken by more than 7,000 Alaska residents with Medicare. Alaska residents don’t have to wait

for the drug price negotiations to see lower costs, they can get relief right now thanks to additional benefits in the law that lower prescription drug costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, including a policy that caps out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Learn about these new benefits at lowerdrugcosts.gov

So, if you can, make time for that hike, play with your dog a little longer, or eat those extra vegetables. And for those of you who pair those healthy habits with medication, learn how the Inflation Reduction Act makes prescription drugs less expensive and more accessible. During American Heart Month, add an extra step towards a healthy heart!

Priya Helweg is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Regional Director for Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and 272 Federally Recognized Tribes.

Bill and initiative challenge rank choice voting

Dear Fellow Alaskan,

In the past few days, we observed both Elizabeth Peratrovich Day and Presidents’ Day - holidays that allow us to honor and reflect on the contributions of leaders who shaped our country. Our system of representative democracy works when the people we elect reflect the values of and are accountable to the people who elect them. All voices need to be at the table to develop policies that work across our state and nation.

Alaska’s election system gives voters the right to participate in every state-funded election, puts the power to choose their representatives in their hands, and requires winning candidates to earn broad support in their communities. The first election under the new system resulted in elected officials who represented all points on the political spectrum and increased generational and racial diversity in the state legislature.

However, our system is under threat.

A repeal initiative petition was submitted in January and is now being reviewed by the Division of Elections, which has until mid-March to determine whether there are enough

valid signatures in at least 30 of the 40 Alaska house districts to put the initiative on the ballot this year.

But some legislators aren’t waiting to let the voters decide. Representative Sarah Vance moved her repeal bill - House Bill 4 - out of her committee the first week of session, despite overwhelming testimony in opposition last year. Her bill goes even farther than the repeal petition and also reverses campaign transparency requirements voters put in place.

House Bill 4 is now in the hands of the House Finance Committee and has not been scheduled for a hearing. Right now, the most important thing you can do to support open primaries and ranked choice voting is sign up as a supporter and volunteer to testify if the bill is scheduled.

Representative democracy works when citizens make their voices heard and elected officials listen and respect the will of the voters. I hope you’ll join me in telling legislators that we don’t want them to subvert the will of the voters and roll back our hard-won election reforms.

Juli Lucky, Executive Director Alaskans for Better Elections

Mayor creates ad hoc Housing Task Force

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

Mayor Sam Bass introduced a newly created Housing Task Force Ad Hoc committee at the Feb. 17 meeting.

The names were not included in the agenda item for approval.

“The purpose of this committee is to research, develop and review concepts that will help alleviate our housing issue,” said Bass during his mayor’s report.

“I believe [housing] is a crisis, especially for those that are being removed from their year round homes or for people who cannot find adequate housing, whether it’s year round or seasonal. Housing is a basic necessity and any community that

cannot provide that necessity will either grow or flourish. But this is something we can fix,” Bass said

Prior to the announcement, Bass appointed Charles Dolan, Mike Healy and Charity Pomeroy to the task force. He hopes to appoint six more members to the group.

“I want a big, diverse group that can bring new ideas to the table and convert existing ideas for their applicability,” Bass said.

Bass introduced a parliamentary note that the assembly does not confirm appointments, but may veto them.

“If there’s no motion and the item isn’t made active

then the appointments will stay in and we’ll move to the next item,” Bass said The motion was not made active and the assembly moved on to the next order of business.

Assemblymember Alex Weddell made a call for members of the audience to consider joining the task force.

“There are a lot of people with opinions on the subject, who come to speak regularly at citizens present and I would love to see their community involvement,” Weddell said.

Anyone interested in serving on this committee should submit a request to the borough clerk’s office.

Federal officials reject Alaska transportation plan, citing 24 pages of flaws - could impact roads, ferries unless corrected this month

By James Brooks AlaskaBeacon.com

Federal officials have rejected Alaska’s proposed multi-year transportation plan, which could disrupt the summer construction season and endanger billions of dollars in federal grants for roads, trails, ferries and bridges.

In a letter dated Feb. 9, the head of the Federal Highway Administration in Alaska said problems uncovered in a “joint and thorough review” made it impossible to approve Alaska’s State Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, a document required by federal law that designates four years’ worth of federally funded construction projects.

It’s an extraordinary action — no other state is facing a similar situation, and most have had their plans approved for weeks, if

not months or longer.

Alaska has previously submitted plans without incident, and the issues identified by the Federal Highway Administration aren’t minor: An attachment to the FHWA letter listed 24 pages of problems with Alaska’s latest plan.

Some of the issues appear similar to ones identified in an August hearing conducted by the House Transportation Committee, and in letters submitted by regional planning officials to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which is in charge of writing the STIP.

Minor issues with the plan may be fixed in amendments, but the FHWA identified several major problems that must be fixed before a March 1 deadline.

Shannon McCarthy, a spokesperson for the Depart-

ment of Transportation, said some summertime projects will go forward even if the state misses the deadline. Others will not.

“This really does affect our guys’ ability to go to work this summer,” said Joelle Hall, president of the Alaska AFL-CIO.

“This is thousands of jobs, thousands and thousands of jobs,” she said.

The scale of the problem and potential consequences have alarmed state legislators, many of whom only became aware of the issue this week, after political writer Jeff Landfield published a copy of the FHWA rejection online.

The plan currently contains $5.6 billion in projects, and all but $522 million of that figure would come from the federal government — but only if the STIP is approved.

“It isn’t just one area,” said

Dunleavy makes first official Yukon visit, signs Alaska Highway maintenance agreement

Editors note: Skagway Mayor Sam Bass attended this meeting as well as with Whitehorse Mayor, Laura Cabot. Bass commented during his mayors report that in addition to the agreement for road improvements between Destruction Bay and the U.S. Border, there was also supportive talk of developing a regular flight from Whitehorse to Anchorage.

By James Brooks Alaskabeacon.com

In his first official visit to the Yukon during five years as Alaska’s governor, Mike Dunleavy signed an agreement that commits more than $31 million to repairing a damaged section of the Alaska Highway.

The new memorandum of understanding, signed Friday by Dunleavy and Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, affects the section of the highway between Destruction Bay and the Alaska border.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alaska will provide funding, and the Yukon government will perform the repairs.

More than four-fifths of the

traffic that uses that stretch of highway involves vehicles driven by Americans to and from Alaska.

“By working cooperatively with our neighbors in the Yukon, we can help ensure that people traveling to or from Alaska on the road are able to do more safely with fewer road hazards,” the governor said in a prepared statement.

Since 1977, the United States and Canada have followed the Shakwak Agreement, which calls for the United States to pay for the paving and maintenance of the portion of the Alaska Highway from Haines Junction to the border and for the Haines Highway from Haines Junction to the border.

Congress cut funding for the agreement in 2013, and American money ran out several years later. Since then, the road’s condition has deteriorated, causing the Yukon to limit speed limits in particularly rough places.

The federal infrastructure bill of 2021 included funding for Shakwak work, and Alaska’s draft four-year transportation plan calls for spending $31.25 million in

Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak. “It will affect just about every district. And that has a huge, huge impact.”

Some legislators said they’re reserving judgment until they see how the Department of Transportation addresses the situation.

“I would say it’s concerning, but it shouldn’t be alarming,” said Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage and chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “I don’t think we’re going to get into the worst-case scenario where we just don’t have a (construction) season.”

Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake and the chair of the House Transportation Committee, declined comment through a spokesper-

son, saying that he’s adjusted the committee’s previously scheduled Thursday meeting to include a briefing on the issue from the DOT commissioner.

Trey Watson, the spokesperson, said McCabe wants to get information directly from the commissioner before commenting.

McCarthy, of DOT, said the agency plans to pull problematic projects from the STIP in order to focus staff time and attention on the problems that must be addressed before approval.

“We anticipate being able to address those corrections and resubmit the STIP by the end of next week, February 23,” she said by email.

state and federal money on the effort between 2024 and 2027.

The Yukon government has estimated that the full cost of the project may be up to CA$500 million ($370.37 million).

The highway memorandum signed Friday was part of a five-year agreement between Alaska and the Yukon to “work together on matters of joint concern and mutual interest” and share information on common issues.

Talking to Canadian journalists on Friday, Alaska and Yukon officials said those issues include security and wildfires.

Dunleavy told the CBC that the threatened shutdown of the Port of Seattle during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency caused his administration to revive talks about the Alaska Highway and relations with the Yukon.

“We decided at that point that we aren’t going to wait for somebody to take care of us,” Dunleavy told reporters, according to the CBC. “We have to start acting like a sovereign on our own.”

Skagway teams bound for regionals as third seeds

By Jeff Brady For the News

Skagway High’s basketball teams finished up a successful month of road games before returning home this week and are in position to be third seeds at the upcoming Region V 1A Tourney in Ketchikan.

The Panther boys entered this weekend’s home finale against Hydaburg with an 8-4 league record. The only blemishes this past month were losses at league-leading Kake. Otherwise they handled Hoonah, Gustavus, and Angoon easily on the road, and then routed Thorne Bay at home early this week (see scores below).

Coach Ross Barrett said the team was encouraged by its strong start at Kake, though a down quarter by Skagway gave the win to the defending state champs.

At regionals Barrett hopes to meet up with Klawock – a team it played well at the start of the season – for a shot to play Kake in the championship game.

“If we play our game, we can pretty much beat anyone,” Barrett said.

The Lady Panthers also sit in third place in a more even 1A girls’ field. Except for two close early losses to Klawock, Skagway has beaten every team in the region and goes into this weekend’s action with a 4-4 league record.

After their big run to win the inaugural Elizabeth Peratrovich Tourney, they swept Angoon and split with Kake.

Coach Nate Jennings has a good feeling about his team, which, like the boys, is at full strength and playing with confidence.

He said the one loss at Kake woke the team up a bit and showed them the kind of environment they’ll face at regionals at Ketchikan.

“We had a good 10-game run before that, which I’ve never had,” he said, adding that his team is working on things to get to a championship level. “Any team can win this regional.”

The teams finish the regular season this weekend, and Saturday’s Senior Night will honor Athena Smith, Ava Myers, and Jake Sager. Then it’s off to regionals Feb. 28–March 2.

NET RESULTS BOYS

Jan. 24-25 Skagway beats Gustavus: 83-39, 66-16

Feb. 10-11 Skagway beats Angoon: 73-45, 84-66

Feb. 12-13 Kake beats Skagway: 70-53, 74-29

Feb. 18- Skagway 70, Thorne Bay 25: SGY- C. Lawson 17, Sager 15, Borst 10, Cochran 10, Rodig 7, M. Lawson 7, Tronrud 2, Bricker 2; TB- Hamby 11, Ja. Kohn 5, Derriks 4, Jo. Kohn 3, Lovell 3.

Feb. 19- Skagway 77, Thorne Bay 19: SGY- Borst 20, Sager 17, M. Lawson 10, C. Lawson 9, Rodig 8, K. Lawson 6, Cochran 4, Ticarro 3; TB- Hamby 14, Derriks 4, Ja. Kohn 3. GIRLS

Feb. 10-11 Skagway beats Angoon: 53-33, 51-21

Feb. 12-13 Skagway beats Kake: 35-31, Kake beats Skagway 47-43.

Landon Rodig’s hair flies as he pulls down a rebound.

Malcolm Lawson, a key Panther reserve, eyes the bucket.

Cam Lawson smiles on a layup for Skagway against Thorne Bay.

Photo by Jeff Brady

Photo by Jeff Brady

Photo by Jeff Brady

Margaret Frans Brady Fund 2024 Scholarship application period is now open.

Up to $10,000 is available for students pursuing arts; the deadline to apply is April 15, 2024

The Juneau Community Foundation and the Brady family of Skagway have announced that the Margaret Frans Brady (MFB) Fund will make available up to $10,000 in scholarship funding in 2024 for qualifying area students who are pursuing artistic excellence. Applications for the 2024 Margaret Frans Brady arts scholarships are requested.

Application forms are available on the Juneau Community Foundation website at https://www.juneaucf.org/fund/ margaret-frans-brady-fund/ . The application and requested materials are due no later than midnight, Monday, April 15, 2024.

The Margaret Frans Brady Fund was established in 2012 at the Juneau Community Foundation to support arts and education projects and programs in Skagway and northern Southeast Alaska. A separate MFB Scholarship Fund was established a year later to assist students and artists in our area with scholarships to help them improve their creative abilities. Since 2013, more than $77,000 has been awarded to 84 area students.

Food protection manager course offered Feb. 27available in Skagway

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will offer a certified food protection manager training on Tuesday, Feb. 27, with proctors for testing available in 16 communities. The food safety management training will be held from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom or in person at the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 Georgeson Road, Palmer. The computer-based certification exam is included, with proctors in Fairbanks, Galena, Glennallen, Haines, Homer, Juneau, Klawock, Palmer, Sitka, Skagway, Soldotna, Talkeetna, Tok, Unalaska, Valdez and Wrangell. If requested, proctors may be available in additional communities.A certified food protection manager is responsible for monitoring and managing all food establishment operations to ensure that the facility complies with regulations. State regulations require that all food establishments have at least one certified food protection manager on staff. Participants must register by Feb. 12 in order to receive the study guide on time. Registration and more information are available online, bit.ly/CFPM2024 For more information contact: Julie Stricker, 907-474-5406, jestricker2@alaska.edu. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made seven business days in advance to the instructor, Julie Cascio, at jmcascio@alaska.edu

2024 Micro-Grants for Food Security now available (Palmer, AK) – An additional $2.2 million will be invested in Alaska’s agricultural economy through the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program. The Alaska Division

Scholarships and opportunities

of Agriculture distributes the grants on behalf of the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food products in food insecure communities through small-scale agricultural related projects such as gardening, herding and livestock operations. Eligible entities may apply for the competitive grants, with priority given to those in rural Alaskan communities that have significant levels of food insecurity.

The grant application period runs Wednesday, Feb. 14 to 5pm on Friday, March 15, 2024.

Grants up to $5,000 are available for individuals, and organizations may apply for a maximum of $10,000 [CONFIRM]. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined in the Request for Applications. Categories for eligible projects: Small-Scale Gardening, Greenhouse, Subsitence and Small-Scale Herding and Livestock Operations.

DNR encourages food-insecure Alaskans who could benefit from this program and are interested in agriculture-related activities to apply for this grant opportunity.”

Applications must be submitted electronically via the Division of Agriculture grants portal. Successful applicants will be notified of their funding status upon conclusion of the review and approval process (estimated for July 2024). Project period for this grant cycle is Sept.1, 2024- Aug. 31, 2025. Previous years’ applicants who did not receive funding may reapply.

Alaskans with questions may email dnr.ag.grants@ alaska.gov with “2024 MGFSP” in the subject line, or visit https://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/ag_grants.htm to see all grants available through the Division.

Alaska certified pesticide applicators workshop set

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will host a two-day continuing education course for Alaska certified pesticide applicators, arborists and landscape professionals.The Alaska Certified Pesticide Applicators Workshop will take place both in-person and via Zoom from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 14. Participants can attend one or both days and earn a total of 11 continuing education credits from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.On Wednesday, topics will focus on pest control in structures. Participants can receive five continuing education credits. Register online at bit.ly/PSEPMarch13.On Thursday, the course will include presentations on outdoor integrated pest management for trees, shrubs and landscapes. Participants can receive six continuing education credits. Register online at bit.ly/PSEPMarch14. The fee is $60 for each day.In-person classes will be held in Room 107 at the University of Alaska Anchorage Gorsuch Commons, 3700 Sharon Gagnon Lane. Lunch will be provided for those attending in person. Parking is free in the Willow Lot for registrants.

For more information, contact Eve Karczmarczyk at

Website of the week - Check this out

The digital world allows us to explore ideas, entertainment and research. With new technology, data management and 3D interactives, it’s no wonder we spend so much time on our devices.

This issue The Skagway News looks at The WayBack Machine Internet Archive.

FROM THE SITE:

The Internet Archive, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, we provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, people with print disabilities, and the general public. Our mission is to provide Universal Access to All Knowledge.

We began in 1996 by archiving the Internet itself, a medium that was just beginning to grow in use. Like newspapers, the content published on the web was ephemeral - but unlike newspapers, no one was saving it. Today we have 28+ years of web history accessible through the Wayback Machine and we work with 1,200+ library and other partners through our Archive-It program to identify important web pages.

eekarczmarczyk@alaska.edu or 907-895-4215. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Karczmarczyk.

IRS Free File is now available for the 2024 filing season - from the Internal Revenue Service

IRS Free File is now available for the 2024 filing season. With this program, as many as 70% of taxpayers in Alaska may be eligible to prepare and file their federal tax returns using IRS Free File. Each IRS Free File provider sets its own eligibility rules based on age, income and state residency.

Taxpayers, including active-duty military, with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $79,000 or less in 2023 can likely find an offer from an IRS Free File provider that matches their needs. Some providers also offer free state tax return preparation. Those with an AGI over the limit can still file their return for free using Free File Fillable Forms.

To find the right IRS Free File offer, taxpayers can go to the IRS Free File webpage.

Taxpayer information is protected from unauthorized access while it’s sent to the IRS. IRS Free File partner companies can’t share or use tax return information for purposes other than tax return preparation without the taxpayer’s permission.

IRS Free File products support mobile phone access. Taxpayers can do their taxes on their smartphone or tablet.

These tax providers are participating in IRS Free File in 2024: 1040Now, Drake (1040.com), ezTaxReturn.com, FileYourTaxes.com, On-Line Taxes, TaxAct, TaxHawk (FreeTaxUSA), TaxSlayer

Local Fishing Group Seeks Applicants for Crew Training Program

The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), a Sitka-based fishing group and partner organization Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT) are ALFA and ASFT are seeking applicants for the 2024 fishing season. The crew training application period is currently open and will close March 31st, 2024. Applicants must be 18 years or older to qualify. It’s free to apply; application information can be found at https://www.alfafish.org/crewtraining. The Crew Training Program aims to 1) provide young people with an interest in pursuing a career in commercial fishing an opportunity to gain experience; and, 2) give young people the opportunity to better understand commercial fishing, the lifestyle it provides, and its important role in supporting coastal communities.

In 2024, ALFA and ASFT hope to place several apprentices with local and regional skippers and enhance local employment opportunities. Contact Natalie at 907-738-1286 or program.director@alfafish.org for more information.

As our web archive grew, so did our commitment to providing digital versions of other published works. Today our archive contains: 835 billion web pages; 44 million books and texts; 15 million audio recordings (including 255,000 live concerts); 10.6 million videos (including 2.6 million Television News programs); 4.8 million images and 1 million software programs

archive.org

Register now for the 37th annual Buckwheat International Ski Classic on Saturday, March 9 on the Log Cabin Ski Trails. Go to buckwheatskiclassic.com for all the details. If you would like to volunteer at Log Cabin or in Skagway and have not received a notice through Volunteer Local, please email logcabinskisociety@gmail.com and we’ll send you the list of jobs available.

Family Fun Page - print and share

Across

1 Ladybug food

6 Sound made by many things, these days

11 Flambéed steak preparation

12 Competitor

13 Start a match

14 Egg producer

15 It’s the same old story

17 Sets of clothes, all of the same design

19 Adventurous expedition

23 Two Party men

Check out our NEW online puzzle page for interactive crosswords and sudokus. www.skagwaynews/puzzles

revised a Roy Orbison number

25 Literary ridicule

26 Clarets

27 Obtained

29 Dry stalks

32 Throw out

35 Path

36 Copycat phrase

37 Big name in chips

38 “Stir Crazy” costar

Richard --Down

1 Lifeblood of TV and the web

2 Filled pastry crust

3 Abolitionist --Tubman

4 Probe vintage site after distubance

5 Consider

6 Long-running anchor Tom ---

7 Aaron’s Rod

8 Model ---Marcille

9 Corn spike

10 Tire layer

16 Thus far

17 “Brown” delivery co.

18 2ndAmendment defenders

20 Agreeable quality

21 “Awesome!”

22 Those currently in favor

24 Bricklayer’s tool

28 Short-term worker

29 Mr., in Madras

30 100 cubic feet on a ship

31 Furrow

33 Dove sound

34 High craggy hill

Color me!

BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Library Hours:

Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Fri. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Weekends 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Call 983-2665 or email library@skagway.org

Dahl Clinic Winter Hours:

Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sat. and Sun.

907-983-2255

For after-hours emergencies, dial 911.

Solid Waste Facility Hours

T, Th, Sa, Su. 1 - 3 p.m.

Skagway Museum

907-983-2420

Border stations: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Call each station for specifics.

Ferry Terminal Hours

M-F 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

RECREATION CENTER

Skagway Recreation Center • 12th & Main • 983-2679

SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY

Assembly of God Church 8th & State • 907-983-2350

Sun. Worship....................11 a.m.

Wed. Bible Devotions & Prayer 7 p.m.

Email skagwayag@outlook.com

First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main • 983-2260

Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Women’s Prayer 10 a.m Tues. Bible Study time varies. Please inquire.

Online access available

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 11th & State • 983-2518

Sun. Sacrament Meeting...10 a.m.

St. Therese Catholic Church 9th & State • 983-2271

Sun. Mass..........4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Mass Mon. & Tues.....12:10 p.m. (when a priest is available)

THE FUNNIES

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CLASSIFIEDS

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FOOD BANK DONATIONS WELCOME. Donations may be sent to the Food Bank, PO Box 200, Skagway, AK 99840. The local Food Bank helps those in need with groceries. If you need assistance, or know anyone who needs assistance, at any time of year, call any pastor.

EMPLOYMENT

The Skagway News is hiring a Newsie Coordinator. This is a part time job involves scheduling the Newsies from May through August and splitting the duties of accompanying them to the docks in the morning from approximately 6:45 - 8 a.m. Pay will be $18/hour for dock days and a negotiated stipend for the scheduling portion. The new coordinator will need both a CLAA ID and a current TWIC card. Applicants must supply at least two referrences as this job requires working with minors. Contact Gretchen for more information or to apply at editor@skagwaynews.com or leave a message at 907-9832354.

AP&T is hiring for a Customer Service Representative. Starting wage is $22.00 with a generous benefits package. For a full job description or to apply for this position please visit: Careers - AP&T (aptalaska.com) https://aptalaska.workbrightats.com/jobs/1062867-176045.html

HOUSING WANTED

Looking for housing and office space for The Skagway News. Must have bathroom/ running water. Can be small, ground floor preferred. Bartering possible. Contact editor@skagwaynews.com or leave a message at 907-983-2354.

LEGALS - BIDS AND RFPS

Tour Broker Operation

Bid/RFP Status: Open - accepting bids and proposals

Bid/RFP Due Date: Friday, March 1, 2024 - 2:00pm

The Municipality of Skagway is requesting proposals for the operation of a tour brokerage system for the visitor industry in Skagway, Alaska. The broker shall use business sites located on Municipal land on Broadway Street and the Ore Dock. The successful broker will be required to sell to Skagway visitors locally provided tour products, including but not limited to bike, helicopter, horse, bus/van, etc., offered by interested companies.

Proposals must be sealed and clearly labeled with Proposer’s name and titled “Tour Vendor Broker Proposals 2024,” and are due by 2:00 p.m., March 1, 2024 at the address listed above, or delivered directly to the Municipal Offices on 7th and Spring Street.

For more details and to view the full bid package, please go to our website, https://www.skagway.org/rfps

Chilkoot National Historic Trail to open up to mile four for the 2024 season

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park announced Feb. 20 that the Chilkoot Trail on the U.S. side of the border will be open to mile 4.0 for the 2024 season. Work completed by the park last year and this spring will extend the amount of trail that will be open to the public this summer.

Severe flood damage sustained in September and October 2022 destroyed two major bridges along the Taiya River, and washed out ordisplaced other bridges, campsites, and visitor amenities.

“With the successful completion this spring of a temporary bridge that spans the lower Taiya River at mile 1.5, we are able to open more of the Chilkoot Trail,” said park superintendent Ange-

la Wetz said in a press release

“I’m proud of the hard work our crews have d one to get more of the trail open to the public in 2024. As welearn more, we will continue to provide timely information to the community, business operators, and our partners at Parks Canada,” Wetz said.

With the new section of trail open as far as mile 4.0, visitors should have about a 7-hour roundtrip day-use experience this summer. Additional work both on the trail and with local landowners is needed before the park can allow the public to access the entire length of the Chilkoot Trail to the Canadian border.

The portion of the trail in Canada will be accessible. Reservations are required to hike the Ca-

nadian side of the Chilkoot Trail which will open between June 1 and September 13. Call Parks Canada starting March 27 at 1-800-661-0486 to make your reservation.

In 2023 Senator Lisa Murkowski was instrumental in designating the Chilkoot as a national historic trail. The Chilkoot is the highest profile and mostpopular hiking trail in Alaska. In prior years, it has attracted thousands of visitors from all over the world to hike the historic mining route into Canada. The total cost to repair the damage from disaster events in August 2021 and October 2022 is estimated to be at least $2,025,866. Updates will be posted as additional information comes available.

RFP in the works for old clinic site, muni starts land inventory

(from front page) eration.

Weddell noted that the original resolution from 2013 had clear specifications about the landscape of the area.

“I drove by the site today and looked at it and at least one of those lots has a stream that salmon go through. And there’s trees that in the original resolution are very clearly specified that they do not want to cut them down,” Weddell said.

Weddell suggested the staff developing the RFP take those notes into consid-

Mayor Sam Bass is supportive of the idea.

“I’m excited to hear more about this and if the RFP process is successful, then possibly that same RFP team building concept could be applied to other municipality held properties,” Bass said.

“I knew what I was doing in bringing that to the assembly was not how we typically advance, you know, ideas, concepts, through the public process, usually we take it

Police & Fire Blotter

Submitted by Skagway Police Department

to committee. And things languish in committees for a long time, they can be stuck in committee for a long, long time, the public process is slow and deliberate,” Hanson said.

Hanson says the Assistant Borough Manager, Emily Deach is working on creating a file of the Muni’s potential properties and the individual issues with each: such as available utilities, historical designations and if there may be contaminated

land, for example.

“I think that’ll help the assembly as really needing to understand, sort of a real estate snapshot of what we’ve got,” Hanson said Assemblymember Jay Burnham had added an amendment that suggest starting the process to create a land trust.

“I think what she is doing is going to affect kind of what Jay was going for in his amendment,” Hanson said.

“The use of an RFP to de-

velop a partnership between the municipality and interested builders, private builders is a good option and may provide appropriate housing quickly,” Bass said.

“I’m hoping it’s not overly complicated.You have, you know, a developer or large construction company, or maybe a small one that comes up with good ideas. And we can look at those ideas and see if we like them or we don’t. It’s non binding,” Hanson said.

Feb. 3

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Feb. 5

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Feb. 7

Fire personnel responded to an EWS Fire alarm at a downtown business.

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Police gave two citizens a courtesy ride home.

Feb. 9

Police assisted in gaining entry to a locked commercial vehicle.

Fire and police personnel responded to an EWS Fire alarm at a downtown business.

Feb.10

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Feb. 11

Dispatch passed on a report of Klondike Highway conditions to DOT.

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Feb. 13

DOT cleared a large boulder from the Dyea Road near Nakhu Bay.

Feb. 14

Dispatch attempted to contact a downtown business owner regarding an open door. Officer on scene was unable to secure it.

Feb. 16

Tyler Rose, 46, of Skagway, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.

Feb. 17

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Dispatch assisted with contact-

ing the On-Duty Provider.

Feb. 18

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Feb. 19

EMS responded to a medical emergency.

Dispatch assisted with contacting the On-Duty Provider.

Police assisted in unlocking a vehicle.

Police responded to a report of a possible rock slide near the Gold Rush Cemetery.

Police responded to a complaint of a neighbor burning. Police advised neighbor a burn permit is required, as well as calling in the burn prior to burning.