The Skagway News May 24, 2024

THE SKAGWAY NEWS.

DCAB seeks clarification on membership boundaries

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

Members of the Dyea Community Advisory Board (DCAB) have asked the assemblys assistance in clarifying Dyea membership boundaries, specifically to address vacancies and replacements on the Board.

Longtime member Bruce Weber noted in a letter to the body, that municipal code 3.15.010 requires three DCAB member to be Dyea property owners. He goes on to say that the code does not define a geographic area of land ownership.

When the Board was trying to fill a seat a few years ago, he relayed that of two people who only live a short distance from each other, one qualified to be on the Board and one did not. It turned out that the problem was solved because the “unqualified” person had property within a more clearly defined area.

“I will be resigning from the Board this fall and the DCAB will select a new member to fill one of the three “Dyea property owner” seats,” Weber writes.

The group presented a map that they believe offers clarification. The southeast corner of the are would begin at the AB Trailhead.

Both Clerk Steve Burnham and Borough Manager Brad Ryan commented that the map presented may not be enough.

“So, if you go forward with, this, I think we’re going to have to take a pretty deep dive into what it means and how we’re going to manage it,” Ryan said.

The next scheduled DCAB meeting is to be determined.

Water, wastewater and solid waste rates to increase by

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

The assembly adopted resolutions raising rates for water, solid waste and sewer at their May 16 meeting.

The plan to increase rates had been considered prior to the 2020-2021 pandemic. The assembly at the time chose to hold increases until after the financial impact of the pandemic started to even out.

Assemblymember Orion Hanson clarified that the rate study to move this along was conducted in 2015 and the resolution was passed in 2017. The current resolutions (Res 24-07R, Res.

24-08R and Res. 24-09R) follow the earlier rate study for amending solid waste disposal, water utility rates and wastewater utility rates.

“So really what this does is follow the same rate study that the 2015 study requested and recommended. It adds one more year, 27,” Hanson said.

“I think, by adding one more year, effectively to 2027, it’s following the policy that we set out in 2017,” he continued.

The current resolution has a few new categories for rates that were not in the 2017 resolution – whether

because they didn’t exist, or the MOS had not dedicated a way to account for them.

Assemblymember Deb Potter noted that a document from the May 1 Finance Committee meeting “did a good job of laying out why these rate increases are indeed necessary,”

“It really boils down tocost of services continually increase while the revenue that we’re getting from excise tax is remaining flat,” Potter said.

“This has gone through solid waste Advisory Committee, many different meetings over the years. It’s just taken

FY25

the process this long to get there,” said Hanson.

According to the resolution, FY 25 Water Utility rates will increase by 5%. The rates will also increase by 5% in FY 26 and FY 27 by 5%.

Solid Waste Rates will increase by 9.5% each year starting in FY25 through FY27.

Wastewater Utility Rates will increase by 7% each year starting in FY 25 through FY27.

A public hearing was held for these resolutions on April 4, 2024.

Photo by Jaime Bricker

The Skagway Traditional Council created the RED DRESS display in front of the office to remember all the soles that are lost.The Council encouraged all citizens to wear RED between May 5 and 11 to observe the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous people, a solemn day for many Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders families and communities.

Page 2

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.

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Vol. XLVII, No.9 (971) May 24, 2024

Published online the second and fourth Friday of the month

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

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Contributors & Volunteers

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James Brooks

Katherine Moseley

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William J. “Jeff” Brady

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May 24, 2024

Under the Boardwalk For the Star

By Jeff Brady, Editor Emeritus

I knew I had officially “made it” in the Yukon when the Whitehorse Star cut up a photo of me and sprinkled pieces of my beard on the printed page for the “Name The Beard ” contest during Sourdough Rendezvous. A lucky soul pieced together the bits of my “horrible beard” puzzle, and I was “outed” in the pages of the Star. There is no greater honor, especially for an Alaskan editor who feeds off the Yukon.

I was an easy target. I printed The Skagway News at the Star every second and fourth Thursday of the month. One day, as I was fixing a typo on the layout board, Jeanne from the ad staff caught me by surprise and took my photo for the beard contest. Look at that photo from 1994. I’m beaming, and this was before the post-press run beer next door at Joe’s Redneck Inn.

Actually, the relationship between The Skagway News and the Star began long before I decided to print my paper in Whitehorse in the 1980s.

Elmer J. “Stroller” White was a reporter and assistant editor for The Skaguay News (old spelling) in 1898, eventually moving on with the gold seekers to Dawson City. He worked for two papers there, and then moved upriver to Whitehorse and the Star. His first humorous “Stroller” columns graced the Star’s pages for several years before he moved to Juneau, still spinning his Klondike tales until his death.

After I moved to Skagway and started up the old “SNews” again in 1978, I channeled some Stroller in my first “Splinters in the Boardwalk” columns, and now, even in retirement, occasionally pen an “Under the Boardwalk.”

I was asked by Michelle and Melanie Pierce to write something for the final edition of the Star. So I’ll be reaching from under the boardwalk to over the border.

My first engagement with the Star was when our printing operation in Haines went up in flames in June 1981. The Haines and Skagway papers had merged and the gods in the furnace mechanism threw a spark over that arrangement. We were devastated, of course, but guess who came to the rescue?

I called up the Star, spoke to Jackie Pierce, and drove my van up with some fire photos on film and a story in my head. The Star reporters, Jim Butler and others, let me work on one of their new computer typesetters, Vince Federoff developed and printed the photos, Linda Burns assisted me with layout, and we put out a special edition. I came back a month later and did another one, and we also started printing our tourist paper in Whitehorse. This arrangement helped us survive and kept me from moving back to the Lower 48.

When the South Klondike Highway, a/k/a ‘The Skagway Road” as you call it, opened year-round in 1986, I knew where I wanted to print the paper full-time.

Such were the beginnings of a beautiful friendship, and so many memories. Here’s a few:

- Being asked to be a sub for the Star Rats drinking, uh, softball team.

- Those post-press gatherings at Joe’s. “Drink or beer?” he’d ask as you walked into the smoke-chugged bar, and

knew what you wanted.

- Advising pressman/columnist Rick VanSickle on how to write his “THE Yukon” column. He used my suggestion that those who were trying to eliminate the THE were “Yukkies.” May the THE reign fovever!

- Laughing with Linda and crew over the brilliant Weenie Wagon ads generated by Andy Gregg. When one of the “I Love My Weenie” ads made the National Lampoon, we all celebrated.

- Visiting with John Stuckey, Joanie Pierce and others on the circulation/stuffing crew while waiting for the paper to come off the press. I gave up trying to explain Trump to you all. Hell, who can explain him?!

- Taking the fresh, ink infused copies of The Skagway News upstairs to give to every person working up there. Talking story ideas with Jim, Chuck and others. It was sad to see the reporter and staff numbers dwindle. I feel for you all.

- Taking my kids upstairs with me to visit Pat Wilson. She enjoyed keeping up with them as they grew up, and taking my checks for Jackie (RIP), who was also great to chat with about our newspaper history.

- Finally, getting to call up Don and say, “STOP THE PRESSES!” when the ferry float sank in the Skagway harbor on the morning of the press run. I had sent up the pages via email the night before, and he would start working on them when he arrived in the morning. The paper would be printed while I drove up the highway. Anyway, the floating dock filled with water and sank overnight. I caught Don just in time to say those newsie dream words, write the story, and remake the front page. That was one of my last big stories before I retired, also shared with the Star. Don usually let loose a few F-bombs when things went wrong, but not that time.

Even after I sold the paper in 2015, I stopped by on my trips to Whitehorse to see everyone. And I was happy to see the new SN owners continue printing my old paper there, until the pandemic changed everything.

I understand the need to quit when things are no longer the way you want them to be. This is especially true for us “old hats” in the news business who have tried to hang on and adapt to the new media. Trying to keep a quality print product on the streets in an often-unreliable social media dominated world is difficult, especially when there’s competition. Good journalism comes from dedicated journalists who must be paid, but how can you achieve the proper balance of being able to pay people to produce a good newspaper when those who pay the bills, the advertisers, stray.

I too have crossed over somewhat into social media for promoting things I’m involved with, but I still advertise my bookstore in The Skagway News because I know it helps keep the paper alive. I wish more advertisers would have helped out the Star before it was too late.

My Facebook profile “About Me” says I’m “Tar Heel born, Tar Heel bred, Alaskan sworn, Yukon fed.” Friends wonder what that last bit means. It doesn’t mean that I do all my grocery shopping in the Yukon. It means that what feeds me are the rivers and forests and people of a special place, the kind of people at the Star.

For the Star – that’s what appeared under my byline whenever they picked up a story of mine. Thanks for the opportunity one last time.

Damn, I’m going to miss you all and your paper. Love you guys.

This column appeared in the final edition of The Whitehorse Star on May 17, 2024. A new Yukon Star is scheduled to debut online and in print later this month.

After deadly drownings, legislature votes to require harbor safety ladders

By James Brooks Alaskabeacon.com

Harbors owned and operated by Alaska’s cities and boroughs will be required to install safety ladders usable by someone who falls into the water.

On Wednesday, the Alaska Senate approved House Bill 345, which requires the ladders in all harbor projects that receive money from the state’s harbor facility grant fund.

Before the Senate voted 19-1 to pass the bill, it amended it to include part of a disaster-recovery measure from Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau.

Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, sponsored the original bill. Speaking May 8, when the House voted 38-1 to approve the bill, she said she introduced it at the request of a constituent whose employee died in 2021 after being

unable to climb back on a dock after going in the water.

“This bill is about saving lives,” she said.

Last year, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology released a study concluding that 20% of the state’s 342 drowning deaths from 2016 through 2021 were due to falls from a dock or boat.

One of those deaths was Anna Foltz of Juneau, who died in October 2021. In testimony submitted to the Legislature, one of Foltz’s friends said the person who investigated Foltz’s death concluded that had a ladder been present, she would not have died.

“My constituent felt that if there had been safety ladders on the dock, Anna would have been able to save themselves,” Story said.

She said the requirement will come at no cost to the state because municipali-

ties will pay for the cost of the safety ladders out of the grants they’re already receiving.

If bought in bulk, Story said, the ladders cost about $210 apiece, and she believes the cost is not prohibitive.

The section of the bill added by the Senate allows condo owners who receive state disaster aid to use that money for collectively owned property, such as the foundation of a shared condo building.

Kiehl included that section in a larger disaster-aid bill that the Senate passed but the House failed to pass before the end of the legislative session.

Kiehl’s bill included the condo-related language after a glacier-caused flood heavily damaged several Juneau homes, including a set of condos, in 2023.

Kiehl’s bill also would

Alaska lawmakers unanimously request Social Security reform to help teachers

By James Brooks Alaskabeacon.com

The Alaska Legislature has unanimously approved a resolution asking Congress and federal officials to remove the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision, which reduces Social Security benefits for many public employees, including teachers.

The Alaska House of Representatives passed House Joint Resolution 18 by a 40-0 vote on May 1, and the Senate followed suit with a 20-0 vote on Tuesday.

The provision reduces Social Security benefits for

people who have worked jobs that pay Social Security taxes and jobs that do not.

Because Alaska’s current public-employee retirement system doesn’t pay into Social Security, teachers, police, firefighters, and other public employees are penalized by Social Security for working in Alaska.

More than 15% of all workers nationwide who are affected by the provision are Alaskans.

The Legislature has failed

have increased the state cap on disaster aid, but that provision was dropped because of cost concerns, he said.

That left the condo-related language, which guarantees equal treatment in state law between condo-owners and

the owners of single-family homes, Kiehl said.

That was “the most essential part,” he said.

HB 345 goes to Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who may veto it, sign it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

by

Four ships ‘ahoy’ in the Port of Skagway

Director of the Skagway Visitors Department, Jaime Bricker captured this image of Skagway’s first four-boat day for the season on May 14. The Holland America Koningsdam was the first ship to dock at the newly remodeled Ore Dock. The dock features a floating section that was pulled by tug from Washington with a stop in Ketchikan for weather, and then an extended two month stay for repairs after it suffered damage during towing. The Ore Dock work added several tall cranes to the Skagway skyline over the off season.

to pass pension legislation that could address the problem and has instead requested that Congress address part of the state’s issues with retirement.

Rep. Alyse Galvin, I-Anchorage, said the provision has had “a disproportionate and negative impact on Alaskans for too long.”

The Legislature passed a similar resolution, also without opposition, in 2022. The provision remains in federal law.

Please send corrections to editor@skagwaynews.com

Photo

Jaime Bricker

Rep. Alyse Galvin, I-Anchorage, speaks with Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

May 3

• A store owner reported the theft of some merchandise.

• A visitor reported they lost an Android phone in a green case.

• EMS personnel responded to an injured tourist up the Klondike Highway and then transported the individual back to their ship.

• A caller reported an ATV speeding along the railroad tracks causing rocks to be thrown onto the sidewalk.

• EMS personnel responded to a medical emergency.

• EMS personnel transported a patient to the airport for a medevac.

May 4

•A caller reported an unknown male who appeared to be extremely intoxicated had entered their residence. The man then left and kneeled in the middle of the street before getting up and stumbling north. An officer responded but was unable to locate the individual.

• Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider.

• EMS personnel assisted with transport of a cruise ship passenger for a medevac.

• 911 was pocket dialed twice.

• A report was taken from a citizen who had multiple fraudulent checks cashed out from their bank account.

• An iPhone was reported lost.

May 5

• A caller reported a flat tire on their car and was concerned it had been slashed. An officer responded and investigated.

• Police assisted with a vehicle lockout.

• Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider two times.

• A caller reported a lost blue cell phone in a black case.

• 911 was pocket dialed once.

• A tourist reported they could see someone breaking into their house in Texas on their Ring cam. Dispatch gave them their hometown police department’s phone number for assistance.

May 6

• A suspicious pill was found on the floor of a drinking establishment and turned over to the Police. After investigation, it was discovered to be arthritis medication.

• A caller reported their neighbor’s dogs barked incessantly every day while their owners were away and inquired about what could be done.

• A caller reported they lost their wallet while in port on May 4.

• A caller wondered the legalities of standing next to the Alaska sign dressed as a bigfoot.

• A report of sexual harassment was taken and officers began an investigation.

• A caller reported a large mess up West Creek Road. An officer responded and discovered the remains of a vehicle. The vehicle appeared to have been blown apart with explosives and all the debris was left behind. Officers, along with the FBI, began an investigation and evidence at the scene was collected for processing in the FBI crime lab.

May 7

• A caller reported a lost wallet.

• A credit card was found in a store and later reunited with its owner.

May 8

• 911 was pocket dialed.

• A caller reported they found a pink purse.

• EMS responded to a second-hand report of a cruise ship passenger having a possible heart attack on the dock. They were unable to locate the individual who appeared to have gone back on the ship.

• A cell phone was found and turned in.

• EMS responded to another second-hand report of a

non-coherent visitor at the ferry terminal. They were unable to locate the individual who may have gotten picked up by a shuttle.

• A caller reported a lost credit card.

• Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider.

• A caller reported they just got home and discovered four unknown abandoned vehicles and an abandoned trailer had been moved onto their lawn while they were at work. Officers investigated.

May 9

• EMS personnel responded to a report of a medical emergency. Before EMS arrived, the patient left the reported location and began to walk to the clinic. Patient was found walking and refused EMS assistance.

• A driver license was found and reunited with its owner.

• A cruise ship passenger reported they lost a gold ring with four pink stones while on a tour in Dyea.

• The found cell phone from May 8 rang in the Police Department’s lost and found and dispatch was able to obtain the owners name and mailing address to return the phone.

• A caller reported they had just received a text for help, a series of blurry photos, a text of a location and a weird audio file from their daughter who is working in Skagway. Upon investigation, her company reported she had just been dropped off after work and it appeared her phone was hacked or it was a scam.

• Fire Department personnel responded to a downtown fire alarm down. The alarm was discovered to be accidently tripped by a cooking mishap.

• A caller reported their daughter had just come across an unknown man inside their home. The man had cuts on his face and head and was bleeding onto their floor. The daughter reported the unknown man saw her, apologized, and left. An officer responded and searched the area but was unable to locate the man.

May 10

• Two cruise ship passengers reported they felt they had just been held against their will by ship security. Officers investigated and found the guests had attempted to permanently disembark earlier that morning only halfway through the cruise without speaking to US Customs or dealing with the requirements of Passenger Vessel Services Act.

• 911 was pocket dialed once.

• A black Samsung phone was found and turned into the Police department’s lost and found.

• A caller reported they saw a bear roaming around in Dyea.

• A visitor reported they left their iPhone on a tour bus.

• A caller reported someone knocked forcefully and loudly on their door and then ran away.

• A caller reported a lost California ID.

• A local bartender reported a group of crew members who would not leave the establishment when asked. Officers responded and escorted them back to their ship.

• EMS personnel responded to a medical emergency and transported the patient to the clinic.

May 11

• A citizen inquired about obtaining a restraining order and was advised of the process.

• A caller requested a welfare check on a friend. The friend was found to be fine and just wanted to be left alone.

• A cell phone was reported to be lost.

• Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider two times.

• 911 was pocket dialed once.

May 12

• A 911 call was received by a caller who reported they had been chased and hit from behind and had fallen onto their

face. The caller did not want an ambulance. An officer responded and discovered an individual who appeared to be intoxicated and was bleeding from the nose. The individual told the officer they were running and tripped but denied their earlier report of being chased and pushed from behind. The individual was given a courtesy ride home.

• A caller reported a teen was riding their bike along Broadway with an unleashed dog running alongside it. The caller reported they had witnessed the dog almost get hit by a car a few times and was worried for the dog’s safety. An officer responded but the teen and their dog were gone.

• A caller reported they lost an iPhone in a black case.

• Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider two times.

• EMS personnel responded to a medical emergency.

• An individual entered the Police Department lobby after hours and requested medical help. EMS personnel came out to assess the situation and then transported the patient to the clinic.

• Fire personnel responded to a downtown fire alarm. It was found to be false.

May 13

• It was reported a bracelet was presumed stolen from a state room of a cruise ship.

• A Southwest Airlines credit card was found and brought to the Police Department.

• It was reported a ship identification badge was left in a store. Cruise Line Agencies retrieved the card and reunited it with its owner.

• 911 was pocket dialed once.

• The same caller from a similar incident a few days prior reported someone had pounded loudly and forcefully on their door again and then ran away. When caller got to the door, they could see a group of kids walking away in the distance.

May 14

• EMS personnel responded to a 911 auto dialer alert. It was found to be accidently pushed.

• EMS personnel assisted with the transfer of a cruise ship passenger for a medevac.

• A store owner reported they had found a black backpack. It was eventually reunited with its owner.

May 15

• 911 was pocket dialed twice.

• Fire personnel responded to a downtown fire alarm. It was found to be a false alarm triggered by a cooking mishap.

• A caller reported a lost black purse.

• A driver reported a small avalanche blocking one lane near the summit of the Klondike Highway. DOT was advised.

• A caller reported three children had been left unattended in a vehicle for over a half an hour. Before disconnecting, the caller reported the parents had just returned.

• A caller reported a second small avalanche blocking one lane near the summit of the Klondike Highway. DOT was advised again.

May 16

• EMS personnel responded to a medical emergency.

• The visitors center reported they found a duct tape wallet. Soon after, a caller reported they lost their duct tape wallet. They were advised of its current location for pickup.

• A caller reported golf ball size rocks were currently on the Skagway River Bridge.

• While driving around, an officer noticed an individual showing multiple guns to a person known to be unable to legally own them. The officer stopped to speak with the two individuals and they reported they were just looking. Submitted by Skagway

Naloxone overdose kits (name brand NARCAN) have been placed around town to assist in an opioid emergency. They can be found at the following locations:

● AMHS Ferry Terminal

● Eagles F.O.E. Aerie #25

● Elks Lodge #431

● Grizzly’s General

● Skagway Recreation Center

● The Station

● U.S. Post Office

● Wells Fargo Bank

● Two kits are at the school

Emergency medical assistance is still necessary after administering naloxone.

Margaret Frans Brady Fund Arts Scholarships announced for 2024

The Juneau Community Foundation and the Brady family of Skagway announce that the Margaret Frans Brady Fund (MFB) has awarded $10,500 in scholarship funding in 2024 for 17 qualifying area residents who are pursuing artistic excellence at college or camps in the coming months.

ARTS CAMP AWARDS

• Skagway - Six students from Skagway School were awarded $500 each to attend Sitka Fine ArtsCamp (SFAC) this June: Amara Fielding, Anika Thole, Jaxon Larsen, LoganWard, Vinya Mastov and Eloise Mastov.

• Sitka - One student from Sitka, Eir Christianson, will receive $500 to allow her to attend the camp and reside on the SFAC campus.

• Juneau - One student from Juneau, Cagney Davis, will receive $500 toward classes she is taking online through the Savannah College of Art and Design Rising program.

COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY PROGRAM AWARDS

SKAGWAY

• Adalia Deach–Adalia, an outstanding artist and musician during her years at Skagway High School, is excelling as an illustration major at the School for Visual Arts in New York City. $1000

JUNEAU

• Georgia Post – Georgia, a 2024 graduate of Thunder Mountain High School and president of its Art Club, will focus on animation and illustration while earning her BFA at San Jose State Uni-

versity. $1000.

• Sam Cheng – Sam, a 2024 graduate of Yadaa. at Kale Juneau-Douglas High School, is a gifted musician who will be pursuing a music education degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. $1000.

• Beck Schneider – Beck, a 2024 graduate of Thunder Mountain High School and an All-State saxophone player, will study fisheries and music at the University of Idaho in the fall. $500.

• Rachel Wood – Rachel, a 2024 graduate of Yadaa.at Kale Juneau-Douglas High School working in film, will take her talents to the film studies program at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. $500

• Jade Hicks – Jade, a 2024 graduate of Thunder Mountain High School and member of its Art Club, will take her drawing talents to the School for Visual Arts in New York City. $500.

• Ava Severance – Ava, a 2024 graduate of Yadaa.at Kale Juneau-Douglas High School and a wonderful dancer, will study criminology and music at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. $500.

SITKA

• Mackenzie Hemminger – Kenzie, a 2024 graduate artist from Sitka High School, will focus on art therapy during her psychology studies at California State Monterey Bay.

$1000

• Theo Everson – Theo, a 2024 graduate of Sitka High School excelling in flute with state and

Editorials and Opinions

The rest of the state needs to take an interest

Legislators from the Railbelt, which covers the state’s population centers from the Kenai Peninsula to Fairbanks, expect Southeast lawmakers to understand, to care and to spend state dollars on their constituents’ energy needs. They want money to help rebuild electrical transmission lines to move more renewable power and help from the state treasury to promote more natural gas production out of Cook Inlet.

The Railbelt wants help for its local needs.

Same for rural legislators who seek attention and funding from the state for a long list of local needs in Bush communities, including schools, safe drinking water and sewage systems, energy-efficient housing and public safety services.

And it’s the same for Arctic coastal communities that look to the state to help repair and prevent the damages of erosion caused by climate change and destructive seas.

Alaska is a conglomeration of multiple regions, each with its own needs. For Southeast, it’s the

Alaska Marine Highway System.

Or, more accurately, the lack thereof.

The latest bad news for state ferry travelers and the communities that need dependable service is that the Columbia, the largest vessel in the fleet, will be in the shop much longer than expected. It was pulled from service for repairs in November and had been scheduled to return to work earlier this month.

It didn’t happen. More corrosion in its fire-suppression lines means more time in the shipyard, which means no Columbia until toward the end of the year. The Kennicott was diverted from layup to fill in, but its smaller car deck means reservations are hard to come by.

Try booking a reservation for a car, truck or RV from Bellingham, Washington, to Wrangell, and as of Sunday the first available sailing was Aug. 9.

Ferry system officials say the plan is to bring back the Columbia to work toward the end of the year when the Kennicott will leave for al-

regional honors, will study ecological engineering and music at Oregon State University. $500

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 Arts Scholarship Fund was established a year later to assist students and artists in our area with scholarships to help them improve their creative abilities.

Including this year’s awards, about $89,000 has been awarded to more than 90 area students of the arts since the MFB Arts Scholarship fund was created.

“This is a special time of year, and we are pleased that so many are either pursuing an education in the arts or continuing to work to improve their talents while studying in other fields,” said Jeff Brady, MFB fund advisor.

The MFB Fund continues to accept arts and education project applications from non-profit entities, based on the availability of funds.

It has funded design work for the Tlingit Street Sign Project in Skagway, approved education grants to preserve Yeil Koowu, Ravenstail Robes in Juneau, and cedar weaving in Haines, assisted Skagway Arts Council in purchasing a new sound system for events, and granted the Klondike Corridors non-profit funds for emergency roof repairs on the historic Rapuzzi House.

More information about how to inquire and apply at https://www.juneaucf.org/fund/margaret-

Paw Prints

most a year for installation of new generators. Then when the Kennicott returns, the Columbia will go into a shipyard for work on its controllable-pitch propellers.

The reality is that the ferry system is dependent on two ships that each need months off for repairs — assuming they never both end up in the shop at the same time. With the Matanuska in perpetual layup due to tons of rusted steel, the state needs to accelerate its planning for new ships.

Electricity and natural gas are important for the Railbelt, just as other issues are important in rural Alaska, the Interior and the Arctic. The 52 legislators who do not represent Southeast need to pay attention to the ferry system the same as they want the eight Southeast lawmakers to support their needs.

By Katherine Moseley

by Andrew Cremata

Alaska will do better if all regions pay attention to their neighbors.

-- Wrangell Sentinel

By Andrew Cremata

In days past, men fixed their gaze on the natural world, attempting to unravel the mysteries of life. Points of light in the sky traveled predictable trajectories, but occasionally a heavenly body fell to earth in a conflagration of fire and terror. Mountains stood steadfast like sentinels of time until one occasionally exploded in a torrent of fire and molten rock. Seas ebbed and flowed in unison with the celestial sphere that dominated the night sky - a poetic dance until the shaking earth heralded oncoming waves capable of erasing everything and everyone in its path.

The ancients determined these forces were elemental in that they embodied the powers of nature in its totality. The notion of spirit was attributed to every sort of phenomenon. Eventually, spirits were granted identities, and pantheons of gods were born. Each was given a domain of rulership and praying to the right god could improve everything from fertility to luck. Some gods were the embodiment of love and others were quick to anger. Reflections of humanity, the gods were imbibed with dualities - love and hate, war and peace, trust and jealousy.

Life and death.

The many gods evolved into The Almighty God, a singularity sublimated into perfection until every negative or unwanted duality became a demon with one Devil to rule them all. The ages turned dark until the light of science and mathematics took center stage. From their parentage, technology bloomed, a herald for the secular age where faith in advancement produces more utility than any belief.

And here we are.

Yet, no matter the paradigm in which man decided to interpret the world, one truth remained constant - change is inevitable. In every age, some resisted change only to find they no longer had a place in the world.

The driving force of change is creation but every act of creation leaves a wake of destruction. New forms take shape only when old forms are shattered. The process is painful for most living things, especially humans who thrive on routine and reliability. If there’s any doubt concerning the

veracity of this statement, consider the number of people who have meltdowns when setting their clocks an hour forward in the spring.

While tidal waves and volcanic eruptions are extreme examples, most change happens at speeds almost invisible to humans. Rome took centuries to fall. Twelve generations of men, most of whom were born, lived, died, and were forgotten before the Byzantine Empire finally ascended to power.

I’ve lived in Skagway for 28 years, barely the length of one of the aforementioned “generations.” While the sample is small, innumerable changes have occurred throughout those years. Not long ago, king salmon were a prized target for local anglers. A half dozen charter boat captains ran successful seasonal businesses guiding tourists to the fish. It was even possible to catch kings from shore.

Twenty years ago, the limit was four fish. Ten years ago it was two. Over the past six years, keeping one was illegal, which hardly matters since catching one is almost impossible.

In the Yukon, changes have been more subtle. For many years, it was easy to predict where fish would be during any given week from ice-out to winter’s onset. Warmer water and erratic weather patterns are changing fish behavior and the places where they traditionally feed.

As someone who often thrives on change, I was caught off guard by my frustration and sadness over the many changes in my personal fishing landscape. Even as I’ve branched out and found many new fishing holes of varying quality, I still find myself returning to my old spots, hopeful that past successes will cycle back into the present.

Around 5,000 years before the birth of Egypt, the Ice Age came to an end. Until 2017, snow and ice covered the tallest mountains between Skagway and Whitehorse. During that year, the warmest non-El Nino year ever recorded, heat waves entirely melted the snowpack on numerous mountains that feed freshwater lakes.

Creeks ran dry. Some flowed at a trickle but their shallow waters became warm. In turn, shallow lake shorelines warmed. These changes must have been tough on fish that fed and spawned in these places since men used carved bones and

Fish this!

branches to catch them.

Fishing technology has also changed considerably since the age of spearheads made from antlers. Live sonar is all the rage in the multi-billion dollar fishing industry. This advanced sonar technology allows anglers to see fish underwater as they swim, approach baits, strike, and fight for their lives. Gone is the need for trial and error. Gone is the mystery. In its place is yet another screen to occupy the senses.

It’s never been a worse time to be a fish but I still relate far better to fish than any omnipotent god. The average lake trout and I have much in common, especially our ability to adapt. This kinship makes me feel nostalgic for animist cultures of the past that imbibed their world and its inhabitants with spirit.

Still, I’m more afraid of nostalgia than change. Nostalgia breeds cruelty in the same way religion begets violence. Both preach the regressive gospel of inherent imperfection and mourn the loss of some mythical golden age. The bloodiest wars ever fought were all attempts to turn the clock backward.

In the aftermath of death and destruction, one law remains - “there’s no going back.”

Perhaps all will cycle back around and man will again experience his infancy and gaze at the stars with wonder and curiosity.

As a young man, I learned about cycles. Annual cycles of flowers in bloom. Eleven-year solar cycles that climax when the sun hurls plasma far into space, creating wild auroras seen far in the south. Twenty-five-year generational cycles consisting of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, infants and grandparents.

As an older man, I’ve grown to understand there are cycles on scales that defy any notion of reason. Hurtling spheres and quantum particles dividing and multiplying and spinning and orbiting on scales and velocities incomprehensible. Eons of time where stars die and are reborn. An infinite variety of forms mankind will never know existed.

Best to avoid the madness of The Great Sea. Instead, catch a fish and cook it for dinner. Enjoy the meal and drift off into a peaceful slumber.

The Great Sea

Photo by Andrew Cremata

Alaska’s education department does not track homeschool allotment spending

By Claire Stremple Alaskabeacon.com

As time runs out for Alaska lawmakers to address a recent court ruling that rattled the state’s correspondence education programs, a proposal has emerged for state officials to track their spending for the first time in a decade.

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development does not track whether or not correspondence school allotment money is spent constitutionally. That duty falls to districts, said Commissioner Deena Bishop.

“That is not a function of the Department of Education,” she said, adding that there are no regulations or statutory requirements that it do so.

Bishop said there are no reporting requirements, either, so districts do not have to give an account of the spending back to the state. That means the education department does not have a tally of how much state money has gone to materials from private organizations in the last decade.

That could change if lawmakers adopt a proposal aimed at stabilizing the programs in the wake of a

Superior Court ruling that threw out two provisions of the law that governs the program. House Bill 400, a proposal from the House Education Committee, would temporarily set guidelines for the programs that allow two key components of the correspondence program, individualized learning plans and allotments of state money for educational materials, to continue.

House Education Committee Co-Chair Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, said his intent is that it would also establish parameters to conduct audits. “DEED used to perform audits — regularly, actually — of correspondence programs,” he said, and added that the requirement was taken out of statute in 2014.

Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman ruled that state allotment money could not be used to pay for private school tuition, a growing practice following changes to state law that green-lit spending at private and religious institutions. The ruling raised the question of how much state allotment money went to private school tuition.

Ruffridge’s office could only come up with an anecdotal answer in the absence

of state oversight. “We’ve done a lot of phone calls with different programs. They don’t think it’s a large sum. But it’s more than zero. So, more than zero is — needs to be looked at,” he said.

It is now up to the Supreme Court to decide what kind of spending is constitutional for these programs in Alaska. The language in HB 400 is such that the law would be relevant even if a constitutional amendment to allow allotment spending on religious materials, which has been proposed by members of the House, were approved. The legislation would sunset at the beginning of next July.

The Senate has also proposed a solution, Senate Bill 266, which would also preserve allotments and learning plans. It differs from the House proposal in that it proposes additional student testing requirements and allotment spending restrictions.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Bishop have indicated they favor the House version. Bishop praised its “simple language” and said she has been in communication with the state’s correspondence program principals to keep them apprised of the potential changes and the department’s position.

Check this out

It’s Summer in the Alaska. This issue The Skagway News looked for sites for Alaskans and tourists to find ideas for whort trips. If you are good with occasional pop-up ads, this website that offers links to different parts of Alaska, most available by road or ferry. Nice pictures, too.

Alaska Trekker

Scholarship awards

• Cy Coyne Memorial Scholarship: Athena Smith $2,000, Charles Deach $1,000

• The Fraternal Order of Eagles #25 Scholarship: Athena Smith $1000

• The Days of 98’ Scholarship: Ava Myers $1500

• Howard Mallory Memorial Scholarship: Charles Deach $1000

• Fred Hosford Memorial Scholarship: Athena Smith $1000

• The White Pass Lodge #1 F & AM Scholarship: Athena Smith $500.00

• The Naomi Chapter #9 Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship: Charles Deach $500.00

• The Holland America Line and Princess Cruises Scholarship: Charles Deach $2000, Athena Smith $2000, Ava Myers $2000

• Maggio Memorial Skagway School Board of Education Scholarship: Charles Deach $1000, Athena Smith $500, Ava Myer $500

• The STC Discretionary Scholarship: Athena Smith - $1,000, Ava Myer - $1,000, Charles Deach - $1,000

• The White Pass & Yukon Route Scholarship: Athena Smith - $2000, Jake Sager - $1500

• The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #431 Scholar ship: Jake Sager $2500, Ava Myers $2500, Athena Smith $2500, Charles Deach $2500

• The Hather Family Scholarship: Jake Sager $3000, Athena Smith and Charles Deach $2000, Ava Myers $1000

• Tim & Nikki Cochran Scholarship (highest GPA): Athena Smith

• The Carl Mulvihill Memorial Scholarship: Jake Sager $1000

• Barb Broderson Scholarship: Athena Smith $500

Skagway High School Seniors in traditional robes ... and traditional Skagway footwear. Doing it with style, the Class of 2024 is out the door. Back row from left: Charles Deach, Jake Sager, Jeremy Burnham, Isaiah Mosely and Gunner Mixon. Front row from left: Athena Smith and Ava Myers

Photo by Vivian Meyer

A Skagway School sweatshirt with the man eating cat logo powers up a celebration sign for graduation.

Photo by Jamie Bricker

Scholarships, notes and opportunities

CLASSIFIEDS

News Classified Ads cost 40 cents per word, $4 minimum. SERVICES

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 an Assistant Newsie Supervisor. This part time job involves accompanying the Newsies from May through August to the docks in the morning from approximately 6:45 - 8 a.m. Pay will be $18/hour for dock days 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 907-983-2354.

Pullen Creek RV Park Restrooms

Bid/RFP Status: Open - accepting bids and proposals

Bid/RFP Due Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - 2:00pm Back to Bids/RFPs (May 3, 2024)

REQUEST FOR BIDS

PULLEN CREEK R/V PARK RESTROOMS

The Municipality of Skagway is accepting bids to construct the Pullen Creek R/V Park Restrooms. The WORK covered in the Contract Documents generally includes: Demolition of the existing restroom facility, Site

Things going on at The Skagway Public Library

Wifi is available outside the library 10am-10pm.. Windy Valley Babies (Story Time) happens every Wednesday at 10:30 am inside the Library. Story Time is specially designed for ages 0-3. Bring your 0-3 year old to sing and read stories with Ms. Anna! Music Saturdays. Come play around on our mandolin, ukulele, guitar, banjo or piano! (And you won’t even get shushed!) Late Night Library takes place on select Friday nights at 6:00pm in the library. These evenings include crafts, game nights, special guests, and activities for young patrons in 5th grade and up! Passports: If you need to apply for a U.S. passport, Crystal Harris, our Library Assistant, is currently Skagway’s only passport acceptance agent. Applications are accepted by appointment only and Crystal takes passport appointments Tuesday through Friday. Please call for an appointment or more information at 907-983-2665 or email library@skagway.org.

Skagway Visitors Department posted the 2024 Cruise Ship Arrival schedule. Here. https:// www.skagway.org/svd/page/skagway-cruise-ship-arrivals-schedules

Learn gardening basics in statewide webinar series with UAF.

15, 2024.

Hours of operation: The port will be open from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Alaska Standard Time (9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Yukon Standard Time). Take note that Alaska is one hour behind Yukon, Canada time.

Canadian Border Patrol (CBP) encourages travelers requiring an I-94 (non-US or Canadian citizens) to use the CBP One mobile app or visit the CBP I-94 website - https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home - to apply. Travelers will receive a provisional I-94 after submitting their application and payment online. If not applied for in advance, travelers must have exact change ($6 USD) available upon arrival at the Poker Creek Port of Entry.

Additionally, Visa Waiver Program travelers intending to enter to the U.S. by land must receive a travel authorization prior to application for admission to the U.S. The ESTA authorization is generally valid for multiple trips over a period of two years, beginning the date of approval or until expiration of the traveler’s passport, whichever comes first. This means that as long as you received an ESTA authorization to travel, you do not need to reapply during the validity period. Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (dhs.gov).

Travelers are reminded to avoid bringing Canadian-sourced firewood into the U.S.

Information about entering Canada can be found by visiting: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Newsweek’s Series “Unconventional” Launches Second Season

Former spy, author, and veteran Naveed Jamali returns to video series, highlighting the adventures of service women and men

Newsweek announced the return of its hit series to YouTube, Unconventional for a second season. Unconventional brings new episodes to shine a light on those committed to adventure and service to their country.

preparation and the installation of a wood framed restroom building with slab on grade, and other miscellaneous related WORK. All work must conform to the requirements provided in the bid documents.

BASE BID

Work includes site preparation, wood framed building, exterior and interior components, concrete ramps and landings, and miscellaneous related work at 175 Congress Way, Skagway, Alaska 99840.

Bids shall include all labor, equipment, transportation, and materials to complete the specified work. Bids shall also include mobilization and demobilization to and from the Project site. Alaska Labor Standards, reporting and prevailing wage rate determination is made part of this bid package. If this project is over $25,000, a notice of award will be sent to the Alaska Department of Labor - Wage and Hour Section. The State will require that certified payroll forms are completed, and the State has the right to randomly audit the successful bidders company to ensure Davis Bacon Wages are being paid for this project.

A copy of the Request for Bids can be obtained by calling Skagway Municipal Offices at 907-9832297, or by e-mailing a.lawson@ skagway.org. Technical questions regarding this project must be directed in writing to the Borough Manager at manager@skagway. org and contracts@skagway.org.

Project completion schedule for the Base Bid is as follows:

Grow your gardening knowledge. University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service agent Casey Matney will teach a series of 11 gardening webinars to help you get your garden ready for the upcoming growing season.

The free classes will be held online via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, from March 19 to May 28.Contact Matney at camatney@alaska.edu or 907262-3443.

May 28 — Composting: No Time to Waste To register for classes: https://www.uaf.edu/ces/garden/ webinars/index.php

Poker Creek Port of Entry Now Open

Located on the Top of the World Highway and connecting the communities of Chicken, Alaska and Dawson, Yukon on the Canada–United States border, this crossing is the northernmost international border crossing in North America.

On May 21 U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that the Poker Creek Port of Entry is now open for the summer 2024 season. The Port of Entry was originally scheduled to open on May 17, 2024, however due to weather conditions the opening was delayed for a few days.

The port is still scheduled to close on September

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE FOR THIS WORK SHALL BE APRIL 15, 2025.

Bidders are expected to be familiar with the potential extreme and challenging weather conditions in Skagway, Alaska and the Municipality will assume all bidders have considered weather in preparing their bids and rely on all bidders having considered Skagway weather in submitting their bids. Extraordinary weather delays may be considered and addressed through contract modification in the sole discretion of the Municipality. Liquidated damages shall be a part of the final contract. Bidders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this project through contact with the

Season 2 marks the return of host Naveed Jamali - author, Navy veteran, former double agent, and current Newsweek Editor-at-Large granting viewers a look at never-before-seen locations.

The season premiere starts in Alaska, with Jamali flying in the mountains of Anchorage. The episode highlights the bravery and desire for adventure of the women and men of the Alaska National Guard, with the breathtaking majesty and beauty of the state on full display. Jamali’s military and intelligence background, which gave him exclusive access to film and fly in the ultra-secret B-2 Stealth Bomber, continues for the 2024 season including never-seen-before access to a Minuteman III Nuclear Missile and support facility.

Sen. Jesse Kiehl & Rep. Andi Story

Skagway Town Hall

Friday May 31

7-9pm Skagway Traditional Council Hall Skagway Office Hours

Friday May 31 2-4pm Skagway Library Questions?

Reach Jesse at (907) 465-4947 and Andi at (907) 465-3744

Borough Manager and by visiting the site of the project.

The Municipality of Skagway shall not be responsible for any costs incurred in the preparation of bids. The Municipality reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Bids must be sealed and clearly labeled with the following information: “Pullen Creek R/V Park Restrooms” Date and Time of Bid Due Date (May 29, 2024, 2:00 PM) Bidder’s name Bids are due no later than 2:00 pm Alaska Standard time on May 29, 2024, at the address listed above or delivered directly to Municipal Offices on 700 Spring Street. All bidders are expected to consider weather in determining how

to deliver their bids timely and there shall be no exceptions for a late received bid on account of weather.

Faxed and e-mailed bids will not be accepted. Bids will be opened in the Assembly Chambers at 2:00 p.m. on Date of Closing. The Municipality of Skagway is an equal opportunity employer.

LEGAL • RFB • RFP

LEGAL • RFB • RFP

LEGAL • RFB • RFP

Photo by Jaime Bricker

John and Cindy O’Daniel award four Skagway High School Seniors with the scholarships from the Hather Family Scholarship Fund.

BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Library Hours:

Mon. - Thurs. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sat-Sun 12 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 9:30 a.m.

Seafood Socials 5:30 p.m. Wed.. Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Tues. 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

Weather Watch

The crew of the new Celebrity Edge welcomed members of Skagway to a tour including the wheelhouse, two pools, a plethora of art and more on May 2. Yes, they included

SKAGUAY NEWS DEPOT & BOOKS

SKAGUAY NEWS DEPOT & BOOKS

JAMIE FORD

JAMIE FORD

Photos provided by or taken by Joseph Stoltze