Issuu

THE SKAGWAY NEWS.

Wi-Fi coming to state ferries; beginning with Columbia

by Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel

While planning and hoping for as much as $2 billion to replace its shrinking fleet of older ships over the next 20 years, the Alaska Marine Highway System also is looking at smaller things it can do to improve service in the near term.

That will include Wi-Fi service on the ships; possibly more offerings or expanded bars; maybe even putting gift shops on the vessels.

Federal money will pay for installing Wi-Fi. Increased bar service and possible gift shops will depend on whether the state ferry system can cover the costs, said Sam Dapcevich, spokesman for the Alaska Department of Transportation.

The state expects the Wi-Fi service will be up and running aboard the Columbia when the ferry comes back to work in mid-December after a yearlong layup. The ferry system will use Starlink’s satellite-based service, which already is available for crew and the ship’s oper-

ating systems and which will be extended throughout the vessel for passengers to use, Dapcevich said.

The Marine Highway System this year received $177 million in federal aid for multiple projects, including adding to the pool of money for replacing the 60-year-old Tustumena, which serves Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands ports. Of that federal money, $5 million will go toward installing Wi-Fi on the ships. Dapcevich said the department estimates that will be enough to add the service to the entire fleet.

“It requires adding access points throughout the vessel — you can’t just drop one router on top and everybody has service,” Dapcevich said.

“So, that’ll take some time to wire everything in, and it would need to be firewalled from operations,” he added.

“During the beta stage (aboard the Columbia) it will be free to users. Eventually, the service will likely be similar to the paid Wi-Fi (see page 4-WiFi)

Locomotive 114 in Colorado after four month journey

WP&Y 114 arrived yesterday at its new home in Antonito, Colorado, the eastern terminus of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and was set back upon her trucks that had arrived several months ago. Over the next few months the locomotive will be prepared for operation. it left Skagway on July 5th. Follow its progress from Bellingham, WA to Antonito, CO on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum (NGDF) at https://ngdiscussion.net/ phorum/read.php?1,468251

Photo by Scott Gibbs

Honoring Skagway’s veterans

AP&T linemen in Haines, Skagway voting on whether to unionize

By Rashah McChesney Chilkat Valley News

Five linemen and one power plant operator working for Alaska Power & Telephone are considering unionizing and joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Conversations about joining started in July when someone from the company reached out to the IBEW to find out more about joining, said the union’s Assistant Business Manager Jesse Young.

Attempts to reach local linemen who are considering unionizing were unsuccessful and a spokesperson from AP&T said the company does not want to comment on the effort.

But Young said he’s met with people in Haines and Skagway to talk about the

potential benefits of joining the union since July. He said workers have not really been critical of the workplace.

“They like working at AP&T,” Young said. “It wasn’t that they didn’t like the company or … that they needed to make big changes in the company.”

Rather, they’re looking for better benefits.

“Their main thoughts and concerns were retiring with dignity. They have an employee match for retirement, but IBEW has one of the largest defined benefit pensions,” he said.

Additionally, they want access to quality training that covers Alaska-specific hazards and scenarios and, Young said, some were interested in healthcare.

“We have a better healthcare plan that’s less cost

to the company and to the employee with better coverage,” he said.

Young said he reached out to AP&T President and CEO Bill Marks to let him know that the union was talking to members and to ask if the company would voluntarily recognize a union.

“He came back and said, ‘Hey, we appreciate you reaching out; let’s go through an election,’” Young said.

So, the IBEW and AP&T started the process of negotiating who should be included in a potential union – they excluded supervisors – and how long the voting process should take.

At first, the idea was to do a one-day, in-person election. But Young said that causes issues for people who have to travel, especially in the

From left, veterans Tim Cochran, Si Dennis, Jr, Dewey McCracken and Rick Ackerman gather at the Skagway Elks Lodge’s annual Veteran’s Day dinner. McCracken, 90, is Skagway’s oldest veteran and was wearing his uniform for the first time since leaving the Navy in 1978. He first served 1954-1958, then reactivated 1962-1978, rising to Lieutenant 3.

Photo by Nicki Cochran

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.

ADVERTISING & NEWS COPY DEADLINES

Next issue will be published DEC. 13, 2024

Please email sales@skagwaynews.com

All ads and classifieds by Dec. 6

COPY, LETTERS, CALENDAR DEADLINE:

Please email editor@skagwaynews.com

All news copy, letters and calendar events by Dec. 6, 2024

Vol. XLVII, No 21 (983) November 22, 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

Contributors & Volunteers

Alaska Beacon

Jeff Brady

Jaime Bricker

Andrew Cremata

Jonathon Hillis

Katherine Moseley Kerri Raia

Joe Stoltze

Denise Welch

Editor Emeritus

William J. “Jeff” Brady

Submissions

The Skagway News welcomes opinions pieces and letters to the editor.

Opinion pieces should be no longer than 600 words and will be published based on space availability and relevance to current and local events. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words.

Obituaries for people with connections to Skagway are printed free of charge up to 700 words

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Opinion

November 22, 2024

Laundry used to be a chore - now it’s just piling up

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

Skagway may be airing its laundry lately - literally. And it’s not necessarily dirty - it could have been washed in a sink and set out to dry over a space heater in a bathroom or anchored outside in Skagway’s brutal winds.

Skagway has a laundry problem and the unfortunate situation is a trickle down to year-round renters who depend on seasonal infrastructure that just isn’t here anymore.

Earlier this year, the one private and year-round laundromat chose a new business direction, and while they had hoped a local entrepreneur would purchase their washers and dryers, the equipment ended up selling to a business in Juneau.

In October, the other local laundromat, owned by the municipality, already bleeding broken and fire damaged equipment, closed its doors as the tourism season ended and most seasonal workers waved goodbye. No more coin operated laundry machines for the winter.

City officials have deemed the reopening of the Garden City Laundro-

mat as an expensive and intensive option that isn’t sustainable.

Now, posts on social media plead for rides to Whitehorse with weeks of clothes, or for any ideas on where people can clean their clothes.

This brings up an interesting topic. In most cities, laundromats are private business ventures. Is the provision of laundry facilities a government matter? Maybe on a military base.

More posts on social media told folks to go buy a washer. Well, if you own a home, that could be a simple fix. A few businesses who had relied on the local coin-ops did just that. But what about a renter?

Before I purchased my current home, I was dependent on laundromats, or when I was fortunate, laundry facilities provided by my landlords. I can’t imagine buying a machine to move around in a Skagway rental every six months, much less figure out how it would work into the lease.

There are options. In a town where the cost of housing is not only high, but difficult, maybe adding a washing machine and dryer to more of our rent-

al units is a nice perk and sensible tax write-off. What if in addition to designated parking, new construction rental units should be fitted with laundry hookups. These days there are some pretty efficient stackables and all-inone models.

Either way, we are constantly seeing the duress and frustration dropped on our renting community who, even after years of living in town, still live a nomadic lifestyle within our valley as they move from rental housing to rental housing. Some have even had to leave.

This town has taken on the challenge before, working with businesses to get seasonal workers into housing and out of tents in the woods. People are talking and thinking about this situation now. Let’s see what Skagway can do. I’m sure this town will figure it out. Let’s wash it, dry it, fold it and put it in the “we care about our people” drawer.

Gretchen Wehmhoff is publisher of The Skagway News

‘Tis the Season: The Season of Small Business and Small Business Saturday

by Beto Yarce Pacific Northwest Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

Did you know that, according to various surveys, more than 80% of Americans trust small businesses and believe it’s important to support them? This approval rating is higher than virtually every other American institution.

Americans understand that small businesses contribute to the vibrancy of their communities, support local non-profits, employ more than half of our workforce and are a significant economic engine both locally and nationally. Additionally, about 80% of small businesses say that the end of the year is important for their bottom line.

Those are just some of the reasons why we encourage people who love their communities to actively participate in Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small Business. In addition to all the sparkle the season brings, this is when many small businesses shine!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season is the perfect time to drop by unique retail shops, scrumptious eateries and businesses offering memorable experiences.

Small Business Saturday was launched by American Express in 2010 with the U.S. Small Business Administration joining as a co-sponsor in 2011. Since then, the popularity of Small Business Saturday has grown exponentially. In fact, according to the National

Retail Foundation, 2023’s Small Business Saturday was an incredibly popular shopping day, second only to Black Friday. To build on this holiday tradition, the SBA launched the Season of Small Business last year to encourage local spending throughout this festive time of year.

Wherever you live, small businesses are eager to meet your needs this holiday season. Here are some ideas to celebrate Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small Business:

• Make supporting small businesses a full day of fun! Begin your day by inviting a friend to enjoy a warm beverage and treat, take in some small business shopping, try out a new eatery for lunch, visit a hands-on craft shop for an activity then top off the day with a relaxing dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

• Go to an in-town activity like a tree-lighting, community theater show or choir performance, visiting a local restaurant before or after. It’s also a terrific way to interact with others who love your community, too.

• Take pics when you’re shopping, eating or experiencing a small business. Check-in at the business, post to social media and tag the business. Let others know about your memorable experience. Use hashtags for even more exposure: #ShopSmall, #ShopSmallSaturday and #SeasonofSmallBiz

• Set aside a portion of your holiday budget specifically for small business

products and services. In fact, you can do this with your annual budget, too. If you’re a small business owner, you may want to consider adding some additional marketing and outreach ideas to your plans:

• Visit SBA’s Small Business Saturday site: Small Business Saturday | U.S. Small Business Administration

• Check out SBA’s info page for Season of Small Business: Season of Small Business | U.S. Small Business Administration

• Call out Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small Business in your social media posts and comments by using the following hashtags:

• #ShopSmall

• #SmallBizSaturday

• #ShopLocal

• #IShoppedSmall

• #GiftBigShopLocal

• Follow the SBA’s Pacific Northwest Region’s LinkedIn and X accounts for links to more tips, marketing materials and the latest updates on Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small Business.

It’s easy for anyone to make a positive impact on their own communities by shopping at local businesses on Small Business Saturday and throughout the Season of Small Business, and have a great time while doing so. You’ll be glad you did!

State commission approves new borough government in northern SE Alaska

By James Brooks AlaskBeacon.com

A five-member state commission has approved plans for a new local government centered on the Southeast Alaska town of Hoonah.

Approval sets the stage for a local election on the proposed Xunaa Borough. If voters approve the borough’s creation, Hoonah will be dissolved as a town and reincorporated as a city-borough with governmental authority over a wide swath of northern Southeast Alaska, including much of Glacier Bay National Park.

It would be the state’s 20th borough and the first new borough since the Southeast town of Petersburg created a city-borough in 2013.

The Local Boundary Commission approved plans for the proposed borough on a

3-2 vote Tuesday following hours of technical discussion.

“I believe that the best interest of the state, clearly, is to establish this borough, and I believe that the (legal) standards have all been met, including the boundaries,” said commissioner John Harrington, who cast the decisive vote.

Within 30 days, commission staff will draft a written report finalizing the commission’s recommendations.

Once the commission adopts the report, the state will hold an election.

Voters are expected to approve the borough, in large part because the new borough excludes three neighboring communities — Gustavus, Tenakee Springs and Pelican — that have opposed the new borough.

That exclusion caused commission staff to recommend that the commission reject Hoonah’s plans as incompatible with state law, regulation and the Alaska Constitution.

Hoonah has attempted at least twice before to create a borough, and the Local Boundary Commission itself recommended the creation of a “Glacier Bay Borough” in 1992 to fulfill the Alaska Constitution’s requirement that all of the state be included in a borough, much as all parts of the Lower 48 are included in counties or county equivalents.

The borough’s operations would be funded by a local sales tax whose proceeds would principally come from the large tourist cruise ship port at Icy Strait Point, near Hoonah.

Local AP&T employees seek to join IBEW

(from Front page)

fall. The two agreed on a mail-in ballot which went out in late October.

“So that is longer than normal,” he said. But he said the longer voting period accommodates apprentices who were attending training classes in Florida and the journeymen who had time off planned for the hunting season.

“Living the Southeast Alaska lifestyle requires a unique commitment, and we recognize that reality,” Young said.

In order for the union to form successfully, four out of the six possible members must vote in favor of it.

The National Labor Relations Board manages the elections, which are done by secret ballot, meaning that individual employees’ votes will not be revealed. The board also sets rules for conducting fair and honest elections, which include specifically prohibiting interference, coercion and threats by the employer. Those rules can be found at www.nlrb.gov or by calling 206220-6300.

After the vote, if a union is formed, negotiating teams from both sides sit down and work to come up with a contract.

In a shop this size, Young said that a realistic timeline could be three to six months, though they have a year to finish the process.

One common question Young said he hears from potential new members is that people worry they’ll get paid less once everyone sits down at the negotiating table. But he emphasized that negotiating a contract does not start from zero.

“Where they are now is the starting point for negotiations. If [the company] tries to go backwards – that’s bargaining in bad faith,” he said. But the main thing Young said he wanted people to know is that the workers at AP&T trying

to unionize like where they are working.

“They just want what everybody else wants. They want a safe workplace. They want to retire with dignity,’ he said. “They want to stick around after they retire and they need to be able to afford to do that.”

Commissioners Larry Wood and Clay Walker each voted against the proposed borough.

“The best interest of the state is to create greater economies of scale and greater efficiencies, and this proposal, while commendable in so many ways, doesn’t hit that target,” Walker said.

Because it excludes three small communities, there’s no consolidation of government services — such as school administration — that would make things more efficient, he explained.

Wood called the boundaries of the borough “the crux of this case” and said they were his principal reason for

voting against the proposal.

Those two were outvoted by commissioners Harrington, Ely Cyrus and Clayton Trotter.

Trotter said he believes a borough makes sense and compared the three excluded communities as “crabs in a bucket” acting to pull down another crab, Hoonah, that was making moves to climb out of the bucket.

At Harrington’s suggestion, the commission voted unanimously to recommend that the new borough — if created by voters — negotiate with the three excluded communities on terms to incorporate them into the new borough as soon as possible.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

for Skagway’s 38th annual HELEN B. CLARK

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD

••• Nominations accepted till Nov. 25 •••

Please drop off your nomination letter at Skaguay News Depot & Books, mail it to PO Box 498, or e-mail it to skagbooksak@icloud.com

Please keep nomination letter to 500 words; no petitions or mutlple form letter nominations please. Anyone who has been nominated in the past five years will be considered for the award, along with new nominees. For more information, email Jeff or text 907-973-2354 PAST

WINNERS

Helen Clark, Darlene Hoover, Connie Conard, Elma McMillen, Bea Lingle, Anna True, Boyd Worley, Jaime Gagnier, Buckwheat Donahue, Jean Worley, Alan See, Mike O’Daniel, Bob Dill, Su Rappleye, John L. O’Daniel, Tina Cyr, Lynn Herbig, Barbara Brodersen, Don & Betty Hather,Lorene & Alvin Gordon, Blaine Mero, Jackie Schaefer, Katherine Moseley, Duff & Karla Ray, Cindy O’Daniel, Linda Calver, Ginny Cochran, Kathleen O’Daniel, Linda Bigham, Wayne Greenstreet, Tim Salter, JoAnn Arnold, Wendy Anderson, Jan & John Tronrud, Eric Moseley, Donna Griffard, Scott Logan. Award announced in December TBA – SPONSORED BY SKAGWAY BOOK CO. & THE SKAGWAY NEWS –

Drug overdose deaths in Alaska jump 38.68% in a year as nationwide rate drops 14%

National experts see hope in second annual decline as Alaska officials worry about ongoing crisis

by Mark Sabbatini Juneau Empire

Overdose deaths dropped nationally for the second straight year with only five states reporting increases — with Alaska topping those states with a 38.68% increase in deaths for the 12-month period ending June 30, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationwide overdose deaths dropped 14% to about 97,000, compared to 113,000 the previous year, the CDC reported. In Alaska there were 398 deaths for the year-long period ending June 30 compared to 287 the previous year.

However, the statewide increase reported by the CDC is lower than the rate during the 2023 calendar year, according to a report published Oct. 24 by the state Department of Health. Alaska suffered its highest-ever drug overdose death rate in 2023, with a 44.5% increase that was contrary to the first nationwide decline during a calendar year since 2018.

The overdose rate in Southeast Alaska jumped 40.1% in 2023 with 29 deaths, compared to a regional low of 24% in Southwest Alaska and regional high of 79.9% in Anchorage, according to the report.

A statement released by the health department at the time declared “the burden of overdose fatalities will not be solved by one agency, organization, or department.”

“Our response is weaving together the work done by so many, along five cords of intervention: interdiction, prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery,”

Robert Lawrence, the state’s chief medical officer, said in the statement. “Only with strong collaboration will we be able to pull people to freedom and turn the tide on this epidemic.”

Preventative actions taken since 2023 include a new law passed this spring by the Alaska Legislature requiring schools to stock overdose response kits containing naloxone, two new opioid response programs launched by SEARHC in Southeast Alaska in 2023 and a statewide public awareness campaign.

The report released by the ealth department stated “notable increases were seen in the number of overdose deaths involving fentanyl (a synthetic opioid) and methamphetamine (a psychostimulant), increasing 75%

and 51%, respectively. The largest declines were seen in heroin and other opioid deaths (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc.), decreasing 60% and 31%, respectively.

“In 2023, individuals at comparatively higher risk of dying from drug overdose included men, American Indian/Alaska Native people, those aged 35-44 years old

and those residing in the Anchorage Public Health Region.”

CDC officials said the end of the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a factor in the nationwide drop since people were isolated during lockdowns, although there appears to be no single main cause.

“During the pandemic we

saw such a meteoric rise in drug overdose deaths that it’s only natural we would see a decrease,” Farida Ahmad, of the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, told the Associated Press.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 9572306.

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

WiFi coming to AMHS

service on Alaska Airlines,” he said. The fee has not been determined. Any expansion of bar services or bringing back gift shops will take longer. The Department of Transportation is seeking proposals for a gift shop merchandising and marketing consultant, with bids due Nov. 13.

Dapcevich said ferry system management also is “talking to the Alaska Railroad about how they handle merchandising.” The stateowned railroad, with gift

sales on board the trains and online, carried more than half-a-million passengers last year along its route from Seward to Anchorage and north to Fairbanks, about three times as many as the state ferry system.

The Marine Highway System is considering merchandise sales aboard ships, in terminals and online, he said.

“Past accounting figures showed the bars and gift shops operating at a loss, but we’re exploring new possibilities to generate reve-

(from Front page)

nue,” he said. “We do see the potential for revenue from merchandising, as long as it doesn’t require a larger increase in labor costs.”

Currently, the Columbia, Kennicott, Hubbard, Tazlina and Tustumena sell beer, wine and mixed drinks in cans.

Any change or expansion in the alcoholic beverage offerings is a ways off. “Just like the gift shops, we’re in the exploration stage regarding how this will look,” Dapcevich said.

A chart shows drug overdose deaths in Alaska since 2015. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chart)

Main Street Rehabilitation Project

Virtual Public Meeting

December 3, 2024 @ 7:00pm

The Municipality of Skagway (MOS) is starting a pre-design project for the reconstruction of Main Street. The results of this project will be used to apply for grant funding, which is needed to improve the roadways, sidewalks, accessibility, and underground utilities of Main Street.

Project exhibits will be displayed in the AB Hall starting November 19.

Attend the virtual public meeting to learn about the project, ask questions, and share feedback. Instructions to join the meeting will be posted on the project website.

Attend the virtual public meeting to learn about the project, ask questions, and share feedback. Instructions to join the meeting will be posted on the project website https://www.skagway.org/administration/page/main-street-rehabilitation-project

Community Corner

Kids making place-based connection through writing

Skagway School’s fourth and fifth grade classes explore life in Skagway with interviews and experiences in their home town in this new Community Corner series.

The Lands Coming Down

Special Creative Writing submission for Skagway School Community Corner

By Avelyn Verhaeghe

Three beautiful girls named Zalda, Flora and Willa lived in a cute little house on the corner of Straddle Street.

“I’m bored!” Zalda said as she flopped onto the bed.

“How about we go to Pets Park?” Flora suggested.

“We went there yesterday,” Willa remarked, squeezing her favorite teddy bear.

“Well, how about we go to the meadow?” Zalda offered.

“No, Willa is not old enough yet,” Flora said, raising her voice.

“Relax, Willa is four. That is old enough,” Zalda said as she sat up to cross off the date on her calendar, March 26, 2020.

“Well, you’re only eleven Flora,” Willa said in a baby voice.

“Come on, let’s go,” Zalda said, sprinting out the door.

“Fine,” Flora said reluctantly.

The three girls went to the meadow, and they could feel the sun shining and the cool breeze against their legs. It was a perfect day in Texas, when they heard a rustle nearby. “Uh, what was that?” asked Willa. There it was again! Then something popped out of the bushes. It was something wearing a dress with flowers all over it who had long hair and eyes as blue as the ocean.

“Hello. My name is Danielle, and I’m a spirit. Please, my kind needs help. You see, the land of Janwu Aayi is under attack by an evil pig army led by a bull named Evil Ryan. Evil Ryan forced us out of our land and now he is trying to take over the world,” Danielle said.

“Why are you asking us?” asked Zalda, still guarding her sisters.

“Because all of you are the chosen ones. First, I need to take you three to the land of the mermaids to retrieve the magical pearl that controls all the water,” said Danielle.

“There are real mermaids there!” Willa screamed in excitement.

“Yes, now we must go,” Danielle said. Danielle quickly grabbed their hands, flew into the air, and landed in the water before they knew it where there were magical mermaids gracefully swimming in and out of the water flipping their tails which were as shiny as a coin. One mermaid who had beautiful sky blue eyes and glorious brown hair with a tiara on her head approached them.

“My name is Scarlett, and I am the mermaid princess. Why are you here?” Scarlett asked.

“We need to find the magical pearl that controls all water,” Danielle said.

“Come with me,” Scarlett said as she swam away.

They swam across the colorful coral reef, and then the three girls saw a castle with a room at the bottom that was very protected. That must be where the pearl is, they each thought. When they opened the door, they saw a room as bright as the sun, but the pearl wasn’t there! Suddenly, out of nowhere, the castle went on full lockdown. To make matters worse, off in the distance, they saw a moving shadow of a bull and it seemed to be carrying a glowing ball. RYAN, they thought!

“What do we do now?” Flora asked, holding a terrified Willa.

“I don’t know,”Danielle said sadly, “Looks like he beat us to the pearl.”

Scarlett led them out the castle in disappointment just before it crumbled to the ground. They could make out a note written in the sand in front of the castle:

You will never find me, but I will give you a clue anyway,

There is fire, there are scales, and there are wings, That is all for now.

They were all stumped. There was a moment of silence, and then Scarlett’s face got as bright as the stars.

“I know!” Scarlett said in joy.

“It’s the Dragon Land! It has all the things the note said,” said Scarlett.

“You’re right! Thank you so much Scarlett, really,” Danielle happily said.

Zalda, Flora and Willa gladly grabbed Danielle’s hand and flew into the air waving goodbye to Scarlett. The four flew above the clouds which were softer than a bed and soon dragons who were breathing fire were flying past faster than a cheetah and the clouds felt softer than a bed. Danielle stopped one of the them and kindly asked, “Where is the wisest Dragon?”

“By the cloud shaped like a bunny,” the blue dragon said as he went on his way.

They flew over to the bunny shaped cloud and there were two dragons sitting in thrones together holding a crystal. They announced, “We are the sisters

of the stars. Our names are Iris and Mila.”

All of a sudden there was a rumbling sound.

“What was that?” Willa screamed with fear.

They went to take a look, and the whole place was suddenly distorted. The wise dragons and crystal were gone! They spread out to look around for them when suddenly Willa screamed as a whole lot of pigs ran her over and took her!

“What just happened!?” Flora yelled in her loudest voice ever.

“Did they just kidnap her?” Zelda screeched.

And just then, out of the cloud popped a bull.

“My name is Evil Ryan,” he declared, “but you already know that. If you want your sweet little thing back, you will have to come to the earth’s core before I do to retrieve the earth crystal and the thing that you call Willa.”

Then he disappeared.

“What do we do now?” Zalda wondered.

“You heard him, we must go to the earth core to save Willa and retrieve the earth crystal!” said Danielle.

“Well, we will come too,” Iris thoughtfully suggested.

They all grabbed hands and flew into the sky over the grand river and reached a pond. It didn’t seem special until they went into it and suddenly arrived at the Earth’s core. And there was Willa, strapped to a rock!

“Good, you came,” said Evil Ryan tossing the earth crystal back and forth.

“What did you think? We were just going to leave Willa?” the girls asked in unison.

“You still have to stop me from retrieving the Earth gem,” Evil Ryan explained.

“So, is this some kind of battle?” Mila asked excitedly.

“Yes, it is exactly a battle! So should we begin?” Evil Ryan asked.

The sisters started using their giant wings to capture most of the pig army. Danielle, the spirit, used her powers and knocked out the other piggies. All the while, Zalda and Flora used this moment to free Willa, and when she was free, Willa used all her strength and karate chopped Evil Ryan! When he was down, the team of dragons, spirits and chosen ones, together threw him in a cage and locked the door.

After a celebratory round of high-fives and hugs, the sisters helped return the three crystals back to the Earth’s Core, Dragonland, and Mermaid Town. Danielle gave the three sisters a magical gem that allows them to travel between these mystical places whenever they want. Willa ran to Danielle and wrapped her snuggly arms around her.

“We will miss you,” Willa softly says as a tear falls down her cheek. Her sisters join them for a final hug. Danielle promised she will visit every Saturday.

The End.

Annual Boyd Worley Tournament highlights Skagway youth basketball

Middle School Hoop Action at the Boyd Worley Tournament Nov. 15-17. The Skagway teams, coached by Sterling Rachal, faced off against foes from Haines, Whitehorse, Juneau, and Yakutat in the annual round-robin tourney. The Skagway middle school squads will wrap up their short season in Haines Nov. 22-23.

Oct. 31 to Nov. 15, 2024

Oct. 31

Nicholas Kay Walker, 33, Skagway, was arrested for Violation of Conditions of Release.

Nov. 2

Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider.

Nov. 3

Dispatch posted a public service announcement on Facebook Swap regarding a caller impersonating an officer attempting to confirm personal information from individuals. The community was advised via Nixle that the SPD will never call to confirm personal information over the phone.

Nov. 4

Dispatched received successful 911 test calls for an autodialer.

Nov. 5

Multiple reports came into dispatch of an unauthorized political flag being flown on municipal property as well as being placed on the same pole that the American flag was flying on. Officers and Public Works were notified immediately, and the political flag was removed.

Dispatch took a report of a lost and found item.

Police & Fire Blotter

An Officer responded to a traffic hit and run accident that took place on the Alaska State Kennicott ferry. Officers contacted Canada Customs at Fraser Port of Entry who were processing the vehicle in question. The driver of the vehicle was sent back to the US Border Station where an officer met and advised on situation. Driver’s information was gathered and he was released to continue on his journey.

Dispatch received the annual hand-made Christmas cards from K-12 students in art class.

Nov. 6

Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider.

Officers responded to a report of a rockslide off Congress Way near Fish Co. The road had been briefly closed while barricades were placed for safety. Ongoing watch of the area will continue.

Nov. 7

Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider. Dispatch was informed by the Harbor Master that SERVU was out for inspection of the Ore Dock.

Nov. 8

Dispatch took reports of lost and found items.

by Jeff Brady

Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider.

Nov. 9

Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider. EMS and Fire personnel responded to an injury at the school during wrestling.

Reports of a high-powered rifle being fired near the Skagway Storage Units were investigated by officers. Nothing was found at that time.

Nov. 10

Fire personnel responded to a downtown EWS fire and burglar alarm on the same building.

Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider twice.

Nov. 11

Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider twice.

Nov. 14

Dispatch assisted in contacting the on-duty provider. Report of a suspicious vehicle parked on private property was trespassed. Officer advised the driver on approved public areas to park overnight.

Submitted by Skagway Police Department

Skagway coach Sterling Rachal exhorts his girl’s squad in a tight battle with Haines.

Ruthie Reddick scampers down the court leading after a steal.

The crowd erupts after a Panther shot sends the girl’s game versa Haines into overtime.

Henry Bass wrestles for a rebound against the Wolfpack, a club team from Whitehorse.

Skagway guard Tim Authier shows no fear taking the ball into the lane for a shot against the Wolfpack.

Photos

By J. Basil Dannebohm

Growing up, many of us were taught that the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts by a group of Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag tribe. Some of us even held classroom re-enactments of the event, donning funny black hats and feathered headdresses.

Though I don’t mean to spit in your stuffing, what many of us have been celebrating has nothing to do with the historical event that led to the commemoration of the holiday.

Some historians argue that the first Thanksgiving took place in the small

community of San Elizario, Texas, in the year 1598. Others suggest the first Thanksgiving was held in 1619 at Berkeley Plantation on the banks of the James River in Charles City County, Virginia.

As for the “Thanksgiving” held in 1621?

Well, for starters, the Pilgrims didn’t wear funny black hats or overexaggerated belt buckles. Historically that type of dress is associated (albeit incorrectly) with the Puritans. The Pilgrims and the Puritans were technically not the same movement – at least not by their standards. In brief, though their group grew out of

SKAGUAY NEWS DEPOT & BOOKS

the English Puritan movement, the Pilgrims sought separation from the Church of England. The Puritans, who arrived in America after the Pilgrims, sought to rid the Church of England of Roman Catholic traditions. Confused? Yeah. Reformations will do that to ya.

But the myth doesn’t end there.

In a 2019 article published by The New Yorker entitled, “The Invention of Thanksgiving,” historian Philip Deloria explained, “The first Thanksgiving was not a ‘thanksgiving,’ in Pilgrim terms, but a ‘rejoicing.’ An actual giving of thanks required fasting and quiet contemplation; a rejoicing featured feasting, drinking, militia drills, target practice, and contests of strength and speed. It was a party, not a prayer, and was full of people shooting at things.”

Technically speaking, members of the Wampanoag tribe weren’t “invited” to the party. Rather, they crashed it. Upon hearing gunfire, they assumed the Pilgrims were under attack. Honoring a mutual protection pledge, the tribe was said to have been coming to the aid of the Pilgrims. Upon noticing all was well they just sort of stuck around for the food. The only documented evidence of the event which took place in 1621 comes from a journal entry by Edward Winslow, Plymouth Colony's governor at the time.

The “official” American celebration of Thanksgiving has nothing to do with a small town in south Texas, a plantation in rural Virginia, or the Pilgrims. Historically, Christendom has been marked with days of Thanksgiving centuries before the European colonization of North America. Similarly, our infant nation had various days of thanksgiving to commemorate significant milestones. The official holiday, however, came about as the result of a seventeen-year campaign by a writer and activist named Sarah Josepha Hale. While hers is a mostly unfamiliar name that you likely never associated with the celebration, Hale’s efforts earned her the nickname, "Mother of Thanksgiving."

For nearly two decades Hale campaigned to presidents Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Abraham Lincoln for a patriotic holiday centered around the common American purpose and values. The New Englander associated those values with rural simplicity rather than urban sophistication. The celebration she envisioned included a common meal consisting of foods enjoyed at New England harvest celebrations including turkey, mashed and sweet potatoes, squash, corn, green beans, cranberries, and … you guessed it: pumpkin pie.

Lincoln’s decision to declare Hale’s Thanksgiving holiday was the result of his desire to celebrate the Union Army’s victory in the Battle of Gettysburg and his fervent hope that the country would one day heal from the wounds of its division. On October 3rd, 1863, the President issued a proclamation (written by Secretary of State William H. Seward) designating “the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving.”

The proclamation declaring the first official American celebration of Thanksgiving called upon God to “fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”

Some historians and philosophers believe that history is cyclical. This Thanksgiving, I won’t be commemorating the myths. Rather, like Lincoln, I will be fervently praying for the day when Americans can once again set aside those things that have sharply divided us these last few years and give thanks for that which unites us. May God preserve and protect our common American purpose and values.

---

J. Basil Dannebohm is a writer, speaker, consultant, former legislator and intelligencer. His website is www.dannebohm. com. He writes from the Washington DC metro in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Scholarships, grants & opportunities

The Skagway Public Library Wifi is available outside the library 10am-10pm..

U.S. Passports: Crystal Harris, our Library Assistant, is currently Skagway’s only passport acceptance agent. Applications are accepted by appointment only Tuesday through Friday. day. Please call to schedule. For more more information - 907-9832665 or email library@skagway.org

The Municipality of Skagway 2025 Senior Citizen/Disabled Veteran Exemption forms have been mailed.

Forms must be received at City Hall by January 15, 2025. If you are a property owner who will be 65 before January 1, 2025, or a disabled veteran, you must notify City Hall to enroll. All eligible residents must submit a form every year to receive the exemption. Ordinance 23-12 was ratified by the voters on October 3, 2023 which adjusted the exemption to the first $350,000 of the assessed value of your primary residence. Any questions can be directed to Tax Clerk, Susie Anderson by phone 983-2297 or e-mail s.anderson@skagway.org.

Rasmuson Foundation is accepting applications for Tier 1 and Community Support grants, now with increased award sizes. These awards form a central part of Rasmuson Foundation’s grantmaking activities, supporting nonprofit organizations in Alaska with key resources and infusions of capital.

Tier 1 grants

Tier 1 is a core program of the Foundation, known for fast capital and one-time funding. In addition to a 40% increase in the maximum award size, the program now allows organizations to apply up to 15% of an award toward administrative costs. Tier 1 grants will provide up to $35,000 per project and the application period opens Aug. 15. This is a rolling grant program, and applications are accepted throughout the year.

Community Support grants fund capital projects and programmatic projects

with broad community impact. The grants are intended for requests between $35,000 and $250,000. Capital requests will be approved quarterly, while non-capital/ programmatic requests will be reviewed twice a year. Grants of this size do not require an invitation to apply, and organizations can access the application starting Aug. 15.

The Foundation anticipates awarding 150-175 Tier 1 grants and 10-20 Community Support grants annually. Program details, application tips, and frequently asked questions are also available at rasmuson.org.

Applications for Micro-Grants for Food Security are Now Open.

Alaska Div. of Agriculture receives $2.6 million to fund

The grant application period runs from Sept. 27 to Nov. 26, 2024 at 5pm.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements as outlined in the Request for Applications (also on the Micro-Grants for Food Security website). Funding is available in four categories:

Small-Scale Gardening Projects ($2,500)

Small-Scale Livestock, Poultry, Fencing, and Apiary Projects ($5,000)

Food Processing and Storage Projects ($5,000) Greenhouse Projects ($5,000)

More information on the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program is available through the Division of Agriculture. Applications must be submitted electronically via the SmartSimple application portal (https:// akdivag.us-1.smartsimple. com/s_Login.jsp). Successful grantees will have one year to complete their projects. The Micro-Grants for Food Security website will include the most up-to-date timelines. Applicants who did not receive funding during previous grant cycles may reapply.

NOAA Fisheries proposes a new fee starting in 2025 to support the Recreational Quota Entity Program.

A 30-day public comment period is open now through

Dec. 2, 2024 for interested parties to share feedback on a proposed rule to require a charter halibut stamp for all adult charter vessel anglers for each day they intend to retain halibut on a charter vessel in International Pacific Halibut Commission regulatory areas 2C (Southeast Alaska) and 3A (Southcentral Alaska). The North Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended this new program for implementation by NOAA Fisheries. Detailed information can be found in the Proposed Rule

The proposed fee for the stamp is $20.00 per person per day. If approved, the proposed fee would be implemented in early 2025 for the upcoming season. These funds would be used to help increase the amount of halibut available to charter vessel anglers as described below.

What would it do?

Funds collected by NOAA Fisheries from halibut stamp fees would be transferred to the Recreational Quota Entity (RQE), a non-profit organization that works on behalf of the charter halibut fishery. The RQE would use the fees to purchase and permanently hold halibut quota shares from the commercial halibut fishery. Each year, the pounds of halibut from the RQE quota would be added to the amount of halibut the charter fishery receives under a catch-sharing allocation with the commercial fishery. This provides a mechanism for compensated reallocation of a portion of commercial halibut quota to the charter fishery, with the goal of less restrictive annual management measures for the charter fishery.

How do I Comment on the Proposed Rule?

Review the proposed rule and provide your comments. Instructions for commenting and additional details here: https://www.federalregister. gov/d/2024-25229.

Comments are due by Dec. 2, 2024.

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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

FOR SALE

FOR SALE: Hand-crafted cargo sleigh, 36”hx126”lx44”w, has compensator front hitch as well as rear pulling hitch. Built-in back covered storage

To Just Anyone! Preferably email me first at: stephaniechristensen59@ gmail.com before Text (980) 3537582 PETS box and built-in gate for easy loading/unloading access. Asking $3000.00 OBO. Call/ text Ted at 780-225-9443 for more info or pics.

Not

Weather Watch BULLETIN BOARD

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. 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..........5 p.m. October - April (when a priest is available)

Call 983-2665 or email https://skagwaylibrary.com/ library@skagway.org

and

907-983-2255 For after-hours emergencies, dial 911.

FREE GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES To Forever Homes due to relocating: 1 Male, 1 Female, Excellent Temperament, House Trained. Will

Re-home

Fire & Police Department Open House