: In the News
Bears slower than usual
Juneau's black bears seem to be sleeping in.
That's the read of Area Management Biologist Neil Barten of State Fish and Game who says it seems like the bears are slow to wake up.
"I think all of us would agree it's a pretty cold Spring and I think the bears are following suit."
He says they haven't heard of anything at this point, but he expects bear activity will pick up any day now. When they do wake up, Barten says they're going to be real hungry. He went out Tuesday in the Lemon Creek area and didn't like the look of it in some places where he saw garbage cans out next to homes. Local law only allows cans to go out on garbage pick up day. "People need to sharpen up this time of year," Barten says.
Spring King Derby leader at nearly 33 pounds
It's official. The new Spring King Derby leader tops out at nearly 33 pounds.
Norman Zura turned in his 32.9 pound King to Jerry's Meats about six Monday evening.
The other leading fish were also turned in to that weigh in station:
Noel Algarbre also turned in a 29.7 pound King Monday.
Thomas Aberle turned in a 29.36 pounder yesterday morning, (Tuesday)
Phillip Selleck turned in a 24.3 pounder Monday.
Chris Baldwin entered a 24.05 fish Tuesday.
Twenty-eight fish are on the list at last report.
The other check points are DeHarts and the Alaska Seafood Cannery.
The fishing continues until the end of the month. Entered fish must be gutted and gilled.
The tickets are $40 and are available at outlets all around town.
A complete list or prizes, rules and the latest standings among other information is on the web
AEL&P submits new proposal...new electric rate hike to apply after April 16 avalanches
Alaska Electric Light and Power is delaying sending out the month of May's bills until the Regulatory Commission of Alaska decides on the utility's latest filing.
AEL&P today (Tuesday) submitted an amended filing with the RCA to postpone implementation of the increased tariff so it applies only for power consumed after the April 16th avalanches.
In a written statement released tonight, AEL&P president Tim McLeod said the utility is taking the action to respond to the concerns of Juneau residents.
He said "Juneau consumers are rewriting the history books when it comes to energy conservation and it's only fair that they not pay the higher tariff for electricity consumed before the avalanche".
The filing requests RCA approval of the change by today. (Wednesday)
The emergency cost of power adjustment rate will be the same as previously approved, only the implementation date will change.
The avalanches knocked down two transmission towers and damaged several others interrupting the flow of power from the Snettisham hydroelectric dam.
Juneau delegation asks Palin to override decision of disaster cabinet
Juneau's legislative delegation is asking Governor Palin to reconsider the decision of her disaster cabinet that the Snettisham avalanche electricity crises does not qualify as a disaster.
In the letter sent to the governor yesterday (Monday), the delegation states that the cabinet's decision limits the definition of disaster too narrowly and precludes Palin from exercising the same latitude as previous governors and does not take into account any future decisions made by the federal government.
The delegation also notes that there were no written findings outlining what criteria the disaster cabinet used to make it's determination.
They say the failure to declare a state disaster limits the state's congressional delegation's ability to request federal aid.
The delegation is inviting Palin to meet with Juneau residents to find out first hand how the huge hike in electrical bills is effecting them.
The delegation notes that in 1997 Governor Tony Knowles declared a state disaster as a result of the Bristol Bay salmon run collapse.
Knowles declared the disaster based on a temporary economic setback for Bristol Bay fishermen and associated workers and businesses.
State assistance totaled more than 2 million dollars.
Draft report on Juneau Icefield landings to come out at public hearing Thursday
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Forest Service plans to release a draft report governing helicopters on the Juneau Icefield.
The draft will be released during a public hearing Thursday night.
Last year, the icefield had about 17,000 landings, even though 22,000 had been approved in a 2002 decision.
The agency is reviewing whether the data from 2002 is still valid.
The hearing is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the downtown public library.
NEW - Tripod tips in Nenana Ice Classic
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The tripod in the Nenana Ice Classic - Alaska's version of a lottery - has tipped over.
Contest officials say the tripod tipped at 10:53 p.m. Tuesday. Ice Classic manager Cherrie Forness says contest officials are still trying to determine how many winners there are - those people that down to the minute chose the correct time for when the ice on the Tanana River went out this year.
Once that is known, Forness says those people will be contacted with the good news.
This year's jackpot is over $303,000. It is slightly bigger than last year's - despite the pinch people are feeling from higher fuel and grocery prices.
Thousands of people pay $2.50 a ticket to guess what date and time to the minute a tripod set up on the Tanana River ice at Nenana, 55 miles south of Fairbanks, will move downstream and trip a clock that is wired to shore.
The Ice Classic is in its 92nd year.
Bears slower than usual
Juneau's black bears seem to be sleeping in.
That's the read of Area Management Biologist Neil Barten of State Fish and Game who says it seems like the bears are slow to wake up.
"I think all of us would agree it's a pretty cold Spring and I think the bears are following suit."
He says they haven't heard of anything at this point, but he expects bear activity will pick up any day now. When they do wake up, Barten says they're going to be real hungry. He went out Tuesday in the Lemon Creek area and didn't like the look of it in some places where he saw garbage cans out next to homes. Local law only allows cans to go out on garbage pick up day. "People need to sharpen up this time of year," Barten says.
Spring King Derby leader at nearly 33 pounds
It's official. The new Spring King Derby leader tops out at nearly 33 pounds.
Norman Zura turned in his 32.9 pound King to Jerry's Meats about six Monday evening.
The other leading fish were also turned in to that weigh in station:
Noel Algarbre also turned in a 29.7 pound King Monday.
Thomas Aberle turned in a 29.36 pounder yesterday morning, (Tuesday)
Phillip Selleck turned in a 24.3 pounder Monday.
Chris Baldwin entered a 24.05 fish Tuesday.
Twenty-eight fish are on the list at last report.
The other check points are DeHarts and the Alaska Seafood Cannery.
The fishing continues until the end of the month. Entered fish must be gutted and gilled.
The tickets are $40 and are available at outlets all around town.
A complete list or prizes, rules and the latest standings among other information is on the web
AEL&P submits new proposal...new electric rate hike to apply after April 16 avalanches
Alaska Electric Light and Power is delaying sending out the month of May's bills until the Regulatory Commission of Alaska decides on the utility's latest filing.
AEL&P today (Tuesday) submitted an amended filing with the RCA to postpone implementation of the increased tariff so it applies only for power consumed after the April 16th avalanches.
In a written statement released tonight, AEL&P president Tim McLeod said the utility is taking the action to respond to the concerns of Juneau residents.
He said "Juneau consumers are rewriting the history books when it comes to energy conservation and it's only fair that they not pay the higher tariff for electricity consumed before the avalanche".
The filing requests RCA approval of the change by today. (Wednesday)
The emergency cost of power adjustment rate will be the same as previously approved, only the implementation date will change.
The avalanches knocked down two transmission towers and damaged several others interrupting the flow of power from the Snettisham hydroelectric dam.
Juneau delegation asks Palin to override decision of disaster cabinet
Juneau's legislative delegation is asking Governor Palin to reconsider the decision of her disaster cabinet that the Snettisham avalanche electricity crises does not qualify as a disaster.
In the letter sent to the governor yesterday (Monday), the delegation states that the cabinet's decision limits the definition of disaster too narrowly and precludes Palin from exercising the same latitude as previous governors and does not take into account any future decisions made by the federal government.
The delegation also notes that there were no written findings outlining what criteria the disaster cabinet used to make it's determination.
They say the failure to declare a state disaster limits the state's congressional delegation's ability to request federal aid.
The delegation is inviting Palin to meet with Juneau residents to find out first hand how the huge hike in electrical bills is effecting them.
The delegation notes that in 1997 Governor Tony Knowles declared a state disaster as a result of the Bristol Bay salmon run collapse.
Knowles declared the disaster based on a temporary economic setback for Bristol Bay fishermen and associated workers and businesses.
State assistance totaled more than 2 million dollars.
Draft report on Juneau Icefield landings to come out at public hearing Thursday
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Forest Service plans to release a draft report governing helicopters on the Juneau Icefield.
The draft will be released during a public hearing Thursday night.
Last year, the icefield had about 17,000 landings, even though 22,000 had been approved in a 2002 decision.
The agency is reviewing whether the data from 2002 is still valid.
The hearing is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the downtown public library.
NEW - Tripod tips in Nenana Ice Classic
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The tripod in the Nenana Ice Classic - Alaska's version of a lottery - has tipped over.
Contest officials say the tripod tipped at 10:53 p.m. Tuesday. Ice Classic manager Cherrie Forness says contest officials are still trying to determine how many winners there are - those people that down to the minute chose the correct time for when the ice on the Tanana River went out this year.
Once that is known, Forness says those people will be contacted with the good news.
This year's jackpot is over $303,000. It is slightly bigger than last year's - despite the pinch people are feeling from higher fuel and grocery prices.
Thousands of people pay $2.50 a ticket to guess what date and time to the minute a tripod set up on the Tanana River ice at Nenana, 55 miles south of Fairbanks, will move downstream and trip a clock that is wired to shore.
The Ice Classic is in its 92nd year.