Author: Joe Viechnicki

As interest in Alaska grows and cruise ship companies are bringing more people to the 49th state, Petersburg could be a destination for a little bit larger cruise ships in the next few years. A company called Viking Cruises is exploring possibilities for future Alaska port calls and met with officials in Petersburg this summer.

A new run of hatchery chum salmon south of Sitka looks like it will wind up about five times what was forecast to return. And a larger run could be returning next year.

Five people running for the two Petersburg borough assembly seats this fall have a range of opinions on the one measure that is appearing on the local ballot. That’s a question about ending the sales tax exemption for anyone 65 and older and replacing it with an annual rebate check for low-income seniors.

Petersburg’s post office reopened at 11 Friday morning. The facility was closed for over a week because of mercury spilled from a package last Thursday, September 13. Limited mail service has been offered for a week at the Petersburg Indian Association’s building.