Author: Joe Viechnicki, KFSK

Voters will be deciding on a proposed end to Petersburg’s senior sales tax exemption this fall. Petersburg’s borough assembly Monday agreed to put the issue on the October ballot.

The Alaska Marine Highway cancelled this week’s sailing of the state ferry Columbia. Repairs are underway following damage discovered after docking in Bellingham, Washington last Friday.

The Alaska state ferry Columbia was evacuated Friday morning, June 29 after crew noticed smoke onboard after the ship had docked in Bellingham, Washington. Black smoke was discovered but no flames in the bow thruster room.

Petersburg’s Independence Day celebration will span two days next week and will see a few changes in the schedule this year. The Fourth of July festivities are put on by Petersburg Parks and Recreation, the chamber of commerce, the volunteer fire department, Lighthouse Assembly of God Church as well as multiple other groups, volunteers and businesses.

Southeast Alaska’s commercial salmon trollers open their summer season for king salmon July 1st with a harvest target of 53,800 Chinook. The fleet is expected to catch that in a short opening. That’s after low catches and restricted fishing for kings this spring.