Author: Joe Viechnicki, KFSK

Harbor rates are going up in Petersburg next month and voters are one step closer to deciding on an end to the senior sales tax exemption again this fall. Petersburg’s borough assembly Monday, June 18 passed the harbor fee hike and advanced a ballot question on creating a needs-based tax rebate for seniors instead of the current exemption.

For good and for bad, king salmon runs around Petersburg are coming in as forecast so far this year. Anglers have only been allowed to keep Chinook salmon in a limited few areas with hatchery kings for the first part of this month. And much of the sport fishing effort in this area has been focused on the Wrangell Narrows and Blind Slough.

The end of last month saw large numbers of flies swarming in Petersburg and had people speculating about the cause of the sudden influx. It appears the insects were March flies and occasionally emerge in these big swarms. One bug enthusiast says they’re likely around in other years but aren’t as noticeable in smaller concentrations.

Petersburg borough officials and a selection committee have chosen a local candidate to be the next chief of police. Borough officials have tentatively agreed to a contract with 38-year-old Petersburg Police sergeant James Kerr.

Four applicants, three from out of town and one local candidate, are interviewing this week to be Petersburg’s next chief of police. The finalists have a mix of experience in large and small community law enforcement.