Author: Joe Viechnicki, KFSK

The chair of Southeast’s advisory council on subsistence has died. Mike Bangs, 62, of Petersburg was a commercial diver and fisherman. He was chair of the Southeast Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council, which makes recommendations on changes to federal regulations on subsistence harvesting of fish and game. He served on that council since 2003 and was the first Petersburg resident to be appointed to that advisory group. Bangs was also chair of Petersburg’s harbor board and a member of the land selection committee for the borough.

Students from Petersburg High School joined teams from around the state in an annual ocean sciences competition in Seward in February. It was the 20th year for The National Ocean Sciences Bowl regional competition in Alaska.

Today, February 16th, is Elizabeth Peratrovich Day, celebrating the Native civil rights leader born in Petersburg. She’ll be honored with a parade this afternoon and the unveiling of a new portrait. There’s also an effort underway for a new mural that’s planned for the courthouse building.

The U.S. Forest Service this year is starting up an effort to plan and analyze a wide variety of projects on both the Wrangell and Petersburg ranger districts. It’s a change from the agency’s past practice, which has produced separate environmental review documents for each project. The Forest Service is looking for public input and ideas on recreation work, stream restoration, timber sales and other management activities that could happen on National Forest land over the next 10-15 years.