Joe Viechnicki, KFSK, Author at KFSK

Author: Joe Viechnicki, KFSK

Sales tax questions, fluoride, ATVs could appear on Petersburg ballot

Local voters could be deciding on fluoride, on-road ATV use, sales tax changes and changes to the borough’s charter this October. Residents have submitted a proposal to end the practice of adding fluoride to Petersburg’s water and hope to be able to start gathering signatures to put that issue on the ballot. Another group is trying again with a proposed ordinance to allow on-road use of all-terrain and utility vehicles.

Petersburg schools brace for possible state funding cuts

Petersburg school officials say a funding cut passed by the state Senate would cost the district hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Senate passed a budget this month with a five percent cut to education money that goes to school districts.

Petersburg school board OKs two out-of-state trips for next year

Petersburg’s school board Tuesday voted to allow two out-of-state trips for Petersburg High School students next year. Students in music and Spanish language classes will have a chance to travel but will have to fund raise for those tours.

Newlyweds feed growing chum salmon in Thomas Bay

Twenty-two million tiny chum salmon are growing in net pens in Thomas Bay near Petersburg this spring. The site is a new release location for hatchery chums produced by the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association’s Hidden Falls hatchery on Baranof Island. And a young couple from Petersburg is spending the next few months living at the remote site and feeding the hungry fish.

Congressman: forest transfer bill won’t impact funding to Tongass communities

Alaska Congressman Don Young Monday defended his bill that could give up to two million acres of the Tongass National Forest to the state of Alaska. Young was in Petersburg, a community that just passed a resolution opposing his legislation. Young told an audience in Petersburg that the municipality would not lose federal funding because of his bill and said he wouldn’t run for re-election if it did.