Author: kfskadmin

A proposed smoking ban could go before Petersburg voters this fall. The City Council Monday discussed a sweeping no-smoking ordinance in the first of three readings. All the members agreed the issue should go on the ballot, but some thought the specific language was too restrictive. The measure could see some changes before the council puts it to a public vote.

Computers and related technologies have become critical parts of classroom teaching over the last decade. It’s been a key focus for Petersburg schools and last month, three young students took top honors in a statewide contest for the use of technology in the classroom. 5th graders Sierra Schonberg and Hana Newman won first place in the public service announcement category of the Ididacontest. In the “tell a story” podcast category, 6th grader Kylie Wallace won 1st place and the people’s choice award. The annual event is sponsored by the Alaska Society for Technology in Education. Matt Lichtenstein spoke with the students and their teachers about learning and teaching technology

Design planning for Petersburg’s new library building is moving into its final stages, though it could still see some refinement. The project architect presented the latest plans to the public at a Tuesday night meeting of the Library Building Committee. As Matt Lichtenstein reports, some local residents raised concerns about the building and site design.

Six coastal communities could lose their local connection to the University of Alaska’s Marine advisory program. University officials say without legislative funding, they may have to close offices in some towns including Petersburg, Cordova, Nome, Dillingham, Unalaska and Kodiak. Marine Advisory staff are best known for the educational, research, and regulatory help they provide to fishermen and other small, marine-related businesses. Matt Lichtenstein has a closer look at the program and its funding situation.

Local police say they discovered the remnants of a methamphetamine lab in the woods within downtown Petersburg. It’s one of only two such labs authorities have found in or near the Petersburg area in at least the past decade. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration sent in a contractor late last week to remove chemical residues and equipment found at the site, which is not far from residential neighborhoods. Police say they have a suspect but they have not made any arrests yet.