Author: kfskadmin

Petersburg’s City Council re-affirmed its support for a group of Mitkof highway residents in their struggles with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority this week.
Trust land managers are working on a land exchange with US Forest Service that could address residents safety concerns over potential development of steep hills above their homes and businesses. However, the agency may keep a portion of its highway property for use as a rock quarry. That idea has generated more local objections. The Council passed a resolution Monday asking that the trust include the land in question as part of the broader exchange.

Alaska’s House Finance Committee voted down a proposal to add funding for the University of Alaska’s Marine Advisory Program Monday. The program is facing cuts to six of its ten local offices around the state due to declining federal grant funds. As the committee worked to finalize its operating budget proposal, Nome democrat Neil Foster offered an amendment adding the University’s request for 614 thousand dollars for MAP.
University officials have said the committee’s general fund spending proposal would not provide enough to cover map as well as many other programs that need additional money. Anchorage Republican and Committee Chair Mike Hawker acknowledged lawmakers had received extensive public comment in support of MP but hawker emphasized that the state had to live within its means and he preferred to let the University decide how to allocate its limited funding.
The Committee voted seven to three against the amendment.
The vote comes on the heels of testimony from program supporters around the state. Speaking to the committee last week, residents from Petersburg and other coastal towns echoed the University’s request for state money to prevent cuts to six rural map offices. Matt Lichtenstein has a look at some of those comments.

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.