Author: kfskadmin

Petersburg Republican Steven Samuelson says boosting ferry ridership and energy development are two of the issues he’ll tackle if he’s elected to the Alaska house next year. The 32-year-old hardware store employee is starting his second run for the District 2 seat representing Petersburg, Wrangell, Sitka, Pelican, Elfin Cove and Port Alexander. He challenged Wrangell incumbent Peggy Wilson in the August 2008 primary, winning 39 percent of the votes cast in that race, with his strongest support in his hometown. Samuelson spent part of last year working for the Sitka-based company Allen Marine in the Juneau area. He also got married in August and says he’s spent time following the legislature during last winter’s session and staying involved with the regional organization Southeast Conference. Joe Viechnicki spoke with Samuelson about his decision to run again.

Petersburg’s new fire hall and library projects still top the city’s long slate of priorities for state funding. The City Council met Thursday night to revise the list for the upcoming legislative session. The draft list will be out for public comment and up for final approval at next Monday’s council meeting.

Sugar plum fairies, candy canes, dewdrops and royalty will grace the Wright Auditorium stage in Petersburg this weekend, as the Steppin' Out dance troupe performs the Nutcracker. This is the fifth Nutcracker performance for Steppin' Out, which has put on the classic Christmas ballet every other year since 2001. Matt Lichtenstein stopped by dress rehearsal for a preview of this year’s show

The city of Petersburg has filed its request for another hearing over a federal hydro-electric power permit for Ruth Lake, in Thomas Bay, north of Petersburg. The city is hoping the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will reconsider last month’s award of the preliminary permit to Angoon.

California-based singer songwriter Charlie Lustman will performed a free concert this week in Petersburg. Lustman was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2006. He went through two surgeries and a year’s worth of chemo-therapy. In 2007, he produced an album about his story called “Made Me Nuclear" and has since taken to the road, performing his songs. Joe Viechnicki spoke with Lustman about his story.