Author: kfskadmin

Travelers on Mitkof Highway this month have been noticing a new art installation in the muskeg, just across from the road to Papke’s Landing, about 10 miles south of Petersburg. So far the creator of the display is remaining anonymous but the work is prompting a few passers-by to slow down and take a closer look. Twelve brightly painted doors stand in the muskeg facing Papke’s Landing road. Joe Viechnicki spoke with Papke’s resident Jackie Tyson Wednesday on Mitkof Highway.

A cold-war era military communications site on a mountaintop in Duncan Canal could see some more clean-up work in the next few years. The former "White Alice" station on Kupreanof Island, about eight miles west of Petersburg, was built in 1959 and was part of a system used to relay radio communications from Clear, Alaska to Colorado Springs. The former manned station was demolished and had its buildings removed in 1986. The land was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1987. However fuel drums and abandoned vehicles were discovered at the site in 1999 nearer to the beach, and close to several hunting cabins. In 2000, the Air Force removed over 100 dumped fuel barrels from the site. Since then, the Air Force has hired a private contractor, Weston Solutions, to investigate the remaining fuel drums, spilled fuel and chemicals remaining at the site. Jamie Grund works for Weston Solutions and he spoke with Joe Viechnicki about the company's findings.

Spots are opening up on Petersburg’s city council.
Two weeks after a resignation by councilor Sara Stoner, councilor Melinda Hofstad says she’s also stepping down from her seat. Hofstad recorded a radio commentary announcing her resignation Tuesday. Meanwhile, another incumbent councilor Bob Nilsen says he won’t run for re-election this October. At the same time mayor Al Dwyer and council member Ed Sarff say they will seek another term.

Petersburg’s city council Monday took the first step toward joining a fledgling effort for dealing with the region’s trash and recyclable materials. The council approved an ordinance in first reading that would allow Petersburg to take part in a Southeast Alaska Solid Waste Authority with other Panhandle communities.

Federal stimulus money will pay for millions of dollars worth of trail rehabilitation work and visitor center upgrades on the Tongass National Forest. The money will pay for new planking, gravel and bridges on existing hiking and off-road vehicle trails from Ketchikan to Yakutat.