Author: kfskadmin

The Forest Service is planning to close some of its old logging roads on the Petersburg Ranger District as it implements a 2005 rule called “Access and Travel Management.” In the face of declining road maintenance money, Forest Service officials say they are trying to reduce costs by closing down roads. The closures would also allow the removal of problem culverts and other structures that cause environmental damage.
The 2005 rule basically prohibited motor vehicle use on forest service roads and off-road areas nationwide, unless they are specifically designated as open for such use.
The Petersburg Ranger District is asking for input on its local proposal to designate which Tongass roads will remain open for motorized vehicle use as well as which types of vehicles may use those roads.
Petersburg District Ranger Chris Savage spoke with KFSK's Matt Lichtenstein about the issue.

A measure aimed at keeping the Petersburg City Council from voting on an issue without public notice failed to make it past the Council on a four to one vote this week. Opponents said they supported the spirit behind the ordinance, but they also expressed concern about how it could be implemented.

With a newly-established office and staff member in downtown Petersburg, organizers with Women’s Aid in Violent Emergencies say they’ve had more people contacting them for help or to volunteer.
WAVE is the local advocacy group for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The organization opened the office this spring with funding from the federal “stop violence against women” program. WAVE’s umbrella organization in Ketchikan, Women in Safe Homes, secured the money for local organizations on Prince of Wales and in Petersburg and Wrangell. Matt Lichtenstein spoke with WAVE board member Kathy Bracken and newly-hired coordinator Pat Walden.

Repairs to Petersburg’s problematic water pipeline could be underway soon. Despite earlier disagreements and controversy, the Petersburg City Council, Monday, decided to move ahead with the work so the city’s larger reservoir at cabin creek would be available for salmon season, when water is most in demand.

The proposed rate-hike for Petersburg’s assisted living facility passed the City Council in its second reading Monday night. As the councilors considered the thousand-dollar a month increase again, they heard more concerns from a resident’s family member. The City Manager also gave another explanation of the numbers behind the increase.