KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Some folks might have noticed a billowing cloud of black smoke coming from the Benny Benson Kodiak State Airport yesterday. While the cloud appeared rather ominous, it was actually a sign that local firefighters are hard at work training for emergencies. Coast Guard Fire Chief Jeff Halcomb said the smoke was the product of a four hour training …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Classes at the Kodiak College start next week and a new program will cater to those wanting to break into the medical industry. Suzanne Buie (like Buoy) is the department chair for health sciences at the college and said the medical coding program is filling up fast, but still has spots available for interested students. “It’s a 17-credit …

Jay Barrett/KMXT Almost a half-million dollars will be heading into five Bering Sea villages to assist in cleaning marine debris from their beaches. The Alaska Marine Stewardship Foundation has received a $210,000 grant from NOAA’s Restoration and Marine Debris Program, and has secured the same amount in matching funds from area CDQ groups. Dave Gaudet, the director of the foundation …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Cowboy mounted shooting may sound like an activity reserved for a John Wayne film, but it’s actually the fastest growing horse sport in the country. And Kodiak is no exception to the fad. Johnny Walker doesn’t call himself a cowboy, but as a life-long horse rider and lover of mounted shooting, it would make sense if he did. …

Jay Barrett/KMXT The final list of all candidates for Kodiak Island Borough Assembly, School Board and Service Areas was released after the close of the filing period, and it shows only two races that are contested. At Thursday’s meeting, Assemblyman Mel Stephens was addressing the highly contentious composting issue at the landfill when he made this comment about the small …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Just before 1 p.m. on Friday a fire broke out at the Kodiak Fishmeal Company down on Gibson Cove Road. Fire Chief Rome Kamai said the fire was in one of the hoppers at the plant. A hopper is a piece of equipment used in the processing of fishmeal. “And when I got on scene I met with …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT On Thursday, the Kodiak Borough Assembly unanimously failed a resolution that would purchase computer hardware for the Kodiak High School renovation and expansion project. Assemblyman Aaron Griffin was especially against the sole-source contract with Integrated Logic, LLC, of Palmer, Alaska. “I am not comfortable with forwarding money to the school district for this specific item.” Griffin’s issue with …

Jay Barrett/KMXT As we first told you on Thursday, Kodiak Island Borough Mayor Jerome Selby is not seeking re-election to the office he’s held for over two decades. He made the decision, he said, because he figured 25 years at the helm was enough. “You know the Kodiak Island Borough’s been in existence for 50 years; I’ve been mayor half …