KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska

Jay Barrett/KMXT The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly voted 5-1 last night to introduce an ordinance to allow the voters to decide if smoking should be allowed in bars, restaurants and other businesses in Kodiak. There were a number of residents voicing their opinions on the issue, largely against a smoking ban. Janet Wente phoned in to the meeting and pointed …

Jay Barrett/KMXT Each summer over 10,000 National Education Association presidents and others associated with the union gather to discuss issues facing education. They are in Atlanta this year, they will consider positions on education policy, and conduct union business. Ron Fuhrer, president of NEA-Alaska is at this year’s assembly. He said a lot of the national issues discussed there apply …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Tomorrow is Independence Day which, weather depending, means many folks will partake in camping, bonfires, barbecues and perhaps even a few fireworks. Fireworks are only allowed in some places within the borough, and prohibited within city limits. Those looking to shoot off a Fourth of July spectacle should make sure they’re doing so in an area that’s allowed, …

Jay Barrett/KMXT The premier of the third season of Coast Guard Alaska on the Weather Channel is coming up in two weeks. The first episode will focus on the travails of the Royal Dutch Shell drilling rig, Kulluk as it loses its tow and eventually goes aground on Sitkalidak Island, southeast of Kodiak. The show’s preview on the Weather Channel’s …

Jay Barrett/KMXT The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly is holding its bi-weekly regular meeting tonight (Tuesday), because the Independence Day holiday is falling on its usual Thursday meeting day. One rather hot-button issue will be before the assembly – a proposed smoking ban in public places. The proposal, made by Assemblyman Aaron Griffin, would put on October’s ballot a smoking ban …

Jay Barrett/KMXT At its Thursday meeting the Kodiak City Council approved a design contract for Pier 3, the city’s cargo dock. City Manager Aimee Kniaziowski said the concept work, wave study and geo-technical report have all been done, and the funding is in place, so it’s time to start the design and permitting process. To that end, she recommended the …

Jay Barrett/KMXT An Air Station Kodiak helicopter crew over the weekend medevac’d three boaters to Bethel following their rescue by a local search and rescue team Saturday. A Coast Guard C-130 found the skiff and three men after the village public safety officer in Chefornak reported them overdue. The Hercules crew located the stranded boaters on a sandbar about one-quarter …

Jay Barrett/KMXT The Kodiak Managenment Area sockeye salmon harvest jumped the million-fish mark Saturday, with a catch of 28,723. The sockeye total is now 1,020,655. Total salmon harvest area-wide is about 1.19-million, which includes about 124,000 chum, 32,000 pinks and just over 11,000 kings. The Kodiak Westside areas of Karluk, Northwest Kodiak and Southwest Afognak accounts for about half the …