Recent News

Sludge Issue Likely Will Rise to Top

Maggie Wall/KMXT The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly is likely to get an ear full during tonight’s assembly work session. This will be the first gathering of the assembly since last weekend’s meeting of about 30 residents concerned about hauling sludge from the wastewater treatment plant to a proposed composting site in Middle Bay. The sludge disposal is not on the …

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More Observers Coming to Alaska Groundfish and Halibut Boats

Jay Barrett/KMXT On January 1st, there will be a sea change in the who, what, where and when of federal fisheries observer coverage for Alaska groundfish and halibut boats. “The purpose is to improve data quality, to more equitably distribute industry cost and to include halibut vessels," said NOAA Fisheries spokeswoman Julie Speegle in Juneau. "So the changes are, vessels …

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Local Artists Headed to Finland

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Maggie Wall/KMXT A group of Kodiak skin sewers will travel to Finland in February to examine and learn about early Kodiak sewing from close examination of items in the Etholin Collection. Kodiak residents may not know much about Adolf Etholin, but like the more familiar Alexander Baranof, Etholin was a Russian governor or “chief manager” of the Russian-America Company’s Alaska …

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Fuel, Fish Unloaded from Tug, Barge

Alexandra Gutierrez/KUCB After a week of harsh weather, responders were finally able to remove fuel from a tug that grounded off the Alaska Peninsula. The Polar Wind was carrying about 20,000 gallons of diesel when it — and the barge it was towing — ended up on the rocks. About 6,000 gallons were lost after the accident, but there have …

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Snowy Winters Spell Trouble for Vessels of All Sizes

Maggie Wall/KMXT Here’s a nautical phrase to add to your vocabulary. “Tendering your line smartly.” It’s got to do with the lines and how you tie your vessel to the dock. And it’s one thing you need to know if you have a boat in Kodiak’s boat harbors. Deputy Kodiak Harbormaster Lon White explains that vessel owners—from small skiffs to …

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Long Sentence After Kodiak Trial for Assailant

Alexandra Gutierrez/KUCB A 31-year-old man has received a lengthy prison sentence for a sexual assault four years ago in False Pass, wrapping up a legal saga that involved two jury trials. The attack occurred in 2008, while Jason Downard was working as a commercial fisherman. He was initially charged with sexual assault in the first degree, assault in the second …

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USCG Lt. Lance Leone Describes Fatal Crash, Aftermath

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Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: Ed Ronco/KCAW In 2010, a helicopter crash in Washington State claimed the lives of three men from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka. The sole survivor of the incident was Lieutenant Lance Leone. The MH-60 Jayhawk, known by its tail number, 6017, had been upgraded in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and an aircrew of four …

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The Alaska Fisheries Report with Jay Barrett

Coming up on this Thanksgiving week show, we get a dive fishery update from Southeast, scientists worry melting glaciers are increasing the acidity of our oceans, and two posthumous inductions into the Alaska Seafood Hall of Fame. We had help from KFSK’s Joe Vichnickie in Petersburg, Coast Alaska’s Ed Schoenfeld in Juneau, and KTOO’s Matt Miller in Juneau.

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