The city of Kodiak is looking ahead to the upcoming municipal elections this fall, starting with nominating petitions for the mayor’s seat, as well as two city council member seats. The positions that will be up for election are currently held by Mayor Pat Branson and City Council members John Whiddon and Charlie Davidson. The City of Kodiak sign at …

A brush fire broke out near Kodiak College on Monday afternoon, according to a Nixle alert sent out by the Kodiak Police Department. A police dispatcher confirmed that the fire is contained, and should be extinguished by the end of the day, though the cause of the fire remains unknown. Both the City of Kodiak Fire Department and police are …

The Inlandboatmen Union’s strike hit the one-week mark on Wednesday, and the effects of going without ferry service are rippling throughout coastal Alaska. For Alaskans living in remote villages, the impact is especially heavy, since ferries are often the only way to transport vehicles and other goods too big for a charter plane. The M/V Tustumena remains docked in Kodiak …

About a dozen members of the Inlandboatmen’s Union formed a picket line Thursday afternoon outside the ferry dock where the M/V Tustumena is still moored. They carried signs with messages like “IBU fair contract now,” and “IBU on strike for fair contract.” This marks one full day since the union declared a strike, effectively shutting down all state ferry service …

The largest union representing Alaska Marine Highway System workers voted to go on strike yesterday afternoon, effectively shutting down all state ferry service until further notice. Across the state, members of the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific walked off their vessels yesterday, including in Kodiak, where the M/V Tustumena is still docked. The Tusty was scheduled to leave Wednesday evening …

The State Fire Marshal lifted the fireworks ban for Kodiak Island Borough over the weekend. Residents are now able to purchase and use fireworks until August 4. “The ban was lifted on Saturday and we have been striving to get the word out to everyone,” Borough Manager Michael Powers said over the phone Monday morning. “I do know that Chief …

The seven year trash pickup contract for Alaska Waste appears to be moving forward, despite an appeal made by a competing contractor. The competitor, Denali Disposal, was one of three bidders, including Alaska Waste. Alaska Waste submitted the lowest bid of the three and was awarded the contract in May. Denali Disposal later appealed the decision, citing issues with the …

Yet another gray whale washed up in Alaska this month, this time on Kodiak’s Surfers’ Beach. These strandings are becoming increasingly common, but scientists still don’t have a solid picture of what’s going on with the population. The stranded gray whale was discovered on Surfers Beach the first week of July. Necropsy samples were collected under the MMHSRP Permit #18786. …

More than 50 Kodiak residents gathered outside the Legislative Information Office on Thursday evening to protest Governor Mike Dunleavy’s budget line item vetoes. Some carried signs that read “save our state,” “45 override,” or “fund our future.” Both City Mayor Pat Branson and Borough Mayor Dan Rohrer were present to explain how the budget cuts would affect Kodiak and field …

Crews from Air Station Kodiak have begun summer rotations in northern Alaska as a part of what the Coast Guard is calling Operation Arctic Shield. They’ll be providing search and rescue support as well as maritime law enforcement coverage and aids-to-navigation help for the region from Bethel to the northern Alaska-Canada border.   A helo crew practices a rescue in …