Kodiak Island had the most cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning in Alaska over the last nearly 30 years, according to a wide-ranging April report by state health authorities. Cases on Kodiak comprised 25% of statewide incidents of the illness; areas in southeast Alaska – like Juneau, Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island – also recorded high case rates. The state’s …

Listen to this story: Kodiak’s local food co-op is going from distributing its wares at pop ups and events to a fixed brick and mortar location – a 2,000 square foot commercial space Kodiak Harvest opened this month near Mill Bay Road. “We’re really excited with where we are today. Normally for the average food co-op it takes a while …

A massive new commercial building is being added to downtown Kodiak’s skyline, and the island’s nonprofit health provider is behind the 63,000 square foot development.  The Kodiak Area Native Association announced its plans for the Kodiak Marketplace – on the corner of Rezanoff and Marine Way – at a City Council work session last September. The steel went up this …

The Kodiak City Council voted at its Thurs., April 14 meeting to approve a $207,000 contract with AIM Maintenance LLC for the installation of four free-standing public toilets.  There are currently no public toilets in Kodiak, and City Manager Mike Tvenge said the new restrooms would be a big improvement. “Installation of the Portland Loos will provide full public access …

Alaska businesses impacted by the pandemic have a little more time to tap into tens of millions in unspent federal relief funds. That’s according to Alaska’s Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, which announced Monday there are two more weeks for the Alaska ARPA Business Relief Program. That means the new deadline to apply for a share of $34 …

The first domestic case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, was first detected in the southeastern U.S. back in January. It’s made it as far west as Colorado since then, and spring migration season means it’s likely on the move.  “With birds moving south to north this time of year, there’s the possibility that it may end up in …

There’s a new pint-sized exhibition on display at Kodiak’s downtown brewery. The Kodiak Maritime Museum’s exhibition is called “Water Haul,” and features art inspired by and for the commercial fishing industry. Catie Bursch is an artist from Homer. She’s been an Alaska commercial fisherman for more than three decades with her family in Bristol Bay. She said the term “water …

State lawmakers are looking at extending and expanding a tax credit for shoreside seafood processors in Alaska. Alaska has given tax credits to salmon processors that invest in new equipment for nearly 20 years. That program was expanded back in 2014 to include herring processors. Senate Bill 33 would extend that program through 2026, but it would also go further …

The Kodiak Island Borough will receive $10,000 a year for more than a decade as part of a multi-billion dollar opioid settlement reached with drug distributors. Now, the borough’s assembly is taking steps to decide how to distribute the funds by creating a settlement fund.  Kodiak Borough Assembly members voted unanimously this week (Thurs., April 7) to create a formal …

Members of Kodiak Island’s Search and Rescue Team are urging caution in the backcountry this spring due to avalanche risk. Kodiak Island doesn’t have a ski resort, but the local search and rescue group has noticed an uptick of skiers exploring popular backcountry areas like Pyramid Mountain in recent years, and this year is no exception. Steve Wielebski is the …