Erik Wander/KMXT Officials from the Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation, the company that operates the Kodiak Launch Complex, provided an update on its economic benefits to the state and specifically to Kodiak at the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon Monday. They also discussed plans to expand the facility and the potential to become a rapid launch-capable site.

Erik Wander/KMXT A team of fourth-graders from Peterson Elementary School captured top-honors last week in the fourth grade division of the statewide Battle of the Books competition, the first team from Kodiak to do so in the contest’s more than 20-year history. The Peterson team beat out 38 other schools from across Alaska to win the title.

Erik Wander/KMXT At its work session Thursday, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly discussed an ordinance that would create a Fisheries and Oceanic Research Board Committee. Assembly members agreed on the need for such a board to better advocate for the needs and interests of Kodiak’s fisheries.

Erik Wander/KMXT Members of the Kodiak Parks and Recreation Committee updated the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly on its Master Trails Plan at the assembly’s work session Thursday evening, saying it intends to move forward with creating a plan for foot and bike trails across the Kodiak road system.

Erik Wander/KMXT The Kodiak Island Convention and Visitors Bureau is currently accepting proposals for artistic renderings on halibut tails. Ten artists will receive halibut tail forms to be stylized in the medium of their choice and put on public display and auctioned off in May.

Anne Hillman/KUCB The Coast Guard is working with Magone Marine and the state’s Department of Conservation on a salvage plan for the Icy Mist, the Kodiak fishing vessel that grounded on Akutan Island Wednesday morning. According to the crew of the vessel, approximately 2,700 gallons of diesel, 150 gallons of lube oil and 200 gallons of hydraulic oil are on …

Erik Wander/KMXT At its work session this evening, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly will address a resolution supporting a House and a Senate bill aimed at restoring checks and balances to the Alaska Coastal Management Program. If passed the bill would create a Coastal Policy Board to better represent the interests of coastal communities.

Erik Wander/KMXT On Friday evening, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival comes to Kodiak. The travelling festival aims to inspire and motivate people to go out and make a difference in their respective communities and the world by promoting its message of environmental activism.

Anne Hillman/KUCB The Coast Guard successfully rescued four men from a grounded fishing vessel in the Aleutian Islands early Wednesday morning. The Icy Mist is homeported in Kodiak. KUCB’s Anne Hillman has the details.

Erik Wander/KMXT On Tuesday morning in Portland, Oregon, officials from Kodiak Electric Association signed off on the final agreement to purchase the Terror Lake Hydro-Electric facility, thus ending the Four Dam Pool and providing KEA the opportunity to meet its goal of 95-percent non-fossil fuel reliance.