Man holding phone. Martin Cathrae/ Flickr Mitch Borden/KMXT At last night’s work session, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly looked at a proposed increase to a surcharge on local phone lines that supports the region’s enhanced 911 system.The assembly had postponed the discussion at their last regular meeting due to a lack of information on this topic. Currently, the surcharge is …

(Photo:Lwp Kommunikáció) Mitch Borden/KMXT An expedition will soon set out to explore the arctic waters of Canada and Greenland. One of those departing on this journey is Caden Peterson, a 17 year old from Old Harbor. Students On Ice is the organization behind this excursion. Their mission is to educate youth about the importance of the arctic. They’ve gathered a …

Mitch Borden/KMXT This year is the tenth anniversary of Kodiak’s Relay For Life. Since it began, Jerry Clark has been a part of organizing it. He’s been the logistics chairman, team development chairman, and this year, he’s the event lead. When Clark first got involved with relay for life he didn’t plan on participating for such a long time, but …

Sitka Spruce Seedling (Photo: Maggie Slife) Mitch Borden/KMXT On a rainy day, Maggie Slife was part of a group that made their way out to Chiniak. Slife is the Resource manager and officer for the Kodiak Island Borough. Her group went out to inspect the completed replanting of the burn area the Chiniak fire left behind in 2015. Recently, crews …

(Photo: Raul Lieberwirth) Borden/KMXT The Kodiak Island Borough is exploring new ways to raise funds. In a recent meeting, they discussed a proposed tobacco tax. There’s been a decrease in state and federal funding to the borough, so they need to find other ways to generate revenue. This tax would charge around $1 per pack of cigarettes and 45% of …

Photo: Mitch Borden/KMXT Mitch Borden/KMXT Being able to call 911 in an emergency can be life or death. But this vital service doesn’t come without a cost. The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly discussed this issue at last night’s regular meeting. The assembly considered a resolution to increase the surcharge the Borough levies on phone lines to support the local enhanced …

(photo: Krimson) Mitch Borden/KMXT One local musician is using her music to highlight her home and some issues facing her community. Kodiak is known for a lot of things. Large bears, great fishing, and majestic scenes that populate the trails that crisscross the island. What may surprise some is that it’s also home to a musician who’s trying to communicate …

This image has been cropped.(photo: PRSA-NY) Mitch Borden/KMXT The Bureau of Indian Affairs recently awarded a contract to the company Kadiak. The agreement is to provide assessments of tribal courts in rural Alaskan communities. Kadiak is a subsidiary of Kodiak’s regional Native Corporation, Koniag. According to Gordon Pullar Jr, Kadiak’s President, for the first year of their contract Kadiak will …

Cold Bay, AK (Photo: K. Mueller, USFWS) Mitch Borden/KMXT This past weekend the Inner Kitoi Bay in Afognak was open briefly for the commercial fishing of Chum salmon. Over the weekend, fishermen gathered at Kitoi Bay in Afognak for the launch of a flare. It marked the opening of the Inner Kitoi Bay section for commercial chum salmon fishing and …

View from the Near Island Bridge. Photo: Mitch Borden Mitch Borden/KMXT The Alaska Tribal Conservation Alliance held a regional conference in Kodiak recently. Organizers flew in to promote local communities coming together to preserve their natural resources. It’s the last day of the Alaska Tribal Conservation Alliance Regional Conference in Kodiak. Attendees and organizers are sitting in a conference room …