The U.S. Coast Guard’s District 17 staff said in a press release that it received a distress signal from the F/V Tanusha just before 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. A nearby good Samaritan vessel, the Victory and a helicopter from Air Station Kodiak responded to the call.

Kodiak could be less than a week from losing one of its four elementary schools. The island’s school district held a town hall meeting on Monday to hear from the public before making its decision next week. Emotions are high as officials try to balance the budget.

The Kodiak Crab Alliance Cooperative, which represents the local fleet, will deliver between 70 and 80 percent of the total harvest to one processor that offered the best price. Alaska Pacific Seafoods will pay $5.75 per pound for the lion’s share of Tanner crabs.

The state Department of Transportation plans to enforce a two-week limit for all vehicles within the long term parking lot. DOT staff will issue notices or tags on vehicles that approach the limit and then relocate those vehicles to a nearby impound lot if they stay parked for more than 14 days.

The City of Kodiak and Kodiak Island Borough announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, that Richard Gonzalez will be the main point of contact for local, state and federal partners during emergency response on the island.

Kodiak’s new fire station is 40% completed as of the end of 2024 and is on schedule, according to Acting City Manager Josie Bahnke, who gave an update on the project on Jan. 9.

The recent buy is just the latest influx of cash to Alaska’s seafood industry from the federal government. The USDA spent about $200 million purchasing seafood like salmon and pollock last year, according to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

When reached via email, Ashton Meier, the vice president of processing at Pacific Seafood, said the company is maintaining service with another carrier but the reduced number of shipping options in Kodiak is concerning.

A Kodiak Island resident has been honored with a national award for environmental leadership. One of eight awardees, Natasha Hayden was recognized for her work advocating for Alaska Native fishing rights.

North Star and Peterson Elementary schools are recommended for potential closure as KIBSD faces an $8 million budget deficit. The community has three weeks allotted for public comment before the board is expected to make a decision on Jan. 20.