Brian Venua

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.

This week we hear about KIBSD starting school closure talks, both city and borough officials are recommending to revoke Peking's restaurant alcohol license, the Trusty Tusty is having winter maintenance, an abandoned building is being torn down, Maersk is ending its Alaska operations, the USDA is buying $50 million worth of pollock, and Rep. Stutes and Sen. Stevens share priorities ahead of the Legislative session.

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.

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.

Kodiak's Gary Stevens is set up to once again serve as senate president and Louise Stutes is slated to chair the House's powerful rules committee. Each visited KMXT to share their priorities ahead of the next Alaska Legislative Session, which starts Jan. 21.

Main and North Star Elementary schools are both on the chopping block. The district’s superintendent is expected to present which one she will recommend to close as officials address an $8 million budget deficit.

McCown joins Kodiak College from UAA's Kenai Peninsula College. She'll be leading the $4 million federally-funded program to provide support services for migrant students, like seafood workers or their kids.

Kodiak has few abandoned buildings, but one of them could be torn down in the next year. A half-century old facility, made with toxic materials, sat empty before the local borough assembly made the decision.

“The success of last year’s inaugural fireworks show demonstrated the strength of our community spirit,” Kodiak Mayor Pat Branson wrote in a press release. It’s the second year in a row for the local display after over a decade-long hiatus.