A new fish processor opened its doors in Kent, Washington this spring. It is operated by the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association. Revenue from the processor is expected to help fuel economies in remote communities along the Aleutian chain.
In 2013, APICDA acquired Cannon Fish Company. The Association already has two primary fish processing plants in False Pass and Atka where fish are gutted and heads are removed, but there is no secondary processor that can filet and portion fish for restaurants, cruise ships and other businesses. Larry Cotter is APICDA’s CEO.
After delays for repairs during a mandatory wintertime overhaul, the Alaska state ferry Tustumena is set to dock in Unalaska at 9:15 Saturday morning.
Alaska Department of Transportation spokesman Jeremy Woodward said he expects a fairly full ship to arrive.
"The Tustumena tends to run pretty close to full throughout the summertime and especially in the spring time, it’s a popular trip because people are trying to get their goods and fishing supplies out to communities for the summer," he said. "Likewise, on the way back, they’re trying to ring everything back home after the summer fishing season.”
Unalaska, AK - The Alaska state Ferry Tustumena spent at least five extra days off the water and missed its first scheduled sailing earlier this month, and it is headed for Unalaska this weekend. But it’s still unclear what a possible state government shutdown could mean if the legislature fails to fund a budget by the start of the next fiscal year.
Jeremy Woodrow is a spokesman with the Alaska Department of Transportation. He says repairs were made to a water main line essential in the event of a fire on the Tustumena. He said pieces of steel in the car deck on the 51-year old ship were also replaced.
Unalaska, AK - Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski today introduced the bipartisan Icebreaker Recapitalization Act with Washington’s Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell that would authorize the U.S. Navy to construct up to 6 heavy icebreakers.
The new icebreakers would be designed and operated by the US Coast Guard, currently the sole service responsible for icebreaking missions.
Unalaska, AK - Since 2009, biologists have been collecting sea birds along the Aleutian chain. What began as a study to look at food webs, became an investigation into what happens when seabirds ingest plastic marine debris.
University of Alaska PhD student Veronica Padula delivered a presentation on her research to an audience in Unalaska Monday night. She said eight million tons of plastic enter the ocean annually worldwide and it doesn’t break down or biodegrade.
Unalaska, AK - 38 High School seniors took part in Unalaska City High School’s graduation ceremonies Saturday.
According to Principal Jim Wilson, it’s the second largest class to have ever graduated in Unalaska.
Raul Carpentero Junior delivered this year’s Salutatorian speech to fellow classmates.
“I just want to say how proud I am of each and every one of these 37 students for accomplishing the feat of graduating high school," said Carpentero, Junior. "For one half of our class, I just want to wish you guys good luck. As for the other half, I'll see you guys in Anchorage," he joked.
Dan Magone stands in the wheelhouse of the salvage vessel Redeemer. (Annie Ropeik/KUCB)
A legendary Western Alaska salvage vessel has reached the end of its life. Salvager Dan Magone is getting ready to sink his old tugboat, the Redeemer.
It means he’s also getting ready for the next phase of his own storied career.
These days, even getting onto the Redeemer is a bit of an adventure. The tug is separated from the dock in Dutch Harbor by two other Dan Magone projects -- old vessels in disrepair.
Coe Whittern owns this vacant 11-acre parcel in the Valley. (Annie Ngo/KUCB)
City councilors narrowly rejected an appeal from a landowner over a major property tax hike during a lengthy meeting as the Board of Equalization Tuesday night.
Coe Whittern’s appeal was for an undeveloped, 11-acre parcel in Unalaska’s Valley that could hold about 30 smaller lots. The land was appraised at $59,000 in the past -- but this year, its value went up to nearly $500,000.
Whittern said all he’s done to the land this year was to add fill dirt, and he felt the raise was out of proportion with other lots in town.
Unalaska’s operating budget for the next fiscal year will get a first reading when city council meets tonight -- with only half as big a surplus as expected.
The budget includes $32 million in expected revenue and $25 million in spending from the general fund.
That’s more spending than the plan originally iincluded. In her memo to council, finance director Patricia Soule says she’s factored in final totals for school funding and shrinking state allocations.
