Unalaska, AK – On the last official day of the legislative session, the House Fish Committee introduced a resolution that would commit the legislature to studying the "graying" of the commercial fishing fleet - and to changing this trend. The goal of the resolution is to increase the number of young stakeholders in the fishing industry.
According to research done by the Division of Economic Development, the average age of a permit owner is now nearly 50. In the 1970s, when limited entry was first put in place, the average age of both buyers and sellers of permits was in the early 40s.
Unalaska, AK – Two weeks ago, the radiation levels in the seawater off Japan's coast were 7.5 million times higher than normal. But while fish caught near the Fukushima power plant should probably be avoided, the Food and Drug Administration is saying that Alaska's fisheries are fine. Thanks to the size of the Pacific Ocean and the distance of Alaska fisheries, the FDA says that fish caught here don't even need to be tested.
Unalaska, AK – This morning, nine Unalaska residents became United States citizens. These new Americans came from places like the Philippines and Mexico, and the group included both young children and older adults. KUCB's Alexandra Gutierrez has more.
Unalaska, AK – The driver in yesterday's Summer Bay Lake accident has been charged with seven criminal counts.
Robert Farris, 19, appeared in court this morning and was charged with two counts of assault, both felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, driving without a license, failing to report an accident, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Unalaska, AK – This morning, a major accident involving a Ford Explorer pickup truck occurred near Summer Bay Lake.
The accident involved three unidentified area youth, and occurred at approximately 5am as the vehicle was traveling toward Summers Bay Lake on Overland Pass. The individuals only suffered minor injuries, but the vehicle sustained substantial damage.
Unalaska, AK – Last night, city council made changes to the current budget and talked about the state of the future budget.
An ordinance creating a budget amendment for housekeeping on a number of capital projects, including the upgrade of sewer lift station panels, received both a public hearing and second reading. The ordinance passed unanimously and requires no new spending.
Council also adopted one item on the consent agenda. The appointment of fire chief Andrew Palmeri to the IFHS board of directors was confirmed. During the regular session the council also approved travel for the mayor to the Alaska Municipal League (AML) conference, held in Anchorage this May. Most costs associated with the trip will be reimbursed by AML.
Unalaska, AK – While there might have been clean-up gear in Unalaska's waters yesterday, there wasn't an oil spill.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation conducted an unannounced spill drill. Delta Western Fuel was presented with a scenario where 42,000 barrels of number two fuel oil were released, and the company's employees simulated a clean-up to test their contingency plan.
Unalaska, AK – The State Senate released its capital budget yesterday, and included in it are three big projects for Unalaska.
The Senate would like to allocate $4 million for the city's new wastewater treatment plant, $3.1 million for the water treatment plant, and $25.7 million for the repaving of the airport runway. That's over $32 million in funding, and close to half of what District 37 is getting from the state.
Unalaska, AK – Tonight, city council will continue their discussion of the current and future budget.
The meeting will open with a public hearing on an ordinance that would create a budget amendment for housekeeping on a number of capital projects, including the upgrade of sewer lift station panels. The ordinance will make changes to the governmental, electric, water, wastewater, solid waste, and ports funds. However, no new funding for projects is being requested in this ordinance.
