Unalaska, AK – Yesterday, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- Alaska's largest - hit its 50th anniversary. But it was also the birthday of the state's smallest refuge, Izembek. KUCB's Alexandra Gutierrez traveled to Cold Bay for the celebration.

Unalaska, AK – The Unalaska Raiders Wrestling Team is sending eight wrestlers to the state championships this year. The team came in third during the regional championship in Bethel on Friday. Team co-captain Levi Vernon said they were blown away by the results. "It was an amazing thing to happen because we never had this many people going to state before. I was usually three guys, like last year, but now it's like eight. So it was a really big deal for us."

Unalaska, AK – The community celebrated the grand re-opening of the PCR community center this weekend. People toured the new 8,000 square foot addition, which includes expanded cardio and weight training workout rooms, and a music room with two sound proof booths and space for small recitals and choirs. Local teen Michelle Fernandez spoke about the new space during the opening ceremony.
"I actually almost cried at the sight. I grew up playing in the small piano room for eight years and now this practice room is similar to those at the university. I think the expanded facility will bring the community closer together as there is more space, opportunity, and availability for everyone."
PCR advisory committee teen representative Teressa Henning said the new addition will benefit the community's youth. The staff has "been such a helpful and positive influence on me and on the kids who come and go."
PCR Director Jeff Hawley said the expansion came in at budget and ahead of schedule. Lakeview Construction, the company that built the expansion, is still finishing a few small projects in the teen room and will come back in the spring to paint the exterior and work on landscaping.
Hawley said so far he's only had positive reactions, especially for the cardio and weight rooms. "They're bright, they're light. The equipment's good in it. There's some new TVs in there for people to use and see while they workout. It just gives a lot more friendlier atmosphere."
They will not increase PCR fees this year, Hawley said, and do not plan on future increases either. They will not add any staff, but have installed a new camera system to monitor activities throughout the building. Energy upgrades should also help keep costs similar to previous years.

Unalaska, AK – The disabled tanker Golden Seas connected with Coast Guard vessels over the weekend and is now being towed to Dutch Harbor for repairs. The tanker is expected to arrive on Tuesday.

The Golden Seas experienced a turbo-charger failure on December 3 while 70 miles north of Adak, causing the vessel to lose power and go adrift. The ship was transporting Canola seeds from Canada to the United Arab Emirates, and is also carrying about half a million gallons of oil and diesel fuel. Because of the poor weather and the vessel's proximity to shore, there was initial concern that the vessel could run aground and cause an oil spill.

Unalaska, AK – The cargo ship Golden Seas has regained some power according to the Coast Guard. The vessel had been drifting southward toward Atka Island in the Western Aleutians after its main engine failed.

Power was regained at approximately 4pm. There was concern that the 738-foot vessel could run aground on Adak or Atka, but the captain has recovered control of the vessel and is now able to steer.

Unalaska, AK – A 738-foot cargo vessel bound for the United Arab Emirates is disabled and adrift in the Bering Sea.

The U.S. Coast Guard received reports at 10pm on Thursday that the vessel Golden Seas had suffered a main engine failure and was in distress. The vessel was 70 miles north of Adak at the time of the call, and it has been drifting southeast at a rate of 2mph. Twenty crew members are aboard the Golden Sea, and no injuries have been reported.

Unalaska, AK – On Tuesday, Victor Chavez-Ramirez, 28, pleaded guilty to sexually harassing a National Marine Fisheries Service observer while aboard the vessel Frontier Spirit in 2008.

Because Chavez-Ramirez is a Mexican citizen and was working in the United States illegally, U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Smith sentenced him to be deported and fined him $1,500. She also set a probationary term of three years, and ordered that Chavez-Ramirez enroll in sexual harassment training and avoid work in the fishing industry during the terms of his probation.

Unalaska, AK – The number of vessels participating in the Bristol Bay red king crab fishery is slowly dwindling as the season enters its seventh week. Only a dozen were left as of Monday. This marks pace from the pre-rationalization days, where over 200 vessels fish week-long seasons. To mark the fifth anniversary of rationalization, the National Marine Fisheries Service has released a 598-page report on what exactly has changed since management protocol was overhauled.

Unalaska, AK – The announcement by the Obama administration that Arctic drilling can proceed next summer will have a significant impact on Unalaska.

Though Unalaska is 1,300 miles from the Beaufort Sea, it's still the closest deepwater port to Shell's proposed well site. Currently, the Kulluk mobile drill rig is moored in Captain's Bay. It was brought here in late summer, and now Offshore Systems, Inc is building a dock that will make the Kulluk and other vessels that are part of Shell's spill response fleet more accessible and will make storing and maintaining equipment during the off-season easier.