Courtesy of USARC

A lot more scientific research is needed if the United States wants to beef up its presence in the Arctic. The U.S. Arctic Research Commission met in Unalaska this week to figure out what work takes priority.

But as KUCB’s Lauren Rosenthal reports, locals were mostly concerned with how the government plans to pay for it all.

Public Safety officers were called to the scene of a car crash on Ballyhoo Road around 5 a.m. Wednesday morning. Deputy Chief Mike Holman says that Swan Taxi driver Hien Tran was responsible for crashing one of the company’s vehicles into two parked cars.

Sea ice analysis for August 26, 2013. (Courtesy of NOAA)

With Arctic sea ice almost done melting for the summer, it’s unlikely that this year’s low will break any records.

“The retreat has been much closer to normal than the last few years were,” says Kathleen Cole, a forecaster for the National Weather Service’s Ice Desk. “The last few years, the ice went north quite quickly. Last year, I remember the eastern Beaufort Sea opened up amazingly fast. I mean, we were all really -- not necessarily concerned -- but it was a kind of a shocking thing to see.”

The City of Unalaska is handing over operation of its local TWIC office to an outside contractor.

"TWIC" stands for "Transportation Worker Identification Credential" -- a qualification that the Transportation Security Administration requires for all employees working in secure maritime facilities.

In 2011, Unalaska set up a temporary TWIC facility at the public library to make the credentialing process easier for dockworkers. Since then, the city has been using its own resources and staff to keep that office open for a half-day every week.

Courtesy of David Gibson

Last Saturday, Unalaska High School’s cross-country team put in a good effort against much larger schools at their first race of the season.

The Raiders originally planned to compete in Bethel against other 2A schools. But when that race was cancelled, the team decided to head to Soldotna instead to join 3A and 4A schools at the Skyview High School invitational race.

Cross-country coach David Gibson says it was a tough race for his still-new team. None of the runners placed. But sophomore Ross Enlow set a new school record, finishing the 5K race in 17 minutes and 54 seconds. Enlow broke his own previous school record, which he’d set last year with a time of 18 minutes and 34 seconds.

(USARC)

Legislators, scientists, and industry stakeholders are flocking to Unalaska this week to work out a plan for exploring the Arctic -- and they want input from locals.

The United States Arctic Research Commission convened at Unalaska’s Grand Aleutian Hotel today. The independent agency is made up of eight commissioners with diverse backgrounds in fisheries, science, and education.

KUCB/Pipa Escalante

Last weekend, Unalaskans celebrated the fifth annual Filipino festival of Santacruzan. Families gathered for a pageant and flower parade in honor of religious and historical figures.

KUCB's Audrey Carlsen was there and brings you this audio postcard.

A glitch in one of Unalaska’s generators is still causing issues down at the power plant.

Public utilities director Dan Winters says a problem with the generator’s regulatory system triggered a power outage around 9 o’clock Wednesday morning. The generator slowed down suddenly, which caused an automatic shutdown.

Courtesy of City Hall

Construction on the wastewater treatment plant could be delayed because of errors made by their contractor, Advanced Blasting.

The project is federally mandated. The new plant has to be up and running by the end of 2014, or the Environmental Protection Agency will fine the city up to $35,000 a month until the project’s complete.

Advanced Blasting of Anchorage was contracted to prepare the work site. City manager Chris Hladick says the company blasted almost two feet too deep into the bedrock. To fix that, workers will have to fill the empty space with compacted rock and concrete.