Unalaska, AK – A deckhand who appeared on the last season of The Deadliest Catch was recently arrested for three bank robberies in Oregon. Joshua Warner, who was a much lauded greenhorn on the Wizard last season, was pulled over for a routine traffic stop in Illinois on New Year's Eve. The police then arrested him for the three warrants from Oregon. The first bank robbery took place in 2007, before he appeared on the show. The next two took place in 2009. Warner will not appear on this season's show. Discovery Channel says that the Wizard's captain was responsible for hiring 23-year-old Warner, and the show's producers did not check out his background. He's being held on a $30,000 bail.
Unalaska, AK – The special education teacher at the high school is charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor. Forty-two year old Pamela Drawver began teaching at the school in the fall.
The investigation into the incident began when PCR Director Jeff Hawley reported to police that two teens said Drawver provided alcohol to a 17-year-old female. Police investigations revealed that a 15-year-old girl went with the 17-year-old on December 12 to Drawver's house. The younger girl saw the 17-year-old give money to Drawver and ask her to purchase alcohol for them. The girl said they discussed keeping the purchase quite, since the 17-year-old did not want to be kicked off the basketball team and Drawver did not want to be fired. The two girls then joined a 15-year-old boy in the car. The two younger individuals were dropped off at a party at the boy's house. The older girl came by 30 minutes later with vodka and beer.
Unalaska, AK – KUCB's news department is on hiatus until Jan. 4th. Tune in to KUCB and check out the website then for the latest news updates. Have a happy holiday!
Unalaska, AK – The wind storm that knocked over the crane had similar negative effects on the local residential wind-powered electric generators. The storm, which blew at least 125 miles per hour, completely dislodged the helix shaped turbine that was installed on Haystack hill. The blades and shaft blew away and were later located by divers. The tower stayed up. Helix, the company that built the turbine, is sending a new unit to replace the destroyed one. Helix CEO Ian Gardner said they are also sending a wind monitoring system.
Unalaska, AK – Thirty-one high school students participated in the Poetry Out Loud competition Tuesday night. Each student memorized and recited a poem with the hopes of winning $100 and going on to the regional competition. Freshman Jennifer Ruiz took first place by reciting the poem "For the Young who Want To" by Marge Pearson.
She said she practiced the poem many times but forgot all of the words the first time she read it in front of a crowd. She's not been on stage much before. "Like with school things, but really really small parts. It's kind of like a miracle!"
Unalaska, AK – Governor Sean Parnell released his proposed budget earlier this week. Much of the conservative proposal focused on education, transportation, and public safety spending. It did not include any money for any of Unalaska's key capital projects, like paying for the power house expansion, paving Ballyhoo Road, or building the new water treatment plant. But House District 37 Representative Bryce Edgmon said this should not be cause for concern.
Unalaska, AK – The city council is meeting Saturday morning to review the status of the Carl E. Moses Boat Harbor project. Mayor Shirley Marquardt said the council will get an overview of where the project is right now and what issues or challenges the city still needs to overcome to get the project moving forward. One of the major issues is funding. The Army Corps of Engineers is still seeking funding to finish the outer breakwaters, however Marquardt said that this boat harbor is their first priority when they do get more money from the federal government.
Kodiak, AK – A NOAA fisheries observer is being punished for sexually harassing and creating a hostile work environment for another observer. Benjamin Lewis Michlig worked for Saltwater Incorporated and Alaskan Observers Incorporated and is originally from Wisconsin.
He admitted to harassing another observer while living in a bunkhouse in Kodiak in September, 2008.
The NOAA Office of Law Enforcement's Alaska Division issued Michlig a 10,000-dollar fine with 9,000 suspended. He won't have to pay the suspended amount if, after five years he has committed no similar offenses. He also is prohibited from working as an observer anywhere in the country for the next 10 years.
Unalaska, AK – Christmas is just over a week away and then the new year is upon us. Channel 8 and KUCB spoke with community members about Christmas memories, Christmas wishes, the year in review, and the year to come. Here's what they had to share!
