Thanksgiving survey: what local kids are thankful for
Wednesday, November 25 2009
OC deals with vandalism, off-roading issues
Wednesday, November 25 2009
Unalaska, AK – The Ounalashka Corporation is having troubles on their lands with vandalism and off-roading.
"We've had several incidents of graffiti with spray paint that was not only on our pretty little waterfall out in the valley all rock surfaces were covered with pink spray paint, people's initials, people's names but also up in the World War II National Historic Area, which is an affiliated National Park area," said Ounalashka Corporation CEO Wendy Svarny-Hawthorn. "The World War II structures were also vandalized."
City council to discuss energy rebates at delayed meeting
Tuesday, November 24 2009
Unalaska, AK – The city council will meet tomorrow night to discuss potentially renewing the energy rebate credit and the funding of the Carl E. Moses Boat Harbor. The meeting was moved from Tuesday night because of council travel. It will not include the second reading of the port tariff increase because two council members will be absent. During the work session the council will discuss the pros and cons of renewing the monthly, $60 energy credit received by each residential electric customer. It was put into place last year to help people with the high cost of fuel. No decision will be made on that issue.
School celebrates renovation completion
Monday, November 23 2009
Unalaska, AK – The school celebrated its official construction completion last week with a brief ceremony in the cafeteria next to the brand new kitchen. Voters approved a $4.5 million bond last November to renovate the high school building. School superintendent John Conwell thanked voters, city staff, and the construction crew for making the building improvements possible
"You know to think that just a little over a year ago, the voters of the City of Unalaska approved the bond issue that allowed us to do this fabulous project. And we've known for a long time that these are some improvements, this deferred maintenance that we've needed to do on this building. And it's hard for me to believe that just a year later this has become a reality."
IFHS is first Frontier Extended Stay Clinic in the nation
Monday, November 23 2009
Unalaska, AK – The Iliuliuk Family Health Center is now the first Frontier Extended Stay Clinic in the state and in the nation. Clinic director Sonia Handforth-Kome said they applied for the designation because they do more than a typical health center by providing services like monitoring patients overnight and providing emergency care. Until now, they could not bill for these services because they were not technically licensed to provide them, even though they are necessary for the community and the region.
Clinic starts using new electronic health record system
Friday, November 20 2009
Unalaska, AK – The Iliuliuk Health Clinic officially switched over to an electronic health record system this week. That means that instead of having your medical data stored in paper file folders, it will be entered into an electronic system so that it is better organized and more easily accessible to the medical providers. Iliuliuk director Sonia Handforth-Kome says the system should improve the quality of health care you receive.
Great American Smoke Out advocates for quitting smoking
Friday, November 20 2009
Unalaska, AK – Thursday was the Great American Smoke Out, a nationwide event sponsored by the American Cancer Society to encourage people to quit smoking or help someone else quit. Community wellness advisor Char Gisvold got the word out by speaking with high school students and community members. She said the best way to quit is to stop immediately, but that doesn't always work. The community also offers smoking cessation classes, acupuncture treatments, and other support systems. Gisvold said stopping is important for your health and for your children. It can lead to respiratory problems and accentuate other health issues, like diabetes and heart conditions.
Wastewater rates could increase
Friday, November 20 2009
Unalaska, AK – The city's wastewater rates may have to go up. Currently the wastewater utility is looking at a revenue shortfall of $300,000. When the city raised the rates three years ago, the increase amount was based on projections that wastewater volume would be much higher. Financial engineering consultant Michael Hubbard said that rates eventually need to go up 27 percent for all types of customers, metered and un-metered.