Margaret F. Brady Skagway plus one Cruise news Subscribe at 2021 Scholarships PAGE 4 The newest baby PAGE 2 And it’s not good PAGE 3 www.skagwaynews.com/subscribe THE SKAGWAY NEWS. April 9, 2021 Skagway, Alaska $1.50 Dyea Cabin controversy continues By Melinda Munson A number of Skagwegians were excited when the newly erected Dyea Campground cabin was offered for rent at $50 per night. The dry cabin with no electricity was in- tended for a camp host, who has yet to be hired. The municipality hoped by renting out the structure off-season, the borough could recoup some of the $92,213 it cost to construct the cabin kit and offer rec- reational opportunities to locals. After concerns expressed by The Dyea Advisory Board (DAB) and the owners of the Chilkoot Trail Outpost, an operation that rents full Photo by Reba Hylton amenity cabins, the munic- Brixton and Scarlett O’Boyle contemplate which prize to choose at Skagway’s annual Easter egg hunt. See more photos on page 5. ipality put the Dyea Cabin rental on hold. Skagway ranks first in U.S. for COVID-19 vaccinations “The planning and imple- By Melinda Munson United States is 15.8% with to a slow start with vacci- that’s because of the SEAR- mentation of the Dyea Cab- Skagway is number one 46.7% of those 65 and old- nations until SEARHC in HC clinic in Haines … in has been ongoing since where it really counts. Ac- er being fully vaccinated. In Haines, a non-profit health we should write a letter to 2019, said Borough Man- cording to the Kaiser Family Alaska, 21.9% of the popu- consortium, offered dos- SEARCH and all of us sign ager Brad Ryan. “There has Foundation (KFF), the tiny lation is fully vaccinated, as es to Skagway. SEARHC it.” been extensive input on the tourist town has the highest of March 28. received their COVID-19 ‘It’s a great gift and we construction and use of the COVID-19 vaccination rate In their report, the founda- immunizations from Indian shouldn’t take it for grant- cabin … While there has of any county in the nation, tion emphasized the inequal- Affairs. ed,” he said. been a lengthy community with 51.5% of its population ity of pandemic. “I was marveling at Skag- The Dahl Memorial Clinic process, the community’s inoculated. “COVID-19 has dispro- way’s vaccinations,” Assem- has access to the Pfizer and desired use of the cabin con- The findings, posted on portionately affected certain blymember Orion Hanson Moderna vaccines, and now, tinues to evolve.” March 29, don’t include a underserved and high-risk said. I think we’re leading Johnson & Johnson’s Jans- Kathy Hosford, who owns recent batch of vaccinations populations, including peo- the world in some ways. I sen -- a one-shot inoculation. the Dyea outpost with her which occurred April 2. ple of color, those with un- think it’s important to rec- Call 983-2255 to schedule husband Fred, is worried the According to the Munic- derlying health conditions, ognize why we got so many an appointment for anyone cabin located on the Dyea ipality of Skagway, as of and those who are socioeco- vaccinations so quickly, and 16 or older. Campground will compete April 2, 634 Skagway resi- nomically disadvantaged,” with her business, already dents completed two doses the foundation said. faltering from the effects of of COVID-19 vaccinations According to KFF, Skag- COVID-19. and 673 residents have re- way ranks low in factors “We are fearful of the nega- ceived first doses, totaling that can limit access to tive impacts and diminishing 1,307 shots given. COVID-19 vaccinations. the value of our property,” Six other Alaska counties The borough has a low share she wrote in one of several placed in the top ten includ- of people of color, serious letters to the assembly. ing Yakutat (48%), Peters- medical conditions and so- The Hosfords believe the burg (46.4%), Sitka (44.5%), cial vulnerability. borough moved forward Haines (42.7%), Nome All but one of the top 10 with the cabin without fol- (41.8%) and Hoonah-An- counties listed by the foun- lowing proper procedure. goon 41.4%. dation were considered According to kff.org, the non-metro. Skagway has an “All private small busi- Photo provided by Johanna Huff average vaccination rate for estimated population of 800. Dahl Memorial Clinic medical director, Johanna Huff, volunteered continued on page three the total population of the Skagway was initially off to receive Skagway’s first COVID-19 vaccine in Dec. 2020. For the latest news and updates, follow us on BLOTTER PAGE 7 FREE personal classifieds up to 25 words. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. CLASSIFIED PAGE 7 CALL (907)983-2354 for more information. Page 2 April 9, 2021 THE SKAGWAY NEWS The Skagway News. Skagway’s First Newspaper Letters and Opinions Christened in 1897, buried alive in 1904 and resurrected in 1978, The Skagway News is currently A couple billion dollars could do so much celebrating 44 years of reporting By Larry Persily be strings attached, as there ka lawmakers are already open but cannot afford the in Skagway and Dyea, Alaska, re- The federal money that always are with government talking about stretching out risk of restocking might be a cording our Centennial years and beyond. will flow into our state from money, but they will be com- the one-time federal dollars, good use of the federal dol- ADVERTISING & the American Rescue Plan -- fortable strings, not choker rather than jumping into our lars to restore jobs and eco- NEWS COPY the latest round of pandemic collars. state’s long-established af- nomic activity. DEADLINES aid from Washington, D.C. Though some of the mon- fliction of spending as much Putting a lot of money into marketing Alaska for Next issue will be published -- is the proverbial once-in- ey is non-discretionary, such as we can get as fast as we a-lifetime opportunity for as housing assistance, child can. independent travelers has APRIL 23, 2021 Alaskans to do good things care grants and COVID-19 Alaska’s fiscal problems been talked about for years. : AD DEADLINE with more than $2 billion. testing, most of the $1.2 bil- still exist and are only get- Seems like now is a good Please email The total includes almost lion to the state and $230 ting worse as we approach time to promote the tourism [email protected] All ads and classifieds $1.2 billion that will go to million for cities and bor- our 10th year in a row of tak- sector. by Friday April 16 the state, $357 million for oughs and unincorporated ing from savings to balance Catching up on deferred COPY, LETTERS, schools, $230 million for areas across the Alaska can the budget. Most lawmakers maintenance on schools, CALENDAR DEADLINE: local communities, a cou- go toward most anything to know it would be a bad idea public buildings, roads, Please email ple hundred million dollars repair the economic, individ- to use all of the federal mon- harbors and water systems [email protected] more for housing assis- ey as a large BandAid over would put people to work All news copy, letters ual and community damage and calendar events tance, tens of millions each of the pandemic. our self-inflicted wound of and relieve communities by Sunday, April 18 for energy improvements to And that’s where the Alas- no taxes and lust for an un- of unaffordable debt in the Vol. XLIV, No.6 (899) homes, the university, child ka Legislature, and munici- affordable Permanent Fund years ahead. April 9 2021 care and COVID-19 testing, pal councils and assemblies, dividend. But first, legislators need Published on the second and fourth Friday of and a few million for other need to stop, ask questions, But what are the best ideas to take the time and ask the each the month assistance categories. talk with people who worked for using the new money? questions: What did we learn And while the federal gov- on last year’s CARES Act What are the ideas that will from the $1.25 billion Wash- Phone: (907) 983-2354 www.skagwaynews.com ernment has not issued all programs and those who re- provide lasting benefits for ington sent the state last year the rules for spending the ceived the grants, and fig- Alaskans? Food boxes for under the CARES Act, and [email protected] [email protected] money -- part of the $1.9 ure out what worked, what people in need is a perfect how can we do even better trillion individual, state, didn’t, and where the money use of the money today, but this year. Publishers community and business can do the most good this job training, child care as- Melinda Munson Gretchen Wehmhoff pandemic-relief legislation year. sistance during training, ap- Larry Persily is the publish- signed by the president last The Legislature is starting prenticeships and relocation er of the Wrangell Sentinal Managing Editor month -- the rules will be to hold hearings on the feder- expenses to real jobs can and former publisher of The Melinda Munson looser than they were for al windfall. States and com- make a long-term difference. Skagway News. Production Editor/Sales last year’s CARES Act fed- munities have until 2024 to Providing financial aid for Gretchen Wehmhoff eral funding. Yes, there will spend the money, and Alas- businesses that want to re- Contributors Larry Persily Reba Hylton Lynn Canal needs ferry service Editor Emeritus Why did the planners and dreamers at Alaska DOT-PF William J. “Jeff” Brady spend millions to construct and pave an additional football Submissions field-sized parking lot at the Haines ferry terminal? The Skagway News wel- This is not a joke: to accommodate the terrific, revenue-pos- comes opinions pieces and itive “demand” for ferry travel on Lynn Canal aboard the letters to the editor. Opin- ion pieces should be no lon- new Alaska class vessels. Recall too, the titanic joke by the ger than 600 words and will Parnell boys, when he and his legislative bed-fellows refused be published based on space the 90/10, federal/state cost-share, that routinely funds ma- availability and relevance to jor transportation infrastructure, instead building two Alaska current and local events. Letters to the editor should class vessels at an expanded Ketchikan shipyard -- costing not exceed 250 words. the state nine-times more, plus the shipyard upgrades. Submit letters and opin- Wow, titanic! After so much governmental planning, pav- ions to editor@skagwaynews. com. Letters may be edited for ing, refusing and spending -- and successful construction -- grammar and length. can we please get one ferry sailing Lynn Canal? Fellow Lynn Canal residents, I ask you to please advocate Subscriptions Sign up online at in writing for some quality mask time between our may- www.skagwaynews.com ors, legislators, governor and the helmsman of the DOT- PF. Round trip sailing Juneau-Haines and Juneau-Skagway or call us at 907-983-2354 Mail checks to: CAN be completed under 12-hours. The US-Canada border The Skagway News is closed, so we cut the “Golden Circle” Haines-Skagway, PO Box 244, Skagway-Haines run. Skagway, AK 99840 With new, purpose-designed vessels sitting idle, and the All print subscriptions mainliner broke down, again, we must not now dither on the include online access. merits of a terminal-in-the-wilderness at Cascade Point. In Skagway’s newest baby Skagway (local) $30 your resolute advocacy, please tell your elected public ser- Andy and Juliene Miles of Skagway, AK, are proud to Out-of-town $45 (periodical rate) First class $55 vants that -- more now than ever -- our communities need announce the birth of their daughter, Lucille Mae Miles. Overseas $65 the commerce, convenience, safety and savings that ferries Lucille arrived at 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, at Online Only $25 provide. Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. She weighed seven USPS 697130 ISSN 0745-872X Periodicals postage paid at Working together, surely, we can get one shiny, new Alas- pounds, three ounces, and measured 21 inches long. Skagway, Alaska 99840 and ka class ferry off the dock and into service on the system’s Noah James, 3, is her proud big brother. additional mailing offices. Maternal grandparents are Janet and Dr. Randall Hal- POSTMASTER send address most profitable run. changes to: The Skagway News ley and John and Nancy Price of Springfield, Missouri. PO Box 244, Burl Sheldon, Paternal grandparents are James and Kathleen Miles of Skagway, AK 99840 Haines, AK College Station, Texas. (photo provided by family) THE SKAGWAY NEWS April 9, 2021 Page 3 Cruise ship travel to Alaska thwarted by obstacles By Gretchen Wehmhoff tions. allow foreign flagged ships mer and tourist season ap- unanticipated outbreak of “It’s like the cruise ships It’s not for lack of trying. to sail directly between two proaches. The odds are not COVID-19 occurs on board are a moving target,” said Alaska’s congressional del- U.S. ports, bypassing Cana- in favor of a significant, if its ships. The cruise ship local business owner Carol egation has been in contact da. Currently, per the PVSA, any, 2022 season. operator’s contractual sho- Bourcy. with Skagway Mayor An- foreign flagged vessels sail- “It’s not impossible, but reside medical facilities or With the U.S. Centers drew Cremata and mayors in ing from an American port improbable,” says Cremata healthcare systems should for Disease Control (CDC) other port towns. Lawmak- such as Seattle or Los An- in his mayor’s report to the have enough bed capacity maintaining no sail orders in ers have submitted legisla- geles must dock at a foreign assembly April 1. for both potential intensive the United States, and Can- tion that would temporarily port before continuing on to And then there’s the fine care and non-intensive care ada denying large passenger lift the Passenger Vessel Ser- another American port. With print. needs, as well as enough vessels access to their ports, vices Act of 1886 (PVSA). Canada’s ports and waters On April 2, the CDC mod- capacity to isolate patients the ships normally headed There is no word on the suc- closed to large ships, there is ified its technical specifica- with COVID-19.” up the Inside Passage are cess of these attempts. little chance cruise ships will tions for cruise ship opera- In addition to the facility setting sail to other destina- Lifting the PVSA would sail to Alaska. tors’ mandatory agreements and healthcare systems, the Cremata has been prepar- with port and local health CDC update requires the Plans for Dyea Campground ing the town for the bleak authorities. The updates just availability of mental health reality. “Now that April is about eliminate communi- services, pharmacy delivery, cabin stir debate upon us, it’s extremely un- ties such as Skagway due to shoreside housing with sep- likely any large vessels will the mandated medical facili- arate ventilation and other be coming to Alaska this ty requirements. essential services. year,” he said. Buried in the Medical Skagway, a community This is after the entire Components of the agree- of less than 1,000, does not 2020 season was lost with- ment between a cruise ship have a hospital. Pharmacy out tourist traffic from land operator and the local port and mental health services or sea. The Canadian border and health authorities are are not designed to accom- is expected to remain closed, requirements for high hos- modate large numbers much cutting off any road travel pital bed capacity on shore beyond the local population. from the Lower 48, Yukon to isolate patients with Cruise lines haven’t given and other parts of Alaska. COVID-19. up on sailing, but the battle Time is ticking by and the One of many paragraphs in is uphill when trying to res- sails are in the doldrums. the technical instructions for urrect the U.S. schedule. Staffing and preparing a ships and ports reads, “The According to Cruise In- Photo by Thomas Cochran ship for sailing takes a few cruise ship operator must dustry News, Norwegian This recently constructed cabin, intended for a Dyea Camp- months, and time is running document that its contractu- Cruise Lines (NCL), which ground host, is the center of debate over possible nightly rentals. al shoreside medical facil- is starting its season with continued from front page use and s’mores ingredients. out as the short Alaska sum- ities or healthcare systems cruises from the Dominican nesses are in danger of fail- The assembly voted April either singularly or collec- Republic, Greece and Jamai- ure if this competition is 1 to hire a Dyea Camp- tively have enough medical ca, submitted a proposal to allowed to proceed without ground host. The host will capacity in the judgment of the CDC asking the agency transparency and process not be paid, but would have the local health authorities to lift the Conditional Sail which is clearly outlined in use of the no frills cabin. to care for travelers if an continued on page 5 Skagway Municipal Code. They would be expected to This opens the door for gov- be available in the mornings ernment to bypass municipal and evenings. code and law without going Mayor Andrew Crema- through a clear transparent ta, who broke the tie with a process, a dangerous prece- yes vote, made clear the host dent to set,” they said. would be responsible for just Most of the correspon- the campground and not sur- dence to the assembly re- rounding areas, including garding the cabin supported the Dyea Flats, where illegal renting the building when a camping and campfires often caretaker was not present. occur. “The experience the Dyea The rental of the Dyea Cabin provides is complete- Cabin during off-season will ly different to commercial be further discussed by the accommodations in the area. DAB and go before the Parks There is no kitchen, shower, and Recreation Committee. lights, or bedding/linens, and this is reflected in its price point,” said resident Robin Solfisburg. “Rather, it is a wilderness experience and will appeal to a client base entirely different than those seeking the traditional com- forts of travelers’ accommo- dations.” According to the Chilkoot Trail Outpost’s website, the least expensive cabin at the property rents for $165/ night. Breakfast is included as well as internet, free bike Page 4 April 9, 2021 THE SKAGWAY NEWS Editors Column Teaching in the transistion to desktop computers Design) and the challenge principal was happy, but I ing to type your stories when rarely able to position the of helping students visual- wanted more -- we hadn’t there are 32 damn comput- paper correctly. ize what their paper would learned to use new fonts. ers next door,” I said. Then I later discovered onion look like through an 8-inch The first issue was published to top it off, “And you have skin or erasable paper. Being screen. in New York font. I later no idea how fortunate you able to erase the ink while The teacher before me had learned to stay away from are to have computers with the paper was still in the car- put out one issue a quarter. fonts named after cities. spell check to do that. Don’t riage was magical. The kids turned in their sto- They were meant for dot ma- talk to me about typing your My most frustrating typing ries, she typed them in col- trix printers, not typesetting stories.” experience was in my fresh- umn strips and created cam- or desktop publishing. We I think there was a parent man year of college when I era ready pages. also needed to ramp up our complaint after that, but the misspelled the name of an I wasn’t new to that. I’d production. principal backed me up. He author throughout the entire By Gretchen Wehmhoff done a stint at the Anchorage It was in this class that I really wanted to see the new biography and turned it in. At the beginning of my Daily News in paste-up and also said my first “damn” to technology utilized. Oh to have had FIND and fourth year teaching, I was production. You can guess a group of kids. My mother had insisted REPLACE back then. transferred to Chugiak High my age when I use terms like We were reviewing our that all of her kids take typ- So, the kids persevered School in Southcentral Alas- rubylith and waxers. We had first issue. I figured the best ing classes. with typing their stories. ka as an English and news- a small overnight team with way to get kids to see the “You’ll need it when you They also learned to save. paper teacher. two typesetters, two past- reality of checking spelling, go to college,” she said. Every now and then I’d hear Chugiak had recently com- up artists (me) and a pho- captions and headlines was I started in the eighth grade a scream or a cry. “Who pleted major renovations, to equipment operator who to have them mark up their with manual typewriters. It touched the power cord?” and with that, they budgeted made the photos into thou- own paper. The horror of was a unique class and I And they had to start over. computer labs in the build- sands of dots (PMTs) so they knowing they made a mis- loved the sound of 30 kids I put signs all over the ing. My classroom was next would print well on a press. take for the entire school to typing a rhythmic JJJJ FFFF room. “Save” door to a lab of 32 brand new I pushed the newspaper see got them into proofread- KKKK DDDD LLLL SSSS The students caught on, Macintosh SE computers. students to put out a paper ing more carefully. It also and the unified sound as we but every now and again one The principal wanted me to each month. There was some brought them to another re- all returned our carriages to- would be so engaged in the use them to publish the pa- push back and some excite- ality. Expectations. gether. writing that hitting SAVE per. ment. We struggled through After we looked over the In tenth grade I took a didn’t happen in time. But That began a crash course the first issue. We suffered paper with highlighters, we refresher semester on the we learned. Now Google and in PageMaker, (now In- through our mistakes. The talked about using tools like new IBM Selectrics. The Word save for us. It has been spellcheck. A senior girl keys were easier to press 30 years since I taught that raised her hand. and there were no hammers first newspaper class. Margaret Frans Brady Fund “I don’t think it is fair that to get caught up when you Typos slip by and errors we have to type our stories. lost your rhythm. These ma- occur. Now we have to bat- Scholarships 2021 Some of us don’t like to chines had little balls spin- tle auto correct, but typing is type,” she said ning around placing type. the norm now. Keyboarding Remember this was the We also had the choice of and computer classes have Up to $10,000 is available for students pursu- era where kids still turned PICA or ELITE which now replaced the typewriter, but ing arts; deadline to apply is April 25. in handwritten papers. Very translates to 10 and 12 point I still type with old typing few had access to personal font size. norms. Melinda is constantly The Juneau Community Foundation and the Brady computers outside of school, But typewriters had chal- removing the second space family of Skagway have announced that the Margaret if at all. lenges. Mistakes. There was after the period from my Frans Brady Fund will make available up to $10,000 I was a bit taken aback. no spelling software to mag- typewriter training. in scholarship funding in 2021 for qualifying area stu- “We all have to type our own ically correct an error. The When the first paper you dents who are pursuing artistic excellence. Applica- stories,” I replied. entire concept of FIND and publish as newspaper owner tions for the 2021 MFB arts scholarship are requested. “Last year Ms. So and So REPLACE didn’t exist. has a typo on the front page, All application materials must be received by April typed them for us,” she said, Mistakes were handled it is humbling. And like my 25. Application forms are available via a link on the Ju- drawing a virtual line in the with whiteout tape. If you students, it pushes us to edit neau Community Foundation website at https://www. sand with her voice. weren’t lucky enough to and proofread more careful- juneaucf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MFBAppli- My brain didn’t handle catch the mistake while the ly. cation2021-1.pdf. that well. There was no way paper was still in the roll- A mistake makes Melinda The Margaret Frans Brady Fund was established in in heck I was going to type er, there was the challenge and I groan. Once it’s on the 2012 at the Juneau Community Foundation to support everyone’s stories. But my of repositioning the sheet newsprint there is no erasing arts and education projects and programs in Skagway answer didn’t come out that strategically to line up with or correction tape. We have and northern Southeast Alaska. A separate MFB Schol- nicely. where you anticipated the to own it. arship Fund was established a year later to assist stu- “There is no way I’m go- type would appear. I was It seems technology has dents and artists in our area with scholarships to help saved us time, but it still them improve their creative abilities. Since 2013, more doesn’t protect us from lack than $52,000 has been awarded to 60 area students. of sleep, being overbooked Scholarships are considered for all students pursu- with multiple part-time jobs ing creative arts including writing, music, visual and and family obligations. It performance arts. These scholarships include grants to It’s National Poetry Month! doesn’t protect us from hu- help artists attend arts camps, schools, colleges, sym- man error. posiums or conferences. The scholarship committee will make recommen- Check out our selection from Alaskan dations and announce this year’s scholarships by ear- poets and the new issue of the SE Alaska ly May. Scholarships will be sent to the tax-exempt literary journal “Tidal Echoes.” non-profit or educational institution that awardees will be attending. For more information, contact Jeff Brady, MFB Scholarship Committee Chair, at [email protected] or 907-983-3188. THE SKAGWAY NEWS April 9, 2021 Page 5 North Words moves to September The dates for Skagway’s couldn’t make September 12th annual North Words work, so we’ll try to have Writers Symposium are now them here another year,” Sept. 3-5. The move from its Brady said. “But we gain usual time in late May to La- Hank, whom we have been bor Day weekend will enable anxious to have at North North Words to be in-person. Words for some time, and Last year, the symposium Marie is a wonderful new was held virtually due to poet on the Alaska land- COVID 19. scape.” “Our aim is to have a Tozier’s 2020 collection, COVID-safe conference late “Open The Dark” from Bo- in the summer, working with real Books, has received our municipality and various wonderful reviews, as has vendors,” said Jeff Brady of Lentfer’s latest, the criti- the North Words organizing cally acclaimed “Raven’s faculty. “Our board and fac- Witness: The Alaska Life Photo by Kari Rain ulty wanted us to try to make of Richard K. Nelson,” Kari Rain’s best friend, Mango, explores his options outside of the old Skagway firehouse. it happen, rather than go vir- published by Mountaineers tual two years in a row.” Books in 2020. Keynote speaker Tom- Others on the 2021 faculty my Orange (“There There”) are Tina Ontiveros (winner agreed to the new dates, as of a 2020 PNBA award for did most of the faculty an- her memoir “rough house”), nounced last fall. The only Bryan Allen Fierro, Kim changes: Nome poet Marie Heacox and M Jackson. Tozier and Gustavus nonfic- North Words released its tion writer Hank Lentfer will proposed panel and work- replace Fairbanks poet Ni- shop topics on its website cole Stellon O’Donnell and March 14, and a first-look Unalakleet writer Laureli schedule will appear in Ivanoff. April. Register at www.nw- Photo by Reba Hylton Photo by Reba Hylton Photo by KaLynn Howard “Nicole and Laureli writerss.com. This year’s Easter egg hunt was attended solely by Skagwegians as neighbors in Canada were excluded by the border closure. Closed ports, CDC no sail order stops ships continued from page 3 Order in time for their July 4 2020 merchandise before be staying home. cruise schedule to and from the pandemic began. Once it “I’m so proud of how our U.S. ports. was clear there wouldn’t be a community is pulling to- In the proposal, NCL says cruise ship season, there was gether. Skagway has always passengers embarking from no stopping the shipments. taken care of each other,” Henry (1st) the U.S. ports and disem- Bourcy said she has had Bourcy said. Vivian (pre-k) barking to the U.S. must to rebudget, borrow and She does worry that res- Oscar (2nd) have proof of full vaccina- keep rebudgetting. PPP funds idents have been moving tion no less than two weeks helped. She has a core group away and hopes that doesn’t prior to the cruise. All crew of locals who will run her continue. members will be vaccinated. businesses this summer. “I would love to be opti- Cremata said the Cruise Anyone who normally trav- mistic to hope to see some Line International Associ- els from other parts of the ships, but I know that proba- Vinya (1st) ation sent a letter request- country to work for Bourcy bly won’t happen,” she said. ing the CDC lift the no sail during the tourist season will “But we’ll be open.” Eloise (pre-k) Noah (pre-k) order. The response came back later that day “with a resounding no,” he said. Skagwegians started mar- keting to individual travelers through the Save Our Skag- Seth (6th) way program. Several busi- nesses have committed to Tatum (11th) Emma (pre-k) being open for the summer, albeit with smaller staffs and shorter hours. Visitors would have to arrive primarily by small airplane or the marine high- Kaitlyn (8th) way system which has been Jake (9th) crippled with multiple me- Luca (6th) chanical failures and cancel- School pictures saved by yearbook staff When a professional photographer couldn’t be flown in to lations. take 2020-2021 yearbook pictures at Skagway City School Bourcy, who owns Ric- due to COVID-19, yearbook advisor Vivian Meyer and her tors and the Alaska Liquor yearbook staff filled the gap. Student photographers are Ev- elyn Borst, Austin Bricker, Benjamin Burnham, Kenadie Cox, Store, says she ordered her Iraida Hisman, Ava Myers and Zoe Whitehead. Page 6 Family Fun Page - print and share April 9, 2021 THE SKAGWAY NEWS Across 32 Female first name Ms. 13 Cotton seed remover 1 Pass through Congress Minnelli rejected 16 Wine selection 6 Shot on the ice 33 S American republic is 17 See 10 --- Lama cold by the sound of it 19 Downs’ partner 11 Switch off 34 Ultimate 20 Mike ---,“Harry 12 Nonphysical 35 Irritably impatient Potter and the Goblet 14 As well Down of Fire” director 15 Menu at the edge 1 Prepare for publication 21 Inessentials 17 Cyst 2 “Small” prefix 22 What shamuses do 18 Trick 3 Voice below a soprano 24 Flatfish 19 No later than 4 He came between 26 Tiny biter 22 Outmoded J A G and G C 27 Elevating outfit? 23 Sassy 5 Hollywood town? 28 Experienced 24 --- Rio, Texas 6 Kind of row 29 Small club, maybe 25 Take a --- it (Go for it!) 7 Copious 31 Much-used article 27 Frequently 8 Everyone except 30 “On top of that ...” 9 Make happy

Last issue’s answers

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Baseball Terms Assist Game Run Ball Hits Slide Base Home Sport Bat Lose Tag Bunt Mitt Teammate Card Mound Throw Catcher MVP Vault Club Nine Walk Deck Out Win First Park Foul RBI THE SKAGWAY NEWS April 9, 2021 Page 7 CLASSIFIEDS News Classified Ads cost 40 HAINES ANIMAL RESCUE KENNEL washer/dryer, and a deck. $1,000 200, Skagway, AK 99840. The cents per word, $4 minimum. is hiring for an experienced, full- per month plus sales tax. Heating local Food Bank helps those in Ads must be pre-paid unless time shelter manager to oversee fuel is included in the monthly need with groceries. If you need Weather advertiser has a business the day to day operations of our rent. Contact Debbie Knorr at assistance, or know anyone who account with the newspaper. shelter based in Haines. The full 907-612-0197. needs assistance, at any time of Watch job description can be found on year, call any pastor or 907-612- Payment can be made by cash, COMMERCIAL-PROPERTY check or credit card. Out-of- our website https://harkalaska. 0313. (1cp) BUSINESS FOR SALE: Gold town ads must be pre-paid org/about/job-opps. NATIONAL WEATHER Digger Mine and Dine For more LEGAL ADS with a credit card and should SERVICE OBSERVATIONS HOUSING-PROPERTY information see https://www. be phoned in to 907-983- FOR PREVIOUS 24-HOUR FOR SALE: Duplex, three skagway.forsale/ 2354. All ads appear in our on- PERIOD BEFORE 7 A.M. bedrooms and two baths on each line edition for a minimum of MARKETPLACE DATE MAX MIN PREC side. Constructed 2019. Fridge, two weeks. Weather Watch 2/21 - 3/31 range, washer/dryer included, CHILKAT VALLEY NEWS & To inquire about legal ads, partially furnished. Call 907-723- WHITEHORSE STAR available at contact us at 2/21 35 24 .28 in [email protected] JOBS-OPPORTUNITIES 2931.6120197 Skaguay News Depot & Books 2/22 38 28 trace LABORERS & FLAGGERS Wanted PERSONALS-MISC. SERVICES 2/23 38 27 .02 in 2/24 36 27 - for Skagway Department of YEAR ROUND APARTMENT FOOD BANK DONATIONS 2/25 36 30 trace Transportation. Contact Linda at FOR RENT. 1 bed/1bath, fully WELCOME. Donations may be 2/26 37 22 - Local 71 907-586-6993 furnished with a full kitchen, sent to the Food Bank, PO Box 2/27 35 22 - 2/28 36 31 .70 in BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD 3/1 38 32 .02 in 3/2 39 35 .05 in Police & Fire Blotter COMMUNITY SKAGWAY WORSHIP 3/3 38 25 .07 in CALENDAR Submitted by Skagway Police Department DIRECTORY 3/4 39 27 .10 in Library Hours: 3/5 40 30 trace M-F 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Please contact each 3/6 40 30 .08 in March 22 March 29 Sat 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. worship location for 3/7 41 27 - their updated COVID-19 3/8 39 26 - Closed Sunday schedule Police helped a motor- EMS responded to a 8 patrons max. 3/9 34 14 - 3/10 34 15 - ist gain access to their medical emergency on (COVID-19 mitigation 3/11 36 20 trace 3rd practices are in place) vehicle. Avenue. Assembly of God Church 3/12 39 25 trace Call 983-2665 or email 8th & State • 907-983-2350 3/13 34 17 - Police responded to a April 1 [email protected] Sun. Worship...... 11 a.m. 3/14 23 11 - Wed. Bible Devotions &Prayer 7 domestic dispute on Dahl Clinic Winter Hours: p.m. 3/15 27 11 trace th Klondike Highway re- Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Meeting on-line only during 3/16 32 25 .34 in 20 Avenue. shelter-in-place order. Email 3/17 39 30 .13 in opened to commercial Closed Sat. and Sun. For af- [email protected] for the 3/18 36 30 .55 in March 24 traffic. ter-hours emergencies, zoom link. 3/19 37 27 .02 in please dial 911. First Presbyterian Church 3/20 33 12 .04 in EMS responded to a 5th & Main • 983-2260 EMS responded to a Incinerator Hours Sunday Worship 10 am 3/21 28 27 .10 in medical emergency on medical emergency on T, Th, Sa. 1 - 3 p.m. Wed. Women’s Prayer 1:30 pm 3/22 38 24 .14 in Thursday Bible Study 3:30 pm 3/23 35 24 .10 in rd State Street. Skagway Museum 3 Avenue. Online Access Available to all 3/24 24/ 27 - Closed for the season events. 3/25 41 16 - March 28 Border stations: The Church of Jesus Christ of 3/26 38/ 19 .12 in 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Latter Day Saints 3/27Phone: 40 907-983-225934 trace Klondike Highway Call each station for 11th & State • 983-2518 3/28 38 26 .16 in Sun. Sacrament Meeting...10 a.m. specifics. 3/29 37 19 - closed due to an ava- Sun. School/Primary ...11:10 a.m. lanche on the Canadi- Ferry Terminal Hours Relief Society/Priesthood...12 3/30 36 21 .03 in M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. p.m. 3/31 42 36 .20 in an side. See www.skagway.org for St. Therese Catholic Church borough meeting updates. 9th & State • 983-2271 Sun. Mass...... 5 p.m. RECREATION CTR SCHED Mass Mon. & Tues...... 12:10 p.m. Skagway Recreation Center • (when a priest is available) OPEN regular hours 5:30am-NOON and 4pm -8pm Please sign up for classes, wt. Page 8 April 9, 2021 THE SKAGWAY NEWS Legislators continue work on ferry system advisory By Larry Persily with each new governor. Transportation Department that committee, it would a short-term and long-term Wrangle Sentinal The two versions are simi- commissioner, said at the move to the full House for a plan for the ferry system. State House and Sen- lar, however, in changing the Senate Transportation Com- vote. The House speaker’s bill ate committees continue to makeup of the board. mittee on March 25. The Senate Transportation would call it the Alaska Ma- work on competing bills that Current state statute says The current membership Committee took public tes- rine Highway Operations would change the member- half the board seats are re- “is mainly geographical, timony on the bill March 30 Board, with a similar consul- ship of the state ferry system served for communities there are not a lot of quali- and could take up the mea- tation role. advisory board. served by the Alaska Ma- fications,” Kerry Crocker, sure again. House State Affairs Chair The Senate Transporta- rine Highway System. The a staffer to Stutes, told the Lawmakers are working Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, tion Committee on March two bills before lawmakers House State Affairs Com- toward adjournment in May, of Sitka, said he wants the 30 heard the governor’s bill, would remove the strict geo- mittee on Tuesday. and for either bill to become board “as empowered as while the House State Af- graphic requirements and A board majority with ex- law, both legislative cham- possible.” fairs Committee considered emphasize that a majority of perience in the marine indus- bers have to pass the same “The goal of the bill is … legislation, also on March the board must have experi- try is “crucial,” Stutes said measure, which would then more long-term planning,” 30, offered by House Speak- ence in the marine industry. at the House Transportation need the governor’s signa- Crocker told the State Af- er Louise Stutes, of Kodiak. The intent behind the gov- Committee on March 18. “It ture. fairs Committee Tuesday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s ernor’s bill is that the board strengthens the governance The governor’s proposal The existing Marine Trans- proposal would allow every offer operational and long- for the Alaska Marine High- would create the Alaska Ma- portation Advisory Board governor to change out the term planning advice, rather way System,” she said of the rine Highway System Op- was created under then-Gov. board’s membership, while than members focusing on new membership provisions. eration and Planning Board Frank Murkowski 18 years Stutes’ legislation attempts what level of service their House State Affairs is hold- and direct the Department ago. to protect almost half the communities want, Andy ing the bill for one week for of Transportation to consult members from changeover Mills, special assistant to the possible amendments. From with the panel in developing MV Matanuska out of service third time in two months By Larry Persily ham off the Hubbard, which almost two-year stint in the to replace its variable-pitch was a familiar scenario for The Wrangell Sentinal has similar engines. A fac- Vigor shipyard in Ketchikan propellers, Falvey told the Reba Hylton, a Skagway res- The 58-year-old Matanus- tory technician installed the 2018-2019 for new engines Senate committee. He ex- ident who was marooned in ka, the oldest working vessel new part and the starboard and other extensive work. pects the work will be done Juneau, with her 8-year-old in the state ferry fleet, has engine is now operating as “We spent slightly north this fall and winter. son, after a spring break trek had troubles operating the required.” The Hubbard is of $40 million (in federal Looking longer term, the to Southcentral Alaska. past two months. not in service, awaiting mod- dollars) on that ship,” John ferry system will need a “It’s one of the prices we The Alaska Marine High- ifications. Falvey, Alaska Marine High- mainline vessel to replace pay to live here. Other places way System took the ship “As the engines are still way System general manag- the Columbia and Matanus- have high crime rates, dirty out of service to fix a me- under warranty, the tech- er, told the Senate Transpor- ka, at an estimated construc- water, smog, traffic. We have chanical problem, canceling nicians decided to inspect tation Committee on Feb. 23. tion cost of $300 million, the canceled ferries. It’s just part port calls Saturday through all the power-pack units … The ship’s sister ship, the Transportation Department of life here,” she said. Thursday last week. The fer- on both port and starboard Malaspina, has been held out told the House Transportation ry resumed its weekly run engines,” Dapcevich said. of service since late 2019, Committee on March 18. Melinda Munson contributed to out of Bellingham, Washing- “They discovered two de- tied up in Ward Cove in Ket- The disabled Matanuska this story. ton, on April 2. fective power-pack cylin- chikan to save money and The delay was too long der units on the port engine. due to a lack of funds for for Courtney Ellingson, Replacement power-pack repairs. It needs at least $16 Skagway City School’s third cylinder units were shipped million in steel replacement grade teacher, stranded in from Louisiana,” he said. work, Falvey told the Senate Haines. She caught a ride on A month earlier, the committee. Its engines are a helicopter that happened to 408-foot-long Matanuska the originals from 1963, and be headed to Skagway. was out of service in Feb- could cost $30 million to re- Juliene Price Miles’ family ruary with problems in its place, he said. was detained in Juneau after port-side reduction gear box, “That’s a lot of money for she gave birth to their second which prevented the propel- a ship that is 58 years old,” child. Miles, her husband ler from going in reverse. Falvey said. and their three-year-old son, The ship was also pulled The state plans to sell were crammed into a hotel out of service mid-March, or otherwise get rid of the room, waiting to get their prompting the municipal- Malaspina. car and their new addition (a ity of Skagway to charter Sinking the ferry as an arti- girl) back home to Skagway. an Allen Marine catamaran ficial reef may make more fi- “Being stuck was stressful at $900 an hour to move nancial sense than repairing during a time that is already stranded travelers in and out it, Transportation Depart- stressful, “ Miles said. of Haines and Skagway at ment Deputy Commissioner “Five years ago, that (bro- the head of Lynn Canal to Rob Carpenter told legisla- ken ferry) would have been Juneau on March 16. tors last week. no big deal because there The Matanuska was out The Columbia, the largest were three to four ferries a of service for almost the ship in the fleet and “only” week in the winter.” entire first half of 2020 for 48 years old, is out of ser- “The ship’s engineers extensive repairs to its re- vice and in need of repairs, identified a broken crab nut duction-gear system, leaving too, though not as expensive on the vessel’s starboard en- Southeast communities with as the Malaspina. gine,” state Transportation no ferry runs for almost two The Columbia is in Ket- Department spokesman Sam months until another ship chikan for a money-saving Dapcevich said regarding the could be pulled into service. layup pending an overhaul. Photo by Michael Yee Matanuska. “A replacement It was a troubled return to It will get some new steel Snow surrounds an outhouse at Upper Lake last week. Michael crab nut was sent to Belling- service for the ship after an and is in the design phase Yee captured this snow mass. “I built the outhouse many years ago. It’s still in great shape,” he said.