Blue Devils stay alive Candidate Gillibrand calls • Duke escapes UCF 77-76 , Trump a coward See page 7 Page 5

55 º/35º Weather, page 3 $K1.00 ETCHIKAN MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2019 T WDITTER.COAM/KDNI NEWLS Y N WWW.KEETCHIWKANDAILYNSEWS.COM 12 PAGES Public Alaska State Champions hearing Kayhi Kings secure first state title since 1974 in 57-53 OT win over Dimond Lynx Residents speak on proposed state budget By SAM ALLEN Daily News Staff Writer Saturday afternoon Rep. Dan Ortiz, I-Ketchikan, fielded a public hearing at the Ted Ferry Civic Center as part of the House Finance Committee's ef - forts to hear from Alaskans about Gov. Mike Dunleavy's proposed budget. About 150 people floated in and out of the nearly two-and-a-half-hour event which focused on the opportu - nity to comment on the cost of a Alaska Permanent Fund dividend for 2019. Dunleavy's proposed budget in - volves about $1.6 billion in cuts and revenue transfers. He has proposed cuts to a plethora of essential services including health, education and the Alaska Marine Highway System. Ortiz presented three slides before the start of public comment. One of the slides showed how much the budget needed to be cut to have a $3,000, $1,600 or a $630 PFD. For a $3,000 PFD, the Legislature would need to find $1.5 billion in cuts. To maintain this year’s funding without increases for health - care or inflation, there would be $400 million left over for PFDs, a payout of $630, according to information pro - vided at the hearing. "Ultimately the decision this year really is what (services) do we add back and what are we willing to add back at the expense of the $3,000 PFD," said Ortiz. Nearly 50 people gave testimony, in - cluding both the city and borough mayors. Most people spoke in favor of a reduced PFD in exchange Town celebrates champions’ return for maintaining services. At top, the Alaska State Champion Ketchikan High School Kings bas - "I think it's unquestionable that there will be a fast and a terrible eco - ketball team and coaches take a moment for a photo after winning nomic hit to this community if this a thrilling 57-53 overtime win against the Dimond High School Lynx budget proceeds the way that the gov - to clinch the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska 4A Basketball State ernor has outlined," said Borough Championship on Saturday night at the Alaska Airlines Center in An - Mayor Dave Landis. chorage. It was Kayhi’s first state title since 1974. Front row from left "It's hard to look at all these cuts in are Arthur Williams, Kristian Pihl, Marcus Lee, ER Caparas, Chris favor of getting a full dividend," said Lee and Tyler Slick. Back row from left are assistant coach Rick Ketchikan City Mayor Bob Sivertsen. Shaner, assistant coach Darryl Simons, head coach Eric Stockhausen, But, the tone shifted to long- manager Alex Malouf, Jake Taylor, Wyatt Barajas, Robert Hilton-Se - term solutions. ludo, Kyle Smith, Cody Kemble and Gavin Salazar. For more cover - "This has been coming for a long age, see Sports, page 6. Photo by Klas Stolpe/Sitka Sentinel time," said local school teacher Re - At left, members of the Kayhi Kings celebrate their state championship becca King. "So, for you, as our repre - victory by jumping into the Tongass Narrows on Sunday at Berth 4. sentative, take my check, take all of it if you need it, but we need a better At right, Ketchikan citizens danc e and show support for the Kayhi long-term solution. I'm willing to pay, Kings basketball team and Kayhi Cheer Team on Sunday during a but it's not going to happen forever." parade for the returning Kayhi state champions on Tongass Avenue. Staff photos by Dustin Safranek See ‘Budget hearing,’ page 2 USS Zumwalt visits Report: No Trump-Russia coordination evidence

By ERIC TUCKER, But Democrats demanded to more circumspect on presidential ob - MICHAEL BALSAMO, CHAD DAY see the full and struction of justice. Despite Trump's and JULIE PACE insisted that even the summary claim of total exoneration, Mueller did Associated Press by the president's attorney gen - not draw a conclusion one way or the WASHINGTON — eral hardly put him in the clear. other on whether he sought to stifle the did not find evidence Mueller's conclusions, sum - Russia investigation through his actions that President 's cam - marized by Barr in a four-page including the firing of former FBI direc - paign "conspired or coordinated" with letter to Congress, represented a tor James Comey. Russia to influence the 2016 presidential victory for Trump on a key ques - According to Barr's summary, Mueller election but reached no conclusion on tion that has hung over his pres - set out "evidence on both sides of the whether Trump obstructed justice, At - idency from the start: Did his question" and stated that "while this re - torney General declared campaign work with Russia to port does not conclude the president Sunday. That brought a hearty claim of defeat Democrat Hillary Clin - committed a crime, it also does not ex - vindication from Trump but set the ton? That was further good news onerate him." stage for new rounds of political and for the president on top of the Yet Barr, who was nominated by President Donald Trump boards Air Force legal fighting Justice Department's earlier an - Trump in December, and Deputy Attor - Assisted by tugs, the U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer Trump, pleasure tinged with resent - nouncement that Mueller had One on Sunday, at Palm Beach Interna - ney General Rod Rosenstein, who ap - tional Airport, in West Palm Beach, Fla., USS Zumwalt approaches Ketchikan's Berth 2 on Satur - ment after two years of investigations, wrapped his investigation with - pointed Mueller in May 2017 and day morning. The ship was scheduled for a two-day visit en route to Washington. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster declared "complete and total exonera - out new indictments. oversaw much of his work, went further in the First City. According to Navy information, about tion. "It's a shame that our country has It could deflate the hopes of in Trump's favor. 1,500 people took tours of the ship on Sunday. Full cov - president. had to go through this. To be honest, it's Democrats in Congress and on the 2020 Barr said he and Rosenstein had de - erage of the visit will be published in Tuesday’s edition a shame that your president has had to campaign trail that incriminating find - But while Mueller was categorical in termined that Mueller's evidence was of the Ketchikan Daily News. Staff photo by Dustin Safranek go through this," he said. ings from Mueller would hobble the ruling out criminal collusion, he was far See ‘Trump,’ page 2

Ketchikan, Alaska SPORTS • WORLD • ALASKA • NATION Today’s Trivia: Prior to 2019, when was Kayhi’s most recent ©2019 Page 3 : Search suspended for pilot missing near Anchorage VOL. 91 NO. 70 boys championship game appearance? (USPS 293-940) www.ketchikandailynews.com Answer, Page 2 Monday, March 25, 2019 2 LOCAL KETCHIKAN DAILY NEWS

Budget hearing Continued from page 1 Today’s Trivia About 20 people who spoke said He called for "the full restoration Borough Assembly Member Susan they would be in favor of a state in- of the progressive income tax that Pickrell. answer: come tax. Out of the few people who Alaska had before the oil boom." About 10 people expressed dissat- were in favor of the cuts, half of A few others expressed concern isfaction over the oil tax credits. 1976, when the Kayhi Kings them expressed support for an in- that removing the PFD would hurt "Oil taxes first of all are, I think, come tax. poorer families and thus suggested a purposely confusing," said Ortiz, lost to Dimond High School in Ghert Abbott, a life-long Ketchikan needs-based PFD payout. "They just are." the state title game. resident who ran this past fall against "While I might be able to afford He said he doesn't expect oil taxes Ortiz to represent Ketchikan, de- not to get it, I know many low-in- to come up for reform this legislative scribed a reduced PFD as an "aggres- come families that count on it, they session. sive tax" that will "further depress don't have oil in the winter time "However there's more and more the local economy." (without) that permanent fund," said attention being brought forward in BURGER QUEEN meetings like this by the public on oil taxes," said WE ARE OPEN! Ortiz. At the start of the hear- Tues. - Sat. • 11 to 7 ing he was focused on how the PFD plays into Winter Specials: the budget this year. "Should we be looking Reuben Sandwich at an alternative source of revenue? Yeah, we or Pilgrim Sandwich should. And we probably Friday’s Special: will in the future," said Ortiz. "Any alternative French Dip revenue measure that we might adopt in the future, Rep. Dan Ortiz, I-Ketchikan, takes note of many concerns commu- FREE DELIVERY! that’s not going to have nity members have with Gov. Dunleavy’s proposed budget on Satur- any impact in this fiscal day during the House Finance Committee public hearing at the Ted 225-6060 year." Ferry Civic Center. Staff photo by Dustin Safranek For your order to go! Ortiz let everyone know about the next op- portunity to have their Bolling said, "I want to make it clear voices heard regarding to the Dunleavy administration that the budget. The House it's not like you have a room full of Bee’s Landscaping Finance Committee will Democrats that showed up in 11794 North Tongass Hwy be gathering testimony Ketchikan concerned about on the budget from this. There are conservative house- Phone: 821-2729 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tues- holds who are really concerned Open Tuesday thru Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday Noon to 4 day at the Legislative In- about the Dunleavy budget. And the formation Office. person who put it together – I have Get ready for Spring with March Savings During public com- eggs in my refrigerator that have ment, laughter and ap- been in Alaska longer than she has." 25% OFF Black Gold Soil Diane Gubatayao goes on record on Saturday during the House Finance Com- plause broke out when She added: "The PFD. It is my mittee public hearing at the Ted Ferry Civic Center. Staff photo by Dustin Safranek Ketchikan resident Kathy money, and I want you to invest it." 15% OFF Pottery and Planters Sales valid until March 31 LEGISLATIVE TELECONFERENCES

Legislative teleconferences are scheduled on the following dates at the amendment; appropriation limit; reserve fund. Public testimony will be allowed Legislative information Office, 1900 First Ave., Suite 310. The following list with a two-minute time limit. is not all-inclusive; check with the LIO for updates. There usually is a time Tuesday limit on testimony, which is allowed at hearings unless otherwise indicated. 7:30 p.m. House Finance Committee. House Bill 39: Operating Budget, and Monday HB40: Mental health budget. Public testimony will be allowed with a two-minute 5 p.m. Senate State Affairs Committee: Senate Joint Resolution 6: Constitution time limit. $ 95+ Tax Trump Continued from page 1 49 insufficient to prove in court that Trump had com- Sunday's summary — and its suggestion that public because, unlike independent counsels such as OIL CHANGE mitted obstruction of justice to hamper the probe. Mueller may have found evidence in support of ob- Ken Starr in the case of President , his in- Barr has previously voiced a broad view of presiden- struction — sets up a fight between Barr and Democ- vestigation operated under the close supervision of Includes FREE Tire Rotation tial powers, and in an unsolicited memo last June he rats, who called for the special counsel's full report the Justice Department. Includes most cars and light trucks, up to 5 quarts of oil & fi lters. cast doubt on whether the president could have ob- to be released and vowed to press on with their own Mueller's investigation ensnared nearly three Diesel is extra. Some exclusions apply. While supplies last. structed justice through acts — like firing his FBI di- investigations. dozen people, senior Trump campaign operatives rector — that he was legally empowered to take. "Attorney General Barr's letter raises as many among them. The probe illuminated Russia's assault ASK ABOUT OUR SPRING CAR CARE SPECIAL Barr said their decision was based on the evidence questions as it answers," House Speaker Nancy on the American political system, painted the Trump uncovered by Mueller and not affected by Justice Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer campaign as eager to exploit the release of hacked Department legal opinions that say a sitting presi- said in a statement. Democratic emails to hurt and ex- 225-1250 dent cannot be indicted. "Given Mr. Barr's public record of bias against the posed lies by Trump aides aimed at covering up their Mueller's team examined a series of actions by the special counsel's inquiry, he is not a neutral observer Russia-related contacts. president in the last two years to determine if he in- and is not in a position to make objective determi- Thirty-four people, including six Trump aides and ALL AMERICAN AUTO REPAIR tended obstruction. Those include his firing of nations about the report," they said. Trump's own advisers, were charged in the investigation. Twenty- Above Wal-Mart at 4973B Rex Allen Dr. Comey one week before Mueller's appointment, his claim of complete exoneration "directly contradicts five are Russians accused of election interference ei- Includes most cars and light trucks. Some fi lters may be extra. Excludes diesel engines. Additional fl uids extra. Exclusions apply. public and private haranguing of then-Attorney Gen- the words of Mr. Mueller and is not to be taken with ther through hacking into Democratic accounts or * Limited to stock on hand. Call for details eral Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the Rus- any degree of credibility," they added. orchestrating a social media campaign to spread dis- sia investigation because of his work on the Trump was at his Florida estate when lawmakers information on the Internet. campaign, his request of Comey to end an investiga- received the report. Barr's chief of staff called Though Mueller did not find evidence that anyone tion into Michael Flynn, the White House's first na- Emmet Flood, the lead White House lawyer on the associated with the Trump campaign coordinated tional security adviser, and his drafting of an investigation, to brief him on the findings shortly be- with the Russian government, Barr's summary notes incomplete explanation about his oldest son's meet- fore he sent it to Congress. Mueller submitted his re- "multiple offers from Russian-affiliated individuals ing with a Russian lawyer during the campaign. port to Barr instead of directly to Congress and the to assist the Trump campaign." Adopt A Pet MEETINGS

“Meetings” is a public service column the Ketchikan Daily News provides TUESDAY Ketchikan Public Library. Scales open at for use by individuals and nonprofit organizations to announce meetings First City Toastmasters: 6:45 a.m., 5 p.m. Inspirational meeting at 5:30 p.m. that are open to the public. The deadline for copy is 2 p.m. the day before Presbyterian Church, 2711 Second Sober Sisters AA: 5:30 p.m. the first day the notice is to be published, with a 2 p.m. Friday deadline for Ave. Ketchikan Pioneer Home, First Floor Saturday, Sunday or Monday meetings. Saxman/Ketchikan Senior Center: Conference Room. 171 Bryant St. Telephone numbers, fund-raising events and for-profit activities will not Noon. Lunch: Alaskan casserole with Craig AA: 7 p.m., Craig Presbyterian be published. The column may not be used to satisfy advertisement of pub- pilot bread and brussel sprouts. 2401 Church. lic meetings. When submitting a notice please include the organization Eagle Ave. Just for Today AA: 8 p.m., 1736 name, meeting time, date and location. Out to Lunch Bunch AA: Noon, St. Tongass Ave. John's Episcopal Church undercroft. NA Never Alone Group: 8 p.m., St. MONDAY p.m., The Plaza mall, SAIL office. Take Off Pounds Sensibly: 5 p.m., John’s Episcopal Church undercroft. Out to Lunch Bunch AA: Noon, St. Community Connections Monthly John's Episcopal Church undercroft. Board Meeting: 6 p.m., 721 Stedman Saxman/Ketchikan Senior Center: St. (annual business meeting to follow) Closed for Seward’s Day. American Legion Post #3: 7 p.m., Saxon Midnight Just for Today AA: 5:30 p.m., 1736 631 Park Ave. Tongass Ave. Just for Today AA: 8 p.m., 1736 Ton- Peer to Peer Support Group: 5:30 gass Ave. ANIMAL PROTECTION 1111 Stedman Street • 228-6660 After Hours Phone (907) 204-0502 Open 10am-5pm Daily • Volunteers Welcome www.kgbak.us or fi nd us on Facebook CATS CATS 1. Norris- DSH adult female cat female white cat 2. Saxon - DLH adult black DOGS and white male cat 3. Rescue - DMH male grey 1. ISABELLE - Malamute fe- tabby and white cat male black and tan 4. Simba - DSH adult male or- 2. Cheyenne - Female yellow ange tabby lab mix 5. Prince - DSH adult male or- 3. Smalls - Terrier grey male ange tabby 4. Midnight - Lab mix black 6. Teacup - DSH black female and white female

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