KFSK Local News Stories http://kfsk.org 03/10/2010 PETERSBURG-AK (03/04/2010) Computers and related technologies have become critical parts of classroom teaching over the last decade. It’s been a key focus for Petersburg schools and last month, three young students took top honors in a statewide contest for the use of technology in the classroom. 5th graders Sierra Schonberg and Hana Newman won first place in the public service announcement category of the Ididacontest. In the “tell a story” podcast category, 6th grader Kylie Wallace won 1st place and the people’s choice award. The annual event is sponsored by the Alaska Society for Technology in Education. Matt Lichtenstein spoke with the students and their teachers about learning and teaching technology http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=592 03/04/2010 PETERSBURG-AK (03/04/2010) Design planning for Petersburg’s new library building is moving into its final stages, though it could still see some refinement. The project architect presented the latest plans to the public at a Tuesday night meeting of the Library Building Committee. As Matt Lichtenstein reports, some local residents raised concerns about the building and site design. http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=593 03/04/2010 PETERSBURG-AK (03/02/2010) Six coastal communities could lose their local connection to the University of Alaska’s Marine advisory program. University officials say without legislative funding, they may have to close offices in some towns including Petersburg, Cordova, Nome, Dillingham, Unalaska and Kodiak. Marine Advisory staff are best known for the educational, research, and regulatory help they provide to fishermen and other small, marine-related businesses. Matt Lichtenstein has a closer look at the program and its funding situation. http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=591 03/02/2010 PETERSBURG-AK (03/01/2010) Local police say they discovered the remnants of a methamphetamine lab in the woods within downtown Petersburg. It’s one of only two such labs authorities have found in or near the Petersburg area in at least the past decade. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration sent in a contractor late last week to remove chemical residues and equipment found at the site, which is not far from residential neighborhoods. Police say they have a suspect but they have not made any arrests yet. http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=590 03/01/2010 PETERSBURG-AK (02/25/2010) A poor pink salmon projection has prompted one of Petersburg’s canneries to stay closed this summer. Ocean Beauty Seafoods says they will continue to buy salmon from all the fishermen who usually sell to them on the grounds, but they'll only be processing at their shore-side plant near Juneau. The company emphasizes its only planning a one-year closure in Petersburg. Still, the decision will likely mean less fish tax revenue for the city as well as fewer customers for local businesses. http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=589 02/25/2010 PETERSBURG-AK (02/24/2010) Petersburg High School takes a trip down the rabbit hole this week with a production of “Alice in Wonderland”. The local adaptation of the classic story premiers tonight and runs through Saturday at the Wright auditorium. Matt Lichtenstein stopped by drama teacher Debbie Tice’s class to speak with some of the actors as well as the technical crew that runs the lights and built the sets http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=588 02/24/2010 PETERSBURG, AK (02/24/2010) Dozens of local families turned out Saturday night to the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department’s family awareness night at the Community Gym. Kids got a chance to try out a thermal imaging device, scale the climbing wall, crawl though an obstacle course, don fire fighting gear, and learn about some of the tools and equipment used by local fire fighters, EMTs, and search and rescue personnel. Joe Viechnicki stopped by and talked with a few of the volunteers and families. http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=586 02/24/2010 PETERSBURG, AK (02/23/2010) Customers at the Northern Nights Theater in Petersburg this winter may have noticed a few new ads, messages and trivia questions on the screen before the start of movies. The theater is now able to display messages thanks to a $5,000 LCD projector, recently installed in the Wright Auditorium. The projector was purchased using a $1,500 grant from the Petersburg Community Foundation, along with contributions of the same amount from the Compass Theater organization and the Petersburg City School District. Advertising may bring in some additional revenue to the non-profit. The projector is also a way to post public service announcements for community events and trivia questions. Dave Berg, Compass Theater board member, says the new projector is already in use. http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=585 02/23/2010 PETERSBURG-AK (02/23/2010) The Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa has returned to its home port in Petersburg. The 110 foot ship arrived in town Saturday evening after sailing nearly eight thousand miles from the East Coast. The vessel left Baltimore in mid-January after undergoing a nine-month overhall at a coast guard shipyard. Matt Lichtenstein stopped by the Anacapa to speak with executive officer Jordan Boghosian about the repairs and the journey http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=587 02/23/2010 PETERSBURG, AK (02/23/2010) Petersburg residents continue to contribute to aid and recovery efforts following the devastating January 12th earthquake in Haiti. Locals have given over 25-hundred dollars to an effort to bring drinking water to the people of Haiti, from its neighboring country, the Dominican Republic. Petersburg High School government teacher Jim Engell highlighted the drinking water project in a KFSK interview last month. Engell’s cousin, Kendra Luna, a pastor with the Free Methodist Church in the Domican Republic, is inolved with that effort. She says getting water to Haitians during the first week after the earthquake probably saved many lives. Joe Viechnicki spoke with Luna this month about the earthquake and the water project. http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=584 02/23/2010 PETERSBURG, AK (02/22/2010) Timber industry and economic development officials in Southeast Alaska say they’re disappointed with a federal judge’s ruling last week over a court challenge to the 2008 Tongass Land Management Plan Revision. U.S. District Judge John Bates Wednesday ruled in favor of the U.S. Forest Service in a suit brought by the Southeast Conference. http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=583 02/22/2010 PETERSBURG-AK (02/19/2010) A group of local teachers and parents want a new track and athletic field in the vacant lot behind the elementary school in Petersburg. They’re calling it “Field of Dreams” and their presentation was the top item of business on this week’s school board agenda. The school board also approved the school calendar for next year, discussed fundraising efforts for Haiti, and evaluated the new Superintendent. Matt Lichtenstein has a look at news from this month’s board meeting http://kfsk.org/modules/local_news/index.php?op=sideBlock&ID=582 02/19/2010