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Finalists for Valdez Capital Facilities Director gig meet with public

KCHU — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:50:49 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The finalists for the Valdez Capital Facilities Director job met with the public at the Valdez City Council Thursday night. The four candidates come from Valdez to Maine and offer vast experience working with projects on domestic and foreign soil. K-C-H-U’s Tony Gorman takes a look at each candidate.

FCC forces Copper Vally Telecom to increase rates

KCHU — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:45:32 GMT

By Tony Gorman

New Federal Communications Commission rules have forced Copper River Telecom to implement rate hikes. KCHU's Tony Gorman reports.

The season's first Copper River salmon shipment touches down in Seattle

KCHU — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:38:59 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The first shipment of this season’s Copper River salmon has arrived in Seattle. The 20-thousand pound shipment arrived from Cordova Friday around 7:30 a-m. Some of the fish will be used in the Copper Chef Cook-off. Three Seattle-area chefs will be competing in this year’s event which is held at the Alaska Airlines Cargo tarmac.

Prodvidence Valdez Medical Center receives trauma center designations

KCHU — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:36:21 GMT

By Tony Gorman

Providence Valdez Medical Center and three other Alaska hospitals received trauma center designation from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. KCHU's Tony Gorman reports.

USPS looks at reducing hours and staff at three Copper River Valley post offices

KCHU — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:14:48 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The United States Postal Service is proposing to cut hours at over 13,000 post offices across the nation in order to close a budget deficit. Three Copper River Valley post offices made the list. KCHU's Tony Gorman reports.

School officials to discuss hidden spy cameras

KCHU — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:54:06 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Valdez School Board and Valdez City School District officials plan to release more information on the hidden spy camera scandal to public during a work session next week. It will be the first public update on the incident since it occurred.

Last month, a custodian found a hidden camera in ceiling of the Gilson Junior High School teachers’ lounge. That prompted officials to search for more cameras in the other schools. Another camera and a laptop were found in a custodial closet at Valdez High School. Another laptop was also found.

Valdez Police found no criminal activity on the laptops. The scandal forced District Custodial Manager John Vergere and another custodian to resign. Others custodians were put on administrative leave.

The work session is slated for next Monday at the Valdez High School cafeteria at 7:30 p.m.

Valdez School Board nixes four-day school week schedule

KCHU — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:37:35 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Valdez City School District has ended its pursuit of implementing a 4-Day School Week schedule for its schools. The Valdez School Board voted down the issue during Monday night’s regular meeting. The District looked into the schedule in order to accommodate more time for students to complete their coursework and participate in sports and other activities. As KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports, if it had passed the District would have been the first in the state to use such a model.

Gov. Parnell signs capital budget for 2012-2013

KCHU — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:12:12 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The State Capital Budget for the fiscal year 2012-2013 is now official. Governor Sean Parnell signed the $2.9 billion budget this (Monday) afternoon. KCHU’s Tony Gorman more on what projects in the area made the cut.

Copper River salmon season to kick off Thursday

KCHU — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:07:15 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The commercial fishing season for salmon in the Copper River Delta is slated to start this week. As KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports, this year’s season is expected to be no different from last year.

Cordova School District avoids cuts to stay in the black

KCHU — Sun, 13 May 2012 08:05:35 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Cordova School District recently put together its budget. As K-C-H-U’s Tony Gorman reports, the District is staying in the black.

Valdez City Council accepts school budget

KCHU — Sun, 13 May 2012 07:52:04 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Valdez City Council accepted the Valdez City School District's budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year at this week's meeting. KCHU's Tony Gorman reports.

Tanker Contingency Plan renewal discussed at PWSRCAC meeting

KCHU — Wed, 09 May 2012 07:35:25 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council board held its annual meeting in Valdez last week. Members from communities in the Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula, and Kodiak met and discuss certain issues concerning environmental safety and maintenance of the Valdez Marine Terminal. One of the presentations dealt with the renewal of the Prince Willaim Sound Tanker Contingency Plan. As KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports, there are some parts of the plan that the RCAC wants it changed before it expires later this year.

PWSCC graduates 23 at commencement

KCHU — Wed, 09 May 2012 07:22:50 GMT

By Tony Gorman

It was commencement time the new graduates of Prince William Sound Community College. Twenty-three graduates walked the stage at the Valdez Civic Center, Saturday afternoon, to receive their associates degrees and GED’s. Retiring Professor Gail Renardson was the commencement speaker. Cordova’s Jessica Smyke was this year’s valedictorian

Stolen artwork recovered in Glennallen raid

KCHU — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:10:42 GMT

By Tony Gorman

Last year, the house of a Glennallen couple accused of illegally selling animal parts was raided last year by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The suspected items were found. But as KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports, the agents found some rarities among the stash.

DNR and CVEA collect public comments on relocation project

KCHU — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:23:57 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Copper River Valley Electric Association’s Thompson Pass Transmission Line Relocation Project was on display during a public meeting this week. Representatives from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and CVEA gathered comments and displayed maps and graphs as part of the meeting Tuesday night at the Valdez Civic Center. KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports.

Full storage tanks force tanker's return

KCHU — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:17:32 GMT

By Tony Gorman

An oil tanker is back in Valdez after being turned away by a northern Washington refinery. Last month, the Alaskan Explorer delivered 300-thousand barrels of oil to the BP Cherry Point Refinery near Ferndale. But, it was forced to return to Valdez because the refinery’s onshore storage tanks were too full to accept the shipment.

Upon the Alaskan Explorer ‘s arrival, the refinery had been shut down due to a fire at one of its towers in February. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. The refinery is expected to resume normal operations this month. K-C-H-U left messages seeking comments with the BP Cherry Point refinery, but they were not returned.

For now, it is uncertain if the Alaskan Explorer will make another attempt to deliver the oil when the refinery reopens.

Valdez School Board holds work session over four-day school week

KCHU — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:35:10 GMT

By Tony Gorman

On Monday, the Valdez School Board met with parents, teachers, and staff to continue discussion about the possibility of converting to a four-day school week calendar. KCHU's Tony Gorman reports.