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No major cuts made in state capital budget

KCHU — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:01:47 GMT

By Tony Gorman

There were no changes in the state capital budget that was released Tuesday by Governor Sean Parnell’s office. A total of $2.26 billion dollars was set aside for local projects for next year’s budget.

Projects in House District 6 will cost a total of $55.5 million. Six Valdez projects are included is the budget. The most notable is the Valdez Small Boat Harbor project is in line for $1 million. As far as regional projects, Copper Valley Electric Association is getting over $4 million for its Allison Creek project.

Over $73 million will be allocated for projects in House District 39. The Copper River Valley project receiving the most money is the Copper River Native Association’s regional multidisciplinary combined facility. The project is scheduled to receive $2 million.

House District 35 is in line for over $56 million. Four Whittier projects made the list. Two-point-five million dollars is going toward maintenance and operations for the Whittier Tunnel. Cordova is receiving one million dollars toward the construction of its Community Center.

For a more detailed look at project in the Prince William Sound and the Copper River Valley for to the links below:

House District 6

House District 35

House District 39

21st Last Frontier Theater Conference is off and running

KCHU — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:52:47 GMT

By Tony Gorman

It's that time of the year. Playwrights, actors, and readers have convened in Valdez this week for the Last Frontier Theater Conference. KCHU's Tony Gorman has more on the event.

Copper River salmon run is slow out the gate

KCHU — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:45:46 GMT

By Tony Gorman

This year's Copper River salmon run is off to a slow start. As Tony Gorman reports, weather and low participation factored into the low harvest numbers.

Copper River salmon arrives in Seattle

KCHU — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:32:33 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The first shipment of Copper River salmon has arrived in Seattle. The Alaska Airlines plane carrying the shipment came into Sea-Tac Airport this morning with kings and sockeyes from Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Trident Seafoods, and Copper River Seasfoods. Four more Alaska Airlines flights are scheduled to make shipments from Cordova to Seattle.

The Copper Chef Cook-off will also takes place. Seattle’s top chef will have 30 minutes to create the best salmon recipe. Among the competitors this year is three-time defending champion Pat Donahue. The winner will be announced later today.

Loaded handgun forces lockdown on Valdez City School District

KCHU — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:45:04 GMT

By Tony Gorman

A firearm found in a Valdez school, today, forced every school in the Valdez City School District on lock down. As KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports, the Valdez Police Department is investigating as to how the weapon ended up in the school.

Copper River sockeyes poised for strong run for 2013 commercial season

KCHU — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:21:57 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is projecting a strong run for Copper River sockeyes this season, while kings are expected to be down for the second consecutive year. KCHU’s Tony Gorman has this preview of the 2013 Copper River commercial salmon season which begins Thursday.

Copper River School District moves forward with Copper Center School closing

KCHU — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:58:36 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The oldest school in the Copper River School District is officially closing down. The Copper River School Board voted unanimously this week to shutdown the Copper Center School due to low enrollment. As KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports, the District is seeking approval from the Alaska Department of Education to move forward with its closure plan.

Snelders and Keller named to Alaska State Swim Team

KCHU — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:20:34 GMT

By Tony Gorman

Two members of the Valdez Torpedoes Swim Club are going from swimming in the Alaska cold to swimming in the California sunshine. Gretchen Snelders and Grace Keller’s performances from the Alaska Junior Olympics, two weeks ago, have earned spots on the Alaska State Team.

“It a big deal,” Valdez Torpedoes coach Leo Overduyn said. “We’re lucky that we have two recipients from a small community the size of Valdez. It’s a great honor for the kids.”

Swimmers are selected for based on their performances in every event they competed. The top 30 swimmers in the state are selected for the team with four from each age group. Snelders is in the 10 & under group. Keller is in the 11 & 12 age group.

The team will compete against teams in the Western Zone. The zone includes Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Montana, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado.

Overduyn, who has previously coached the Utah State Team at the event, knows how big of an opportunity his swimmers have. “It’s an outstanding opportunity for them to swim,” Overduyn said. “They get to see the big picture of that. “

If the swimmers do well, they have the possibility of qualifying for the U.S. Junior National Championships. The Western Zone Championships takes place August 7th-10th in Roseville, California.

Desorcie joins Rep. Feige's staff

KCHU — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:04:25 GMT

By Tony Gorman

A familiar face will be dealing with Valdez issues for District 6 Representative Eric Feige. Former Prince William Sound Community College president Doug Desorcie recently joined the Chickaloon Republican’s staff and will handle issues in Valdez and along the Richardson Highway south of the Klutina River.

Desorcie has been a resident of Valdez since 1992. He held various positions at P-Dub before becoming president in 2006. He was dismissed from his position last year. Desorcie was recently replaced by Jacob Ng of the Perralta Community College District in California.

Valdez City Council approves Valdez City School District bugdet

KCHU — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:01:47 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Valdez City Council unanimously approved $9.4 million in funding for the Valdez City School District. KCHU's Tony Gorman reports.

Three Valdez residents indicted for recent arrests

KCHU — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:10:43 GMT

By Tony Gorman

Three Valdez residents have been recently indicted stemming from arrests on two separate occasions.

Nicholas Huff was indicted on 16 felony counts including kidnapping, attempted murder, stalking, assault, and misconduct involving weapons. The 27 year-old was also indicted for eight misdemeanor counts.

Last month, Valdez Police officers responded to a domestic violence call involving Huff at an Alpine Woods residence. When he refused to leave the home, gunshots were fired inside. Huff emerged with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to Providence Valdez Medical Center and medevaced to the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage for medical treatment. He was released and then arrested by Anchorage Police on a $50,000 dollar warrant. He is currently in custody in the Anchorage Jail.

Valdez Police arrested Devon Totemoff, last month, and observed her to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. A warrant was obtained to search the vehicle she was in at the time of her arrest. It led to the seizure of 1.5 pounds of narcotics with an estimated street value of $100,000 dollars. The actual owner of the vehicle, Timothy Miller, was also arrested.

Both were indicted on multiple felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance. Both remain custody at the Valdez Regional Jail.

Valdez Marine Terminal fire response MOU is still a work in progress

KCHU — Sat, 04 May 2013 06:54:58 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Alyeska Fire Brigade and the Valdez Fire Department have a long way to go before they can reach a memorandum of understanding on fire response at the Valdez Marine Terminal. KCHU's Tony Gorman was at the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council's annual board meeting when it was discussed and filed this report.

PWSRCAC supports full staff at National Weather Service office in Valdez

KCHU — Sat, 04 May 2013 06:48:23 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council unanimously passed a resolution to support a full staff at the National Weather Service office in Valdez. As KCHU's Tony Gorman reports, it's the second resolution from Valdez in the last three months to oppose possible cuts at the office.

Bauer elected president of PWSRCAC Board

KCHU — Sat, 04 May 2013 06:43:00 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council Board has a new look following Friday morning’s elections. Valdez’s Amanda Bauer was elected president of the board. Last year, she was appointed to the Board to replace longtime member Stan Stephens, who retired due to health issues. Bauer takes over for Dorothy Moore, who served as president for the last two years.

Thane Miller of the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation was elected Vice President. Cordova District Fishermen United’s Patience Anderson-Faulkner was elected secretary. The treasurer spot went to Whittier’s Marilyn Heddell.

Blake Johnson, Diane Selanoff, and Steve Lewis were elected as members-at-large.

PWSRCAC meeting set for the next two days in Valdez

KCHU — Wed, 01 May 2013 23:21:43 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council is holding one of its three annual board meetings in Valdez this week. Fire response, contingency plan renewal, and Alaska DEC initiatives highlight the agenda. KCHU’s Tony Gorman spoke with RCAC executive director Mark Swanson about the meeting and other issues on this morning’s Coffee Break and filed this report.

Valdez NYO Team snags seventh sportsmanship award at state meet

KCHU — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:58:17 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Valdez Native Youth Olympic Team took home two gold medals and broke several school records at the Alaska NYO Meet in Anchorage over the weekend. As KCHU's Tony Gorman report, the team won the meet's biggest prize for the seventh time in eight years.

Two people rescued following plane crash near Montague Island

KCHU — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:16:28 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Alaska Air National Guard located and rescued two people after their plane flipped over and crashed in Patton Bay near Montague Island. As KCHU's Tony Gorman reports, the pilot and passenger walked away from the accident unharmed.

Ng named president of PWSCC

KCHU — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:07:21 GMT

By Tony Gorman

After a year-long search, Alaska’s only accredited community college has a new president. University of Alaska-Anchorage Chancellor Tom Chase announced Monday, that Dr. Jacob Ng accepted the position at Prince William Sound Community College. Ng is currently the Vice Chancellor of Student Services in the Peralta Community College District in California. He has served in various capacities in the PCCD for the last 17 years. Ng has been part of the California Community College System for 28 years overall. He officially begins his new job on July 1^st.

Ng (ung) becomes the fourth president in P-Dub’s history. The position became vacant when Chase dismissed Doug Desorcie in March 2012. Wes Lundberg and Jed Palmer stepped into the position on an interim basis while UAA conducted its search for a permanent replacement.

Walker announces gubernatorial bid for 2014

KCHU — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:15:11 GMT

By Tony Gorman

Bill Walker is throwing his name in the hat again for Governor. The Republican announced his candidacy at a press conference in Anchorage this morning a week before the May 4^th filing date. As KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports, this is the second time Walker is running for the top office in the state.

Copper Center School faces closure due to declining enrollment

KCHU — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:35:01 GMT

By Tony Gorman

The Copper River School District is faced with the possibility of another closure due to decreasing enrollment. As KCHU’s Tony Gorman reports, administrators hope to have a plan in place to avoid transferring students from the Copper Center School during the 2012-2013 school year.