Entries in Dermot Cole for August, 2009
Tax plays small part in fuel price
Fuel prices may go up with the return of the eight-cent state gasoline tax in Alaska, but the tax is a drop in the bucket.
Mackenzie Valley pessimism
Low prices for natural gas are creating new pessimism about the proposed Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline, a venture that has been in the talking stages for about as long as its Alaska counterpart.
Geist Road traffic changes
•Geist Road at Thompson Drive was back to four lanes Saturday evening. •Happy anniversary to Al and Florence Weber. Now residents of the Pioneers Home, they are celebrating their 50th anniversary this weekend. And Florence celebrated her 88th birthday Wednesday.
Young hiker had to be rescued twice after failing to prepare
•The 19-year-old rescued the other day after a reckless trip to the old Fairbanks city bus where Chris McCandless died had to be rescued earlier this summer and didn't learn his lesson. •Alaska car dealers submitted $4.9 million in requests for vouchers under the cash for clunkers program. That was the second lowest total behind Wyoming, with $2.5 million in requests.
Young hiker had to be rescued twice
The 19-year-old rescued the other day after a reckless trip to the old Fairbanks city bus where Chris McCandless died, had to be rescued earlier this summer and didn't learn his lesson.
Family, friends mourn Alaska construction pioneer Con Frank
Con Frank, a civil engineer who helped build modern Alaska, has died at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Frank, who was 87, remained alert until shortly before the end Monday night. He greeted a steady stream of more than 100 relatives and friends who visited him over the past week at the hospital. "Lots of love," he told them.
Volunteers needed Wednesday to unload truck with donated furniture for flood victims
The fifth truckload of surplus furniture was unloaded Monday night at at a warehouse at Adak and Kutter Street off the Steese Expressway. A team of volunteers from Task Force Good Shepherd helped a lot. The idea is to get the furniture to flood victims in the villages. Two more trucks are expected Wednesday and more volunteers will be needed to lend a hand.
Alaska should join 49 other states and territories in education study
Forty-nine states and territories are trying to draft a set of educational standards that will make it clear just how students are performing. It's time for Alaska to join the rest of the country.
Scientists wanted higher pollution standards than EPA approved
The pollution standards for dirt in the air established by the EPA that Fairbanks will struggle to meet are lower than those proposed by the independent scientific advisory committee set up to counsel the agency on such matters.
Court decisions back EPA on setting pollution standards
A July decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals amounts to a strong endorsement of how the federal agency defined the non-attainment areas for particulate pollution under the Clean Air Act. And a decision earlier this year from the same District of Columbia court said the EPA did not go far enough to protect public health and should set higher standards.
So before anyone in Fairbanks says we should fight the federal action and claim "junk science," they should acknowledge the legal findings in the case of Catawba County, N.C. et al., vs. EPA.
B.C. export gas terminal progresses, sign of a change in market
There have been a series of announcements this summer about progress on the proposed Kitimat, B.C. natural gas export terminal. The latest is a deal with the Apache Corp. to supply gas for export, the second company to get involved.
Anchorage ranks near top as fast food haven
The magazine Men's Health claims Anchorage trails only Arlington, Texas as the Fast Food capital of America. But then again, the magazine did not include Fairbanks in its survey of 100 cities.
Pipeline projects align in one respect —both predict FERC filing in October 2012
Both the TransCanada and Denali pipeline projects are now predicting that they will file for a certificate of public convenience and necessity with the federal government in October 2012. Denali recently published a revised schedule, pushing that filing date back from August 2011.
State agency backs city annexation bid for Fred Meyer West
The state Department of Commerce is recommending that the Local Boundary Commission approve the plan to annex the Fred Meyer West area to the city, along with lots along the Chena River for a total addition of .05 square miles.
Bartos joins mayor's race
•Former assembly member Hank Bartos became the sixth candidate for borough mayor today. •Daniel S. Osborn filed for Assembly Seat A, while Philip Newton of North Pole filed to run for Seat G against incumbent Mike Musick. William Stodden also filed for borough mayor. Sharon McConnell filed for School Board Seat G. •The school district excluded 60 elementary school kids and 7 in middle and high schools today for not having up-to-date shot records.
District excludes 67 students for not having shot records up to date
The school district has revised upward the number of students excluded for not having up-to-date shot records today. There were 60 kids in the elementary level and 7 in the middle and high schools who did not have current records on file.
•With the filing deadline today, more candidates have entered the local races. Daniel S. Osborn filed for Assembly Seat A, while Philip Newton of North Pole filed to run for Seat G against incumbent Mike Musick. William Stodden became the fifth candidate for borough mayor. Sharon McConnell filed for School Board Seat G..
UAF review suggests changes to strengthen, improve operations
•The University of Alaska Fairbanks should study privatization of its utility system and dorms, a new report suggests. •Out of 13 elementary schools, only about 10 kids had to be excluded today because they didn't have the chickenpox vaccine or some other shot. •Denali Center resident Dennis Southworth made it to Seattle to see the Mariners play Sunday. A friend says it was a miracle. •With the filing deadline today, more candidates are entering the local elections. Daniel S. Osborn filed for Assembly Seat A, while Philip Newton of North Pole filed to run against incumbent Mike Musick. William Stodden became the fifth candidate for borough mayor. Sharon McConnell filed for School Board Seat G.
'Death panel' debate continues
Sens. Orrin Hatch and Arlen Specter offered conflicting views today on the "death panels" claim raised by former Gov. Sarah Palin.
'Fact based' film purports to prove alien abductions in Nome
The makers of a new movie due out in the fall are claiming it is a "fact based" account of alien abductions in Nome. Based on the movie trailer, it may be that the only readily discernible fact is that Alaska has a town named Nome.
As filing deadline approaches, local elections draw limited interest
•With the filing deadline on Monday, the borough assembly, school board and city council races in Fairbanks have not attracted many candidates. I'm not sure why the local government contests are failing to generate more interest. But it's a problem that should concern all those who care about our schools, the quality of life, the growth of the community and our future. •The $7.2 million in home weatherization funds announced for Alaska this week is the first part of an $18 million allocation for Alaska, not a new appropriation.
Sales tax backers succeed in putting 3 percent plan on the ballot
•The promoters of a city sales tax have gathered hundreds of signatures, more than enough to get the question on the ballot Oct. 6. "The proposed limited 3 percent sales tax will allow everyone who enters the city and uses its services to pay their fair share, not just the property tax payers," says the Fairbanks Fair Tax Association. •The groundbreaking for the Raven Landing Senior Community is Saturday at 10 a.m. across Cowles from the Noel Wien Library. The first building is to be built at the corner of Kellum and McGown. •Randy Smith, North Pole, Tanana and Ryan Middle Schools are returning to the "middle school" concept this year, part of which means that students will work with a team of teachers.
Young Fairbanks actor lands role on 'One Life to Live'
•David Gregory, a talented Fairbanks actor, singer and dancer, started a recurring role this week on "One Life to Live." He hasn't had a chance to see himself on the soap, however, because he is filming a movie right now on the East Coast directed by James L. Brooks. •Demolition of the old Captain Bartlett Inn has started. The building is expected to be down by next weekend.
Frost in the forecast again tonight
•Hot and cold, this summer has had it all. Those of you at low elevations may want to cover those plants. •The low-lying areas outside of Fairbanks may once again see frost tonight and a temperature of about 30, the National Weather Service predicts. •Eielson is warming up after bottoming out at 28 early today, a record chill for this date. The old record was 33, set in 1969.
Local lawmakers split on energy veto; Fairbanks service for Lu Young set for Friday
•The Fairbanks delegation split 5-3 in support of overriding a veto by former Gov. Sarah Palin and accepting $28 million in energy funds. •A Fairbanks service has been set for the late Lu Young Friday at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. It will be followed by a potlatch at the David Salmon Tribal Hall. •There may be a light frost overnight in the notorious "low lying areas" around Fairbanks. The National Weather Service said it could get down to 30 in some spots, while it should be closer to 40 in the hills.
UAF assists fire crews by deploying 40-pound robotic planes off Steese
Poker Flat researchers are assisting firefighters by deploying 40-pound robotic planes to track the spread of fires near Circle.
Fog, smoke continue to disrupt Fairbanks airline traffic
•Visibility at Fairbanks International Airport was down to zero early Saturday, forcing numerous flight delays and cancellations. Conditions improved by mid-day. •"Michael Feldman's Whad'ya Know?" radio show played to a full house of enthusiastic fans at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Friday night. Most of his monologue of "the news that isn't," featured Sarah Palin jokes. •The weather forecast says rain is likely after midnight. •About 765 Alaska prisoners now in Arizona are probably headed for Colorado, starting late this year.
Lieutenant governor's post remains vacant until confirmation vote Monday
•On the state Web site, it's already the "Office of Lieutenant Governor Craig Campbell." But the state should stick to the facts. He doesn't have the job yet. Until the special session Monday, he is the "temporary substitute for lieutenant governor," which means the lieutenant governor's post remains vacant for a few more days. •Anchorage author Bill Streever, who writes of bone-chilling experiences, is to be one of the guests on Michael Feldman's public radio show tonight in Fairbanks. The program is to be broadcast nationally Saturday.
Forecast: Showers and smoke
•The smoke is reducing visibility and creating dangerous conditions for drivers on the Parks Highway outside of Nenana The road remains open. •Rain showers may add about one-tenth of an inch of precipitation this afternoon, the National Weather Service says. The dense smoke advisory has been extended until Friday at noon. Visibility is expected to improve a bit before getting worse, which could continue to disrupt air traffic.
UAF reporters reach war zone
The student journalists from UAF arrived in Kuwait Saturday and flew to Baghdad about 24 hours later. "While on our way to get our credentials at the Combined Press Information Center in the Green Zone, our convoy came within a few minutes of being hit by an IED, which made the situation getting into the Green Zone a bit tricky due to fears of another attack," writes Tom Hewitt of Fairbanks.
Tanana Valley State Fair plans advance
The Tanana Valley State Fair opens next week, which is why people streamed to the fairgrounds Saturday afternoon to enter non-perishable entries.
