Play Stupid Games ...

... win stupid prizes. Or, as it was recently expressed, "Stupidity should be painful."

The Associated Press reports that a Skagway Borough assemblyman will spend a year in jail and pay $600K in restitution for gambling with taxpayer money. In Las Vegas.

Apparently the guy took money he'd set aside for taxes from his business, then drank and gambled it away. And never bothered to pay said taxes.

Sufficiently painful? Not for me to say.

But wow. Just wow.

What Do You Call a Bear With a Jar On Its Head?

Lucky ... if it's rescued by Juneau's Capital City Fire Department.

From CCFD's Facebook page

All that water, and couldn't get a drop.

After citizens called in its location, the Fire Department notified Fish and Wildlife. The blackie was anesthetized, and the jar was removed.

Oh, yes ... they said it was one of those clear, plastic animal cracker jars. Seems appropriate, somehow.

Move the Capitol from Juneau to Anchorage? Again?

Sen.-elect Bill Stoltze had not spoken with Rep. Cathy Munoz since the end of last year’s legislative session.

But while he was asleep Wednesday after returning earlier in the day from Washington, where he attended a swearing-in ceremony for U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, Stoltze had a missed call from the Juneau Republican.

“I can guess what it was about,” Stoltze said.

Earlier that evening, PIPELINE broke news about a bill the longtime Republican legislator from Chugiak plans to introduce this session that would relocate the Alaska Legislature from Juneau into the brand new legislative information office in Downtown Anchorage.

“Anytime you even mutter it under your breath, the public picks up on it,” Stoltze said during an Thursday interview at the Channel 2 News studio. “And the Capital City, they go to DEFCON alert. That’s probably why I’m doing an interview at 6:15 in the morning here.”

{snip}
This effort is the latest in a lengthy and recurring struggle to wrest state government from Southeast Alaska and put it into driving distance of most Alaskans, an idea staunchly opposed over the years by Southeast lawmakers and many others.

Persistent concerns of the negative impact relocation would have on Juneau’s economy and fears the state would become too Anchorage-centric beat back previous efforts.

{snip}
A partial history of relocation fails from the Alaska Division of Elections:

• 2002: Alaskans vote 2-to-1 against placing the capital in Mat-Su
• 1994: With 212,675 ballots, Wasilla falls short of becoming the capital by fewer than 20,000 votes
• 1982: A ballot proposal that emphasizes cost, revenue and population estimates falls flat by about 10,000 votes.
• 1974 and 1978: Voters approve
• 1962: An effort to relocate the capital to Western Alaska is voted down.
• 1960: Voters nix an effort to dislodge Juneau as the capital in favor of somewhere in the Cook Inlet-Railbelt area.

Bass Pro Shops Opens; Juneau Awaits a Possible Flash Flood

It seems Bass Pro Shops has finally opened its Anchorage store, a couple of days ago. Strange how nobody locally has mentioned it.




Maybe it's because Cabela's stole most of the thunder with its April opening, or maybe its because ... well, whatever. I'm sure we'll get over there eventually; the store is on the opposite end of town, and we don't really go that direction very often. Besides, if Cabela's was any indication, it'll be wall-to-wall people for the first two weeks.


* * * * *

Scientists wary as water and ice build behind glacier dam above Juneau

High above Juneau's populous Mendenhall Valley, Suicide Basin is filling with rainwater, snowmelt and ice but is being held back by a dam of the Mendenhall Glacier. The water may soon surge toward town.

* * * * *

Y'all have a great day out there - and thank you for taking the time to stop by.

Man Bites Dog

No? Then how 'bout this:

Vehicle Struck by Juneau Bicyclist 

An intoxicated bicyclist struck a moving vehicle amidst traffic Saturday, Juneau police report.

(snip)

First responders determined that a 56-year-old Juneau resident was riding a bicycle while intoxicated, and while traveling against the flow of traffic, crossed over into the lane of oncoming vehicles and struck a Dodge Durango.

The unnamed male bicyclist was transported to Bartlett Regional Hospital for his injuries, and is awaiting citation.

Ya know it's a big news day when that's the most interesting headline on local television.

Sigh ...

It Ain't Easy

I know all you folks in the Lower 48 have had your fair share of winter weather, the last few years. But I thought you might enjoy this tale of what it takes to get to Juneau, if you start out in a car.

BAD ROAD TRIP . . . Legislators are used to crummy travel conditions on the annual trip to Juneau -- the session always starts in January, so what do they expect? But after their trek south this past week, Anchorage Reps. Andy Josephson and Geran Tarr may actually regret being elected.

... Traveling in separate vehicles, they both got to Tok Sunday night. On Monday morning, Andy found his car battery frozen inert by the minus-30 temperatures -- and no jumper cables. Geran had cables and jump-started Andy's car.

Later, 50 miles south of Haines Junction, in the Yukon Territory, Andy came upon Geran, her car dead at the side of the road. He shuffled things around in his already packed vehicle and Geran, her two cats and some necessary belongings squeezed in. They made it to the Haines-Juneau ferry on time.

According to Tarr, the Haines tow truck driver who eventually rescued her car reported "30 miles of whiteout ... and when they finally got to my car it was buried under several feet of snow."

Puts our regular morning commute to shame, doesn't it?

Another Reason NOT To Do Drugs

The Associated Press reports:

Fearful neighbors refuse to help Juneau man injured in shooting

JUNEAU, Alaska — A Juneau man injured in a shooting sought help from his Mendenhall Valley neighbors but was turned away because they suspected he was involved in an illegal drug transaction.

Neighbors early Friday heard gunshots and a wounded man and a companion ran door-to-door, screaming for help. Neighbors called 911 at 12:17 a.m. but refused to open their doors.

... Malyssa Waterhouse, 25, was home with her husband and young child. She said she kept her door locked because she suspected a drug deal or a robbery.

"He was screaming at our door," she said. "We pretended like we weren't home. And the neighbors were like 'Get off our porch' because they've got kids, too. I didn't know if the guy who was shooting was going to come back, I had no idea."

Police have not confirmed drugs were part of the incident.

Suspicions like that don't develop out of thin air; clearly the neighbors know the guy, and those he hangs around with.


Moral: play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

In Lieu of Unalaska

... we go to Juneau:

JUNEAU, Alaska — Juneau police say a 35-foot whale-watching boat was taken out for an unauthorized spin over the weekend.

Witnesses called police at 2:22 a.m. Saturday after seeing two intoxicated people stumble down a dock and get on board the K'eet, a vessel used by Juneau Whale Watching.

Witnesses also say the vessel was doing "doughnuts" in Auke Bay.

Coast Guardsmen responded and took control of the boat. The boarding crew described the man and woman as drunk and naked.

Police say 27-year-old Joshua Carrieri, a crewman on the vessel, was charged with driving while intoxicated and felony vehicle theft.

Click on the link for the rest of the story.


p.s. The Unalaska Police Blotter? The website has been down for the last week; not sure what's up with that.

"State Could Defend Alaskans' Gun Rights"

In this video report from KTUU Channel 2 in Anchorage, the Alaska House bill mentioned here has passed the Senate, with changes, and will now go back to the House:


Video here (sorry, couldn't embed this one).

Alaska Legislators Continue Their Annual Shooting Competition

From an AP story in today's Anchorage Daily News:

JUNEAU, Alaska — With about three weeks left in Alaska's legislative session, the pressure is mounting on politicians to get things done. A heated partisan divide on oil tax reform, the state's budget and education in Alaska's Capitol has tempers rising for both Democrats and Republicans.

So what's the best way to ease the tension? Get them all together, and give them each a weapon.

The gun control debate may divide Republicans and Democrats in Washington, but in Juneau, most legislators in both parties are adamant supporters of the Second Amendment. And on Saturday, some of them will head over to the Juneau Gun Club to blow off steam - and reach across the aisle - during this year's "Legislative Shoot."

The annual event, which is put on by the Alaska Correctional Officers Association and also sponsored by the Outdoor Heritage Foundation, pits three-member teams against each other in competitions like trap shooting, pistol shooting and archery.

Gotta love Alaska!  Click here for the rest of the story.

From the Anchorage 2nd Amendment Task Force

 

Anchorage 2nd Amendment Task Force Newsletter

HB69 Passes The State House Great News HB69 has passed the House. It now moves to the Senate where it's predicted to pass as well. HB 69 Nullify Federal Gun Control   Rep Mike Chenault would provide criminal penalties to federal employees enforcing federal firearms law. This would put some teeth into the Alaska Firearms Freedom Act. We like this one. There are 20 sponsors for this bill so far. The Committee Substitute for this bill is submitted and changes the penalty from a misdemeanor to a class C  felony! It could be the toughest bill in America as I think the penalty is up to $50,000 and up to 10yrs in prison. "An Act exempting certain firearms and firearm accessories in this state from federal regulation; providing criminal penalties for federal officials who enforce or attempt to enforce a federal law, regulation, rule, or order regulating certain firearms and firearm accessories in this state; and providing for an effective date." There is a rumor that 47 states are considering legislation similar to HB 69. We will keep you informed as the status changes on HB69.

The End of a Long Week, Alaska Aviation, and Two Questions

What with all the side effects of the new meds I was taking, the last 7 days haven't been much fun before 9 am; that's when the effects tend to wear off.

Today is MUCH better, and I feel like myself again.

* * * * *

The Anchorage Assembly has okayed the landing of a 727 at Merrill Field, a city-owned airfield just east of the downtown corridor. 

The 100,000-pound plane is being donated by FedEx to the University of Alaska Anchorage, "wants it for its aviation technology program based at Merrill Field". The plane is landing at Merrill now only because the ground is frozen, which will help support the weight of the plane as it lands & taxis to its final destination.

Once at the designated hanger, it will never be flown again.

FedEx will give another 727 to the University at Fairbanks, later this year. Aviation students should be quite excited about this. I'm not a pilot, and I'm excited.

* * * * *

The Juneau Alaska Citizens Militia has scheduled a ".223 Day of Resistance" at the State Capitol on the 23rd. The group's ad-hoc chairman says "says the group is holding the rally because it believes law-abiding gun owners are being penalized for the actions of criminals.

"He says he expects 300 to 400 people to attend.

"The group is a branch of the Alaska Citizens Militia, which was founded by Norm Olson. Olson described the group as confederation of smaller militias around the state. He says each branch varies in size from about 15 to 50 members."

* * * * *

Two questions: does anyone know what's happened to Old NFO's blog? It's not there today.

Finally, does anyone own, or have much experience with, a Nissan X-Terra?  If so, please let me know what you think about it, as I'm considering one as a replacement for my late, lamented Expedition.

Thank you for stopping by friends, and have a wonderful Friday.

Juneau: It's Raining Bricks

From the Anchorage Daily News comes this story:

JUNEAU — In the nightmare scenario, a big earthquake strikes near Juneau, shaking the Capitol to its foundation.

The building's concrete core survives, but its massive brickwork, never having been firmly attached to the building structure and weakened by decades of rainwater penetration and moisture, collapses in a heap from the fifth floor to the ground. Woe to any pedestrian on the sidewalk or driver in the adjacent narrow streets.

Worse yet, the Capitol's magnificent, segmented marble columns, held together only by gravity and their pedestals, and already tilted downhill from previous quakes, collapse and separate.

The Alaska State Capitol building is seeing some debris falling from its exterior. Timbers have been strapped to the famed marble columns to hold up a scaffolding to protect people entering the building from falling debris. Pieces of sandstone trim is falling and the brick exterior is fragile.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2013/01/27/2767911/alaskas-capitol-showing-its-age.html#storylink=cpy

 ~ snip ~

But while a catastrophic collapse of the Capitol is theoretical, the building is slowly disintegrating now.

Up on the fifth floor last year, Sen. Bert Stedman, then the co-chairman of the Finance Committee, was wondering why papers left around the windows at night were soaking wet in the morning, even when the windows were closed. The office called building maintenance and asked them to fix the problem, but were told nothing could be done short of a major renovation.

Not long afterward, one of Stedman's aides, Darwin Peterson, came to work and found a two-pound chunk of moulded sandstone on the steps of the building's main entrance. It had broken loose from the building above.

"I picked it up and I went to Don Johnston, the building manager, and I said, 'What the heck is this?' and he said, 'That's what I was telling you about -- the building's falling apart,'" Peterson said.

You may remember there was a 7.5-magnitude 'quake about 200 miles southwest of there, three weeks ago. Can you say "Borrowed time?"

Read the rest here.

Alaska: Federal Gun-Shop Liability Under Review

From a story in today's Anchorage Daily News:

WASHINGTON -- A Bush-era federal law that protects gun dealers from liability for murders committed with guns from their shops is under attack in an Alaska court, and that has led the Justice Department and gun-control activists to intervene in the case.

At issue is whether a Juneau gun dealer is liable for letting a disheveled homeless felon leave his store with a rifle, which he used to murder a total stranger. The family of the murder victim, Anchorage contractor Simone Kim, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit that has made it to the Alaska Supreme Court.

The Kims are challenging the constitutionality of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which effectively protects the gun industry from most lawsuits.

Read the story at the link.

News of the Weird

Not guilty because of a fart?

From the Anchorage Daily News Newsreader:

For inexplicable reasons, the Anchorage Press isn't naming the guilty in this story: A Juneau man's appeal of a drunken driving conviction on the grounds that he burped (or something), not farted, has failed. The story goes like this: If he'd burped, belched or regurgitated, the arresting officer would have had to restart the mandated 15-minute waiting period before administering the breathalyzer test. If he'd passed gas, no such delay would have been necessary. The officer was confident she could distinguish between a burp and a fart.

Read more at the links.

An Interesting Situation

The Daily Noise has a front-page article today about how Gov. Palin has allowed most of her commissioners to have offices in Anchorage, rather than Juneau.

A bit of background, for those who don't know: our state capitol, Juneau, is roughly 600 miles southeast of Anchorage. Alaska is a very large place, and Juneau is geographically isolated from the rest of the state. You can get there by air or sea, but not by land.

Juneau has been the capitol for a long time, as it was one of the first places ships from Outside would stop, as they steamed north along the coast.

Nowadays, as I understand it, one of the principal purposes of Juneau is to provide support services for the State government. Folks there are terrified that, some day, the capitol will be centralized to a more accessible location. A number of locations have been proposed over the years, primarily Anchorage or places just to its north. The people voted, not too many years ago, that the government should not relocate to the Mat-Su Borough (read Wasilla - you've heard of them, now).

In the two years since Gov. Palin took office, the majority of her administration now works from offices here in Anchorage. The Legislature, however, is still based in Juneau - whether from tradition, inertia, or deliberate design is unclear.

It's always sad when a town, which has lost its historic purpose for being, dries up and slowly fades away. It happens all the time, unfortunately, and much history is typically lost as a result of that process.

Many arguments, pro and con, have been offered over the 50 years since Statehood for moving (or not). I doubt I have any original contribution to those lines of reasoning, at this point.

I have a problem, though, if the principal reason for not moving the State government is because it's Juneau's only support. I'm pretty sure that's not sufficient reason to support the status quo.