Associated Press

ANCHORAGE — A climber injured in a fall on Pioneer Peak near Palmer was hoisted to safety Monday night by the Alaska Air Guard.

Shawnee Whitehorse, 23, of Palmer fell and was injured when an ice ax lodged in her back, Alaska State Troopers said.

Her climbing partner, Lisa Pierimarchi, 46, reported the fall shortly after 9:30 p.m.

She told troopers that Whitehorse was unable to move and that both climbers were getting cold due to falling temperatures.

She provided GPS coordinates to rescuers.

The Butte Fire Department paramedics began hiking to the climbers but faced steep terrain and called for the Alaska Air Guard, which had a crew ready to launch.

Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said Whitehorse’s injury was not life-threatening.

Two Alaska hospitals facing financial challenges will consider consolidation.

KCAW-FM reports the Sitka Community Hospital board plans to discuss possible courses of action at a Monday work session.

Hospital CEO Rob Allen says the hospitals are anticipating the needs of an aging population as well as less funding from the state.

ECG Management Consultants came up with three options for Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital and the Sitka Community Hospital.

The hospitals can do nothing, collaborate on operations in some areas or put both hospitals under the same management.

The consultant says doing nothing would not solve financial issues and would mean uncertainty for hospital staff and patients.

Two men are facing robbery and assault charges in a shooting that left a woman in critical condition.

KTVA-TV reports charging documents identify the woman who was shot Thursday as 40-year-old Paula Zorawski.

The two 18-year-olds were arraigned Saturday and bail was set.

One of the suspects also faces a charge of misconduct involving a controlled substance.

It’s unclear whether the men have attorneys.

The Anchorage Police Department says officers found Zorawski with a gunshot to the head at a home on Alora Loop northeast of Russian Jack Springs Park.

Hospital staff said she has little chance of survival.

Surveillance video from the home where the shooting occurred shows the two men with three others who have not been arrested.

Police ask anyone with information to contact the department.

A group is exploring a possible plastic and paper bag fee in Sitka.

The Sitka Sentinel reports the first Bags for Change meeting brought in about a dozen people.

Supporters say single-use grocery bags harm the environment.

A fee could range from 10 to 25 cents on paper and plastic grocery store bags.

The group is led by Mt. Edgecumbe High School teacher Christy Anderson and Michelle Putz of the Sitka Global Warming Group.

Putz said they hope to get a fee passed by assembly members or through a citizen initiative.

Fees would go toward an electricity program and the Sitka School District.

The group meets again in October.

Plastic bags are banned in Bethel, Hooper Bay and Cordova.

Cats will need leashes just like dogs if a proposal before the Kenai council wins approval.

Kenai Mayor Pat Porter and council member Tim Navarre have proposed a cat leash law after complaints from residents about roaming felines.

The Peninsula Clarion reports that current city code does not include cats on its list of animals that need to be restrained.

The proposed ordinance also cites complaints about the impact of a growing cat population on the Kenai Animal Shelter’s resources.

Kenai City Manager Rick Koch says shelter resources are sufficient. He said he will research data and see whether other Alaska communities have similar laws.

Some residents are concerned about compliance and whether the law will tax animal control resources.

A hearing and vote is set for Oct. 5.

An autopsy will determine the cause of death for a 69-year-old man who was involved in a 42-hour standoff with Anchorage police.

Police Chief Chris Tolley told reporters that the body of Robert Musser was found early Friday morning after heavy equipment was brought in to tear down parts of the Anchorage home.

The standoff began Wednesday when tree trimmers reported Musser had fired at them. Police responded after obtaining a warrant for Musser’s arrest.

Musser repeated yelled at officers to get off his property, and he fired at officers during two different occasions. The last came Thursday afternoon when two officers were struck by bullets and received minor injuries. Six officers returned fire, but it was unknown if Musser was hurt.

Tolley said they didn’t know if he Musser was alive as of late Thursday evening since they had no contact with him. The body was found after more of the house was torn down.

The six officers who returned fire have been placed on administrative leave.