KHNS - Haines

Skagway’s longtime police chief is working without state certification. The council that oversees those accreditations revoked Ray Leggett’s certification because, it says, there is substantial doubt that he has “good moral character.” Leggett calls the decision a “miscarriage of justice.”

A brown bear cub was struck and killed by a driver in Haines recently. Wildlife trooper Trent Chwialkowski said the incident happened July 28 in the late evening around mile 9 of Lutak Road.

Skagway leaders are moving ahead with a new 15-year tidelands lease proposal and they’re hoping to get it to voters this October. The Assembly put some tough questions to the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad president at a public meeting Thursday.

Haines’ loss of state trooper may trigger a major change to the way local police service is funded and structured. The trooper loss might result in an expansion of Haines police jurisdiction – from just the townsite to borough-wide.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker says he hopes the shutdown of Haines’ Alaska State Trooper post is not a long-term solution. The head of troopers says right now, he has no plans to re-instate the position. The lack of a clear answer may further confuse Haines’ exploration of an expanded police service area.

Along the banks of the Chilkoot River near Haines, there’s an old culture camp that stood empty for years. A group of young people recently decided to revitalize the traditional site. The Chilkoot Indian Association and the Haines Public Library worked together this year and last to put on the event.