The Valdez Star

The Valdez Star: "A new world record?
This 365 pound Salmon Shark caught by Thomas Farmer may prove to be the largest ever caught using tackle by a lone angler.

Valdez Star Photo"

Behemoth Salmon Shark May Spawn New World Record

The Valdez Star: "Behemoth Salmon Shark May Spawn New World Record
By Lee Revis
Editor, Valdez Star
VALDEZ- In a bold quest to break a world record currently held by a friend, Thomas Farmer, an avid big game hunter and fisherman from Galveston, Texas landed a whopping 365 pound salmon shark last week. �That�s what the whole point of the trip was,� said Bob Sanford, captain of the Alutiiq Sea, a private charter boat based out of the Valdez small boat harbor.
While other fish tales abound about bigger and longer sharks in Alaskan waters, so far no one has landed such a large shark under the rules and guidelines set forth by the International Game Fish Association or IGFA, the official score keepers for record sized sport fish from around the world.
�There�s all kinds of rules,� said Farmer as he waited on the Alutiiq Sea for the scales along the dock of Peter Pan Seafoods to make the time to weigh the shark. One of the criteria to claim a world record is that the fish has to be weighed on a certified scale. �We did everything by the rules,� said Farmer.
And there are plenty of rules. According to Rebecca Reynolds, the World Record Administrator for IGFA, every step of the fishing process has to be well documented and witnessed, detailed photos must be taken so biologists can positively identify the species of fish and the fish, or shark in this case, must be caught with standard tackle and must be reeled in by hand by the angler.
Fortunately Farmer had done his homework before setting out on his odyssey and claims to have followed the rules to a T. �Nobody could touch the rod but the angler,� he stated, while showing off the line.
The current record holder, his friend Ken Higginbotham, pulled in a 230 pounder back in 2002 on a boat out of Cordova and holds the record for an all-tackle catch under the rules of IGFA. The two have had a r"

Murder Conviction Appealed in Nichols Case

Valdez Star Continued: "Murder Conviction Appealed in Nichols Case
By Lee Revis
Editor, Valdez Star
ANCHORAGE- Daniel Lee Nichols, who was convicted of First Degree Murder for the 2003 strangulation death of his mother, has filed an appeal on both his conviction and the length of his prison sentence.
The appeal lists eight points of contention on his trial and asks the Court of Appeals, which is a panel of three judges, to review whether or not the original trial contained errors that may have wrongly convicted Nichols or deprived him of a fair trial. The appeal also asks for a review on 'Whether the sentence of ninety-nine years with no possibility of parole for fifty years...was excessive.'
The process of an appeal varies in both the amount of time it takes to render a judgment and what the process will entail. Initially, both sides of the case, meaning Defense Attorney Abigail Sheldon and Prosecutor Richard Payne, will file briefs with the court outlining why the appeal should be granted or dismissed. The judges will then decide if oral arguments are merited after a careful review of the briefs. 'It could be months,' said Case Manager Mindi Johnson.
The eight points of contention in the appeal include whether the court erred in permitting evidence of prior bad acts of the defendant, the denial of the court for a change of venue before and during the trial and what Ms. Sheldon is calling 'permitting hearsay evidence and irrelevant evidence numerous times over repeated objections by defense.'
The defense is also asking for a review of whether it was proper to that Nichols was kept shackled at the ankles during the trial, though Judge Donald Hopwood went to great lengths to conceal that fact from jurors. The jury was never allowed into the court room unless Nichols was seated and his legs and feet were concealed under a table with a black cur"

Drug Testing Policy Passed by School Board

Valdez Star Continued: "Drug Testing Policy Passed by School Board
By Lee Revis
Editor, Valdez Star
VALDEZ- School Board member Laurie Hull-Engles, who appeared telephonically, was the lone dissenter when the school board passed the controversial changes to the Valdez City School's Drug and Alcohol policy in a special meeting held Monday night at the District Office. 'This policy attacks children, it does not attack the problem of drugs,' she said early on in the 2 hour meeting held specifically to pass the policy changes.
Janise Johnson was the only member of the public in attendance at the meeting who came to speak against the proposed policy, which includes testing students' urine for drugs if school administrators suspect a student of drug use. If a student, parent or guardian refuses to allow a drug screen, the suspect student will automatically be disciplined as if they did test positive for drugs. First offenses for being caught with drugs or refusing a UA, as urine based drug tests are often called, will result in a five day out of school suspension. Students who undergo a UA and test positive but undergo a substance use assessment at any state-certified facility will only be suspended for three days if they provide proof they are following treatment recommendations.
Stating that she felt it was a civil rights violation to require a drug test to attend a public school, Ms Johnson stated, 'If they refuse they are considered guilty,' and added, 'This is not a minor detail.'
Ms. Johnson, who heard about the meeting by seeing a notice on the scanner, also chastised the board for not doing more to make the public aware that a special meeting was being held. 'It was not in the paper,' she said, and questioned if it was wise to hold a meeting that was not on the radio, as is the usual practice. The Valdez City Council was "

Photo: Honoring The Departed...

Photo: "Honoring The Departed...
Both the American Flag and the State Flag of Alaska flew at half-staff out of respect for Jay Hammond, who passed away at the age of 83 early last week. According to the Governor's office, the American Flag was to be raised again last Thursday morning but the Alaska Flag is to remain at half- staff until September 1, 2005. Hammond was buried at Port Alsworth soon after his death. A public memorial will be held in Anchorage on Saturday, August 20 at 2:00 at the Atwood Center.

Valdez Star Photo"

Job Cutting Process Begins Across the Bay

The Valdez Star: "Alyeska Pipeline Service Company has started to move on plans to trim the firm's work force as part of a major overhaul of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
The $250 million upgrades are expected to negate the need for 350 jobs and save money for the pipeline company, which transports oil over 800 miles from the North Slope to Valdez.
Alyeska is rebuilding several remote pump stations that push crude oil down the pipeline. The pump stations are being converted from work camps into unmanned, automated stations.
Of the jobs expected to be cut, about half would be Alyeska employees and the rest workers for Alyeska contractors, Alyeska spokesman Mike Heatwole said.
The job cutting process begun this week involves selecting top managers first and will continue down through the company, according to a memo from Alyeska president David Wight. Factors include employee performance and preferences as to jobs, work schedules, locations and willingness to leave voluntarily.
Alyeska already has asked for volunteers to take a severance package, but Heatwole would not say how many people had done so.
``This is a significant time of change for our company and for each of you individually,'' Wight said in the memo to Alyeska employees. ``There will be many decisions made over the next few weeks, some very difficult and some easier, where employees' preferences match with business needs.''
Nearly 900 Alyeska employees plus about 700 contractors work along the pipeline, at the tanker port in Valdez, and in offices and yards in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Heatwole said.
All employees will be notified of their status by Sept. 15, Heatwole said.
Alyeska is an Anchorage-based consortium that runs the pipeline on behalf of five owners: BP, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, Koch Industries and Unocal. The pipeline carries 13 per"

Fast Ferry Rates Teleconference During Sea Trials

Valdez Star Continued: "Fast Ferry Rates Teleconference During Sea Trials
FERRY TERMINAL- The fast ferry M/V Chenega, sans passengers, made its first call to Valdez Tuesday morning as part of its sea trials with its the newly formed crew.
Scheduling of the new ferry has been the cause of much consternation in Prince William Sound. First it missed its target date to begin servicing ports between Cordova, Valdez and Whittier due to a lack of a crew. Outrage later replaced indignation and emotions exploded among community leaders and business people in the area when it was announced the ferry be moved out of the area for the winter months.
The matter has been so contentious that state officials with the Alaska Marine Highway have scheduled a pair of teleconferences to take public comments on its proposed operating plan for the coming year. The teleconferences will be held on Thursday, August 11. Comments on the Southeast portion of the operating plan will be taken from 10 a.m. to noon, and on the part covering Southcentral, Prince William Sound, and Southwest Alaska from 2:00 to 4 p.m. The toll-free number for both teleconferences is 1-800-315-6338, with conference code 3902#. Public comments may also be submitted online.
A complete package of information on the schedule may be found online at: www.ferryalaska.com , according to the state. "

Animal Control Seeks Identity of Biting Dog

Valdez Star Continued: "Animal Control Seeks Identity of Biting Dog
By Lee Revis
Editor, Valdez Star
VALDEZ- Animal Control Officer Shana Anderson is seeking the identity of a dog that bit a bicyclist after lunging at the unidentified man in front of the Aspen Hotel last Friday evening at about 8:45 p.m. 'Shana is desperately trying to get the dog,' said Lt. Bill Comer of the Valdez Police Department.
Apparently, a young dark haired boy of about ten years old was walking the dog at the time of the incident. 'It broke the skin,' said Ms. Anderson, who said the victim didn't realize the extent of his injury from the bite till a little later. By the time the incident was related to authorities it was too late. 'By that time the dog was out of site,' she said.
The dog is described as yellow in color but smaller than a standard adult lab.
As a precaution, animal bites of this nature need to be thoroughly investigated to determine if the dog has a current rabies vaccination and to determine if the dog has a history of unprovoked aggression against people.
The police department had no information about possible treatment of the victim if the dog is not identified. 'That is going to be a medical consideration on the part of the individual bitten,' said Comer.
Yellow lab mixed dogs are quite common in the Valdez area, but anyone with information on the possible identity of the dog or its owners is encouraged to call Animal Control at 835-4560."

Bounty of the sea...

"Bounty of the sea...
While salmon and halibut fever rages in Valdez, other plentiful and some say more tasty species of sport fish are awaiting your lure in the waters around Valdez, Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. These Yellow Eyed Rockfish, also known as Red Snapper, are a prized catch from the deep. Ling Cod and Sea Bass are also abundant and a welcome sight at the end of fishing lines in Valdez.

Valdez Star Photo"

Gold Rush Royalty Take Throne Today

"Gold Rush Royalty Take Throne Today
By Terry Wilson
For The Star
This is not the first time Gold Rush Days 2005 Queen Mary Barrie has worn a crown. In 1963, after a two-day competition, which included a talent section, 17-year-old Mary won the title of Gold Rush Days Queen in Old Town Valdez.
'It was a heck of a contest,' says Mary, who performed a lively Charleston in full flapper costume as her talent. 'The crown was hand-made.'
Her husband, Darwin, also has a spot in the history of Valdez as a member of the original Valdez High School Buccaneer basketball team. A graduate of the class of 1955, of which there were seven members, Darwin says the team played in a division with Cordova, Wasilla, Kodiak and Nome.
He also played on local teams, who would regularly compete with each other. 'The best spirit in Old Town, and now, was for basketball. People love to watch the games,' Mary says.
Darwin came to Valdez in 1951 and has fished commercially, worked as a longshoreman for North Star Terminal and Stevedores, and was employed by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for 23 years as a berth operator.
'I helped load oil into the first tanker (in 1977),' Darwin says.
Mary arrived with her family in 1962 and has dedicated a great deal of her life to community service. Both she and Darwin are active with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, as well as the Pioneers of Alaska.
'I have cooked and worked a lot. I remember sewing garters for days for Gold Rush Days,' Mary says.
Both are honored to be this year's King & Queen and say they have been 'spoiled' by living in Valdez.
'It would be hard to leave,' Darwin says. 'I like it here.'
'We're a close-knit people,' adds Mary. 'We've stood together, and did things for each other."

Councilman Disputes Land Leases by the City

Valdez Star Continued: "Councilman Disputes Land Leases by the City
By Lee Revis
Editor, Valdez Star
CITY HALL- Council Member Rich Long is questioning whether the City of Valdez should be leasing land in the city's holding rather than selling it outright to the public. To drive his point home, he was the lone dissenter in a routine vote taken by the council Monday night in the transfer of a land lease held by former Valdez residents David and Holly Johnson to their son and his wife, Jeff Johnson and Linda Brandenberg. 'It has nothing to do with the names on it,' said Long, 'I have a problem with long term land leases.'
Currently, the city leases land to people and businesses under certain conditions, including clauses on what the land can be used for and the lessees must pay property taxes on improvements to the land. Under current rules in place, the city can only lease land for five years at a time, but still there are still several leases in effect for that were signed for up to 25 years, which is the case with the Johnson lease.
'This is one you can't mess with,' said Council Member Connie Stephens, when it was brought up that in this case, the lease assignment was within a family, and even if the transfer was not approved by the council, the lease to the elder Johnson's would still be in effect. 'It's not family to me,' said Long, 'To me its two citizens.'
When asked by other member of the council what he was asking for in his dissent, he stated that he felt the city had no business leasing land instead of selling land outright. 'Basically its broke and we need to fix it,' he said vehemently.
Under current code, city owned lands that are not currently in use by the city can be leased by individuals or businesses, with approval by the City Council. Rent charges are supposed to be at fair market value at t"

Port Authority Ricochets with Fresh Plans for LNG

The Valdez Star: "Port Authority Ricochets with Fresh Plans for LNG
By Lee Revis
Editor, Valdez Star
VALDEZ- Bill Walker, attorney for the Alaska Gasline Port Authority revealed that he has had at least two separate meetings with Governor Frank Murkowski regarding the Port Authority's new plans to bringing stranded natural gas from the North Slope of Alaska to markets in the lower 48 via a new pipeline that will run to Valdez and ship the gas south by way of especially outfitted LNG tankers.

'The problem of receiving the gas has gone away,' said Walker during a report to the Valdez City Council Monday night. Walker is also the City Attorney to Valdez. 'The biggest challenge is getting the gas,' he said, referring to the crude oil producers on the North Slope who have been recalcitrant to talk to the Port Authority about selling the over 30 trillion tons of natural gas reserves stranded under the crude oil wells in the Far North. 'The biggest challenge is getting the gas,' said Walker.
The Authority's latest plan involves The American Ship Group, the holding company for Totem Ocean Trailer Express, which is said to have submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to AGPA, which meets the targeted price requirements to ship the LNG at a competitive rate. The new plan also calls for the gas to be shipped from Valdez to an LNG receiving plant in British Columbia, Canada, which is a foreign port. By first shipping natural gas to Canada, the Jones Act, a federal law mandating that all ships that move cargo from one U.S. port to another must be U.S. manufactured, will not be an obstacle to shipping the gas out of Alaskan waters. While no details of the plan were available, a press release issued late Tuesday morning from the Port Authority states that the price offered to move gas from Valdez would be the same to what it would be using foreign built LNG ves"