This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
           There were noticeably fewer foreign students working in Alaska salmon processing facilities this past season. That’s because of uncertainty that surrounded the student guest worker program known as the J-1 Visa. The state department had threatened to end the program abruptly during the months leading up to the salmon season, which did not give processors enough lead time to recruit and hire the students, who mostly came from Eastern Europe, particularly Turkey.
          Alaska Senator Mark Begich worked with the state department to delay action on ending the program, but he said its fate is still under review:
           He expects an update from the state department on the J-1 Visa this week, but in the meantime his staff is putting the finishing touches on his H2O program.

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it     
            The Kodiak City Council met for a work session last night and talked at length about the proposed bike path from downtown Kodiak to Deadman’s Curve. The project received legislative funding in 2011 for $384,000 that would match a city contribution, but this was when the estimated cost of the project was somewhere around $2.9 million. City Manager Aimée Kniaziowski said that cost has almost doubled since then.

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it     
            Between her role as language manager at the Alutiiq Museum and as assistant professor of Alutiiq language and culture at Kodiak College, April Laktonen Counceller is very busy. Now she can add another title to her list as a newly appointed member of the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. It was created by Governor Sean Parnell, who appointed five language professionals from around the state. Counceller said the group will serve in an advisory capacity for the governor and state government on the status of various Native languages

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
            The resident registration hunt for mountain goats in two areas on Kodiak Island have been closed by emergency order – even before they start.
            Fish and Game biologist Larry Van Daele issued the order Tuesday, closing the Crown Mountain and the Hidden Basin-East Terror Lake areas. The closure was implemented because four goats have been taken in each of those areas during the lottery drawing hunt, when the target harvest is three in each area.
            The Hidden Basin-East Terror Lake has a herd of about 60 goats, while the Crown Mountain herd is estimated at 25. Van Daele says any additional harvest would be excessive and jeopardize the future productivity of the herds.
            The remaining areas of Game Management Unit 18 will open as scheduled.