Rummaging through this year’s happenings in Wrangell, we get a blend of public safety, Alaska Native cultural resurgence and school sport championships.
The year began with a lesson in stopping at intersections.
Wrangell officials installed the community’s first traditional four-way stop at St. Michaels and Church Street. It came with a brief learning curve — Police Chief Gene Meek pulled over six drivers on the first day, though no tickets were issued. Six months later, the stop sign has become part of daily life.
Not far from there, the long-awaited new water treatment plant came online, finally serving the community after nearly a decade of planning. The project moved forward despite a federal pause on reimbursing approved grant and loan funds.
Another major infrastructure change came when the borough decommissioned the aging barge ramp after an engineering report showed it posed a risk of failure.
Borough Manager Mason Villarma said closing it was a safety decision.
“I went through the report with a fine tooth comb, and all you really have to do is read that conclusion paragraph that continued operation of that ramp is a risk of failure,” he said. “When we’re looking at safety first, that’s not a prudent thing to continue to operate the ramp. And we’ve had concerns for quite some time.”
After months of debate and community input, the borough selected the six-mile mill site for a new barge ramp.
Federal actions also rippled through Wrangell this year. Early on, thousands of federal workers were laid off nationwide, including Tongass National Forest employees. In response, the Wrangell Cooperative Association organized a walk to raise awareness.
Former Tribal Administrator Esther Aaltséen Reese said the Forest Service has long been a key partner.
“They’re an amazing partner to us as the tribe,” she said. “They’re an integral part of the fabric of our community and we’re losing people that we work with on a day to day basis. Literally, the Wrangell community is going to suffer by losing these wonderful individuals.”
Most workers were eventually reinstated.
Later, the federal government defunded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, leaving stations like KSTK scrambling to plan for the future. Then came a federal shutdown in October, stopping SNAP benefits and leaving food bank shelves bare. This forced volunteers to step in to support families and the food bank.
Amid those challenges, Wrangell also honored its history.
The U.S. Army formally apologized for bombarding a Tlingit village in 1869. During the ceremony, the tribe sang multiple songs, including a cry song.
Four clans accepted the apology; three did not, calling for continued accountability.
For over a year, carvers prepared for Wrangell’s first totem pole raising in 38 years. The July event drew tribal members from across Southeast Alaska and the Lower 48 for a four-day cultural celebration. The U.S. Army paid for one of the totem poles as part of their apology.
The community also gathered for something new — the inaugural Milk Run Music Festival, featuring live music.
On the athletic side, Wrangell students made history.
Sophomore Jackson Carney claimed a state wrestling championship. And finishing out the year, he brought home multiple awards, including the first ever Division II finals state championship. His father and coach, Jack Carney, said the sport builds more than physical strength.
“Life’s not easy. Life’s gonna get harder and harder and harder. People are gonna look up to them, and they’re gonna have to depend on all these young adults that are wrestling when they get older,” he said. “It’s just a way of preparing their bodies and their minds to be the best people they can be, people that others can count on.”
Eighth-grader Arabella Nore also brought home a first-place finish at the Tanana Invitational. And the Wrangell Wolves girls cross-country team won its first-ever state championship, with freshman Jenna Meisner finishing first overall.
But alongside those victories, the school district faced serious budget challenges. Community meetings highlighted concerns about staffing and long-term sustainability.
Former board member Aaron Angerman said the district was out of easy fixes.
“In all due respect, Mr. President, I think you’re missing the point. You’re listing all the things we’re all wanting to save,” he said. “I’ve been on this board (before) when we trimmed this thing, this budget. There’s no fat left on it. And every year we lose two teachers.”
The district ultimately cut positions and formed an ad hoc committee to find solutions.
Environmental concerns also stayed front and center. A report from SkeenaWild Conservation Trust showed contaminants from Canada’s Red Chris Mine entering the Stikine River watershed.
Ecologist Adrienne Berchtold said the area’s naturally high mineral levels make added contamination especially concerning.
“When you have a situation where those elements are already elevated for natural reasons, that’s even more cause to be even more cautious about how much more of those contaminants you’re putting into the system,” she said.
Southeast tribes pushed for greater consultation, sending nearly 30,000 messages to British Columbia lawmakers and filing for judicial review.
Economic development remained a focus as well. The Wrangell Marine Service Center continued welcoming boaters, while the borough entered a partnership with American Cruise Lines to build a new dock aimed at boosting tourism.
On the accountability front, Vice Mayor David Powell pleaded guilty to negligently possessing and transporting an illegally harvested bull elk. He was fined $7,000, half suspended.
The year also brought leadership changes. Tribal Administrator Esther Aaltséen Reese departed after 13 years, succeeded by Wrangell-raised Albert Rinehart. Superintendent Bill Burr stepped down, with Joshua Garrett — formerly working in Kazakhstan — taking on the role.
Wrangell closed out the year under heavy snowfall — nearly 30 inches in total. Meteorologist Grant Smith urged residents to look out for one another.
“Check in on your neighbors,” he said. “Extreme cold and extreme heat are two of those big things that can come in and cause a lot of problems if you don’t prepare.”
Public Works and DOT crews worked around the clock, prioritizing access to the hospital and airport.
