Many residents across Wrangell, Petersburg and Ketchikan had their morning disrupted by a power outage on October 19th just after 9 a.m. The outage came as a surprise shortly before a planned shutoff to allow for upgrades to the power plant’s 45-year-old system.

In Wrangell, crews had backup diesel generators prepped for transfer and power was restored within an hour. It was followed by several more outages over the next 24 hours.

David McHolland is the superintendent of Wrangell Municipal Light and Power. He says the initial outage was caused by work the Southeast Alaska Power Agency is doing at its Tyee Lake hydroelectric power plant.

They’re trying to get ready for the third turbine to be installed and one of the contractors screwed a bolt in and they shorted out the 480-volt service It blacked out Tyee, and in turn, it blacked out Wrangell and Petersburg.

Wrangell experienced four power outages within the two days, according to McHolland. The systemwide outage last Monday morning; a localized outage when trees fell on a line at around 5.5-Mile Zimovia Highway; then communication errors led to another outage when transferring back to hydropower that same day; and finally issues at Ketchikan’s Swan Lake hydropower project that led to a partial system shutdown last Tuesday morning.

An email statement from SEAPA CEO Robert Siedman [Seed-man] confirmed that the initial outage and later Swan Lake outage resulted from contracted work preparing for the new turbine installation. But he says that the subsequent outages were unrelated to their Tyee facility.

This is the second round of issues this month, following brownouts on the morning of Oct. 1, when Wrangell switched to generators for a planned Tyee shutdown.

McHolland says his team is working to prevent any future power loss.

A lot of these outages were due to maintenance we’ve been trying to do and get things caught up to make it more reliable. So, as long as we don’t have a bunch of trees and stuff on the line, we shouldn’t have any outages, but I’m sure there will be at some point.

On the Tyee side, Siedman said in his statement that they understand that any outages create inconveniences for their customers and that SEAPA is working to minimize construction impacts.

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The Wrangell Borough Assembly met in Assembly Chambers for a Work Session and Regular Assembly Meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Listen to both meetings and read the agenda here.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Location: Borough Assembly Chambers
Work Session from 6:00 – 7:00 PM
a. Strategic Road Replacement Plan

Regular Assembly at 7:00 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER
   a. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Assembly Member Powers
   b. ROLL CALL
2. CEREMONIAL MATTERS
   a. PROCLAMATION: Alaskan Native Heritage Month
   b. PROCLAMATION: Extra Mile Day
3. PERSONS TO BE HEARD
4. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
5. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
6. CONSENT AGENDA
   MOTION ONLY: Move to Approve the Consent Agenda, as submitted.
   a. Minutes from the October 8, 2026 Special Assembly meeting
   b. Minutes from the October 12, 2026 Special Assembly meeting
   c. Minutes from the October 13, 2026 Regular Assembly meeting
   d. Minutes from the October 19, 2026 Special Assembly meeting
   e. Final Plat for Alder Top Village, Shoemaker Subdivision III, a replat of Tract A, Block 2, Plat 2025-5, creating
   Lots 23-42, zoned Single Family Medium Density, owned by the City and Borough of Wrangell
   f. Final Plat for Alaska Tideland Survey No. 1729, Vacating ATS No. 1337 – Burnett Inlet Hatchery
   g. CORRESPONDENCE: School Board action from the October 12, 2026 meeting
7. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT
   a. Borough Manager’s Report – verbal at meeting
   b. Federal Legislative Status Report
8. BOROUGH CLERK’S REPORT
   a. Borough Clerk’s Report
9. MAYOR AND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS
10. MAYOR AND ASSEMBLY APPOINTMENTS
    a. Board and Committee Appointments
11. PUBLIC HEARING
    a. Approval to move forward with the disposition of a portion of Lot 11, Block 83 (Public Works and Electrical
    yard area), for the purpose of a private easement to use as their driveway, requested by James and Mary
    Nelson
    b. ORDINANCE NO. 1109 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, ALASKA, AMENDING
    SECTION 3.05.020 – ORDER OF BUSINESS, IN THE WRANGELL MUNICIPAL CODE
    c. ORDINANCE NO. 1111 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, ALASKA, PROVIDING
    A TEMPORARY EXEMPTION OF BOROUGH SALES TAX ON SALES OF HEATING FUEL DELIVERED FOR SPACE
    HEATING FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2026 THROUGH FEBRUARY 15, 2027, AND PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATIC
    EXPIRATION
    d. RESOLUTION No. 10-26-2086 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, ALASKA,
    APPROVING A REQUEST TO FORMALLY NAME THE 6-MILE, DEEPWATER PORT (FORMER MILL SITE) THE
    “FRANK H. MURKOWSKI DEEPWATER PORT OF ALASKA”
12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
    a. RESOLUTION NO 10-26-2090 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, ALASKA,
    AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF PUBLIC LAND DESCRIBED AS LOT 43, BLOCK 2, ALDER TOP VILLAGE,
    SHOEMAKER BAY SUBDIVISION III, TO WRANGELL COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION
13. NEW BUSINESS
    a. RESOLUTION No. 10-26-2087 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, ALASKA,
    AMENDING THE FY 2027 BUDGET BY TRANSFERRING $24,900 FROM THE WATER FUND RESERVES TO THE
    FACILITY REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE – WATER FUND AND AUTHORIZING ITS EXPENDITURES
    b. RESOLUTION No. 10-26-2088 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, ALASKA,
    AMENDING THE FY2027 ANNUAL BUDGET TO RECOGNIZE $150,000 IN GRANT REVENUE AND AUTHORIZE
    ITS EXPENDITURES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OVERTIME AND MARINE EQUIPMENT UPGRADES
    c. RESOLUTION No. 10-26-2089 OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, ALASKA AUTHORIZING
    APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF ALASKA, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION FOR A
    SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN FROM THE ALASKA DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM FOR THE
    MCKINNON STREET WATER UTILITY REPLACEMENT PROJECT
    d. RESOLUTION NO. 10-26-2091 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL, ALASKA,
    APPROVING THE SIX-MILE DEEPWATER PORT AND SHIPYARD DEVELOPMENT AND AUTHORIZING
    APPLICATION FOR AND RECEIPT OF STATE TIDE AND SUBMERGED LAND UNDER AS 38.05.825
    e. RESOLUTION NO. 10-26-2092 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL AMENDING
    THE FY 2027 BUDGET BY TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM THE SEWER FUND RESERVE TO THE ZIMOVIA
    HIGHWAY SEWER SYSTEM ANALYSIS PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING ITS EXPENDITURE
14. ATTORNEY’S FILE – Available for Assembly review in the Borough Clerk’s office
15. EXECUTIVE SESSION
    a. Executive Session: 6-Mile Mill Site Property Strategy
16. ADJOURNMENT

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An Alaska Airlines plane is expected to depart Wrangell on Wednesday after spending several days in town for replacement of a failed engine.

The right-hand engine — the starboard side — failed as northbound Flight 65 was just starting its takeoff roll on Friday, Oct. 23.

Within a second or two of starting to rev up the engines and roll for takeoff, “there was a loud pop off the right side,” said Orin Pierson, a passenger on the flight who was sitting near the wing.

“Most of the passengers were silent,” said Pierson, who is the publisher of the Petersburg Pilot newspaper.

The plane did not swerve and there was no smoke, he said.

From his window seat, he could see the airplane crew and airline ground personnel inspecting the engine after the plane pulled up at the terminal.  Within a few minutes of the incident, Pierson said, the pilot announced, “We experienced an engine failure and this plane isn’t going anywhere.”

All of the passengers disembarked and their baggage was taken off. The plane was moved away from the terminal to await repairs.

A replacement engine was flown into Wrangell on Sunday, Tim Thompson, the airline’s director of public relations, reported in an email Monday morning. “The repairs are underway and expected to be completed by Wednesday.”

On Friday, the airline chartered Breakaway Adventures, filling two of their boats to ferry travelers to Petersburg.

Alaska Airlines flew in another aircraft early that evening to pick up passengers from the stricken plane and take them to their destinations in Juneau and Anchorage. 

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The Elks Club is expanding its food service and hours of operation this fall, making its dining room more available after a fire destroyed the Marine Bar and Hungry Beaver Restaurant.

Dawn Angerman, exalted ruler of the Elks Lodge, said the fraternal nonprofit is working to expand its menu with items like fish and chips, a four-piece chicken meal with french fries, and mozzarella sticks.

The club went to seven-day-a-week operations starting Oct. 18, an increase from its previous limited days of Friday burger nights and Saturday steak nights and occasional special-event nights.

The club is also adding Sunday lunches, opening at noon so patrons can eat lunch, bowl and watch televised football games.

“We hate to profit from somebody else’s tragic loss, you know, but it kind of is what it is,” Angerman said.

She noted that the lodge normally ramps up operations during the fall season because of league bowling.

Because the Elks operates as a private club under its liquor license, she said food and beverage sales are legally restricted to members who are up to date in their dues and their signed-in guests. There is no set limit on how many guests a member may sign in at one time, though she explained that members are discouraged from repeatedly signing in the same nonmember without that guest seeking membership.

Angerman said October and January are months when former members can reinstate a lapsed membership for a $1 fee, plus prorated dues.

According to Angerman, interest in membership grew immediately after the fire. “Matter of fact, the very first week after the fire, we had two members that came in and filled out a reinstatement application,” she said.

She said the nonprofit club uses its revenue after paying building operating and maintenance costs to support veterans activities, youth programs, Special Olympics and senior citizens.

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An experienced group of Wrangell High School musicians are in Haines this week for Southeast Honor Music Fest.

Sophomores Clara Carney and Stella Buness, junior Silje Morse and senior Andrei Bardin-Siekawitch all represented the choir and band at last year’s fest — which was held in Wrangell — and are eager to learn and perform again this year.

The Honor Music Fest brings together students from high schools across Southeast Alaska, from Haines to Metlakatla, for music instruction and performances with guest directors. It is a chance to practice and create vocal and instrumental music as a group with a shared love and purpose.

Buness, who was selected to sing Soprano 2, said it was a different experience than a typical choir class, where motivations can vary. “The students want to be there, and they like music.”

Carney agreed, “It is an elevated group who want to be there and have the same goal to sound the best we can.”

Morse, who sings the Alto 2 part, said it was interesting to compare the music selections from year to year. “The music is a little easier this year because last year there were songs in different languages. This year there is really just one challenging piece.”

“I have to think about my voice,” said Carney, who will be singing Soprano 1. “So many things can affect it before a performance, like a cold. I’m also playing a volleyball tournament before the Music Fest, and I usually yell a lot for that. I have to remember to take care of my voice.”

The only Wrangell instrumentalist participating is Bardin-Siekawitch, on tenor saxophone. He said it is fun to work on new and challenging music, and working with a group of people who are passionate about music is an environment that “you just can’t get anywhere else, everyone there is collaborative.”

In addition to the Honor Music Fest, Bardin-Siekawitch has been selected for the 2026 All-State Music Festival, to be held in Anchorage Nov. 19-21.

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Sample ballots for the November 3, 2026, Mid-Term election are available on the Alaska Division of Elections website.

https://www.elections.alaska.gov/election/2026/General/SampleBallots/HD1-JD1.pdf

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It’s a busy week for community fundraisers in town.

There is a silent auction to raise money for Wrangell Burial Assistance, which has provided financial aid since 2019 for families facing burial or cremation expenses for their loved ones.

The crystal glassware auction items have been on display at First Bank since last week, with bidding set to end at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

There will be another auction on Sunday, Oct. 25, to raise money for the WMC Foundation Cancer Care program, which provides small grants to help families pay travel expenses for out-of-state treatment.

The auction, set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, will be at the Tongass Federal Credit Union branch on the first floor of the Kadin Building on Front Street.

It’s unusual for a financial institution to be open on a Sunday, but this is a special occasion, explained Marisa Fulgham, Wrangell branch manager. The Southeast-wide credit union selected the WMC Foundation for its annual fundraiser, she said.

The event will include light snacks catered by the Stikine Inn, with the auction items displayed in the building lobby.

The auction will include art, a quilt, glass work, foods, gift baskets and more — anyone willing to donate needs to get their items to the credit union office as soon as possible.

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Equipped with nothing more than standard iPads and basic iMovie software, two Wrangell freshmen spent their summer turning personal curiosities into cinema. Now, their work is headed for bigger screens.

Original, short documentaries by high school freshmen Quinton Davies and Erika Jabusch have been selected for prestigious film festivals this fall and winter, marking the second consecutive year that young storytellers from the community will reach wider audiences.

Davies’ documentary, “Standing Tall in Wrangell,” will screen at the Red Nation International Film Festival in Los Angeles, which runs Nov. 6-14, with streaming into the new year.

Jabusch’s film, “New Beginnings — Zanovo, Diving Deep into the Rich Tapestry of Russian Culture,” will travel north to the Anchorage International Film Festival, running Dec. 4-13.

For middle school digital storytelling teacher Laura Davies, who volunteers her time to mentor the students, the festival selections highlight pure grit and creative determination over high-end gear. 

Quinton Davies turned his camera toward a milestone community tradition, documenting the multi-day totem raising in July 2025.

Jabusch looked inward toward family history and tradition, interviewing her mother, Natalya Jabusch, who immigrated from Russia to Alaska as a child. She also featured Valentina Bardin and Laris Bardin-Siekawitch, both immigrants as well.

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On Oct. 13, Wrangell’s borough assembly advanced a temporary ordinance to waive the 7% sales tax for diesel and kerosene heating fuels delivered to homes this winter.

Since the start of the Iran war, the average cost of a gallon of diesel in the U.S. has risen about 72%. In Wrangell, a gallon of highway diesel currently goes for around $7.21 per gallon.

Borough Manager Mason Villarma addressed the assembly.

This allows for a little bit of reprieve for community members that are facing higher energy costs.

Assembly Member Dave Powell said that he worries it wouldn’t be fair to only offer a tax break to those heating their homes with fuel. Here he is at the meeting.

The only problem I have is that we are only targeting one entity of how to heat a home. I would suggest, if you want to do that in those months, that we look at removing the sales tax for any part of heating a house.

Electric heating is more affordable locally, according to Villarma, because Wrangell’s electricity rates are among the lowest in the state. He also says the borough regularly offers free firewood taken from borough properties to residents.

In response to concerns over potential lost tax revenue, Villarma said that the cost to the borough would be relatively nominal, at around $70,000 for the four months, while offering relief to residents.

He says that the point is to show that the borough cares about how rising costs are impacting residents.

Just letting people know that we do care and we do see what’s happening economically in the state due to higher energy prices and trying to provide some form of relief. I think it creates a sense of understanding and a good faith effort to try to meet community members where they’re at.

The assembly approved the waiver on first reading, and set a public hearing set for Oct. 27 before it is considered for a final vote.

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The borough is applying for state grant funding to design a trail linking Petroglyph Beach with the recently completed Bennett Street-Mount Dewey Trail connection.

Borough officials are seeking public comments by Oct. 30 on their intent to apply for funding through the Alaska Department of Transportation trails program.

“We want comments from people, especially comments that are supportive or constructive in nature, to help us get it right for the community,” Amber Al-Haddad, the borough’s capital projects director, said.

The state grant of up to $300,000 could cover all the planning, design and permitting work before construction of the new trail to Evergreen Avenue, near the Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site.

The borough is looking to extend the trail from Bennett Street to continue past the Mount Dewey spur trail, through wooded and wetland areas, to end near Petroglyph Beach.

Following the design phase, Al-Haddad said, “our hope would be that we could be either in a position to submit a subsequent request to the same program for construction (funding), or, we’re always looking at other opportunities for funding, state and federal.”

She said public comments on the borough’s grant application would make it a stronger contender for state funding. Anyone can direct comments to her at aal-haddad@wrangell.com.

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