BLUE RIBBON COOL – Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School students wear blue sunglasses and bead necklaces given to them as part of the Blue Ribbon celebration at the school today. In September the school was named one of three schools in Alaska and 353 across the nation to win the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools. The recognition as Exemplary High-Performing Schools was based on their overall academic performance as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
At a sparsely attended meeting Thursday, the Assembly [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Well over 100 Sitkans attended a town hall-style prese [ ... ]
By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Planning Commission passed two conditional use permit [ ... ]
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Sentinel Staff Writer
The single finalist in the Assembly’s search for a [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
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By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
Competitors will line up Saturday for the 40th annual [ ... ]
By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
More Alaskans will be able to access food stamps following law [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
In the last days of their two-year session, Alaska lawmakers pass [ ... ]
Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
May 16
At 12:41 a.m. a man wa [ ... ]
Climate Building Science
As we wean ourselves off of fossil fuels by electrifying our homes, we cons [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
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By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola has included $5.8 million for [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The city announced Wednesday that $62,795 was stolen [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
A day of street performances, art, food and music, cap [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS,
CLAIRE STREMPLE and
YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
The 33rd Alaska State Legislature [ ... ]
By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Legislature has passed a bill that combines carbon sto [ ... ]
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
May 15
Shortly after noon, callers complain [ ... ]
U.S. Coast Guard
Sets Town Hall
On Boat Accident
The U.S. Coast Guard will hold a town hall 5-8 p.m. to [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
After four months of special meetings to review and d [ ... ]
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Sentinel Staff Writer
Living amid craggy peaks and remnant glaciers, Southea [ ... ]
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Sentinel Staff Writer
In the play opening Thursday at the Sitka Performing [ ... ]
By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
A late-session attempt to salvage a proposal that would revive [ ... ]
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
May 14
At 7:46 a.m. a reckless driver was r [ ... ]
Life Celebration
For Carl Peterson
The family of Carl Peterson, 85, will have a celebration of his lif [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Glacier Bay Crash Leaves Pilot Unhurt
By Sentinel Staff
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka helicopter crew rescued a pilot in Glacier Bay National Park Wednesday evening after his one-man plane crashed in Crillon Lake and he swam to shore, the Coast Guard said.
Alec Wildenstein, second from right, poses with the crew of the Coast Guard helicopter that rescued him Wednesday after his plane crashed at Glacier Bay National Park. From left are Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Plunkett, Lt. Douglas Eberly, flight mechanic Mark Newkirk, flight surgeon Cmdr. Kjersti Koskinen, Wildenstein and rescue swimmer Tyler Sojka. (Photo provided by the U.S.C.G.)
The downed airplane is pictured in Crillon Lake Wednesday. (Photo provided by U.S. Coast Guard)
The pilot, Alec Wildenstein, 38, of Nanyuki, Kenya, was hoisted from the beach and flown to Sitka with “minimal injuries” and “no major medical concerns,” the Coast Guard said.
The crash was reported by a friend, Alexis Pelter, who was flying another plane and saw what happened. Pelter flew to Yakutat to report the accident, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard had no information about where the two were flying from or their intended destination.
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center notified the Coast Guard in Sitka to rescue the pilot, who reportedly swam to shore with a dry bag, changed into dry clothes and started a fire.
The Coast Guard said the likely cause of the crash was an “in-flight engine seizure.” The plane was equipped with wheels, and it flipped upon touching down in the lake about 10 to 20 yards from shore, the Coast Guard said.
The FAA will be investigating, the Coast Guard said.
“Being prepared is the key to survival in any emergency situation,” Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Newkirk, the flight mechanic, said in a news release. “He set himself up for success by having a plan and being prepared for the situation with the extra clothing, bear spray, shelter, and a fire, which allowed us to safely locate and transport him to safety.”
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20 YEARS AGO
May 2004
Photo caption: Sara Roa wipes a tear as retiring Sheldon Jackson College Professor Mel Seifert accepts a citation honoring his 29 years of teaching at the college, during graduation ceremonies this morning at the Hames P.E. Center.
50 YEARS AGO
May 1974
From On the Go: Vyola Belle and Kybor are leaving the Canoe Club, where they’ve been cooking for the past two years. Vyola Belle will devote her time to her Maksoutoff Caterers and Kyber will become a chef for the Marine Highway System aboard the Wickersham.