For the 20th year in a row, the port of Dutch Harbor-Unalaska is the country’s top port when it comes to pounds landed.

The Juneau Junior All-Stars rolled in two wins over Ketchikan and Sitka, 18-3 and 24-0, respectively.

Juneau resident Ean Lee Aycock died July 17, 2009, in Juneau. He was 36.

Juneau resident Kevin J. Walkenford, born May 23, 1995, in Phoenix, died July 19, 2009, while on a family vacation in Arizona. He was 14.

Alaska’s legislators will be meeting in special session on Aug. 10 in Anchorage. I urge state legislators to overturn Gov. Sarah Palin’s rejection of $28 million in federal stimulus funds for energy conservation and weatherization projects in Alaska. Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell has said that he will accept the decision of the legislators. Alaska can use these dollars to put people to work.

I am writing in response to the article, “Bad time to be rich? Only if you don’t like to pay taxes.” In my opinion, the wealthy have not paid enough taxes since our country became independent in 1776. It is time for the rich to feel the oppression that the poor and the working class have felt for centuries.

If Sen. Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon, is concerned about the small Alaska communities he represents, he should look to his own backyard. Sealaska Corp. is trying to privatize North Prince of Wales Island, which could destroy the economies of Point Baker, Point Protection, Edna Bay, Naukati, Whale Pass and others. Once private, we lose public access to the land we rely on for subsistence, commercial sport and tourism resources. ANILCA Title VIII protections are lost. Fish stream protections are lost. A world class cave system is lost to science and the public. An extensive road system is lost.

As our season winds down and tournaments have come and gone, 2009 will go down in the books as one of the driest, and therefore, most enjoyable on record.

Sunshine, glacier backdrops, eagles circling over centerfield…

Summer Climbing Festival and Competition