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CCW Staff Report

Bristol Palin, the 18-year-old daughter of Gov. Sarah Palin, gave birth to a son on Sunday in Palmer, according to media reports.

The baby, which weighs 7 pounds, 4 ounces, is named Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, taking the last name of his father, Levi Johnston.

“The baby is fine, and Bristol is doing well. Everyone is excited,” Sarah Palin’s aunt, Colleen Jones, told People Magazine.

Sarah Palin revealed she was going to be a grandmother during the presidential campaign, at which time she said her daughter and Johnston intend to marry.

JUNEAU – The Alaska Marine Highway System has cancelled the vessel Chenega’s Saturday sailing to Haines and Skagway as inclement weather approaches Northern Lynn Canal bringing high winds and seas exceeding 10 feet.

The 235-foot ferry will remain at the Auke Bay terminal with no replacement ship making the northbound and return journey.

AMHS is online at www.ferryalaska.com .

CAMP DENALI – On Christmas Eve each year members of the Alaska National Guard perform one of their most important job responsibilities: tracking Santa.
The art of tracking Santa is more than providing updates to people on his current location – it’s also ensuring that Santa and his eight tiny reindeer have the support they require to travel safely from the North Pole to all the children around the world.
This Christmas Eve, Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Air Control Squadron and 213th Space Warning Squadron will use radar capabilities to provide North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) with launch notification, target verification and flight trajectory of Santa and his sleigh. And in case of in-flight emergency, Guardsmen will notify Santa’s emergency response teams to immediately assist.
“We take this job very seriously,” said Master Sgt. Terry Smith, 176th Air Control Squadron. “Children around the world are relying on the National Guard, and we don’t want to let them or Santa down on such an important night.”
During a successful test flight earlier this month, Guardsmen were able to track and identify Santa’s departure from the North Pole, provide the necessary notifications to NORAD and verify Santa had adequate speed for a trip around the world in one night.
A fully equipped National Guard is critical to providing the essential capabilities needed to effectively respond to any state emergency. In this case, however, Guardsmen just want to provide the support and communication Santa requires for a safe trip on Christmas Eve.

JUNEAU – The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferry LeConte has added a stop in Angoon on its Dec. 22 run from Hoonah to Juneau to accommodate holiday shoppers this year.

The LeConte will sail from Hoonah at 10:45 a.m. and arrive in Angoon at 2:45 p.m. that day. The ship will depart Angoon at 3:15 p.m., arriving in Juneau at 8:30 p.m.

“We decided to add the extra Angoon stop to allow folks there a last minute shopping opportunity in Alaska’s capital city,” said Chuck VanKirk, AMHS’ operations manager.

Juneau — Dangerous seas and strong winds forced the crew aboard the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) fast vehicle ferry Chenega to return to Auke Bay Friday morning and cancel its scheduled sailing to Haines and Skagway.
While sailing off the coast of Sentinel Island north of Auke Bay, Chenega’s captain reported seas exceeding 10 feet with winds swirling at more than 35 knots.
According to AMHS officials, there were no reports of injuries to passengers or damage to the ship.
Chenega departed the Auke Bay terminal about 8 a.m. Friday morning and returned shortly after 9 a.m.
Chuck VanKirk, AMHS’ operations manager, said that all of the passengers and vehicles aboard the Chenega were transferred to the ferry Taku. Taku was slated to substitute for Chenega and complete the Haines and Skagway run Friday afternoon after departing Auke Bay at 12:30.
According to VanKirk, Chenega’s Saturday sailing has been cancelled due to the existing and forecasted weather conditions.
“We’ll continue to monitor weather forecasts and make the appropriate adaptations to best accommodate our travelers,” VanKirk said.

ANCHORAGE – Alaska resident Andrée McLeod filed court papers Tuesday contesting Gov. Sarah Palin’s refusal to disclose her husband’s e-mails.

McLeod requested first gentleman Todd Palin’s e-mail records in a public record request in June.

“This latest refusal by the governor’s office to hold back official state e-mails received or sent by Todd Palin has left me no other choice,” said McLeod, a registered Republican. “The state can’t cloak these communications in secrecy when the governor and her staff have broken the chain of custody by sharing them with a mere private citizen. Therefore, that entitles all citizens the right to examine these documents in the light of day.”

McLeod said the open record request is about the “public’s right to know the inner working of their government and how state officials are discharging the public trust.”

McLeod filed separate court papers Oct. 2 seeking public records generated by Palin and her staff while using private e-mail accounts. The case is still in progress.

JUNEAU — The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced Wednesday a higher weekly benefit amount for unemployed workers that file a new claim effective on or after Jan. 1.

The increase in the weekly benefit amount raises the maximum from $248 per week to $370. The increase in the weekly benefit amount will affect qualified base period wages of $26,750 or higher.

Also beginning Jan. 1, the qualifying amount for unemployment insurance benefits increases from $1,000 to $2,500 in the base period. A portion of the tax responsibility will shift away from the employer to the employees.

Claimants with existing claims at the time will continue to receive their same weekly benefit amount for the remainder of their benefit year or until they qualify for a new benefit year.

State officials are hoping the new amount will further assist unemployed workers and help stabilize local economies during times of economic down turn.

Individuals can file online claims at www.myalaska.state.ak.us/home/app.

Unemployment Claim Centers
Anchorage (907) 269-4700
Fairbanks (907) 451-2871
Juneau (907) 465-5552
All other areas (888) 252-2557

CCW Staff Report

Alaska Air Group Inc. announced Monday a new president for Alaska Airlines as well as other executive management changes at the company.

The Alaska Air Group board elected Brad Tilden as president of Alaska Airlines. Tilden had been chief financial officer and executive vice president of finance and planning for Alaska Air Group. As president, Tilden will oversee operations and marketing at the airline and continue to handle network planning and revenue management. He has been with Alaska Airlines since 1991.

Glenn Johnson was named to replace Tilden as CFO and executive vice president of finance. He has worked in a variety of financial and customer-service positions for both the airline and sister carrier Horizon Air.

Ben Minicucci was also named the airline’s chief operating office and executive vice president of operations. He had been vice president of Seattle operations.

CCW Staff Report

ANCHORAGE — The state of Alaska and Flint Hills Resources Alaska announced Wednesday plans to join forces in ensuring long-term success at the North Pole Refinery.

Gov. Sarah Palin supports the partnership and lauded the refinery’s role as a large employer and economic engine.

“The Flint Hills Resources Alaska refinery in North Pole has a significantly positive economic impact throughout our state,” she said. “The refining operation is a major employer in Alaska and is vital to the operations of the Anchorage International Airport, the Port of Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad.”

The State and Flint Hills will evaluate options aimed at improving the plant’s ability to respond to volatile energy costs, varying product demands and facilitating plant upgrades needed.

Flint Hills is providing data to the Department of Natural Resources, which has assured confidentiality. This data allows DNR the opportunity to analyze refinery economics, an analysis expected to take up to six months.

“This … buys time to find a successful business solution,” Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin said.

The Alaska Railroad and Flint Hills also will review potential opportunities to structure refinery ownership and operations as part of a corporation similar to the Alaska Railroad.

State officials say they will give consideration to the impacts on other in-state refineries. Flint Hills Resources Alaska announced in May that it was reviewing alternatives for the refinery due to financial challenges.

“We look forward to continuing to work together to reach a resolution that will ultimately benefit the people of Alaska, our company and our employees,” said Brad Razook, president of Flint Hills Resources.

ANCHORAGE — Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday ordered state flags to be lowered Thursday in memory and honor of Ed Dankworth, who died Saturday in Texas. Dankworth served in the Alaska State Legislature in both the House and the Senate. He was 80.

“Ed will be remembered for his many years of service to Alaska,” Palin said. “Our hearts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Dankworth was born in 1928 in Texas and moved to Alaska in 1953. He joined the Alaska State Troopers and achieved the ranks of colonel and director before he retired in 1975. He was elected to the House in 1976 and the Senate in 1978.

Dankworth is survived by his two sons and a daughter.

His memorial service will be held Thursday. Flags will be raised to full-staff the following morning.