Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the state is âcontemplating a lawsuit,â if the U.S. Centers for Disease Control fails to act soon to ease sailing restrictions and allow for a summer cruise season in Alaska. Florida has filed a lawsuit over the shutdown at its ports.
âThey need to make a decision this week,â Dunleavy said, so that both the cruise lines and vacationers have enough time to plan and prepare for summer voyages in Alaska.
At stake is $3 billion in gross domestic product in 2020 and 2021 for Alaskaâs summer tourism economy.
âWe do believe this injury to Alaska is going to be very severe,â Dunleavy said Tuesday during a lunchtime speech to the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, which was broadcast remotely to members.Â
Mahla Strohmaier, executive director of the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, said she is feeling hopeful about hosting a fair in 2021 in part due to ongoing COVID-19 vaccinations.
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A half dozen or so dignitaries assembled Thursday morning at the site of the IGU’s new North Pole LNG storage and vaporization facility to celebrate both its completion and the opening of its valves to begin distribution of gas to the city’s customers who’ve signed up for the service. North Pole Mayor Mike Welch said the project was a long time coming.
IGU General Manager Dan Britton snips the ribbon at Thursday s ceremony commemorating completion of the utility s new North Pole LNG storage and vaporization facility. From left, borough Mayor Bryce Ward; Keith Hanneman, civil and environmental engineer, PDC Engineers; Jinnel Choiniere, president and CEO, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce; Britton; Steve Haagenson, chair, IGU board of directors; Mike Miller, IGU board vice chair; and Mike Welch, North Pole mayor.
Bernice JosephÂ
Advocate of the Year
The 2020 Bernice Joseph Education Advocate of the Year Award recipient is Michele Stalder, dean of the UAF Community & Technical College. Stalder is closing in on 40 years with the university. The recognition that not everyone has equal access to education spurred Micheleâs commitment to institutions that could change that situation for everyday Alaskans. Her focus on building the universityâs workforce development capacity has resulted in strong industry partnerships as well as support for studentsâ educational goals and industry needs, the Chamber wrote in an official news release.
GeorgeÂ
Volunteer of the Year
The 2020 George Nehrbas Volunteer of the Year Award recipient is Ken Hall of Lynden Tranpsort. âKen is the type of person who steps in when he sees a need. Whether itâs taking on leadership responsibilities within his professional organizations or picking up a wrench and a plunger to solve a plumbing pr