KSTK - Wrangell

The state is running short on money for Medicaid. Until the next fiscal year starts in July, hospitals and other health care providers won’t get paid for treating much of Alaska’s low-income population. But the state is trying to funnel what money is left to hospitals that could otherwise shut down.

Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium is continuing forward in acquiring Wrangell’s hospital. The Native nonprofit plans to build and operate a new hospital in the island town within the next three years.

The Wrangell Cooperative Association never budged from its original position: no disposal near Pat’s Creek. The tribe looked for alternative sites, extra federal funding and outside scientific opinion. All options were on the table, but most did not pan out.

Wrangell is looking for any extra funds to ship tons of lead-contaminated soil off the island and down to the Lower 48.

Wrangell canceled its annual king salmon derby for the first time because of record low chinook forecasts and state restrictions. Wrangell has held the longest king derby in Southeast Alaska, lasting a whole month. The local Chamber of Commerce will hold a silver salmon derby instead. 

A new, life-saving service has just been added to some medevac aircraft in Southeast Alaska. Airlift Northwest now is offering blood transfusions on two planes stationed in Juneau. 

The Wrangell Assembly approved a new $9 million water treatment plant last week. The current plant hasn’t met the town’s needs for several years.

The cleanup at the old Byford junkyard is on hold, pending further environmental testing from the state. The state still plans on hauling 20,000 cubic yards of lead contaminated soil from the junkyard to a rock-pit, a quarter of a mile from Pat’s Creek.

City officials say the Southeast community has about one month of supply left. They’re asking residents to cut way back on use.