SITKA

Cleanup starts on sheen from sinking

Oil containment and cleanup will begin Thursday after a sheen a mile long was spotted from a 50-foot fishing vessel that sank in Southeast.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation said absorbent boom will be used after the sinking of the Evening Star, which capsized Aug. 2 while seine fishing in Slocum Arm, 40 miles northwest of Sitka. It reportedly had about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board.

Staff from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game flew over the sunken vessel Tuesday and reported a heavy sheen extending about a mile downwind. The sheen was also collecting along the shoreline.

Fish and Game last week closed the salmon fishery. The state said there appears to be no impact to fish or wildlife.

-- Associated Press

FAIRBANKS

Court: Feds can get pot growers' records

The federal government can legally obtain suspected marijuana growers' utility records.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled in the case of a Fairbanks utility, Golden Valley Electric Association, which refused to turn over customer records to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported that the DEA issued a subpoena in 2010 seeking the power consumption and payment records of three customers suspected of growing marijuana.

The utility declined, citing its policy to protect customers' records. A U.S. district judge ruled in DEA's favor and the utility appealed.

The electric association argued that the Fourth Amendment protects customers from search and seizure without a proper warrant.

But the appeals court ruled that a customer lacks an expectation of privacy in an item, like a business record.

-- Associated Press

PORTAGE

Conservation center takes in 2nd fawn

Now two orphaned newborn Sitka black-tailed deer are living at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage.

Spokesman Ethan Tyler said the new addition is named Leia. The fawn was found near the Ketchikan coast after she was unable to follow her twin and mother across a waterway.

The fawn was just 6 weeks old when rescued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and her strength was dwindling.

Tyler said the fawn gained strength and fits right in with the center's other orphaned fawn, Solo, which arrived just more than a month ago. The two have been placed with Jewelie, an 8-year-old Sitka black-tailed deer.

The center hopes to put the three on exhibit together.

-- Associated Press

ANCHORAGE

Begich launches 'Growing Alaska' tour

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich wants to know what the federal government is doing -- or not doing -- to help Alaskans with their businesses, homes and lives. Begich is launching what he calls his "Growing Alaska" tour, during which he or his staff plan to meet with Alaskans, visit small businesses and get ideas for job growth in communities across the state.

Begich, in a statement, said he looks forward to getting out as much as possible this month but also will send staff to nearly 60 communities to hear first-hand how his office can better serve residents.

Mobile office hours also will be held around the state, including in Delta Junction on Wednesday and Yakutat on Friday.

-- Associated Press

JUNEAU

Retention of students becomes UAS priority

An official with the University of Alaska Southeast said the priority for the university is to maintain student numbers.

Joe Nelson, the chancellor for enrollment management, said UAS is offering an incentive for students to increase credits from 12 to 15 a semester by providing $500 in financial aid.

KINY radio said the incentives are for sophomores, juniors and seniors.

At last count, UAS had about 150 students at the 15-credit level. Nelson said there is room for about 100 more.

-- Associated Press