Kudos

The Southeast Conference has received a $100,000 grant to update engineering and feasibility studies for the Southeast Alaska Intertie Project, including the Juneau/Hawk Inlet/Hoonah and the Petersburg/Kake segments. The award was granted by USDA Rural Development and State Director Bill Allen. The money will go to fund continued research for the project, which will lower the reliance on diesel energy by interconnecting hydroelectric plants throughout the region. Research is expected to be completed in March and findings implemented in May.

First National Bank Alaska has been ranked among the most secure financial institutions in America for the 19th straight quarter. Florida-based Weiss Ratings Inc. gave the firm an A+ rating, and placed the bank in its list of the top 10 banks and thrifts nation-wide. Banks are judged on five safety and soundness indices that measure everything from capital and investment strategies to how the bank manages and maintains its relationships with clients.

In gear

Alaska Airlines Inc. recently operated the first passenger flight to make a precision approach at San Francisco International Airport using a Required Navigational Performance satellite-based navigation system. Unlike a regular approach, which uses ground-based navigational aids, the flight relied on data drawn from a network of satellites and an onboard navigation database to guide the aircraft along a precisely defined, computer-plotted flight path. It was the first time in which RNP technology, has been used to land an airplane in the Lower 48.

Elfstone Answering Services is opening its doors as an Alaska-owned and operated corporate telephone answering service. The group, which accepts telephone calls for Alaska-area businesses, officially took on its first client in early January. Elfstone is committed to providing high quality service to businesses throughout Anchorage while meeting the needs of Alaska's unique marketplace. For more information, call or e-mail Kenneth Fisher at 907-664-2840 or kd7pxm@gci.net; or stop by ther office, located at 800 E. Dimond Blvd, suite 3-470, Anchorage, AK 99515.

On the Move

The Alaska Pacific Bancshares board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share on the corporation's outstanding common stock. The dividend, which comes to about $37,000 for the quarter, will be paid out Feb. 21 to stockholders of record as of Feb. 10, 2003. Alaska Pacific Bancshares is the holding company for Alaska Pacific Bank, which is headquartered in Juneau.

Northrim Bank's Aurora Village branch moved from its location in the Aurora Village Carrs store to 2709 Spenard Road. The branch office is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Drive-up customers may visit from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has released its Anchorage Soil Survey on CD-ROM. The survey uses aerial photography to show where different soil types occur, and includes soil map unit descriptions, soil properties, interpretation tables and other information needed for land-use planning. Soil types are noted on aerial photography, so key landmarks, roads and streams can be easily located as reference points. The survey is available, free of charge, to area residents who want to make good land-use decisions for themselves and community. For more information, contact the NRCS Anchorage Field Office at 907-271-2424 extensions 110 or 111. Soil surveys and educational information can also be found on line at www.ak.nrcs.usda.gov.

Federal agencies have awarded grants totaling almost $2 million to Alaska groups and communities. The Department of Health and Human Services awarded $1.4 million to three Head Start programs, and the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Legal Advocacy Project will receive $275,000 for domestic violence prevention enhancement. The University of Alaska Anchorage, through the Department of Justice Research Partner/Crime Analyst Grant Program, won $150,000 to research and analyze firearms-related crime data, and to develop data-driven interventions. The Department of Justice also awarded $160,080 to the Alaska Injury Prevention Council from the media Outreach and Community Engagement Program.

Legislators representing Southeast Alaska have formed a bipartisan, bicameral Southeast Caucus to work for issues facing the area. Members of the caucus include: Sen. Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell), Sen. Kim Elton (D-Juneau), Sen. Georgianna Lincoln (D-Rampart), Rep. Bill Williams (R-Saxman), Rep. Peggy Wilson (R-Wrangell), Rep. Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau), Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch (R-Juneau) and Rep. Albert Kookesh (D-Angoon). The group elected Wilson to chair the delegation.