Laura Kraegel

Alaska State Troopers are investigating the death of retired Wildlife Trooper Alex Arduser, 44, who spent several years living and working in Unalaska.

Unalaska’s schools and nonprofits will receive the city’s full financial support in fiscal year 2024. On Tuesday, the City Council voted 4-0 to grant the Unalaska City School District’s nearly $5.5 million funding request, along with fully funding seven organizations through the Community Support grant program.

The Unalaska City School District has asked the city to increase its contribution to local public schools in fiscal year 2024, including dedicating $140,000 in new funding for student activities. Superintendent Jim Wilson made the nearly $5.5 million request to the City Council this month. Meanwhile, councilors are also weighing funding for the Community Support program, which awards grants to local nonprofits. Eight organizations have requested a total of $1.5 million.

The City of Unalaska is facing a nearly $7 million deficit under the operating budget proposed for fiscal year 2024. Officials said costs are up significantly in a number of areas the city can’t control, including staff pay increases that have already been negotiated and higher prices for airfare, electricity, and heating oil.

On Wednesday, the school board approved a ninth and final new teacher contract, marking the end of a challenging effort to recruit amid a nationwide teacher shortage. To help with other hiring efforts, the board also approved a new salary schedule for administrative coordinator roles.

Unalaska Deputy Police Chief Bill Simms said police do not suspect foul play in any of the deaths. He said the State Medical Examiner's Office ruled the first person died of natural causes, and he said police are waiting on final autopsy reports for the other four deaths, which remain under investigation.

Jim Hunt said he applied for the Unalaska job because of the potential for exciting projects and problem-solving. He said he considers it the “best opportunity in Alaska,” highlighting the island’s status as a top port for fisheries and calling it an “economic engine to the world.”

The fishing season has ended for Bering Sea Tanner crab. Crabbers caught the record-low quota of two million pounds just before the end of March.

There’ll be about two weeks without community access to the library, as city staff transfers collection materials and puts finishing touches on the new permanent space. During the closure, library patrons can return materials to the book drop at the new building.

The National Weather Service has issued an aviation warning for the Aleutian Islands, Alaska Peninsula, and Kodiak, while airlines have delayed and canceled some flights in the Aleutian region.