NIKOLSKI

For the first time in over a decade, children in Nikolski are back in the classroom. The Nikolski school’s revival came through combined efforts of the Aleutian Region School District and the local tribal organization.

Nikolski on Umnak Island, located in the middle of the Aleutian chain, recently hosted its annual salmon derby, a competition held since the 1980s. Locals gather on the beach every September to try to catch the heaviest fish. And this year, kids were included in the derby for the first time in many years.

The Aleutian Region School District approved its budget for the 2024-2025 school year on June 6. According to Superintendent Mike Hanley, it's the healthiest budget the district has seen since he’s been on the job for the last five years.

The Aleutian Region School District is still on track to reopen the Nikolski School this fall, after the school was closed for more than a decade. The district has approved Lynette Hull to teach at the school in the Umnak Island community.

The Aleutian Region School District swore in two new temporary board members Jan. 24. They'll serve on the board until school board elections in Oct. Crystal Dushkin represents Atka in Seat A and Jana Lekanoff will represent Adak in Seat D.

The Nikolski School on Umnak Island is planning to reopen for students this fall, after being closed for more than a decade. The Aleutian Region School District made the unanimous decision at a special meeting on Jan. 11.

In this “Island Interview,” Superintendent Mike Hanley discusses public schools in the Western Aleutians and how the community in Nikolski is stepping away from statewide trends, reopening its doors to local families.

Unalaska could see winds of up to 100 miles per hour on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.The federal agency has issued a high wind warning for the Eastern Aleutians including Unalaska and Nikolski from 10 a.m to 9 p.m. Saturday with south to southwest winds of 50 to 70 mph. The strongest winds of around 90 mph are expected from noon to 4 p.m., with gusts up to 100 mph possible, as winds move through the mountains.

A magnitude-6.8 earthquake hit about 58 miles southeast of Nikolski early Tuesday morning, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center.Natalia Ruppert, a seismologist with the AEC in Fairbanks, said the earthquake hit at about 2:30 a.m. and was preceded and followed by more seismic activity.

Alaska is leading the nation in vaccinations per capita. But compared to many other parts of the state, Unalaska's vaccine rollout seems to be moving…