Flood preparedness updates with News of the North

From the capital city, I'm Grace Dumas, and here are the stories we're following this hour. Juno Police have identified the man found inside a chest freezer at Switzer Village Mobile Home Park earlier this month, a 74-year-old Ross Pasquan. and say the investigation into the circumstances of his death remains ongoing. Pasquan's body was discovered July 19th by a family member cleaning out the residence following the death of his wife last year. Police say investigators are examining the timeline of his death and whether it may have been concealed for financial gain or other motives. According to police chief Derek Boss, Pasquan had not been reported missing despite friends and relatives saying they had not seen him for several years. In a story by the Juno Independent, A childhood friend described Pasquan as a lifelong Juno resident who worked in construction and trucking before struggling with addiction and health problems later in life. Police are continuing to work with Pasquan's family and ask anyone with information about the case to contact the Juno Police Department. The Juno Assembly has voted to postpone two proposed bond measures until next year, deciding not to place nearly $25 million in school and utility projects before voters on this fall's municipal ballot. Assembly members delayed a proposed $16 million school bond after concerns the ballot language would not qualify for a state reimbursement program, while a $9.4 million bond for water and wastewater improvements was also postponed. City officials said the utility already has a full slate of projects underway. Several members also expressed concerns about asking voters to consider major borrowing alongside three tax measures already appearing on the October 6 ballot, including the renewal of the city's temporary 3% sales tax. Supporters of the delay said it gives the city a better chance of passing the bond next year, but opponents argued postponing school maintenance could lead to higher costs in the future. bonds on the ballot this year where we know that there will already be other things on the ballot. I'm going to ask that we set that aside for a second and think through what our job is as assembly members and what our duty is to our schools. The last time that we bonded for our schools to make major capital improvements was 2020. We know that when we put off major capital. improvements, things like roofs, things like a major HVAC. The cost goes up. It does not go down. Members of Veterans for Peace Chapter 100 are asking the city and borough of Juneau to step in after one of their members was blocked from marching in the 4th of July parade with an anti-war sign. At the 4th of July parade, I was prevented from carrying a sign in the parade. I was stopped as the parade started in. come out of the staging area. And I felt ashamed. I felt that my sign was not...

Hate speech. It was protected speech. Veteran KJ. McCaff said he was stopped as the parade left the staging area when he tried to carry a sign reading, quote, war is immoral, illegal, alongside an image of money flowing down a golden toilet. Metcalfe linked these signs imagery to a speech he attributed to President Donald Trump about choosing war spending over Medicare, Medicaid, and child care. He called for an end to war and nuclear weapons referencing his service. Attorney Douglas Muritz, a retired civil rights. argued the parade ban violated free speech because the event takes place on public streets under city authorization and insurance and with police support. The group is urging the assembly to restate and update a 2004 resolution that authorizes the parade committee and to assign an assembly liaison to oversee planning. The candidate filing period has closed for Juneau's October 6th municipal election with eight candidates running for three assembly seats and three candidates seeking two seats on the Juno Board of Education. That story next when News of the North continues. The candidate filing period has closed for Juneau's October 6 municipal election with eight candidates running for three assembly seats and three candidates seeking two seats on the Juno Board of Education. Incumbent Paul Kelly faces challengers Brad, Sapp, and James McCants in the race for the area-wide assembly seat. Former Deputy City Manager Mila Cosgrove is running unopposed for the Open District 1 seat, while Joyce Nevin, David Morris, Carla Hart, and Malachi Thorrington are competing for the Open District 2 seat. On the school board, incumbents David Noon and Brittany Cione Haywood are seeking re-election against challenger Christine Johnson. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters beginning September 18th and must be returned or postmarked by Election Day on October 6th. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will begin a geotechnical investigation this month to support the future replacement of the temporary Montana Creek pedestrian bridge and construction of a new roadway connection. The work is expected to last up to 18 days with crews working from civil dawn to civil dusk. Crews will drill foundation borings and create temporary access for equipment. The pedestrian bridge and trail are expected to remain open for most of the project, although brief closures or delays with flaggers may occur while equipment is moved across the bridge. Limited tree clearing will also take place where necessary to provide access for drilling equipment. The investigation will gather information needed to help design a permanent bridge replacement. Juno Cruz have begun closing the remaining access points in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 Hesco flood barriers as preparations continue for this year's anticipated Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. With the 2026 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, just around the corner, let's talk about State Road and Bridge closures. I'm here at the Backloop Bridge where the closure will look very similar to 2025, with Mennon Hall Loop Road and Back Loop Bridge being closed, extending from Mint Way to Montana Creek Road. It's very important to respect to closure. As you may remember in 2025, section of the back Bridge was damaged from flood water, which caused the closure to be extended and we had to make necessary repairs to make the bridge safe for the traveling public. That's just one example of how anything can happen at any time during this flood. Now let's head down the river to Brotherhood Bridge and take a look over there. Brotherhood Bridge will also look very similar as it did in 2025. It will remain open for drivers and motorists. However, the multi-use pedestrian paths that go over and under the bridge on both sides will be closed. Just like Vaclu Bridge, it's important to respect these closures.

Do not try to go around or through the barricades, and in general, just stay away from the river. Those access points will remain closed until after the flood threat has passed. City officials are reminding residents to stay off the flood barriers, follow evacuation notices if they're issued, and use alternative trails while the closures are in place. The first public hearing has been held on ballot measure two. a proposal that would repeal Alaska's ranked choice voting and open primary system if approved by voters in November. The measure would restore closed party primaries and also roll back several campaign finance disclosure requirements adopted in 2020, including rules requiring disclosure of the true source of large political donations. Supporters argue the current election system is confusing and want to return to a traditional one-person, one-vote ballot. Opponents said ranked choice voting gives Alaskans more choices. encourages candidates to appeal to a broader range of voters and warned repealing disclosure rules would allow more undisclosed money into state elections. A second public hearing is scheduled for August 5th before the measure goes before voters in November. Now you're up to date with News of the North. I'm Grace Dumas.