A Nanwalek elder with substantial knowledge about Sugpiaq culture and traditions died last month. On April 21, Nick Tanape Sr. died from heart complications. He was 72-years-old.

A lifelong subsistence hunter and fisherman, Tanape was considered an expert on the subject.  

Scott Bartlett is the curator of exhibits of the Pratt Museum. He said Tanape was integral to the development of several exhibits.

“He was very open and sharing and teaching all that he could with his community and with the wider community and visitors, a very generous man,” he said.

Public transportation on the southern Kenai Peninsula has dwindled over the past year, but there may be a plan to bring some services back.

Two taxi voucher programs ended their services since last summer. The Central Area Rural Transportation System, or CARTS, ran one of those programs.

CARTS hosted a meeting with various stakeholders in Homer Friday to see how the nonprofit can provide more public transportation services. It’s in the midst of developing a five-year public transportation plan for the south peninsula communities.

A controversial plan to move part of a hatchery operation to the head of Tutka Bay near Homer is complete. Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association placed two net pens at the head of the bay on April 26.

The hatchery association is in the process of moving fish into the pens. Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association Executive Director Gary Fandrei said the pens will be removed once the 20 million pink salmon it plans to raise at the site can be released.

Boat and fishing vessel owners will likely be required to meet new registration and title requirements next year. The change is part of Senate Bill 92, which passed through the state Legislature this week. The bill aims to give the state, municipalities and individuals more tools to hold owners of derelict and abandoned vessels legally liable.

The Senate sent the bill to Gov. Bill Walker’s desk Thursday after the House passed the legislation earlier this week.