Daily Sitka Sentinel from Sitka, Alaska • Page 3

Senate OKs Fees For Driver Licenses JUNEAU, (AP) Motorists applying for an Alaska drivers license would pay a new $15 fee to take a road test, and truckers would have to pass separate skills tests under legislation the Senate approved Wednesday. The new fee would affect all motorists taking the road-skills test to drive a car, light truck or motorcycle. It is in legislation that deals mostly with new federally mandated requirements for commercial drivers. The bill must pass the House in the final four weeks of the legislative session before it can go to Gov. Steve Cowper for his signature.

Cowper introduced the legislation early last year. The state Division of Motor Vehicles says the new fee is needed to cover the increasing costs of the testing program. It would raise an estimated $157,500 a year in 1991 and 1992, and $165,000 in later years as the number of license applicants rises. Road tests are given to all new drivers and those who are applying for a license after a revocation. Rctcsts can be ordered for medical and other reasons as well.

Senate Bill 137 would treat truck drivers differently for the first lime in Alaska, requiring special licenses, endorsements and tests. Bus drivers also would be affected by the new law. Anchorage Jail Guards Find Heroin in Balloons ANCHORAGE (AP) Jail guards found 45 heroin-filled balloons in a toilet at the Sixth Avenue Jail last weekend and investigators believe they were excreted by a Nigerian man. Alaska State Troopers were called to the jail Saturday after a guard in the men's dormitory spotted something unusual floating in a toilet bowl, then discovered dozens of small, sausage- like objects farther along the plumbing, said Charles Moses, regional corrections director. Crime lab technicians have identified the substance in the balloons as brown heroin.

Each balloon contained about one-sixth of an ounce. Trooper Darlene Turner said her investigation is focusing on a Nigerian national who was held at the jail last week after U.S. Customs officers him at Anchorage International Airport. Authorities believe the drugs were abandoned by a west African smug; gler because drug and customs agents have increasingly seen couriers from that region carrying contraband in their stomachs. The Drug Enforcement Agency estimates that a quarter of all heroin smuggled into the United Stales comes through Africa, much of it carried by Nigerians.

Heroin from the Middle East or Asia is shipped to Africa to be repackaged, Usually stuffed into balloons or condoms, according to the DEA. Couriers, or "mules," have been known to swallow up to 180 of the tiny packages. Not all smuggling is internal. Last fall, three Nigerian nationals were arrested at the Anchorage airport after customs agents found heroin-in ''their, suitcases. One man, Kabiru Yusif, was convicted of importing 600 'grams of heroin.

Others have been i detained, according to customs and 11 immigration officials, but no other arrests have been made in Anchorage. After the drug discovery Saturday, corrections officials checked their records and found that a Nigerian was jailed April 3. The man had no luggage and no money and his passport contained some "peculiarities," said Gary Johnson, director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in Anchorage. "We don't have any indication that he was involved in narcotics in any way," Johnson said. "We have our suspicions but they're only suspicions." The man was held for two days, then voluntarily look a flight to Amsterdam, Johnson said.

The heroin turned up a few days later. Jail guards were put on alert Saturday when one found a bullet near the men's intake dorm, Moses said. The guard called for another officer and together they began searching the dorm. They found a toilet covered with a plastic bag in the bathroom." Under the plastic they found the first heroin-filled balloon. They called a maintenance worker who removed the toilet from the wall and another balloon spilled out.

Eventually there were 45. The heroin probably was not destined for inmates in the facility or even the Alaska market. "Obviously someone was arrested, not expecting to be arrested, having this large quantity of drugs on their person," Moses said. The drugs could have been flushed down the toilet as recently as last week or as long ago as February, he said. He could not explain why they weren't discovered sooner.

Inmates dp janitorial and apparently, the jail staff was not conducting rouune dorm "In 'the past there was some practices that had developed that were not acceptable," Moses said. The jail staff is now under orders to maintain a presence in the dorms." Slate law already requires a special driver's license for truck drivers, but it has never been enforced because of a lack of funding, DMV Director Jay Dulany said Wednesday. Bus drivers already are required to get a special permit. The DMV is considering three classes of commercial licenses based on the vehicle weight, and six endorsements to drive special types of vehicles: tractor-trailer rigs, school buses, tankers, tankers carrying hazardous materials, other vehicles carrying hazardous materials, and passenger vehicles. Each endorsement would require a separate test.

Dulany said truckers with good driving records and at least two years of experience may be able to avoid taking the road tests under regulations the DMV is creating to enforce the new law. The commercial drivers license would cost $100 and each skills lest would cost $25. The fee for renewing a regular drivers license without a road test would remain at $10. The state must adopt a commercial testing program by October 1993 or face the loss of 5 percent of its federal highway aid in the first year about $6.1 million and double that in following years. The federal law mandating the testing program is aimed at making highways safer.

But Congress provided limited money to make the changes, and additional fees arc needed to make up the difference, Dulany said. "They are strictly to cover the cost of the program," he said. The program would cost an estimated $613,345 in the first year. Expenses would include seven new employees, training for DMV examiners, 14 new automated testing machines costing a total of $177,500, office equipment, support services and land leases at 10 sites for off-road testing. Costs of the program would be lower in later years after the bulk of commercial drivers have been tested and licensed.

DMV estimates the program would cost $497,466 in fiscal 1992 and $369,246 in subsequent years. The bill has a rural exemption. Commercial vehicles arc defined as those used on roads connected to the slate highway system or with traffic volume or more than 499 vehicles a day. Emergency, recreational and mOst farm vehicles are exempt. The Senate passed the bill 15-1, with Sen.

Dick Eliason, R-Silka, opposed. Former Officer Pleads Guilty To Embezzling Bank's Funds FAIRBANKS (AP) A former Alaska Statebank officer and ex-director of the Fairbanks Development Authority has pleaded guilty to embezzlement and agreed to reimburse the bank in return for a suspended sentence and a $2,500 fine, officials said. Former bank vice president Robert F. Moore of Fairbanks had been scheduled to go on trial this week. In exchange for the guilty plea, Moore will pay $15,000 restitution to the now-defunct bank, pay the fine, and serve three years probation, court records show.

A six-month jail sentence was suspended and two less-serious charges were dropped in return for the guilty pleas, records indicate. Insurance investigators uncovered the granting of two phony loans while examining bank records after the bank closed, Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Cooper said. Moore was with Alaska Slatebank in 1985, but resigned in June 1989 and became director of the city-funded development authority. He was indicted last December by a federal grand jury, and resigned as development director at that time.

In the plea agreement, Moore admitted falsifying two loans one for $10,500 in 1986 and another in 1988 for $4,500. Both loans were sent to bogus addresses and Moore collected the money. Baby Bitten by Hybrid Wolf Dies in Anchorage Hospital ANCHORAGE (AP) A month- old girl died Wednesday after being bitten in the head by a hybrid wolf dial recently had given birih to puppies, a Mat-Su animal control.supervi- sor says. The 80-pound animal mauled the baby Tuesday afternoon while her mother, Linda Borer, was visiting the dog's owner, said Jerry Pineau, chief animal control officer for the Mat-Su Happy Earth Day! Happy birthday, Earth Day. You're 20 this year.

And all eyes are on you. Today, Americans are joining together to make our planet a belter place lo live. Because improving Ihe environment is everybody's responsibility. And we in Ihe U.S. paper industry have a long-standing com- mitmcnl to do our share.

We're working to maintain healthy forests, helping America plant more trees every year than are harvested. Lust year, we spent $1 billion lo install technologies thai improve environmental quality al our mills. And since 1972, we've reduced use of fossil fuels per Ion of paper by over 40 percent. In fad, loday we self-gencmle more than 56 percent of our energy needs from wasle materials recovered from paper manufacturing. We're also helping solve Ihc municipal solid waste problem.

Already, paper and paperboard account for over 80 percent of all post-consumer material collected for recycling. Bui we're selling our sights even higher. That's why we've established a goal lo recover and reuse, by (he end of 1995,40 percent of all Ihe paper consumed. Thai's 40 million Ions-about 50 percent more than we collect today. Working to improve Ihe environment is nothing new for Ihe U.S.

paper industry. And we're making a difference. It's a record of achievement we lake pride in not only on Earth Day, bul every day. BfePER The Natural Leader Sponsored by the American Paper Institute and ALASKA PULP Corporation Valley. The child died Wednesday night al Providence Hospital in Anchorage, nursing supervisor Sharon Robinson is the second tragedy Borer family in the past year, Pineau said.

On April 25, 8-year-old David vanished from near the family home in Wasilla and never was found. Pineau said he was not sure how or why the dog attacked the child. "The dog had just been to the vet and had a C-scction and delivered some pups," he said. "We haven't been able to determine exactly how it occurred. What we do know is that the dog grabbed Uie child by the head." Pineau said the owner of the dog had given animal control officers permission to destroy the animal.

Bui it had not been killed late Wednesday because there is some speculation Ural it actually is 100 percent wolf. State wildlife officials will investigate to determine the actual species of the animal, Pineau said. Hybrid wolf-dogs, which are permitted pels under state regulations, are part domestic dog and wolf. But Pineau said he believes there are laws prohibiting keeping a wolf as a pel. The owner had not received any citations from animal control officers on Wednesday.

The attack is the third by a hybrid wolf in less than four weeks. Last month, 4-year-old Khara Fayc Dunaway was mauled by a 105-pound wolf-dog that tore part of her scalp. Last week, another 4-year-old's arm was broken after a hybrid wolf attacked him when he approached Ihc animal. Both dogs were chained in a yard when the children got too close. ALPERA Hosts Easter Egg Hunt The annual Alaska Pulp Employees Recreation Association (ALPERA) sponsored Easier Egg Hunt will be held for children of members beginning 11 a.m.

Saturday at Ihe Sawmill Creek Road side of Ihc Silka National Historical Park. All children of ALPERA members, ages infant to 12 years old, arc invited to lake their baskets and hunt for eggs. Participants should arrive at Ihc park by 10:45 a.m., as once Ihe hum begins the eggs go fast. Coordinators request Dial adults be on hand to help with set-up at 9:30 a.m. For further information, contact Susan at 747-2254 days or 747-3735 evenings.

American Legion Holds Meeting The American Legion and Auxiliary will hold its meeting 7:30 p.m. tonipht at the Legion Hall. First nominations will be held and all members tire invited to attend. Daily Sitka Sentinel, Sitka, Alaska, Thursday, April 12,1990, Page 3 Abortion Demonstrator Looking Forward to Jail ANCHORAGE (AP) A veteran abortion protester sentenced for trespassing at an Anchorage clinic says he's looking forward to jail as a chance to be "in solidarity" with the fetus. Michael DaFermo, 37, says he has no wife or children to divert his energies from full-time volunteer work with the anti-abortion crusade known as Operation Rescue.

DaFermo was one of 13 group members sentenced Tuesday for trespassing in an attempt to block doors of Alaska Women's Health Services. The mass sentencing was the latest in a series of at least three group demonstrations and arrests. DaFermo says his 15-day term, ordered by Anchorage District Court Judge Michael Wolverton, is no deterrent. "Quite the contrary," DaFermo said Wednesday. "I make the best of it.

I use the time to fast, which is an integral part of being Roman Catholic. "But the single most important part is to be in solidarity with the unborn," he said. Being imprisoned makes him dependent on jailers, he said, similar to the way a fetus relies on its mother. "I get a deep sense of what it must be like to be a child in the womb, completely dependent on others for support and survival." DaFermo says the experience leaves him more resolute. Wolverton handed DaFermo the harshest term, saying he was concerned DaFermo would continue protesting at Lake Otis Parkway and Northern Lights Boulevard, where the women's clinic has its office.

DaFermo says he expects to begin a month-long incarceration, incorporating time left on a previous sentence, two days after Easter. It will be his fourth jail term for Operation Rescue trespass. In all, sentences ranged from $250 fines to 15 days in jail. First time offenders were fined and ordered to do community work ser- vice. Most protesters converted -their'" fines to jail sentences, which puts the burden on the city to pay incarceration fees.

Among those sentenced was Edward Wassell III, a California college' student whose father also has four days left to serve on an Operation Rescue trespass conviction. Wassell said he will ask for permis--' sion to serve his time along with his- son at 6th Avenue Jail. Wassell said Operation Rescue is unique among protest movements because it seeks immediate change -the chance to persuade a woman not to go ahead with an abortion. Wassell said Operation Rescue is activated only when the group finds out that abortions are scheduled. Wassell said Planned Parenthood statistics show that when the procedure is interrupted, as he put it, "for 1 any reason," one woman in five does not reschedule.

"The Rescue movement is a specif-: ic attempt to save lives," Wassell. said. He said Operation Rescue members are responding to trespass arrests and jail terms by changing their tactics to remain longer outside the He said the group also is considering confronting motorists at the busy street comer with a different collection of picket signs. Instead of graphic images of aborted fetuses, Wassell said, the group may switch to portraits of healthy, full-term infants. Also sentenced Tuesday were Randy Speckels, David Biesemeyer and Michael Deland, three protesters with prior convictions who each-decided to go to jail rather than pay $300 fines.

Among those ordered to pay $250 fines and perform work service were: Harold Bartko, Lonnie Campbell, Jeffrey Cannon, Jane Dyson, Laveme Kindred and Ralph Olsen. Dyson is the wife of Anchorage Assembly member Fred Dyson. House Approves Measure On Mail-Order Pharmacies JUNEAU (AP) Alaska's efforts to cut employee health-insurance costs have resulted in legislation that would require mail-order pharmacies to register with the state and provide loll-free phblie service to consumers. The bill passed the House this week and is awaiting Senate action. Cost-cutting changes in the state's health-insurance program last winter provided employees with the option Child Support Bill Gets Nod JUNEAU (AP) House members want to make sure that notices go out quickly to people who owe child support to the state.

Legislation approved this week would require the Child Support Enforcement Division to send out notices within 30 days after it learns the identity and address of a debtor. The requirement would apply to people who owe child support to the state because the other parent with custody of the child was receiving public assistance. House Bill 571 passed without opposition and moved to the Senate. The division had problems several years ago with delays in sending out notices, but the process has improved greatly since then, said Linda Langston, state child-support director. "There are very, very few cases where we will have failed to notify someone within 30 days," she said.

The division handles up to 30,000 cases a year. State law requires initial liability notices in child support cases to be sent by certified mail to the debtor's last known address, Langston said. A 30-day deadline in slate law would provide "a comfort level (b people who have complained about notification delays from the division, said Rep. Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage and sponsor of the bill. of using a low-cost, mail-order pharmacy in Las Vegas.

The pharmacy is under contract witli Aetna Life Insurance, and was not selected by the state. Rep. Curt Menard, D-Wasilla, said he is not happy with any program that directs money out of slate. He said he introduced House'Bill'508 because people have complained to.him the out-of-slate competition. The measure would require mail- order pharmacies to register and provide toll-free phone service six days a week for their Alaska customers: It's not fair for Alaska pharmacies to take calls from people who have questions about mail-order prescriptions, but who are unable to contact the out-of-state business that sold the drugs, Menard said.

Mrs. Hirai's kindergarten class at Mt. Edgecumbe Elementary School help themselves to a healthy lifestyle by eating all the right foods like spinach, green beans, cereal, soup, venison and chkken. They also swim, run, skateboard and ride bikes to get regular exercise. Additional comments for a healthy lifestyle are: brushing teeth, drinking water and milk, taking vitamins, washing up, eating a good lunch and taking long naps.

Other comments included not candy before dinner, taking, medicine that the doctor or mom and dad gives you, don't take drugs, don't smoke, don't drink alcohol and never wear- other's clothes, so as not to get head Ike. Sponsored by Drug Awareness For a Healthier Lifestyle Is there really anything we can do, personally, to help save the planet? John Javna, author of "SO Simple Things You Can Do To Save the Earth," thinks so. His book, published last November and printed on recycled paper, had sold more than 350,000 copies as of Feb. 1. Some of his suggestions will be published, with permission, in connection with Earth Day, April 22.

TANKS, BUT NO TANKS Water healers account for about of all the energy we use in our home. Many people keep their water healers at 140 degrees holler than necessary. SIMPLE THINGS TO DO: Turn your water heater down 10 130 degrees hoi enough to kill bacteria and still save energy. Or put it on an "energy conservation" setting most modern heaters have ihcm. Note: If you have a'dishwasher without a backup heater, you may have lo slay with 140 degrees.

Insulate your water healer with a prc-fab "blanket." You can save 7-8 percent of the energy you have been using. Every two about two quarts of water from the valve faucet located at the bottom of the lank. This helps prevent accumulation of sediment and improves efficiency and life of Ihe henlcr..