Thank you to Chilkat Valley Community Foundation for a $3,500 grant supporting Haines Dolphins Swim Team’s Scholarship Program for the 2025–2026 swim season. These funds provide dues assistance to families who otherwise may not be able to participate and travel scholarships to help swimmers attend out-of-town meets.
Last season, HDST served 52 swimmers and awarded 12 scholarships. Annual fundraising and gaming proceeds help offset program costs and keep dues affordable; however, costs can still be…
Gunalchéesh to all who came by the Chilkat Forever booth at the Southeast Alaska State Fair. It was heartwarming to visit with you all and to connect over our shared value of the Chilkat River and the way of life it supports, and it was energizing to see so many of you wearing Chilkat Forever t-shirts, hats, and hoodies in the crowd!
On July 10, 2026, the Chilkat Indian Village issued an open letter to…
We here at The Salvation Army would like to thank this great community for your patience with us as we have been going through some serious medical issues, which has limited the time we can be open as well as getting the acknowledgements out for all the great support that this community gave to us during the holiday seasons. The Salvation Army Haines Corps is deeply grateful to the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation for supporting…
One hundred and ten years ago this summer, Haines was surrounded by fire.
After a few dry months in the spring of 1916, on July 3rd, a fire broke out on the edge of town. Reports are mixed about who or where it started, but the blaze quickly became an inferno that scorched the entire south-facing slope of Mount Ripinsky, burning down several homes, including five ranches. Crews held the fire line just north of…
Chuck Baltzell can be found whipping up culinary delights at the Haines Senior Center – most of the time. He was running the grill for the Southeast Alaska State Fair Volunteer Appreciation dinner last week. Baltzell’s approximately 98 burgers were served with side items made by board members for volunteers to enjoy before Dalton City Limits. The three person band The Road Dogs, made up of Ryan Irvin, Will Steinfeld and Rashah McChesney,opened the…
The Haines Senior Village would like to give a big thank you to the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation for the recent grant we received for new sidewalks at the Village. The safety of our senior residents and community members is so important. This grant will allow us to replace the old, deteriorating, cracked and sunken sidewalks on the courtyard side of the Village. Thank you so very much, on behalf of the Board of Directors,…
I am of the opinion that one of the reasons for the precipitous decline in Southeast Alaska State Fair volunteers is the Fair management’s public endorsement and abetting of LGBTQ+ issues for a child-centered event.
So far, 2026 has been full of fast food launches centered around improvements to menu items that customers have already tried, and people have plenty to say.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
Eric Church was honored for his unwavering generosity during the 19th ACM Honors on Wednesday evening. Surrounded by his family, including his wife, mother, father, sister and brother-in-law, Church took the stage to deliver a heartfelt acceptance speech reflecting on the role music has played throughout his life and how it ultimately became a catalyst for giving back.
Church spoke about the opportunities his career has afforded him to help others, particularly through the efforts he has supported across his home state of North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. For Church, the ability to use his platform to make a difference has become one of the most meaningful parts of his journey in music.
Eric Church poses backstage after accepting the ACM Lifting Lives Award during the 19th ACM® Honors™ at The Pinnacle on August 19, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
“And here’s the thing, I believe that God made music the universal language. I believe that that was decreed when King David wrote the first song. And you forget what music can do and who it can speak to,” he said.
Church revealed that “because of music” they are putting a 37th family in a home in Western North Carolina with 41 more on the way in a neighboring county.
“And it was because of music that happened. It’s changing those lives. It’s changing their kids’ lives. It’s changing their future,” he declared.
Eric Church accepts the ACM Lifting Lives Award onstage during the 19th ACM® Honors™ at The Pinnacle on August 19, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM
The ACM Lifting Lives Award honors the contributions of Gary Haber, a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Church was honored for his longstanding commitment to giving back and his continued efforts to support communities in need. In particular, the award recognizes his extensive work helping North Carolina recover and rebuild following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
Church’s efforts began with the Concert for Carolina, which he co-organized with Luke Combs to raise funds for hurricane relief. He later donated all of the royalties from his song “Darkest Hour” to support those impacted by the disaster. Rather than stopping there, Church continued looking for ways to help after recognizing a gap in long-term support for communities working to rebuild.
Eric Church and Sheryl Crow pose backstage during the 19th ACM® Honors™ at The Pinnacle on August 19, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Through his charitable organization, Chief Cares, which he founded in 2013, Church has worked to strengthen communities through hands-on support, compassion and long-term investment. His work in North Carolina now includes Blue Haven, a housing initiative focused on building rent-free, mortgage-free homes for families as the region continues its recovery.
Church has also donated millions of dollars to causes around the world, including orphanages in Nepal, disaster relief efforts in Haiti and no-kill animal shelters. His connection to ACM Lifting Lives also runs deep, having participated in the organization’s 2021 Ad Council and COVID Collaborative public service announcement during the 56th ACM Awards.
