LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

‘Anomaly’ Is Target For Verstovia Search

By SHANNON HAUGLAND

Sentinel Staff Writer

Another ground search was under way on a steep slope of Mt. Verstovia today, the third day of searching for a 37-year-old man who did not return from a hike on the mountain Monday.

Police Lt. Lance Ewers, captain of the Sitka Fire Department’s search and rescue team, said high winds prevented the Coast Guard from flying this morning. After the winds subsided this afternoon, a ground party was dropped off to take a closer look at an area of special interest, he said.

“We have two teams at the top who are going to work their way down, and three teams who are working their way up from the bottom,” he said at press time.

 

Michael Hansen was last seen Monday afternoon by others on Mt. Verstovia, who said he was dressed for a day hike in shorts and a short-sleeve shirt.

Today’s plan was to check out “an anomaly” that was seen earlier – something green in color that looked out of place in an avalanche zone below Arrowhead peak, Ewers said. A volunteer searcher with the U.S. Forest Service reported the sighting.

The “anomaly” is in a hard to reach place, and required the helicopter to deliver a technical team to an area just below the location, from which the searchers will make their way up to the area of interest.

Hansen, a former Army Ranger, moved to Sitka from Anchorage in July. Ewers said his parents Ruth and Jim Hansen arrived in Sitka Wednesday night from their home in Wisconsin, and are providing helpful information to the search team.

 

The search got under way on Tuesday, when his co-workers at Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services reported Hansen hadn’t shown up for work as expected. His vehicle was found parked at the Verstovia trailhead with a map and outdoor gear inside. Police and the fire department put a missing persons notice on Facebook Tuesday and received reports that Hansen had been seen at the top of Verstovia around 3:30 p.m. Monday, a sunny day.

 

Agencies involved have included SFD search and Rescue, the police and fire departments, Alaska State Troopers, the U.S. Forest Service, the Coast Guard, a local search dog and SEADOGS from Juneau.

 

“We’re trying to use our dog assets in the best way possible,” Ewers said.

Hansen has been described as 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, wearing a green short sleeve shirt and gray shorts when last seen.

 

 

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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