Former Anchorage hotel is nearly set to become supportive housing

Plus: While the search for a respected whale researcher continues, his friends and family reflect on his role in the community ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Tuesday, July 11. In today's newsletter: - Anchorage is [close to opening a supportive housing facility]( inside of a city-owned hotel that’s been at the heart of contentious debates over housing and homelessness for three years. - As the [search for a respected bowhead whale researcher]( missing since last week was on hold, his family, friends and former colleagues spoke about his contributions to science and his role in the community. - Three[proposed ballot measures]( would raise Alaska’s minimum wage, add mandatory paid sick leave, and limit campaign contributions and state spending on party candidate nominations. There's a long history of adventure seekers cooking up extreme voyages to and from Alaska, whether by boat, bike or some other mode of transportation. This week's column by historian David Reamer tells [the story of Albert Voight]( a German immigrant who sought fame and fortune by trying to kayak from Seward to New York City. Anchorage weather It's overcast today with a high near 61 degrees and a slight chance of rain showers. There's a chance of showers on Wednesday as well, while Thursday will be mostly sunny. Daytime temperatures will hover in the mid- to high 60s over the next few days. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Assembly to weigh final measures to open former Anchorage hotel as supportive housing →]( After years of contention and setbacks, the former Golden Lion hotel in Midtown is in the final stages of preparation to house around 80 otherwise-unhoused people. The facility will be housing, not a shelter. People will be able to stay as long as they need, but the idea is that on-site resources can help guide them toward longer-term homes. ADVERTISEMENT [While the search for Utqiaġvik whale researcher continues, his friends and family reflect on his role in the community →]( John Craighead “Craig” George was swept under a logjam last week on the Chulitna River near Cantwell, and high water prevented divers from searching for him over the weekend. [Questions on minimum wage, paid sick leave and campaign funding could be heading to Alaska voters →]( The Alaska Division of Elections received the proposals this week. Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom has until early September to certify whether the three proposals will go to the petition-gathering stage. (via Alaska Beacon) [Here are a dozen fun, easy things to do with kids in and around Anchorage this summer — rain or shine →]( All the rain Anchorage has seen recently can put a damper on outdoor activities for families. Here are some fun, easy-to-plan options for getting your kids out of the house, no matter the weather. [Driver dies in collision between motor homes on Seward Highway →]( One man was killed and several people were injured in a collision between two motor homes on Monday that closed the Seward Highway for several hours. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Epic rain and worst flooding in nearly a century leave Vermont capital underwater →]( [Book review: Rainy day reading or a campfire companion, here are 7 new poetry collections for summer →]( [A fire destroyed millions of veterans’ records. 50 years later, families are still seeking answers. →]( [The Rewind: Repeat champions conquer Mount Marathon and Alaska club soccer team primed for trip to nationals →]( [Workplace: Fear of risk can thwart office workers dreaming of self-employment →]( The ADN relies on readers like you. [Get digital access to the ADN for as low as $1.99 for the first month]( and help us cover the news that matters most here in Alaska. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States