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Early estimates indicate the unemployment rate rose in Fairbanks this winter. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development has estimated the borough’s unemployment rate hit 6.6 percent in February. If the number holds, it would constitute an increase from last February’s estimated 6.1 percent unemployment rate.

The Labor Department reported this month that the statewide job count in February was only 1,500 jobs higher than in February 2007, an increase it characterized as “slow.” The biggest drag on jobs was seen in construction, the state reported, and the 13,600 construction jobs in Alaska in February were the lowest total for that month since 2003.

E-recycling time

Interior Alaska Green Star has scheduled its electronic recycling events for the coming weekend. The electronics recycling day will be accepting “household” electronics from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Carlson Center parking lot, and on April 29 for both household and corporate customers. The collected electronic waste — “anything with a circuit board” — will be shipped to a recycling facility.

More recycling meetings

A pair of recycling-minded committees are teaming up for a meeting to continue an ongoing look into whether overarching recycling programs are a realistic option in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

The borough’s Recycling Task Force and the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Sustainable Campus Task Force will host the public meeting Wednesday night. The meeting is part of a week-long Sustainable Living Conference scheduled on campus and will run from 5-7 p.m. at the Wood Center Ballroom.

Old Harbor principal dies

KODIAK — The principal of the Old Harbor school has died of head injuries from an accident on a four-wheeler.

Jason Arnold died Thursday at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

The accident occurred the night of April 2 as Arnold drove through the Kodiak Island village.

Officials with the Kodiak Island Borough School District say the accident occurred when the wind caught Arnold’s hat and he turned to grab it.

Norovirus hits nursing home

KENAI — At least 50 people at a Soldotna nursing home have come down with norovirus.

The highly contagious virus — which causes gastrointestinal symptoms — has affected both staff and residents of Heritage Place.

The outbreak began April 8 and has continued to spread. State health officials were called in to help identify the illness.

Symptoms can be severe, but generally clear up within two days.

Alaska mine increases Hecla’s output

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Hecla Mining Co. in Idaho says its recent acquisition of an Alaska silver mine will nearly double the Coeur d’Alene mining company’s silver production and increase its gold and silver reserves.

Hecla says the $750 million cash and stock purchase of the Greens Creek silver mine and Rio Tinto joint venture near Juneau will push Hecla’s silver production to about 11 million ounces annually.

Hecla’s president and chief executive officer Phillips S. Baker Jr. says the mine and its 12-square-mile land package provides a solid base for additional future growth. It will increase silver reserves by more than 150 percent and gold reserves by 140 percent.