KTNA is celebrating 20 years broadcasting to the Upper Susitna Valley by bringing you audio broadcast during the past two decades. We share the past with you every Friday at 12:35 on 88.9 FM.

This is story meant for young people, written and voiced by former longtime Talkeetna resident Mike Fisher in 2006. Mike was a machinist, a bicycle builder, pilot, and mechanic, to be brief. He passed away in 2009. His story is called Mike and Roger’s Excellent Adventure.

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The fourth-annual Cliff Hudson Fly-in kicks off this weekend, heralding a weekend of flight oriented events dedicated to one of the pilots who helped put Talkeetna on the map.

Sassan Mossanen is one of the event coordinators. He says part of the goal is to highlight the significance of the Talkeetna State Airport, and bring a different kind of user to town for the weekend.

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Visitors can take a stroll through the airport grounds to see some historic warbirds, like a Japanese world war two Mitsubishi “Zero,” a T-6 “texan,” an L-6 Grasshopper, and a Fairchild American Pilgrim Read More »

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On May 10th, an 18-ton Caterpillar D6 bulldozer broke through the ice and sank while traveling with a convoy of similar vehicles on the way to Stephan (step-PAN) Lake.  The operator, Donald Kiehl, 72, of North Pole, was killed when the heavy equipment sank.  In the wake of the incident, questions have arisen regarding the process that led the cat-train to travel on the tundra and lakes in May.  KTNA’s Phillip Manning spoke with some of the individuals involved in that process.

listen to full story [ 3:24] 

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On this edition of Su Valley Voice, KTNA’s public affairs program, the topic is the abuse of vulnerable adults: the elderly and mentally ill. Guests are Cici Schoenberger, Behavior Health Specialist at Sunshine Community Health Center, Brenda Mahlatini, Adult Protective Services Manager for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, and victims’ advocate Jayme Spires.

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When long-time Talkeetna Resident Ed Craver received a phone call from the judge of a state-wide creative writing contest, he knew he had won. But he had to wait until the winning story was published in the pages of the Anchorage Daily News to find out which of his essays had been chosen for the honor. Craver tells KTNA that he has many essays about his experiences in Talkeetna, some from as far back as 20 years ago. When a friend of his submitted a story for him on his behalf, it was selected for the Grand Prize in the contest.

After earning the Grand Prize, Craver says a publisher has contacted him about the other stories, which may one day be printed in a collection.

Here is Craver reading his story, “The Island”  [10"07]

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You can read the full story at Anchorage Daily News

 photos by Robin Song

On this Earth and Beyond segment, Natural Observations host and producer Robin Song tells about her experiences during the annual birdathon. Audio runs 7 minutes.  Text follows.

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As the first Saturday in May approached, birders in Talkeetna and Trapper Creek watched the weather with trepidation. Spring was passing with glacial slowness this year, and most ponds and lakes were still sleeping under  blankets of snow and ice. Read More »

A Bulldozer that was part of the Cat-train headed to Stephan (Step-PAN) lake fell through ice into a pond on Friday evening, killing its operator.

Alaska state troopers report that Donald Kiehl (age 72 from North Pole),  was deceased on scene.  State Troopers were able to secure transportation to the scene with a helicopter that was operating in the area.  Investigation revealed that a crew of men were transporting equipment and machinery to the Stephan Lake Lodge to construct an air strip and help establish a work-camp for studies for the Susitna Watana Dam. According to trooper’s reports, the crew was crossing a low mountain when the D6 Caterpillar driven by Kiehl broke through the ice on an alpine lake and sank.  Kiehl was retrieved from the lake and individuals on scene attempted CPR on Kiehl but he was unable to be resuscitated.

Wayne Dyok heads the Susitna Watana Dam project for the Alaska Energy Authority, who had given the contract to Stephan Lake Lodge to build the research camp.

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While the Alaska Energy Authority says it was the decision of Stephan Lake Lodge, who contracted to Alaska Diversified Services to bring the equipment overland, despite warming May temperatures.

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The investigation in to the tragedy is on-going.

Well, the rhinoceros was not exactly in the garden, but the week’s episode did have a story about a rhinoceros AND a story about a garden. Mary defies Colin in The Secret Garden, and an impolite rhinoceros defies the wrong person and ends up with wrinkly skin.

The Secret Garden Chapter 16

How the Rhinoceros Got Its Skin

The Borough is considering a change to the way residents are notified about land disposal or borough property or resources. Since 2006, residents within a mile of the proposed disposal received notifications in the mail. The new regulations, if passed, would reduce the radius to residents within 600 feet. The Borough says that because of advances in electronic notification, they will be saving money and effort by reducing the amount of paper mail sent.

The Talkeetna Community Council sent a letter to the Borough seeking a compromise, recommending the notification radius be cut to 1320 feet instead of 600 feet.