Welcome to our new web site!

While still a work in progress — please excuse our mess — we hope this site will become your primary source for information and communication in Talkeetna and the upper Susitna Valley.

We’ve brought forward the last month’s worth of KTNA News stories and other items from the old site, we’re arranging some of the old site features in new ways, and we’re adding some new features, too. Stay tuned for updates.

In the mean time, feel free to take a look around — just give us a little time to shake out some of the site design and details.

South District Ranger Daryl Miller bids farewell to his co-workers and Talkeetna this week. After 8 years in his position as South District Ranger and 17 years at the Ranger Station, he is retiring. Sue Deyoe spoke with him briefly on his last day as he reminisced about his early years in Denali and what he hopes to accomplish in the future.

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KTNA is moving its annual membership meeting to Thursday, February 26th, with respect for unforeseen events taking place to remember two community members who passed away very recently.

Our meeting begins at 6:30 PM at the Talkeetna Roadhouse, but we’ll gather at 5:30 to begin celebrating our achievements over the past year. All members and interested persons are welcome.

More than 150 tons of glass per month will go to the Anchorage dump instead of Anchorage recycling bins beginning January 5th. Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling (ALPAR) says the primary reason for the shutdown in glass recycling is significant decrease in demand for end product.

About 140 to 150 tons of glass is recycled per month in Anchorage, 90 percent of that amount dropped off by individuals at the recycling center. The Valley Community for Recycling Solutions in Palmer does not accept glass and has directed people to locations in Anchorage recyclers.

When the new recycling building gets built in Palmer, the center plans to have their own glass crusher and recycle all glass on the premises. The building project, partially funded by the Mat Su Borough, goes out to bid early tin 2009. Meanwhile, ALPAR in Anchorage is continuing to search for different sources for recycled glass, but until that time, they say glass will go to the landfill.

Nuggets Host Holly Stinson hosts a Nugget celebrating the 50th anniversary of Alaska Statehood.  What was it like in the territory?  Local residents discuss what the change to statehood 50 years ago was like, and how it effected their lives.

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It’s Christmas Shopping time At Wal-Mikes.  Nuggets Host Charlie Loeb visits Mike Carpenter’s Trapper Creek Emporium for all possible stocking stuffers.  Explore the local history and personality of this memorable corner store and it’s owner.

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The trial of Michael Wilson has been delayed again. And now 3 other individuals have been fingered in the Halloween robbery and burglary cases of last fall in Talkeetna.

The case of Michael Wilson, of Wasilla, has been delayed for a 6th time. Wilson is accused of multiple burglaries in the Talkeetna area and connected to the Halloween robbery case of last year. Wilson’s girlfriend and another woman have pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery in the Halloween case. They are scheduled to be sentenced in February.

Wilson and a friend, Aaron Tolen, were charged on multiple counts of burglary, tampering with evidence, criminal mischief and criminal trespass. Tolen pled guilty to lesser charges last month.

In a new twist, 3 other people have been charged in connection with the burglary and robbery cases. Two individuals from Wasilla and one from Houston are charged with hindering prosecution in both cases. They are accused of hiding one of women in the robbery and also concealing stolen property.

Wilson’s case is set for a preliminary hearing at the end of January and court trial in mid-February.

The Mat Su Borough has become the first area in the nation to have an area with a Special-Use District (SPUD) dedicated to sled dog trails and recreation.

The Borough Assembly approved the establishment of the “Knik Sled Dog and Recreation Special Land Use District.”

The SPUD encompasses the old town of Knik and the many recreational trails that connect to the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Preservation and protection of the community and lifestyle of the Knik area is the purpose for creating the new district. Standards established in the SPUD are buffers between different land uses and protecting views of the night sky. Protecting and encouraging the establishment of trails to create an interconnected trail system is a primary reason for development of the SPUD.

Assembly member Cindy Bettine asked that funding for acquistion of trail easements in the district could be included in the next Borough budget.

A Palmer jury has found Christopher Erin Rogers guilty of murder and attempted murder. He is also accused of shootings in Anchorage last year. The jury’s decision came just after a few hours of deliberations and after days of emotional testimony.

Rogers was accused of attacking his father, Chris Rogers, Sr. and fiancée, Lennie Moren, of Talkeetna, last year in Palmer. Rogers, Sr. died in the brutal attack with a machete. Moren survived the attack, but was badly injured and has permanent scars from the incident. The trial was full of bloody photographs and graphic testimony. (more…)

The Sheep Mountain 150 Sled Dog Race was held this past weekend. Jessica Hendricks of Two Rivers took first place while Talkeetna’s Gerry Sousa received an injury that forced him out of the race. Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Hans Gatt of Whitehorse and Jon Little of Kasilof all came in right behind Hendricks and within nine minutes of each other.

Gerry Sousa of Talkeetna scratched, along with Jayne Hempstead, Kathleen Fredrick and Mike Suprenant. Sousa said he got dragged by his team about 300 yards after they pulled the snow hook. Damage to his knee was great enough that he had to scratch. He said he is disappointed and thinks this year’s team is one of the strongest yet. He hopes to recover from his injury soon and plans on running the 2009 Iditarod.

Some of the top finishers of the Iditarod were also in the race, but finished further down. Jeff King came in fifth, Ken Anderson was 11th, Ally Zirkle was 12th and Dee Dee Jonrowe was 17th.

The race started Saturday with a 50 mile run to Eureka Lodge. Mushers had a 5 hour layover, then a 50 mile loop around the Lodge and then another 5 hour layover. Sunday mushers returned to Sheep Mountain Lodge.

Hendricks was Rookie of the Year in the 2003 Iditarod. She says she doesn’t have the money to compete in either the Quest or the Iditarod this year and will focus on mid distance races.

The Food Banks of Trapper Creek, Sunshine and Talkeetna ran short at Thanksgiving. It is projected another shortage will occur at Christmas, not only in the Upper Valley, but around Alaska.

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Residents of East Talkeetna and Talkeetna businesses received notice with their water and sewer bills this past month that arsenic levels are exceeding EPA levels. However, the levels are so close to the guidelines, officials say there should not be alarm. They are working on getting a filter for the system. (more…)