Its official.  Governor Parnell announced  that this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend will be $1305 for dividend recipients.  About 657,000 Alaskans applied this year.  Payments are due to go out to direct deposit recipients on October 8^th.

As MASCOT laid off workers last week, Sunshine Transit – Talkeetna’s free transportation service– is expanding.  The hours increase soon and the service is looking for another driver for winter.  Clinic Executive Director Sharon Montanigno spoke about the very fluid and volatile world of grants and non profits, hoping that more funding for the van comes through in 2010.

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Talkeetna resident and Talkeetna Ranger Station employee Maureen McLaughlin spent all 4 days of road lottery in Denali Park. She reports on a wolf chasing a wolverine, bear sightings and numerous lynx sightings.  Monday night as road lottery closed down, the rain turned to snow and by Tuesday, Eielson had 2 feet of snow.  McLaughlin said everyone got out in the nick of time.

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Former Republican state representative Beverly Masek was sentenced to six months in federal prison, three years probation and a one-hundred dollar fee in the Anchorage federal district court on Thursday morning. (more…)

TERMINATION DUST— The first snowfall blanketed the tops of the Talkeetna Mountains on Wednesday night. Photo by Diana Haecker

The loss of the Pioneer Lodge, the Willow restaurant that burned to the ground on September 9, puts local clubs in a financial bind. (more…)

A 27 year old man has been charged with crimes related to the break in at a Division of Forestry building in Wasilla last month. (more…)

MAGICAL LIGHT— The setting sun’s last rays enhance brilliant fall colors, on September 22. Photo by Diana Haecker

  Su Valley High School senior Bill Kelly, wearing bib number 67, runs behind Mike Burke   (#66) during the Su Valley Invitational held last Saturday Kelly went on to break into the top 25 fastest runs for a Su Valley runner in the race. Photo courtesy of Ed O’Connor

Cross country running season is in full swing and last Saturday students from ten schools came to compete in the 25th Su Valley Invitational cross country meet at the Susitna Valley High school.

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