On Tuesday night, a single car accident on the Parks Highway resulted in an injured driver and a totaled truck. (more…)

AWARD WINNING— Karen Mannix shares a laugh with students this week at the Talkeetna Elementary School gym. Photo by Diana Haecker

Karen Mannix received a statewide award honoring her 20 years of achievements in physical education in the Mat-Su school district. The award was given to Mannix last week at the annual convention of physical education professionals in Wasilla.

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Last Sunday night, a 40-foot trailer blocked the southbound lane of the Parks Highway near mile 96. According to trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters, troopers were called at 9:27 pm Sunday night to respond to the incident. When investigators arrived at the scene, the trailer had tipped over and had dumped its load of crushed cars onto the road. Apparently, the Freightliner tractor pulling the trailer became disconnected when pulling out of Montana Creek Road and caused the load to tip over.

Peters said the highway was blocked for several hours and that it was a hazardous situation as the dark trailer could not be seen by traffic until drivers were directly in front of it. There were no injuries reported. Peters said the investigation continues. 

SPECIAL HEARING— State legislators came to the annual AFN convention to listen to invited testimony on energy issues, on Friday, Oct. 23 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. Photo by Diana Haecker

The joint House and Senate energy committees gathered on Friday afternoon to hold an unprecedented special hearing at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage. The 17 senators and representatives present  listened to invited testimony of Native community leaders. Cook Inlet Region Incorporated’s energy expert Ethan Schutt said that Southcentral faces real challenges in the near future as 90 percent of the energy producing turbines are spun with natural gas and it’s supply is waning. (more…)

Alaska State Troopers are looking for a stolen vehicle in the Talkeetna area that may have played a part in an attempted home break-in. (more…)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPEAKING UP— Governor Sean Parnell addressed delegates at last week’s Alaska Federation of Natives speaking out against the rampant statewide problem of domestic violence. Photo by Diana Haecker

The first day of the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention set the tone of the annual three-day gathering of Alaska Natives held in Anchorage this year from October 22 to 23. While the energy crisis brought on by skyrocketing oil prices took center stage last year, the focus this year is on the importance of subsistence in the context of food security and tribal sovereignty in resource management.  The line up of high-profile speakers addressing the estimated 4,000 delegates from all across Alaska included Congressman Don Young and Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich and senior officials with the Obama administration.

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FEDERAL PROMISE— Kim Elton, director for Alaskan affairs under the Secretary of the Interior, announced a sweeping federal review of subsistence rules. Photo by Diana Haecker

The 2009 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention continued Friday with high-level politicians addressing at least 1,000 delegates gathered at the Anchorage Dena’ina Center. Senator Lisa Murkowski addressed AFN delegates with a wide range of topics and said she is pleased that President Barack Obama is going to meet tribal leaders from across the nation for a first presidential – tribal summit to take place in the White House on November 5.

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Investigators with Alaska Drug Enforcement and the Talkeetna Patrol broke a marijuana ring in Trapper Creek Tuesday. (more…)

The Mat Su Borough Assembly has approved the next step in testing for arsenic in the Talkeetna Sewer and Water system. (more…)