KTNA’s news, weather, announcements and Denali Echoes for Wednesday, September 29, hosted by Diana Haecker. News headlines: Storm damages still assessed; Talkeetna Community Council has to fill five open seats. (16 min.)

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Voters go to the polls October 5^th to decide on a $32.5 million road bond package.  There are 5 different measures on the ballot and road bonds is proposition number 2. The list of the many roads to be upgraded and/or paved can be found on the Borough’s website.

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Correction – the story says Talkeetna gets $750,000.  The amount that Talkeetna receives for upgrades is $500,000 NOT $750,000.

KTNA’s morning news, weather forecast, Denali echos and announcements for September 28th.  Host is Sue Deyoe.  Headlines – Ted Stevens buried in Arlington Cemetery; Road bond package on Borough election ballot; National Park Service won’t move on Talkeetna EA until spring; Wind event wreaks havoc.  16 min.

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Male damsel flies-photo by Robin Song

Local writer and host Robin Song tells of her childhood interest in insects and arachnids, which has continued through her life in Alaska.

Audio runs six and a half minutes.

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The wind event over the weekend took Mat Su Borough Emergency Services and Matanuska Electric Association by surprise.

Dennis Brodigan, Director of Emergency Services, says that he knew the winds were forecast but the storm of March 2003 was much worse as far as wind speeds.  (more…)

KTNA’s morning news, weather forecast, Denali echos, announcements for September 27th.  Host is Sue Deyoe.  Headlines – Power outage continues for some; Earthquake hits central AK; AT&T cell tower to go in on Spur Road; One Tree project continues; Kantishna Roadhouse in Denali Park to go hydro. 16 min.

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An MEA spokesman reports that there are still thousands of people without power.  He says that crews are trying their best to restore power to Big Lake, Palmer and the upper valley.  “Do not ASSUME that we know about your outage,” he says. Please call MEA if you have an outage at 746-7697, the line may be busy, but be patient.  If you call from your area without power, MEA automatically reads that phone line.   KTNA will try and update listeners later this afternoon.

Although MEA was able to restore power to some areas in the early morning hours, there are still residents without power.  KTNA is unable to connect with MEA about the latest update to the many outages across the upper valley.  Crews worked throughout yesterday and into the night to restore power to thousands of residents and businesses.  There are still power outages in Big Lake, Wasilla. Palmer and Talkeetna. If you are still without power, you can call the MEA hotline to make sure they are aware of the outage in your area – 761-9300

The Alaska Earthquake Information Center located a earthquake early Saturday morning at about 4 o’clock.   The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 and was located at a depth of 53 miles. (more…)