The World’s toughest handcycle and wheelchair race is currently underway along the Parks Highway.  It’s headed for Talkeetna Thursday afternoon.

The Sadler’s Alaska Challenge started in 1984.  Last year the race bypassed Talkeetna in favor of a Valdez route.

Overall placing so far is Travis Peruski of Michigan at the head of the pack, Brant Schalk of Fairbanks in second, Matthew Robinson of New Mexico and Michael O’Neill of Anchorage. (more…)

KTNA’s morning news, weather forecast, Denali echos, announcements for July 27th.  Host is Sue Deyoe.  Headlines – New Old Time Chautauqua comes to town; Talkeetna Good Times to survive Calista ANI shutdown; Voters may get new selection method for Mat Su School Board.  16 min.

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Any one traveling into downtown Talkeetna might think the old Talkeetna Christian Church has been taken over by a band of gypsy’s.  The buses, tents and equipment belongs to the New Old Time Chautauqua. The group is in town until Friday noon before they move on to Palmer and then to the Kenai Pennisula.  Sue Deyoe asks the group to explain Chatauqua and about their efforts….

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Shows are at 8:30 pm Wednesday at the Sheldon Community Arts Hanger and 7 pm Thursday.  Go to denaliartscouncil dot org for information and click on “events”

Voters this fall might decide on a measure that would affect how the Mat Su School District School Board is elected.

The resolution in front of the Mat Su Borough Assembly would put the question to voters to decide if the school board will be elected like the Assembly.  In other words, 7 seats from 7 areas. (more…)

The Governor’s Awards for Emergency Medical Services are looking for nominations. Due September 15th.

www.ems.alaska.gov/ACEMS/awards/default.htm

Governor Sean Parnell held a press conference on Monday to give an update on the progress of the Susitna Dam project that is headed to the FERC licensing process.

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Listen to the entire press conference and questions (about 27 minutes; question period is poorer audio)

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KTNA’s morning news, weather forecast, Denali echos, announcements for July 26th.  Host is Sue Deyoe.  Headlines – Parnell touts Susitna Dam project; NOLS students survive bear mauling; Chautauqua in Talkeetna for the week.  16 min.

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Follow up to this morning’s story: Seven teenagers in an outdoor leadership training program were rescued by Alaska State Troopers after a grizzly bear attacked them late Saturday night. The group was near the end of their month long course in the backcountry east of Denali State Park..  One student remains in serious condition at Providence in Anchorage.

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The nesting swallows leave, and other species become quiet as they tend their fledged young, the fireweed blooms move up the stalk, and other signs and stories of mid-summer in the Susitna Valley. The writer and host of this Earth and Beyond program is Robin Song. Text follows.

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Photos by Robin Song

July is a busy, interesting month, in the Talkeetna area. Fledgling birds are following their parents, learning how to obtain food and avoid predators. The wildflowers which bloomed last month are going to seed and new varieties of wildflowers are replacing them. (more…)