PHOTO FINISH— Paul Gebhard, left, crosses the finish line on the first day of the Alaska Excursions 120 sled dog race, followed by Ryan Redington, who won the race. Photo by Diana Haecker

TALKEETNA— Sled dog racing began in earnest last weekend with three events taking place at the same time. (more…)

After the first scheduled sled dog races at the Montana Creek Dog Musher’s track had to be canceled, trail conditions last weekend improved and were suitable for sled dog racing. (more…)

KTNA’s local news, weather, announcements and Denali Echoes for Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010, with Diana Haecker. Local news headlines: Wind wreaks havoc in the Mat-Su borough; Gravel ordinance indefinitely tabled; AEA explains Susitna Hydro project; Egil Ellis wins first MCDMA sled dog races.(16 min.)

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The Mat-Su Borough Assembly last night  unanimously passed an ordinance that now requires the owner or custodian of a dog kennel or a cattery to reside on the property where the animals are kept. (more…)

On Thursday morning, Alaska State Troopers were called to investigate the death of 71-year old Douglas Chilcoat. (more…)

THE START LINE— Thousands of people lined the start chute during the Sunday start of the 2010 Iditarod Trail sled dog race on Willow Lake. Photo by Diana Haecker

The restart – the official start – of the Iditarod started at 2 pm at Willow Lake as 71 mushers headed on the trail to Nome.

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Jennifer Raffaeli will be only the 4th in history to take on her new position as Denali Park kennels manager.  Late last year a notice was posted and mushers and others from around the country scrambled to apply.  Over 300 applications were received and 40 of those were deemed qualified.  Raffaeli, a Denali Park seasonal employee, was hired.

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Musher Jerry Sousa is the only dog driver this year from Talkeetna to race in the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race.

He has trained all year for this moment and before he hits the trail, shares insights on his hopes, concerns and dog mushing in Talkeetna with our listeners.

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READY— Jerry Sousa and “Dodo” at Sousa’s Sundog Kennel in Talkeetna. Photo by Diana Haecker

TALKING DOGS— Sprint mushers Egil Ellis and his wife Helen Lundberg share the passion of racing sprint dogs.

Photo by Diana Haecker

The 75th anniversary of the Fur Rondy is this year, and local mushers will be among those participating in the sled dog racing portion of the festival. Host Charlie Loeb talks with two of them – Egil Ellis and Helen Lundberg of Willow, whose dog teams have won several prior championships. Find out what brought this pair and their dogs from Sweden to the Upper Susitna and discover the ins and outs of competitive sprint racing.

(Audio runs a half hour)

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