The Alaska Legislature finally adjourned late Saturday evening.  Governor Sean Parnell received a capital budget for 2012 that totals $3.2 Billion.

This year’s regular 90-day session was immediately followed by a 27- day special session that involved a number of disputes about energy projects and coastal zone management.  In the end, the Coastal Zone Management plan was not reauthorized. (more…)

As the budgeting process for the next fiscal year at the Mat Su Borough for proceeds, the Talkeetna Sewer and Water Board is quickly trying to come up with solutions to financial issues that have been brought about by federal EPA standards. Utility customers may see a 35% increase or more, in their bills starting in July. (more…)

The Capital Improvement Projects list was high on the Talkeetna Community Council agenda Monday evening.  A good portion of the meeting was spent discussing several potentially large projects in downtown Talkeetna as well as discussion centering around the upcoming meetings on the Talkeetna Lakes Park trails and the Riverfront and Village park area. (May 11th and 12th at the Talkeetna Elementary school) (more…)

Community Supported Agriculture has become more popular across the US and in Alaska.  CSAs can take several forms. One such form is buying shares in a produce arrangement.  In the Business Feature for the month of May, Sue Deyoe speaks with Brian Kingsbury, who is starting up a second year of a truly local CSA —

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Governor Sean Parnell has declared the month of May, Bike Month.  The week of May 16^th is Bike Week and May 20th has been declared Bike to Work-and School Day. (more…)

At the beginning of this month, Governor Sean Parnell declared April ‘Bear Awareness’ Month.  That is leading several coalitions around the state to continue their awareness programs and work with residents to remember that this is the time of year when bear wake up and start roaming the area.  The Northern Susitna Valley’s Bear Necessities Coalition is one such group.

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An event that normally brings over 200 people into downtown Talkeetna is scheduled for this Saturday.  Earth Day in Talkeetna started over a decade ago and has continued under the direction of various people over the years. Colleen Love, who is coordinating her fourth Earth Day commemoration, spoke with Sue Deyoe about the event and what it offers residents of the Northern Susitna Valley:

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The theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Tap into Spring”. In addition to the featured One Tree Project presentations by Arthur and Karen Mannix, (more…)

Lawmakers only 4 days left to pass any legislation, including the capital budget.

House Bill 103, the bill that deals with giving AEA authority to proceed with the study of the Susitna Hydro project passed out of the House Finance committee Tuesday.  (more…)

Last year, the state legislature appropriated 15 thousand dollars for the Upper Susitna Senior Center to start a meals on wheels program.  It was August when the program was announced and it took a lot of convincing to get the program off the ground.  With a bit of a rocky start, the program now serves over a dozen residents 30 meals a week.

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