A Talkeetna non-profit has brought lawsuit against the Alaska Department of Natural Resources in efforts to preserve a rural way of life.

Becky Long from Alaska Survival, the group bringing the lawsuit, says the Susitna-Matanuska Area Plan, or SMAP, adopted in August, violates Alaska law and opens the door for increased pressure from development, which would significantly alter rural life and livelihoods.

Long: “We just feel that this final plan that they’ve come up with that will really change the character of the land, besides impacting our lives, it will impact the economy”

The lawsuit claims the land uses as defined by the Chase, Talkeetna or Susitna comprehensive plans were not fully considered and incorporated into SMAP as required by Alaska Statute. (more…)

By Whitney Wolff — The Talkeetna Community Council Inc. met Tuesday September 6th for their regular monthly meeting which included the annual nomination of candidates for threeboard seats becoming available in November . (more…)

Each year since 1981, The University of Alaska and the Anchorage Daily News have teamed up to hold a statewide creative writing and poetry contest.

This year, the winner in the poetry competition, for 4^th through 6^th grade was Cassidy Race of Talkeetna Elementary. Race is now in 7^th grade, but was a 6^th grader when she entered the contest in April. (more…)

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A bicycle event starts this Sunday might sound outlandish to some, but to others, the tour, called a randonee, is just as normal as any other bike ride.  The event highlights the road system in Alaska. Three dozen bicyclists from around the world will travel 750 miles of Alaska’s roads in a 90 hour time span.   Sue Deyoe has more on the event that starts in Valdez and travels through Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Healy and Talkeetna.

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A game of Russian Roulette turned deadly at a Talkeetna residence early Sunday morning.

State Troopers received a report that a 44-year-old male had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head while at a cabin near mile 1.8 of the Talkeetna Spur Road.  The report came in close to 5 a.m. Sunday morning.

Witnesses reported that the deceased, and another man, had been playing a game similar to Russian Roulette earlier in the evening.  Alcohol was a factor.  The 5 people involved were highly intoxicated at the time, according to troopers.

Troopers continue to withhold the name of the deceased man until relatives are notified.

(the man was identified as James Campbell of Talkeetna)

The Mat Su Borough Assembly adopted a school bond package that will go in front of voters this fall.  It is just one of many ballot measure voters will need to decide upon at the ballot box.  The bond package includes numerous improvements plus new schools in the Knik Goose Bay area.  Sue Deyoe has more on the school bonds…

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The summer tourist season comes to a close in a month or so, and a number of programs are winding down.  The Denali Arts Council tried a new program this summer, perhaps to take the place of the now non-existant dinner-in-the-home program.   The comedy sketch review – How to Make Love Like an Alaskan, continues its summer run until August 31^st.  Sue Deyoe attended the show this week and has more on the production

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The Talkeetna Sewer and Water Board has about 60 days left to come up with an alternative plan to pay for past debts before an ordinance is enacted that would mean a 44 dollar increase per month per customer.  The utility advisory board recently voted to write letters and try to get funding from various sources.  At the same time, they’ve given the go-ahead to meter all customers.

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The Talkeetna water utility board has moved forward with alternatives to the proposed rate hike.  The proposal sent a team of local residents scurrying to find help with the tens of thousands of dollars of debt instead of putting the burden on paying customers.  Sue Deyoe has more on the latest meeting and recent decisions…

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The Talkeetna Sewer and Water board voted Wednesday afternoon on a number of actions after months of discussion on a $100,000 debt.  (more…)