Carol Wadman, principal at Talkeetna Elementary, reports that an unexpected change has occurred that will bring preschool back to Talkeetna.

Parents wrote pleas to former Superintendent Kenneth Burnley last spring asking for help with the preschool program.  His response was there was a lack of funding, but the end of summer could tell a different tale.  Wadman says when spoke with Superintendent Paramo about the school year recently, a part time position that will act as preschool aid and teacher was agreed upon, so Dori Wallace is back. Wadman credits parents and parent involvement in the process of the rearrangement of funding in order to bring back the preschool program.  She said in the end, it made a difference.

Jessica Piatt , the noon monitor, has moved into a half time teaching position for 2^nd grade.

Wendy Liesener of Trapper Creek has been hired to be at Talkeetna 2 days a week and at the library in Trapper Creek part time.

Wadman says Tamra Harrison and Karen Mannix will split reading and math classes. She says Bruce Hamler will not return in his position.  His wife, Tammy, is working in Anchorage and the couple is moving to the city.

Principal Allison Wall in Trapper Creek says Lisa Curtis will teach 3^rd through 6^th grade at Trapper Creek and confirmed Wendy Liesener will work as Trapper Creek librarian one day a week.

Attendance hours for school have changed in the lower valley, but upper valley class hours remain 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. School starts the 17^th.  Kindergarten at both schools starts the 24th.

Nelson is accused of killing Trapper Creek resident Robert Carey and then shooting and severely injuring Carey’s wife Verna in January of 2010.He currently faces a Murder 1 charge, attempted murder and an assault charge.  He entered a not-guilty plea after his arrest.  He is incarcerated at Mat Su pretrial on a $750,000 cash bond and third party custodian requirement.  The trial is currently set for October 28^th in Judge Greg Heath’s courtroom in Palmer.

Download audio file (20110803TKABluegrassEnd.mp3)

The Borough Attorney says the action came about because of citizen complaints.  Complaints on the two separate festivals started in 2006.

In the fall of 2010, up to fifteen hundred people attended the festival.  The Borough requires a large-event permit when more than 500 people attend an outside event.

The festivals have had problems in the past. In 2009, Trapper Creek resident Rodney Humphrey was accused of trying to kill a man from Texas when he ran over him with his pickup truck at the festival. The man was taken to the hospital with severe injuries. The attempted murder charge ended in a mistrial last year. The jury DID agree on a driving without a license charge as well as leaving the scene of an accident.  Humphrey has since struck a plea deal for the attempted murder charge.  Sentencing is scheduled for the end of June.

This year the events are advertised for May 27 through the 29^th and August 19^th to 21^st on Boot Rosseau’s private property. Neither festival has a permit yet.  The festival promotion site says they are only selling 500 tickets.  The injunction says if attendance at the festival surpasses 500 people this year, the Borough could ask State Troopers to direct people away from the event or assist with enforcing the court order.

Superior Court Judge Kari Kristianson granted the preliminary injunction for the Mat su Borough.

Download audio file (AMNews-20110516.mp3)

Another plan shows Trapper Creek in a district with Port MacKenzie and part of Wasilla.  The Susitna Council vote took place at their regular meeting Thursday evening.

The council also listened to a presentation by Bruce Paulsen of the Mat Su Borough. Paulsen presented information on trail designations, trail surveying and obtaining legal access.  According to chair Robert Coleman, the council would like to see connected trails from Willow up north thru the Susitna council area and will be working with the Borough to achieve that goal.

Very few people attended the meeting Thursday night and Coleman apologized to Paulsen and others saying it was the lowest attendance in over a year. The council DID meet with a quorum and was able to not only take action on the redistricting resolution but to write a letter to the Borough on a platting issue in Caswell Lakes.  A resident is asking for a removal of a lot line and the board agreed it more sense to do that the leave 2 very small lots.  The council also hopes to get an improved website soon in which all members can get council information.

The project manager for the Trapper Creek repair is Jeff Walden and last fall, he had said he expected the money to be available in October. As with many projects, there are slight delays at times.

Now, Acting Borough manager, Elizabeth Gray, has announced that Triple 5 Construction from Big Lake has been selected as the contractor and they are scheduled to begin work on the roof in June after school is out. The work is scheduled for completion before the end of summer break.

There is not enough money for the school roof to be replaced entirely, but a proper transition between the roof and the flat roof extension will be installed.

At the same time those repairs are happening, manager Gray reports that a number of road repairs have been scheduled for the Trapper Creek area including the Mile 121 parking lot, Kula Road and Oilwell Extension as well as Trail Ridge and the completion of Moose Creek Bridge.

Download audio file (20110426RedistrictPalmer.mp3)

For information on how to send your comments go to the right hand side of the front page of AKRedistricting.org

Troopers responding to the accident report that a vehicle, operated by Joseph E. Carroll, 31 of Wasilla, was traveling southbound on the Parks Highway when it left the roadway and rolled multiple times, ejecting Carroll.  Citizens driving by soon after the crash attempted CPR, but Carroll was declared dead at the scene.

Carroll was the only occupant of the vehicle and was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Troopers say excessive speed and alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. Talkeetna Rescue personnel say Carroll’s excessive weight may have contributed to the trauma he received in the crash.

A mystery enshrouds the accident, according to responders on the scene.  Carroll’s car was full of belongings.  His wallet held a several driver’s licenses. The district attorney’s office in Palmer confirms that Carroll had been arraigned in Palmer Court Wednesday morning for a DUI charge from early April, with a court date set for early June. $500 bail had been posted. He has past driving infractions and DUI’s on his record.  There is no listing for the man in the Wasilla phone book.

Next of kin have been notified.  The Trooper investigation into the accident continues.

There are 7 candidates for the 4 open seats on the board.  Candidates include new and long time members of the community.  Candidates are:    Rick Leo, long time Trapper Creek resident;  Teri Lynn Dyrud, who just moved to the Trapper Creek area last March but has worked extensively with community organizations; Paula Glenka, a resident of Trapper Creek for the past  year; business owner Mike Miller; Sariah Neff, long time Alaskan and active volunteer for Trapper Creek preschool.  Kristie May Parsons is also running and is the special education teacher and operator of Arctic Curly Farm.  Paul Thomas, another new member of the community and currently an adjunct math instructor at Mat Su College, has also thrown his name in the ring.

The council will have a meet-and-greet the candidates potluck on April 21^st, before their regular monthly council meeting.  The council will be tackling a number of issues at that meeting including information on the Susitna Dam, a report on concerns regarding kennel licensing, suggested name change of the Chulitna Bridge as well as progress reports on their 2009 revenue sharing projects.

Their elections will be held two days – April 27^th and 28^th –at the Trapper Creek library during library hours.  Absentee ballots are available by request or at the Trapper Creek library during library hours.  The council has gone as far as having a sign up for people unable to drive themselves to the polls in order to arrange transportation.

Results of the election will be available April 29^th.

BIOGRAPHIES:

TeriLynn Dyrud, M.S.
My name is TeriLynn and I am a proud full time resident of Trapper Creek. My husband and I have businesses: Trapper Creek Soap Company, Northland Fishing Adventures and the Trapper Creek B & B. We moved to Trapper Creek in March of 2010. I have an extensive background in community organizations as well as grant writing and implementation. I am working on a doctorate in psychology. I am looking forward to volunteering my time to this wonderful community.

Paula Glenka – Homeowner and full time resident in Trapper Creek, I’m proud to be a part of this community. Being an active and productive member of the community is important to me. In business since 2005, I have a home office bookkeeping service. I look forward to volunteering my time and assisting in the continuing progress towards the betterment of our community.

Richard Leo – Has lived in Trapper Creek for 30 years.

Mike W. Miller – Mike Miller moved from Washington state in 2007. He and his wife – Julie have built their home and Alaska business in the Trapper Creek community. He is a business owner who is interested in promoting positive works in the community. He has been involved in golf course boards and community service boards in the past. His goal is to create a community environment where everyone’s individual skills and talents can be utilized for the good of the whole community.

Sariah Naff
Age: 30
Occupations: Owner/operator Alaska Pony’s and a Personal Care Attendant
As a mother of 3 elementary age children, whom are 5th generation Alaskans, I look at Trapper Creek’s future as what I would like for my children’s children and I actively work towards that vision. We have a wonderful rural environment that I would like to see continue with opportunities for our children that enrich their lives. Volunteering for the community is an important value within my family. I am an active volunteer for the Trapper Creek Preschool Program, Trapper Creek Parent Teacher Association, Cancer Research, Disabled Children, and for the Trapper Creek Community Services.

Kristie May Parsons
Age: 43
Occupations: Special Education Teacher and Owner/Operator Arctic Curly Farm
My occupational history provides me with skills that will benefit the Trapper Creek Community Council include: Community Service Director for UAF; Executive Assistant for the Downtown Association of Fairbanks; and Upper Susitna Soil & Water Conservation District Manager. I have skills to write winning grant proposals, to administer grants awarded by the Federal, State, and Borough governments and to pass audits of awarded grants. I have experience and knowledge of governmental policy and procedure execution and the ability to coordinate volunteer programs. Above all else I have been an active volunteer in my community and am known to walk my talk. My complete resume is available at the Trapper Creek Library.

Paul Thomas – Moved to Trapper Creek in July 2010. Formerly worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Department of Corrections) for 20 years as a teacher and Corrections School Principal. Currently employed as an adjunct math instructor at Mat-Su College. Appointed as interim Community Council Treasurer in October 2010. Long term goal is to see a suspension bridge connecting Talkeetna and Trapper Creek made of stone towers quarried and stacked by inmates seeking to improve their lives through honest hard work and positive goal achievement.

Several proposals have been submitted as well as the board proposals themselves:  the Bush Caucus has Trapper Creek and Petersville in a different  district than Talkeetna, with the dividing line looking like the Alaska Railroad.  Which could mean that some people in Talkeetna would vote in one district and others in another district, although the plans are unclear at this point.  Talkeetna residents would be in the same district as Valdez and Homer.

One Redistricting Board plan puts Talkeetna and Trapper Creek into the same district as Valdez and Cordova.    Another board option appears to put Trapper Creek and Skwentna in the same district as the eastern section of Denali Highway, but puts Talkeetna in the same district as Valdez.

Another proposed map puts some of Trapper Creek and Skwentna in the same district as Port MacKenzie and Houston, while residents on the east side of the Parks Highway, Talkeetna and Susitna are in the district with Delta Junction and Valdez

Alaskans for Fair Redistricting keeps the Talkeetna and Trapper Creek area similar to what is has been in the past, making some changes in Cook Inlet.

The redistricting meeting in Palmer is tentatively scheduled on Monday, April 25^th.  Meetings will be held in Healy, Fairbanks, Tok, Glennallen and Seward as well as Anchorage.

Nelson has been charged with first degree murder and assault with a weapon.  He is accused of killing Robert Carey of Trapper Creek and shooting Robert’s wife Verna.  The event occurred in late January.  Nelson was supposedly new to the Trapper Creek area and the Carey’s were not acquainted with the accused.  According to the prosecutor in the case, the attack was unprovoked.  Nelson pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Nelson is being held on 750 thousand dollars cash bail with a third party custodian requirement.  He is still incarcerated at Mat-su Pretrial.

The trial is currently scheduled for June 6^th with a pre trial conference on May 27^th.

Now the state of Alaska is planning a master interpretive plan for the stretch of highway from milepost 132 to Fairbanks.

Bill Kiger is the planner in the process and reminds people that the byway is not regulatory but rather is a way to build community voice in the area and it’s the community that can provide input for the regulation for what they’d like to see along the highway.  He also said it would be nice to see the byway extended to include Trapper Creek, the Susitna area and even Willow, but that won’t happen unless letters from community councils request that the Byway be extended.

Other scenic byways in the state include Glenn Highway, which includes Hatcher Pass Road and the Seward Highway, which includes Hope as a spur road.

Kiger says the interpretive plan process sets goals and objectives as to what people want to see along the highway.  He says the plan is a funding mechanism that can bring kiosks, waysides and bike paths to the area along the byway.  Meetings are being held in Trapper Creek, Denali National Park, Nenana and Fairbanks to gather cultural and natural resource information as well as obtain a list of stakeholders.

The project is funded through the Alaska Scenic Byways Program and administered by DOT.

The first round of meetings will be held mid April.  The Trapper Creek meeting is scheduled for April 18^th at 6 pm at the Trapper Creek Community Park.   After public input, the state will compile a draft plan.

RACE DAY – The Oosik attracts skiers from across Alaska to Talkeetna for a fine day of skiing photo courtesy of Doug Gualtieri

It might have been hard to convince Oosik race/tour organizers that 510 people would register for the nordic event on Saturday.  The event squeezed racers into the 25K and 50K tour.  See the link for race results.   Also check back here later for race photos to be added.

Download audio file (20110321OosikDone2.mp3)

race results word document race results as spreadsheet

A couple from Wasilla, Kimber Velasquez, age 22, and Eric Zehnder, age 23, were riding their Skidoo Summit snowmachine back to Kroto Creek parking area about 1 oclock in the morning when they apparently left the main trail and went over a steep embankment.  Both riders were ejected from the snowmachine and hit several trees.

People riding with the couple and close to accident started CPR and called 911.  EMS arrived on the scene via LifeMed helicopter and snowmachine.

Terry Mangione of Talkeetna EMS said response was slowed due to poor cellphone coverage in the area. By the time Talkeetna rescuers got to the staging area, the two snowmachiners had been pronounced dead at the scene.

Both were wearing helmets. Alcohol appears to be a factor in the accident.  The investigation is continuing.

The population of the Mat Su Borough is now almost 89-thousand people.  Over the last 10 years the Mat Su has been growing at an annual average rate of 5 percent while Anchorage’s rate is 1.2  percent for the same period.

The census data shows Talkeetna grew by 104 people in the last 10 years,  from 772 people to 806.  Trapper Creek’s population grew from 423 to 481 people.  The Y community is now called ‘North Susitna’ and now has a population of 1260 compared to 956 in 2000.

Chase’s population dropped by 7 people and the community of Willow exploded, gaining 444 residents.

Mat Su Mayor Larry DeVilbiss says the new numbers show the Borough is clearly underrepresented in the state legislature and he looks forward to the process that will draw new district lines.

Bruce Paulsen at Borough land management says the trail area was surveyed 2003, but easements were not pursued at the time.  The paperwork on the easements is now complete and the Curry Ridge Riders have asked that the trail might become part of their extensive trail system.

Department of Natural Resources has opened the public comment period on the potential access easement for the Deep Creek trail. If the easement is granted, the proposed easement would be a DNR public easement to provide public access across state lands.

The proposed trail runs mostly parallel to the Petersville Road, taking snowmachine and ski traffic off the road itself.  The trail will bisect the East West express trail near the point where it meets the Petersville Road.  The proposal is for a 16 mile long, 50 foot wide, winter-use-only trail for non motorized recreationalists, snowmachines and winter grooming equipment.

Once the trail becomes legal it is eligible for grants for trail grooming and maintenance.

The public comment period is open thru March 24^th .

Body of Notice:
State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Mining, Land, and Water
Southcentral Region Office
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 900C
Anchorage, AK. 99501-3577

Courtesy Public Notice
ADL # 231120
Deep Creek Trail
Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Subject to Alaska Statute (AS) 38.05.850, the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW), Southcentral Region Office is considering an application to grant a winter-only public access easement for ADL # 231120, located on state-owned lands in Sections 2 and 11 of Township 26N, Range 8W, Sections 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 26 and 35 of Township 27N, Range 8W and Sections 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 35 and 36 of Township 28N, Range 8W, all in the Seward Meridian. This easement will be for nonmotorized users, users with snowmachines up to 1500 pounds in weight and grooming equipment. The proposed easement will be 50’ in width and approximately 16 miles in length. If granted, the proposed easement will be held by DMLW for the public, to provide public access across state lands.
Members of the public are invited to comment on this proposal. The DMLW must receive written comments no later than 5:00 pm on March 24, 2011. In order to be given full consideration, all comments should clearly explain the facts on which they are based and how they pertain to the proposed action. Comments, questions or requests to view the application packet should be directed to the attention of Eric Moore at the Southcentral Region Office, 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 900C, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3577; Telephone (907) 269-8548, Fax (907) 269-8913, email eric [dot] moore [at] alaska [dot] gov.
The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services or special modifications to participate may contact the TDD number at (907) 269-8411. Copies of the Alaska Statute referenced above may be accessed on-line by searching the State of Alaska website at www.legis.state.ak.us/folhome.htm.

The Division of Mining, Land and Water, Southcentral Region Office reserves the right to waive technical deficits in this notice.

Legislators say that any significant expansion of Military Operations Areas may have a far-reaching impact across multiple segments of the state’s communities and the economy. In particular they are worried about the impact on the aviation industry and on Alaskans who rely heavily on aviation for the transport of people and goods.

The Mat-Su Borough assembly in last Tuesday’s meeting passed a resolution that raised concerns about potential noise, conflicts with civilian air traffic and economic impacts on businesses that depend on natural resources. The resolution is requesting that the Air Force and US Army involve the communities of Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Willow, Houston and other lower valley towns in the development of the proposal.

Mayor Larry DeVilbiss said he feels the language is too strongly worded against the military’s proposal and contemplates vetoeing the resolution.

Download audio

Trapper Creek is currently asking its residents to participate in a design contest for signs to be put up at the south and north of Trapper Creek along the Parks Highway.

Trapper Creek Community council president Virginia Dalton-Pollo said that the artwork is meant for an eight-foot by four-foot sign. Trapper Creek residents participating in the contest should submit their entries by March 5 to Jenny Earles at the Trapper Creek library.

A council committee will then select four finalists and they will be announced at the Cabin Fever Reliever event on March 12. Trapper Creek residents can then vote on the final design.

###

Contest rules:

Submit design on paper with dimension of a 2 to 1 ratio, the longer side used horizontally. Example; 10” x 5” or 16” x 8”.
·     Any medium can be used (colored pencils, paint, pastels etc). Clear lines are important.
·        Suggested fonts (type of lettering) to go with your artwork will be considered.
·        Do not sign your work.  When you turn in your artwork, it will be assigned a number to insure the utmost impartiality.
·        You may submit more than one design.
·        Only Trapper Creek residents will be allowed to submit. ( students attending school outside and active military personnel assigned outside will be able to participate) The Community Council reserves the right to evaluate each request individually.
·        Any artwork submitted will become property of the Community Council.
·        The committee appointed by the TCCC Board will choose four finalists to be announced at the Cabin Fever Reliever Event on March 12, 2011.
·        Trapper Creek will then be given the opportunity to vote on one of the four finalists.  Details to be announced.
·        Please submit your entries to  Jenny Earles at the Public Library in Trapper Creek
·        All artwork needs to be submitted by the 5th of March 2011

Download audio