Ellen Lockyer, Alaska Public Media
APTI Reporter-Producer Ellen Lockyer started her radio career in the late 1980s, after a stint at bush Alaska weekly newspapers, the Copper Valley Views and the Cordova Times. When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez Public Radio station KCHU needed a reporter, and Ellen picked up the microphone.
Since then, she has literally traveled the length of the state, from Attu to Eagle and from Barrow to Juneau, covering Alaska stories on the ground for the AK show, Alaska News Nightly, the Alaska Morning News and for Anchorage public radio station, KSKA
elockyer (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8446 | About Ellen
Councilman Menard May Face Recall
Wasilla city councilman Steve Menard may face a recall action. A petition asking city voters to recall the two- time councilman was turned in this week to the Wasilla clerk just before deadline on Monday.
65 Mushers Complete Iditarod Entries So Far
So far, 65 mushers have completed entries for the 2012 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Entries must carry a Nov. 30 postmark, so some more may be coming in, according to race officials.
Anchorage Tenth in “Best City” Rankings
Anchorage rates number ten in a national "best cities" ranking released this week. The online business publication Businessweek.com based its rankings on economic conditions, quality of life issues and access to higher education.
Rare Bird Sighted in Seward
The sighting of a rare redwing thrush in Seward recently highlighted the extremes to which birders will go to add to their life lists. The redwing is common to Europe and Asia, but not Alaska.
Groups Suing State For Failure to Approve Water Rights Application
Two groups that are opposed to the development of a coal mine across Cook Inlet from Anchorage are suing the state.
AMHT Plans to Lease More Potential Chickaloon Coal Deposits
The Alaska Mental Health Trust plans to lease more potential coal deposits in the Chickaloon area. They are talking about bid awards possibly by the end of the calendar year.
Federal Permit Granted for Railroad Spur to Point MacKenzie
The federal permit has been granted for a spur of the Alaska Railroad to Point MacKenzie. The Surface Transportation Board action allows construction to begin. The Mat-Su Borough plans to open bids next month for the first part of the project, which it already has the money for, and is looking for more money in the next state capital budget.
20 Kenai Peninsula Homes Still Without Power
Some 20 homes are still without power on the Kenai Peninsula after a severe windstorm struck the area on Wednesday. Homer Electric Association spokesman Joe Gallagher says most of the affected homes are in Nikiski.
About 200 Turn Out to Comment on Wishbone Hill Project
Tuesday night the Sutton school saw a crowd of about 200 turn out to comment to the state Department of Natural Resources about renewal of Usibelli Coal's permit to strip-mine that old Wishbone Hill deposit.
Sutton Residents Protest Controversial Wishbone Hill Project
Usibelli Coal’s Wishbone Hill project near Sutton could be producing in a year and a half, if all goes according to plan. The coal mine has the backing of the Matanuska Susitna Borough, although some area residents who live close to the proposed mine are fighting the development.
Shaktoolik Returning to Normal
North of Unalakleet, the village of Shaktoolik appears to have weathered the storm well. Shaktoolik Mayor Eugene Asicksik heads the emergency command center there. He says in the village things are returning to normal.
Goose Creek Prison Will Open in Spring
The newest addition to the state’s prison system, Goose Creek Correctional Center, will receive inmates next spring. The facility, located about nine miles from Port MacKenzie in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, relies less on innovation than on the tried and true, according to Alaska Corrections Commissioner Joe Schmidt.
State Focus On Highway Safety
November is "Highway Safety Month" in Alaska, as declared by Governor Sean Parnell in an executive proclamation detailing five themes for the coming five weeks. As KSKA's Ellen Lockyer reports, state department officials met to review the update of the Alaska Strategic Traffic Safety Plan and discuss how their departments are focusing on safety.
November is ‘Highway Safety Month’
November is “Highway Safety Month” in Alaska, as declared by Governor Sean Parnell. And Tuesday in Anchorage, personnel from various state agencies met for the release of the Alaska Strategic Traffic Safety Plan.
Alaska Soldier Arrested on Suspicion of Espionage
An Alaska soldier has been arrested on suspicion of spying, the Anchorage Daily News is reporting. 22-year-old William C. Millay was arrested and booked in the Anchorage jail on Friday.
Agreement Reached for Protection of Knik, Matanuska River-Area Wetlands
The Eklutna Native Corporation, based near Anchorage, and the Great Land Trust have reached an agreement that is expected to protect 4800 acres of wetlands near the Knik and Matanuska Rivers.
Palmer Votes to End Water Fluoridation
Palmer’s city council has voted to end fluoridation of the city’s water supply. In a six to one vote, the council decided to stop adding the mineral, which is known to help prevent tooth decay.
States Files Suit Over Pebble Mine Initiative
The state of Alaska wants to invalidate the results of the Lake and Peninsula Borough ban on large scale resource extraction that would adversely impact salmon habitat.
Energy Authority Files Preliminary Permit Application for Hydro Project
The Alaska Energy Authority has filed a Preliminary Permit Application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project, according to AEA’s project manager for external affairs, Karston Rodvik.
State Denies Petition to Make Coal Mining in Chuitna River Watershed Off Limits
The state has denied a petition to put all coal mining off limits on land within the Chuitna River watershed. Department of Natural Resources commissioner Dan Sullivan says the decision is not a “green light ” for mining, but it does indicate that reclamation of areas affected by strip coal mining is feasible.