Phillip Manning, KTNA - Talkeetna

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Troopers Arrest Idaho Fugitive in Willow

On Sunday, Talkeetna Wildlife Troopers arrested a man wanted in Idaho after conducting a traffic stop in Willow. The driver, Dustin Simpson, is wanted for probation violation.

Fallen Tower In Willow Brings Attention To Tall Tower Regulations

A cell and repeater tower that was blown down by strong winds east of Willow late last month has brought the issue of tall tower regulations to the forefront in the Mat-Su Valley. The Borough currently has an advisory committee looking into what requirements should be put on companies that wish to build cell and broadcast towers. Download Audio
The Alaska Railroad brings a load of tourists into Whittier in July 2008. (Creative Commons photo by Frank Kovalchek)

Alaska Railroad Adopts New Right of Way Use Policy

The Alaska Railroad Corporation has adopted a new policy regarding residential uses of Railroad rights of way. Over the last 30 years, some property owners adjacent to the rail line have created lawns, gardens, or structures that extend into the right of way near the tracks. Now, in order to begin or continue using the right of way, property owners will need a permit from the Railroad.

Troopers Conduct 2 SARs In Mat-Su

The Alaska State Troopers were involved in two search and rescue operations in the Mat-Su Borough on Sunday.

Warmer Temperatures Delay Bear Hibernation

Winter has been late in coming, this year. Temperatures are only now starting to get to levels near the seasonal norms. While that has meant extra time to split wood and change vehicle tires, it has also meant that bears have been active later in the year than usual. Download Audio

Flood Insurance Reform Act Could Mean Higher Premiums

In 2012, the Flood Insurance Reform Act was passed in order to cut the costs of running the National Flood Insurance Program. It increases premiums and removes subsidies for residents under certain circumstances, including those who have multiple flood claims. There’s one very clear reason why Congress felt they had to act.

Denali Park Rangers Discover Remains Of Small Pets Cooked In Campfire

Last Thursday, an employee at Denali National Park made a disturbing discovery while driving to the site of the landslide on the Park Road. He saw trash scattered near a turnout at Mile 7 and stopped to investigate. What he found has Park staff baffled.

State Expanding Advertising Efforts After 2012 Tourism Bump

Tourism numbers are in for the 2012 summer season, and tourism experts say that the results are encouraging. Now, the state and tourism groups are looking at expanding their strategies to bring even more people to Alaska. Download Audio

Talkeetna Ranger Station to be Renamed

The Talkeetna Ranger Station has a new name. President Obama has signed the Denali National Park Improvement Act, which officially renames the Park Service building to the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station in honor of the Athabascan climber who was the first person to set foot on the summit of Denali in 1913.

Two Hunters Rescued Near Talkeetna After Boat Capsizes

Two Mat-Su Valley men were rescued by Alaska State Troopers yesterday after their boat capsized during a hunting trip.

Denali Gets A Height Reduction from the USGS

In addition, all of the climbers who attempt to summit Denali come through Talkeetna to register with the National Park Service. Any change involving the mountain is bound to have ripples in the community. Download Audio

Talkeetna’s Feline Mayor Returns Home

Talkeetna’s honorary mayor is recovering in his hometown after a dog attack on Labor Day weekend sent him to the hospital. The attack left Mayor Stubbs, a 16-year-old yellow tabby, with a punctured lung, broken sternum, and a four inch gash in his side, as well as other injuries. Download Audio

Talkeetna ‘Mayor’ Begins Recovery After Dog Attack

Talkeetna’s honorary mayor is recuperating after a dog attack over the holiday weekend. Stubbs the cat gained worldwide notoriety last summer when his story went viral on a number of news agencies. He is currently recovering from surgery to repair a punctured lung, but has numerous other injuries that still need to be treated. Download Audio

Palmer Men Killed in Sutton Plane Crash

A plane crash north of Sutton Thursday night claimed the lives of both men on board. Alaska State Troopers sid the Rescue Coordination Center received a report of an overdue aircraft Thursday night. No formal flight plan had been filed and the plane was reported overdue by family members. The 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons were deployed and located the aircraft, a Citabria Champion, early Friday morning. Rescue personnel were unable to land, but were hoisted to the ground. The team discovered Adam Norton and Derrik Swanson, both of Palmer.

Talkeetna Struggling With Sewer / Water Debt

Talkeetna is currently struggling with a growing debt from its water and sewer system. It's one example of a problem that is rapidly spreading through the state, where small communities can't pay the operating and maintenance costs of systems more than twenty years ago with federal funds. Listen Now

Nature Conservancy Will Review Susitna Dam Studies

A worldwide environmental conservation group is becoming more involved in the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. This summer, contractors working under the Alaska Energy Authority have been conducting 58 studies to assess the environmental impact of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric project. Listen Now

Cancelation of Celebrity Cruises Will Impact Local Businesses

This week, Royal Caribbean, parent company of Celebrity Cruises, announced that the M/V Millennium will not be making its last round of sailings in Alaska. The cruise ship, which is more than 80 feet longer than the Titanic, was forced to return to Ketchikan while sailing to Seward due to a propulsion issue, and is now on its way to dry-dock in the Bahamas. The passengers who had their cruise cut short have been offered full refunds and credit for a future cruise by Celebrity. Listen Now

Flood Threat Minimal With Heavy Rain

Communities that were hit by last fall's floods do not need to start heading for high ground, yet. Rivers are rising in the Mat-Su and Anchorage, but major flooding is not expected right now. Listen for Full Story

Retreating Denali Glacier Reveals Trash from 1947 Expedition

With climbing season over, mountaineering rangers in Denali National Park have turned some of their attention to conservation. A team just returned from the Muldrow Glacier after spending two days picking up decades-old trash from climbers that has begun melting out of the ice. More photos... Listen Now

Scientists Use Glacier For Glimpse Into 1,000 Years Of Climate Change

Five years of planning went into a drilling project in the heart of the Alaska Range. The scientists involved weren’t drilling for oil, however. They are part of a team studying glacier ice to better understand how the climate has changed over the last thousand years. Download Audio