Angela Denning, CoastAlaska

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Alakanuk Gets $2.2 Million For Road Development

The Village of Alakanuk is getting a $2.2 million grant to pave almost three miles of dirt roads. The money is coming from the U.S. Department of Transportation and will pay for part of the road project. The total amount is estimated to cost around $5.2 million.

Bethel Hosts National Celebrities

Bethel was a hotspot for celebrities last week. A handful showed up at Bethel Regional High School. Download Audio

King Salmon Fail to Reach Spawning Grounds

Kuskokwim Chinook salmon—or Kings as they are known locally--did not make it to the spawning grounds this year as managers had expected. Counting projects are showing the lowest escapements in history for nearly all of the river’s tributaries. Managers and residents are trying to make a plan for next year.

Bethel’s Oldest Catholic Church Burns

The original Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bethel was totaled by a fire early Sunday morning. The structure still remains but the inside is blackened. The emergency call came into the police and fire departments at about 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 25. The caller said the outside of the building was burning. Listen Now

Mike Williams Sr. To Help Lead Suicide Prevention Summit

Tribal leaders from around the state will be gathering in Anchorage this week to address the suicide epidemic. It’s sponsored by the Alaska Tribal Leaders and is their 13th annual summit meeting. All 229 tribes in Alaska are invited. Listen Now

Bethel Tundra Tram Project Is Complete

Heading west from Bethel towards the Bering Sea the lakes get bigger and there are more of them. From the air, it’s a patchwork of water and land. In the winter time they become frozen into one making cross country travel by snow machine relatively easy. But the rest of the year, traveling by tundra is not. And that’s where the tundra tram comes into play. Download Audio

Peltola To Run Federal Subsistence Program

Gene Peltola Jr., also known as Buzzy, has resigned from running the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge based in Bethel. He has taken a promotion and is moving to Anchorage to become the Assistant Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He will head the subsistence program at the Office of Subsistence Management. Download Audio

Alaska Delegation Asks For Consensus Among CDQ Groups

Coastal Villages Region Fund, the state’s largest Community Development Quota group, has been asking for more fish for their fishermen. It would require Congress amending the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. In response, Alaska’s congressional delegation says before pursuing changes to fishing allocations they would need a consensus. Download Audio

Bethel Gas Fire Injures Three

A fire injured three people in Bethel Sunday afternoon when the gas tank they were filling in their boat exploded. The boat was on a trailer at the North Star Gas station near Brown Slough Bridge. Bethel police, fire fighters, and medics responded to the emergency call which came in around 3 p.m.

Fishery Disaster Funds Included In Early Appropriations Bill

Relief funds for last summer’s King salmon fisheries disasters on the Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers has taken one step closer to reaching fishermen in the region. Download Audio

More Charges Surface In Bethel Child Abuse Case

Peter Tony, a 69-year-old Bethel resident, and former foster parent, is facing more charges of sexually abusing minors. Download Audio

State Files Cross-Appeal In Fishermen Trial

The State of Alaska has submitted a cross appeal in the Kuskokwim fishermen trials. About two dozen fishermen were convicted in Bethel court in May for taking King salmon last summer when restrictions were in place. Fifteen fishermen are appealing that decision. Download Audio

Peter Tony’s Stepdaughter Speaks Out About Abuse

Peter Tony, age 69, is in jail in Bethel awaiting court proceedings for multiple charges of child sexual abuse. Meanwhile, his case keeps growing. It’s evolving from two sides: the past and the present; a 48-year-old alleged victim and a four-year-old alleged victim. Kimberley Bruesch is Peter Tony’s step daughter who says he abused her when she was 8. She says her abuse lasted for about a year but the aftermath went on for decades. Download Audio

Kuskokwim River Gear Restrictions To Start Friday

The main stem of the Kuskokwim River has gone without restrictions for salmon fishing this season. At least, up until now. Restrictions will go into affect this Friday in the form of 6-inch gear limitations.

Former Bethel Foster Parent, Daycare Provider Arrested On Sex Abuse Charges

A former foster parent and daycare provider in Bethel has been arrested for charges that he sexually abused a 4-year-old. Bethel police arrested 69-year-old Peter Tony June 13 after investigating him for six months. They say he could have many more victims going back to the 1970s. Download Audio

Kuskokwim Subsistence Salmon Fishery Starts With No Restrictions On Main River

The first King salmon are being caught on the Kuskokwim River and state managers don’t foresee any restrictions for at least a few weeks. Fishermen on the Kuskokwim River can use 8 inch King nets right now, something that was highly restricted last year due to a very poor run. The State’s preseason data calls for another low return this year but so far, managers say there’s no reason to restrict fishing. Download Audio

Brown Bear Cub Found Near Platinum

A young brown bear cub was recently found near Platinum and turned into the Fish and Game office in Bethel. The bear was a tiny male, 9 pounds in all. It was reportedly being chased by some dogs so Jay Bitney picked him up to try to keep him safe. Bitney had been in the area for work, crushing gravel. Download Audio

Emotions Run High As Fishermen Testify On Religion

The Kuskokwim fishermen trials continued today at the Bethel Court House. More fishermen were found guilty for illegal fishing last summer during King salmon closures. The fishermen’s defense attorney continued to ask the court to dismiss the cases and the judge continued to find the fishermen guilty. The fishermen took turns on the stand, some breaking down when they talked about what subsistence meant to them. Download Audio

Fishermen Found Guilty, Although Court Agrees Subsistence Salmon Fishing Is Religious

Nearly 50 fishermen were cited for illegal salmon fishing last June. Half of them pled not guilty and have been fighting it in court ever since. Download Audio

Musk Ox Herd Spotted Along Kuskokwim River

A herd of musk oxen was seen on the frozen Kuskokwim River recently. It’s a sign that the population is expanding in the region. Download Audio