Anchorage news

• Safely drop off expired prescription drugs at Drug Take-Back event

  18-10-2016 23:42
  
  If you have some expired prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet you can safely dispose of them at a local Fred Meyer’s store.
  The Drug Enforcement Administration is partnering with Healthy Voices, Healthy Choices to dispose of drugs responsibly.
  According to Mike Root with the DEA, bringing in the drugs keeps them from being abused and out of the water supply.
  The 12th Prescription Drug Take-Back will be Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Fred Meyer’s stores on Muldoon and Ab
  
  Read more

• FBI: Number of officers killed on duty decreased in 2015

  18-10-2016 23:30
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) – The FBI says the number of police officers killed in the line of duty decreased in 2015 from the year before.
  In an annual report released Tuesday, the FBI said 41 officers died last year as a result of criminal acts. That’s down from the 2014 figure of 51.
  More than half of the officers killed were on vehicle patrol when they died, and most were killed with firearms.
  The report also says that more than 50,000 officers were assaulted last year while performing their
  
  Read more

• Anchorage police investigate 2 early morning robberies

  18-10-2016 22:30
  
  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Anchorage police are investigating two robberies of pedestrians on city streets.
  Shortly before 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, two men walking near Piper Street and 42nd Avenue were approached by two armed men.
  The suspects took wallets and cellphones and fled in a dark blue four-door sedan driven by a third person. The suspects were described as African-American men.
  At 4 a.m., a person walking along Dimond Boulevard near the Costco gas pumps was accosted by an armed man in a
  
  Read more

• Forestry: Calmer winds expected to help crews battling 2 Southcentral wildfires

  18-10-2016 21:12
  
  Photo by Sarah Saarloos/Alaska Division of Forestry A helicopter drops water on the King Creek Fire, located near Sutton Two firefighters talk to a crew in a Division of Forestry engine on Sunday at the Moose Creek Fire near Sutton. The fire is now estimated at 300 acres and is 25 percent containedPhoto by Sarah Saarloos/Alaska Division of Forestr Crews working the Moose Creek FireCourtesy Jim Sykes Alaska Division of Forestry Photo A helicopter drops water on the Moose Creek FirePatty Sullivan
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Murkowski: Presidential race causing down-ballot uncertainty

  18-10-2016 20:21
  
  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says the presidential race is creating uncertainty for down-ballot races like hers that she hasn’t experienced before.
  The Alaska Republican says she’s hearing from people fed up with the national race but is encouraging them to get out to vote anyway. Both major party presidential candidates have been polarizing. And Murkowski says it will be important to have a Congress that can come together to work on issues and govern.
  Murkows
  
  Read more

• APD responds to 3 Glenn Highway collisions, expect delays

  18-10-2016 18:17
  
  Last updated at 8:26 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18
  Several collisions have caused delays on inbound lanes of the Glenn Highway Tuesday morning, according to Anchorage police.
  Few details were immediately available, but in a release the Anchorage Police Department said two vehicle collisions occurred near the south Eagle River exit and had slowed down traffic. Police said the collisions aren’t blocking any lanes and the debris has been moved to the side of the road.
  Another collision occurred be
  
  Read more

• Wasilla man dies in crash near Point MacKenzie Road

  18-10-2016 17:50
  
  WASILLA, Alaska (AP) – Alaska State Troopers say a 59-year-old Wasilla man died in a weekend crash.
  Troopers just after midnight Saturday morning took a call of a crash on Lewis Loop about a half mile east of Point MacKenzie Road.
  Emergency medical responders pronounced Ronald Weller dead at the scene.
  Investigators say Weller was not wearing a seat belt when his pickup drove off the roadway and struck trees.
  (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
  
  Read more

• Retailers hold the line on holiday hires — except one

  18-10-2016 17:31
  
  Even though analysts forecast that holiday spending will increase this year, the number of seasonal hires is likely to hold steady or even be lower than last year’s pace. Why? Consumers are flocking to the internet rather than the mall. The trend is changing both those doing the hiring as well as the skills required to get the jobs.
  Sales excluding those for autos, gas stations and restaurants are projected to rise 3.6 percent to $655.8 billion in November and December, while nonstore sale
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Juneau Assembly formally accepts new assembly members

  18-10-2016 09:50 via ktoo.org
  
  The winners of the municipal election earlier this month formally joined the Juneau Assembly on Monday evening at its regular meeting.
  Beth Weldon and Norton Gregory attended their first assembly meeting as members, and Mary Becker also began her third term. Kate Troll and Jamie Bursell formally exited their seats on the assembly. 
  Jerry Nankervis
  The new assembly appointed Jerry Nankervis deputy mayor. The appointment was unanimous, though assembly member Loren Jones initially ob
  
  Read more

• Honor Flight veteran Frank Flavin dies

  18-10-2016 07:03
  
  Family of Frank Flavin in Anchorage says he was proud to have served in the military and was honored to be a veteran.  The World War II Army Air Corps member died last week at the age of 91.
  We met Frank Flavin in 2014 as he and other Alaska veterans traveled to Washington D.C. for an Honor Flight, a free trip for veterans to visit their war’s memorials. His family says he talked a lot about that trip.Flavin and other vets were surprised at the reception they got when they landed in D
  
  Read more

• Final Mat-Su Borough unofficial results are in, awaiting certification

  18-10-2016 06:44
  
  The final tally for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough election is in, although the ballots are still awaiting certification.
  Based on the unofficial results, Assembly member Jim Sykes will keep his seat, beating out Brian Endle by more than 100 votes.
  School board member Ray Michaelson was voted into the District 2 seat for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. He won out against Susan Pougher with a lead of just 66 votes.
  All other candidates ran unopposed.
  Thousands turned out on ele
  
  Read more

• Bridge replacements underway along Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

  18-10-2016 06:37
  
  If you enjoy walking, running or biking on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, get ready for some detours.
  Work has begun to replace two bridges on the trail starting with the Sisson Loop bridge at mile 6.6 of the trail. Work on the Fish Creek bridge will begin on Monday.
  Anchorage municipal park planner Maeve Nevins said crews are removing the bridges — one of which was built in the 1980s — after a similar bridge near Westchester Lagoon collapsed two years ago. She said it’s
  
  Read more

• Winter weather begins for some of Alaska

  18-10-2016 05:50
  
  Winter-like weather is slowly spreading across Alaska.
  The Southeast saw record-setting snowfall on both Saturday and Sunday, with over five inches in Juneau and one to 12 inches across the northern areas of the Southeast. The snow didn’t stick around for long though. Monday temperatures warmed to the 40s for most, ending any chance of snow with this particular storm. According to the National Weather Service, this was the first time the Southeast has seen sno
  
  Read more

• U.S. House of Representatives candidates have first public debate

  18-10-2016 05:44
  
  Candidates for Alaska’s lone U.S. House of Representatives seat squared off Monday in a forum moderated by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. It was the first time incumbent Rep. Don Young shared the public stage with his challengers, Democrat Steve Lindbeck and Libertarian Jim McDermott.
  Some of the topics of included natural resource development, military spending and health care reform. There weren’t a lot of striking differences in their answers. All of the candidates said t
  
  Read more

• U.S. House of Representative candidates have first public debate

  18-10-2016 05:44
  
  Candidates for Alaska’s lone U.S. House of Representatives seat squared off Monday in a forum moderated by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. It was the first time incumbent Rep. Don Young shared the public stage with his challengers, Democrat Steve Lindbeck and Libertarian Jim McDermott.
  Some of the topics of included natural resource development, military spending and health care reform. There weren’t a lot of striking differences in their answers. All of the candidates said t
  
  Read more

• No one injured after gasoline ignites and sets car on fire

  18-10-2016 04:59 via ktoo.org
  
  Capital City Fire/Rescue were called to the scene of a vehicle fire Monday afternoon on Mill Street.
  About 2:30 p.m. the owner of a 1998 Honda Accord was attempting to drain the gas out when the gas ignited and burned up the rear of the vehicle, according to Assistant Chief Tod Chambers.
  Chambers said the vehicle was totaled.
  There were no other threats of exposure, and nothing else was at risk, he said.
  No injuries were reported.
  Juneau Police Department also responded to the call.
  
  Read more

• Gov. Walker says he’s ‘close’ to decision on Juneau Access Project

  18-10-2016 04:56 via ktoo.org
  
  Gov. Bill Walker speaks in Haines on Friday. (Photo by Emily Files/KHNS)
  Alaska Gov. Bill Walker visited Haines and Skagway on Friday in what he said was a crucial step toward making a decision on the controversial Juneau Access Road.
  Residents who spoke to Walker in both communities were overwhelmingly opposed to building a road and in favor of focusing on the current link between Juneau, Haines and Skagway: the Alaska Marine Highway System.
  Gov. Walker began packed meetings in each t
  
  Read more

• Walker says he is ‘close’ to a decision on Juneau Access after visits to Haines and Skagway

  18-10-2016 04:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Gov. Bill Walker speaks in Haines. (Photo by Emily Files/KTOO)
  Alaska Gov. Bill Walker visited Haines and Skagway Friday in what he says was a crucial step toward making a decision on the controversial Juneau Access Road.
  Residents who spoke to Walker in both communities were overwhelmingly opposed to building a road and in favor of focusing on the current link between Juneau, Haines and Skagway: the Alaska Marine Highway System.
  Walker began each meeting with remarks about the state fiscal situ
  
  Read more

• Air quality advisory in place for the Valley as high winds continue

  18-10-2016 03:56
  
  The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has issued an air quality advisory for Palmer and surrounding areas as windy conditions continue in the Valley.
  The advisory went into effect at 9 a.m. Monday and will last until the wind and dust subsides.“Due to increasing winds and dry conditions, the air quality in Palmer and surrounding areas is unhealthy to hazardous,” borough officials said in a statement.Information on the advisory can be found by calling the Air Quality Alert System at 907
  
  Read more

• For Caelus CEO, North Slope ‘big find’ wouldn’t be the first

  18-10-2016 03:13 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Caelus Energy CEO Jim Musselman at the company’s Anchorage headquarters, Oct. 7, 2016. (Photo by Elizabeth Harball/Alaska’s Energy Desk).
  In a shallow bay off Alaska’s North Slope, Caelus Energy may have made the biggest oil discovery the world has seen since 2010. If developed, the field could have a major impact on Alaska’s economy and the global oil market. But that’s a big “if” — there are plenty of obstacles to overcome.
  For Caelus’
  
  Read more

• Murkowski surpasses other US Senate candidates in reported campaign funds

  18-10-2016 02:28
  
  Updated at 4:40 p.m.
  Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller has reported raising nearly $200,000 for his campaign during the latest fundraising period.
  Miller ended September with nearly $280,000 on hand. He entered the race with nearly $100,000 available, money left over from a prior run.
  While the reporting period spans from July through September, Miller’s campaign says his haul dates to early last month, when he entered the race as a last-minute replacement on the Libertarian tic
  
  Read more

• Miller reports nearly $280K on hand for Senate bid

  18-10-2016 02:28
  
  Libertarian U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller has reported raising nearly $200,000 for his campaign during the latest fundraising period.
  Miller ended September with nearly $280,000 on hand. He entered the race with nearly $100,000 available, money left over from a prior run.
  While the reporting period spans from July through September, Miller’s campaign says his haul dates to early last month, when he entered the race as a last-minute replacement on the Libertarian ticket.
  Miller spokesman
  
  Read more

• Bid on art at the sixth Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association Gala

  18-10-2016 02:08
  
  The sixth Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association Gala is set to kick off next month, and will include dancing, food, music and an auction for Aleutian art and a traditional kayak.
  Millie McKeown, the cultural heritage director for APIA, said that money raised from the gala will go towards the urban culture camp, which has over 200 participants, as well as a language preservation project.
  “We have a huge project right now to help save our language,” she said. “We have fewer
  
  Read more

• Miller brings Libertarian campaign for U.S. Senate to Ketchikan

  18-10-2016 02:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate Joe Miller meets supporters during a campaign trip to Ketchikan. (Photo by Leila Kheiry/KRBD)
  Prompting a feeling of deja vu, Joe Miller is running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Lisa Murkowski.
  This time, though, Murkowski won her primary and has the Republican Party backing, and Miller is running as the Libertarian Party candidate.
  Miller visited Ketchikan last week to meet supporters and talk with local media.
  Miller said he decided to accept the Liber
  
  Read more

• Juneau Afternoon – 10-18-16

  18-10-2016 02:00 via ktoo.org
  
  
  Writers’ Showcase, featuring professional actors presenting writing by Alaskans with five pieces that take us all over the state.We go fishing with Ernestine Hayes as child on the docks of downtown Juneau, and sit by a fire with Dave Hunsaker on the Homer Spit. Each piece, in one way or another, is grounded in the experience of being in Alaska.More info and bios here:http://www.360north.org/video/only-in-alaska/http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ktoo/2016/10/AK-DAY-PM.mp3
  
  Read more

• Anchorage students show us Google Classroom in action

  18-10-2016 01:40
  
  Brittany Nerland’s second-grade students at Aquarian Charter School are in a class of their own.
  A recent weekday began like any other, with announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, things got interesting as they pulled out their Google Chromebooks and plugged into Google Classroom, a web-based, virtual learning platform.
  The assignment of the day was to type up a cinquain poem, using a template Nerland crafted in Google Document.
  “I think Google Docs has changed educat
  
  Read more

• Communities experiment with amnesty in heroin crisis

  18-10-2016 01:31
  
  Reeling from a surge in heroin overdoses, authorities in the Cincinnati area made an offer: Hand in potentially deadly drugs and you won’t be charged. But the blanket immunity granted by a judge there over a month ago hasn’t brought in any heroin so far.
  Results from similar efforts elsewhere have also yielded few drugs, according to a review by The Associated Press. Still, that hasn’t dissuaded supporters who, along with officials nationwide, feel like their backs are against
  
  Read more

• Second wildfire reported near Sutton, fire officials say

  18-10-2016 01:21
  
  As fire crews continue to battle the Moose Creek Fire, another wildfire has popped up near Sutton, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry.
  Named the King Fire, DOF officials said it was spotted around 1 p.m. on the Glenn Highway near mile 68, which is approximately 10 road miles from the Moose Creek Fire, which is closest to the highway between miles 56 and 58. The new fire was roughly five acres in size as of 2:15 p.m.
  Along with ground crews and a helicopter, personnel from the
  
  Read more

• Man who shot at George Zimmerman sentenced to 20 years in prison

  18-10-2016 01:00 via ktoo.org
  
  A Florida judge has sentenced a man who shot at George Zimmerman during a confrontation to 20 years in prison.
  Zimmerman fatally shot unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida in 2012 in a case that struck a chord nationwide. He was later acquitted of all charges.
  “A jury in Florida’s Seminole County found Matthew Apperson guilty of second-degree attempted murder in the shooting — which happened as Apperson and Zimmerman were driving in separate vehicles,” NPR&rsqu
  
  Read more

• Homer man charged in Poopdeck Trail murder case

  18-10-2016 01:00 via ktoo.org
  
  Homer Police arrested a man in connection with a three-year-old murder case Oct. 16.
  Lee John Henry, 55, has been charged with murdering Mark Matthews on July 28, 2013 near the Poopdeck Trail.
  Henry was arraigned on Oct. 17 in Homer Courthouse for first-degree murder.
  Judge Margaret Murphy appointed him a public defender, but did not set bail.
  According to a news release, the Homer police arrested Henry on Oct. 16 on Pioneer Avenue.
  He was reportedly taken into custody without incident.
  Hen
  
  Read more

• Harnessing social media to reconnect homeless people with their families

  18-10-2016 01:00 via ktoo.org
  
  
  San Francisco has made headlines as a hub for technology — giants like Facebook, Apple and Google are headquartered nearby, as are a plethora of tech startups. At the same time, residents complain that those same tech companies are part of the cause of the city’s astronomical cost of living — and in turn, contributing to the city’s big homeless problem.
  Homelessness in the city is a problem well reported — the San Francisco Chronicle even ran a front page editorial
  
  Read more

• Pair of DUIs require separate medevacs to Dillingham

  18-10-2016 00:00 via ktoo.org
  
  State troopers responded to two separate drinking-and-driving accidents in Manokotak on Friday, each requiring medevac of injured victims.
  About 2 p.m. an SUV rolled over on Airport Road, and trapped a woman underneath.
  State troopers say community volunteers quickly responded and were able to lift the vehicle and free Alice Moxie, 26, who was injured.
  Troopers say she was the driver, and was highly intoxicated and very uncooperative with medical staff and law enforcement.
  She was eventually med
  
  Read more

• Fake penis used in failed urine test; convicted felon faces losing probation

  18-10-2016 00:00 via ktoo.org
  
  A convicted felon on probation has been arraigned and faces revocation of his probation and other charges after using a fake penis to cheat a urine test.
  James Lawrence Folsom, 30, was arraigned Saturday morning at the Dillingham courthouse.
  James Folsom, 30, was arrested Friday for violating his probation, then charged with dealing heroin, meth, and illegally possessing a number of firearms. (Photo by KDLG)
  His arrest followed a failed urinalysis Friday morning in Dillingham.
  He faces 
  
  Read more

Follow @AnchorageNewsUS on Twitter!