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Fairbanks Soldier’s Court Martial Enters Third Day
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The court martial trial of a Ft. Wainwright based soldier is through a third day at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sergeant Adam Holcomb is accused of physical and verbal abuse that drove a fellow soldier to suicide in Afghanistan last year. Holcomb of Youngstown, Ohio is charged with negligent homicide, assault and other offenses. He’s one of eight Fairbanks based soldiers charged in the death of Private Danny Chen.
No Relief In Sight For Cook Inlet Set Netters
Shaylon Cochran, KDLL – Kenai
Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Fisheries did little to offer relief to set netters on Cook Inlet’s east side. Presented with seven petitions asking for the chance to salvage the last few days of the sockeye season, the Board voted 5-2 to take no action.
Backbone Group Announces Support of Senate Bi-Partisan Working Group
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
Notable Alaskans with strong ties to state policies of past decades crowded into a tiny room on the 10th floor of Anchorage’s Captain Cook Hotel for a press conference Thursday to announce the group Backbone’s support of the Senate Bi-Partisan Working Group. The Senate coalition has stalled legislation backed by the Parnell administration – aimed at giving Alaska’s oil producers hefty tax breaks.
Blood Bank of Alaska Begins Work On New Site
Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage
Soon workers will begin clearing trees across the street from Alaska Regional hospital in the Airport Heights Neighborhood of Anchorage. They’re making space for a new building for the Blood Bank of Alaska. Officials say the facility will streamline their work and help ensure the Blood Bank is more prepared for a big emergency.
Southwest Hydro Project Hits Roadblock
Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK – Bethel
The Chikuminuk Lake Hydropower project in Southwest Alaska has hit a road block early on. A permit request for field studies has been denied by the State Department of Natural Resources because the project is in the Wood-Tikchik State Park.
Army Engineers Expanding Permafrost Tunnel Near Fairbanks
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The Army Corps of Engineers is expanding its permafrost tunnel north of Fairbanks. The Corp’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab has operated the tunnel, bored more than 350 feet into a hillside near Fox, since the 1960’s. Research civil engineer Kevin Bjella says the Corps. has begun digging a second longer tunnel.
Bjella says Tunnel 2 will be the venue for new projects involving permafrost detection and climate change. He says the Corps also has plans to accommodate new public education and outreach efforts.
Alaska-Linked Athletes Competing In London Olympics
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Alaska has a few athletes competing in the summer Olympics in London. The two athletes with the strongest connections to Alaska are trap shooter Corey Cogdell who grew up in Eagle River and long jumper Janay DeLoach, who went to high school at Eielson in North Pole. Two other Olympic athletes attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Matt Emmons and Jamie Beyerle-Gray. Both are shooters.
Beth Bragg is Anchorage Daily News Sports Editor and is following all of the athletes. She says Corey Cogdell probably has the most name recognition among Alaskans.
Arctic Thunder Air Show Comes To Anchorage
Wendi Jonassen, APRN – Anchorage
Alaska is approaching its centennial anniversary for aviation. The first flight took off out of Fairbanks in 1913. Since then Alaska has maintained deep roots in air travel. And this Saturday, Anchorage will celebrate its history with the Arctic Thunder Air Show.
The airshow is free to the public and gates at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson at Boniface and Richardson will open at 9 am.
