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Two Montana Women Die In Eagle River Boating Accident
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
Two Montana women have died in an Eagle River boating accident. Anchorage Police Department spokesman Lt. Dave Parker says the two, identified as 60-year-old Fern Johnson and 48-year-old Carol Heater were in a canoe that overturned, dumping the women and a third occupant into the river. The third person, Robert Johnson, Fern Johnson’s husband, was rescued. Parker says the emergency call came in around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
JBER Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
An Alaska-based paratrooper from Idaho has been killed in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Alaska says that Spc. Ethan Jacob Martin of Lewiston, Idaho, died Tuesday when his unit was attacked by small arms fire in Koragay, Afghanistan. Three other soldiers also were injured.
The Army says the 22-year-old Martin was assigned as a cavalry scout to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat (Airborne) Team, 25th Infantry Division.
He joined the Army in October 2009, and was assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in March 2010.
The 3,500-soldier brigade went to Afghanistan in December.
Team Works To Contain Sheen From Sunken Boat
Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka
A response team is in Slocum Arm, north of Sitka, tending to oil leaking from a seine boat. The 50-foot Evening Star sank while fishing on August 2nd. The vessel is about 40 miles northwest of Sitka, along the southwestern part of Chichagof Island. The vessel reportedly had 1,000 gallons of diesel aboard. A mile-long sheen was seen on Tuesday, but state environmental officials say the amount of oil coming from the boat is relatively light.
Scientists Research Ecosystem Downstream From Drill Sites
Stephanie Joyce, KUCB – Unalaska
A group of scientists aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Healy are heading to the Arctic to study an important ecosystem downstream of drill sites in the Chukchi Sea. KUCB’s Stephanie Joyce caught up with some of the researchers before they boarded the ship.
Company Proposes Oil Pipeline Through Alaska Waters
Anne Hillman, KSTK – Wrangell
Enbridge Inc. is proposing to build a pipeline that would transport oil sands crude 730 miles from Alberta, Canada to the coast of British Columbia. From there, the pipeline would fill supertankers headed primarily to China. The fastest route takes them straight through Alaskan waters. KSTK’s Anne Hillman has more about how the proposed project could impact the state.
Renewable Energy Fair Saturday In Anchorage
Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage
The 8th Annual Renewable Energy Alaska Project, or REAP, fair is taking place Saturday in Anchorage. Chris Rose is the Executive Director of REAP, a non-profit that promotes renewable energy in Alaska. He says, this year they’ll be more than 40 booths at the REAP fair.
Juneau Airport Seeks $2-Million In Left Over FY ’12 FAA Funds
Casey Kelly, KTOO – Juneau
Juneau International Airport is asking the Federal Aviation Administration for $2-million to install additional approach lighting at the east end of its main runway.
Communities Gather To Celebrate Eagle Preserve Anniversary
Margaret Friedenauer, KHNS – Haines
There’s a reason the Chilkat Valley is called the Valley of Eagles. Thousands of bald eagles thrive in the valley near Haines and the Tlingit village of Klukwan. The communities gathered recently to honor the anniversary of a preserve created to protect the eagles and their habitat.
Fish and Game Closing Some Mat-Su Silver Fishing
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
State Fish and Game authorities will close sport silver salmon fishing in some Matanuska Valley creeks on Friday. The order comes on the heels of Northern District set net restrictions announced Thursday. The Friday closure affects the Little Susitna River, while further restrictions are in effect for other Knik Arm drainages.
