Avery Lill, KDLG - Dillingham
Northern Dynasty and First Quantum extend deadline for finalizing Pebble option agreement
In December, Northern Dynasty Minerals and First Quantum Minerals announced that First quantum had agreed to buy into Pebble at $150 million for the option to become a 50 percent owner of the Pebble Limited Partnership at the end of four years. On Thursday, the companies extended the deadline to finalize that option agreement from April 6 to April 30. Listen now
Perryville man arrested, charged with murdering his grandfather
Brandon Yagie, 21, was arrested in Perryville Monday and charged with killing his grandfather, 70-year-old Marvin Yagie. Listen now
Pilot sentenced for ‘buzz job’ that leaves co-worker severely injured
A former Anchorage resident was sentenced Thursday in Dillingham for recklessly flying low over a boater several years ago. Listen now
State-supplied MMR booster shot available to Alaska residents
As the mumps outbreak in Alaska continues, the state is allowing more Alaskans to receive a state-supplied third dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to augment the protection of the two doses that most Americans receive as children.
Dillingham-raised artist’s work draws attention to missing and murdered Alaska Native women
Amber Webb, originally from Dillingham, drew portraits of missing and murdered Alaska Native women on a handmade kuspuk to call attention to the high rate of death by homicide among Alaska Native and Native American women. Listen now
Ravn begins flights between Bristol Bay and Anchorage
On Valentine’s Day, Ravn Alaska made its first regularly scheduled flight between Dillingham, King Salmon and Anchorage. Bristol Bay residents said they were excited for increased competition among airlines in the region. Listen now
Togiak NWR manager participates in federal disaster relief in Puerto Rico
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge manager Susanna Henry was a part of the Surge Capacity Force, non-FEMA federal employees sent to Puerto Rico to aid with disaster relief after hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the territory. Listen now
Port Heiden loses road access to safe harbor and old village
Port Heiden’s road to its harbor and old village site is crumbling into the sea and the lake on the other side of it will likely breach soon. Listen now
Ravn Alaska to fly between Anchorage and Bristol Bay
Starting in February, Ravn will offer regular service between Dillingham, King Salmon and Anchorage. Listen now
Togiak herring forecast for 2018 to be a little larger than this year
State’s largest herring fishery will allow for 24,000 tons of harvest next spring. Listen now
Togiak woman busted smuggling drugs, says DPD
Dillingham police arrested Josephine Williams, 35, of Togiak for trespassing at the Bristol Inn. A search of her belongings turned up 22 grams of black tar heroin and 25 grams of methamphetamine, which she said she was transporting from Anchorage for a yet-unnamed man in Togiak.
Research continues on elevated mercury levels in some non-migratory fish in Southwest Alaska
Mercury gets into ecosystems by a variety of means, human and naturally caused. National Parks Service and the United States Geological Survey are among those studying mercury levels in resident lake fish in Southwest Alaska. Listen now
Meshik Processing Center aims to be operational for the 2018 salmon season
Port Heiden anticipates its tribally-owned processing center will handle up to 10,000 pounds of salmon per day from May to September, providing local fishermen an opportunity to fish shoulder seasons closer to home. Listen now
Bristol Bay red king crab quota caught
The total allowable catch for Bristol Bay red king crab this season was 6.6 million pounds. Area management biologist said that fishing this season was “a little slower than we would like to have seen.” Listen now
Study: Erosion caused by spawning salmon could make mountains significantly shorter
A study recently published in the journal Geomorphology found that over time salmon may play a significant role in sculpting landscape surrounding the rivers where they spawn. Listen now
Two years on, Port Heiden’s reindeer herd stable, not yet large enough to harvest
Life in Bristol Bay’s villages is expensive. For Port Heiden residents, a gallon of shelf stable milk costs more than 20 dollars. Fresh milk isn’t available because it would take too long to ship. But they’re working on improving their access to fresh foods by producing their own. Listen now
Alaska Peninsula students and teachers get creative to meet requirements
The Lake and Peninsula School District is piloting a new calendar this year. They’ve dubbed it the “subsistence calendar.” By starting later and ending earlier, the new calendar cuts 77.5 hours of instruction and saves more than $400,000. Classes have been underway for almost two months now. Listen now
Igiugig making slow progress on offsetting diesel consumption with renewable energy
Harsh conditions and funding setbacks are among the obstacles the small village faces as they seek to reduce diesel consumption and rely on alternative energy sources. Listen now
Igiugig hikes to Big Mountain as a part of their local food challenge
More than two dozen students and adults made the 23 mile hike from Igiugig to Big Mountain. Along the way they ate plenty of moose, dry fish and locally grown greens. Listen now
In Port Heiden, recent storms exacerbate an old problem
Several Bering Sea storms have hit the coast of Southwest Alaska hard this past week. For the village of Port Heiden on the Alaska Peninsula, that has meant accelerated erosion, an issue the village has been dealing with for years. Listen now