Ellen Lockyer, Alaska Public Media
APTI Reporter-Producer Ellen Lockyer started her radio career in the late 1980s, after a stint at bush Alaska weekly newspapers, the Copper Valley Views and the Cordova Times. When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez Public Radio station KCHU needed a reporter, and Ellen picked up the microphone.
Since then, she has literally traveled the length of the state, from Attu to Eagle and from Barrow to Juneau, covering Alaska stories on the ground for the AK show, Alaska News Nightly, the Alaska Morning News and for Anchorage public radio station, KSKA
elockyer (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8446 | About Ellen
Since then, she has literally traveled the length of the state, from Attu to Eagle and from Barrow to Juneau, covering Alaska stories on the ground for the AK show, Alaska News Nightly, the Alaska Morning News and for Anchorage public radio station, KSKA
elockyer (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8446 | About Ellen
Individual Property Owners Not Included In State’s Flood Damage Estimate
State homeland security officials estimate that the cost of recent flooding in Alaska has topped $13 million. That includes damage to state and Borough infrastructure from Seward to Nenana, but does not include ruined individually-owned property. In the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, many residents are still coming to grips with how much the flood will cost them.
Alaska Airlines Flights Delayed, Cancelled Due To Computer Problem
Alaska Airlines suffered a computer glitch Monday that caused long lines in Seattle and Anchorage, as travelers faced delays and cancelled flights. According to the airline’s spokeswoman, Maryanne Lindsey, the network outage was caused by the airline’s internet provider Sprint, after a fiber network cable was cut in the Midwest.
Election Officials Dispute ‘Latino Voter Disenfranchisement in 2012’ Report
State elections officials are denying findings in a national report. Entitled “Latino Voter Disenfranchisement in 2012″ the write up comes from a Washington, DC advocacy group, and it charges that Alaska is one of 23 states that make voting difficult for Hispanic citizens.
Irish Harpists Bring Unique Music to Anchorage
Three of the world's best Celtic harp players are in Alaska for the next few days, and will be performing in Anchorage and in Valdez. KSKA's Ellen Lockyer has more about this trio of modern day traveling troubadours and their unique performance, called "Legends of the Celtic Harp."
Voter Registration Deadline Is Oct. 7
The deadline to register to vote for next month's general election is Sunday, Oct. 7. Regional election offices in the state's larger cities will be open on Saturday and Sunday for those completing registrations in person. Registration forms can be downloaded from state website and faxed to division of elections as well. Anyone updating or completing a new voter registration after Sunday will have to vote with a questioned ballot on election day.
Alaskans Vote In Local Elections Across State
Alaskans decided on mayors, assembly members and school board candidates in local elections across the state yesterday.
Palmer Passes Measure Prohibiting Smoking In The Workplace, Public Places
The cities of Palmer and Wasilla had elections on Tuesday. Palmer voters approved an ordinance prohibiting smoking in the workplace and in public places, and elected Richard Best and Kenneth Erbey to three year terms on the Palmer city council.
Voter Turnout Light In Mat-Su
Unofficial election results are in for the Matanuska Susitna Borough regular election which took place Tuesday. Absentee ballots are still out, but unofficial election results for the Matanuska Susitna Borough mayor's race show incumbent Larry DeVilbiss leading challenger Mark Masteller by a wide margin. After Tuesday's polls closed, the tally showed DeVilbiss with 5,363 votes, and Masteller with 3,558 votes.
Court Places Stay On Port MacKenzie Rail Spur Work
Pending a November court date, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has placed a stay on work on the Port MacKenzie rail spur in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The court is asking for a full review of the case following a lawsuit brought against the Federal Surface Transportation Board by environmental groups and individual citizens.
Mat-Su Elections Will Proceed As Scheduled
Despite last week’s flood emergency, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough election will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, Oct. 2.
Affordable Housing For Elderly Becoming Scarce
The senior citizen population in the Matanuska Susitna Borough is escalating, while affordable housing for older people is getting scarce. In the second of a series on senior issues in the Mat-Su, KSKA reporter Ellen Lockyer takes a look at what’s being done to meet the needs of Alaska’s aging baby boomers, and what challenges lie ahead.
Seward, Mat-Su Floods Slowly Receding
In Seward, the city emergency operations center is closing its doors Monday, although the center will reopen Tuesday morning. Brenda Ballou, deputy city clerk for the city of Seward, says some residents are relying on local water taxis to get around.
Crews Work To Restore Railroad Service
The Alaska Railroad is continuing flood repair work on damaged tracks north of Talkeetna. The recent floods have washed out a section of track south of Gold Creek at milepost 261 on the main line. Crews are working around the clock to repair the track and restore service north of Wasilla.
Flooding Strikes Kenai Peninsula
Although all eyes are on the impending flooding in Talkeetna at this hour, other areas of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough are dealing with emergencies of their own.
Southcentral Alaska Copes With Flooding
The Matanuska and Susitna Valleys are reeling from floods due to Wednesday’s intense wind and rain. Earlier today, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough declared a state of emergency and has requested help from state officials. John Madden, director of Alaska Homeland Security and emergency manager for the state, says the state emergency operations center has been activated.
- NWS: Anchorage
- NWS: Alaska Water Levels
- Mat-Su Emergency Services
- Anchorage Conditions Hotline: 907-343-4701
Double Shooting Near Kiana Under Investigation
A double shooting near Kiana is under investigation. Alaska authorities say two men were shot Tuesday night in an altercation at a cabin 40 miles upriver from the village of Kiana. Alaska State Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters says the trouble began when the two hunters stopped at a remote cabin.
Seward Declares Emergency Due To Flooding
Heavy rains in Southcentral Alaska are inundating local rivers and creeks, causing flood concerns from Cordova to Anchorage. And a National Weather Service forecast for the Anchorage area indicates more wet weather to come this weekend.
Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Challenging Wishbone Hill Permits
Last week, federal judge John Sedwick dismissed a lawsuit over Usibelli Coal’s mining permits for the Wishbone Hill mine near Sutton. The suit had been filed in federal court in May by groups opposed to the mine.
Weekend Storm Causes Flood In Southcentral
The weekend’s predicted big windstorm in the Anchorage area, didn’t hit as hard as the storm two weeks earlier, but heavy rainfall from Talkeetna to Seward has caused many Southcentral creeks to overflow their banks, and has raised concerns of flooding.
Flood Warning Along Talkeetna River
Flood warnings are in effect until 4:00 pm this (Monday) afternoon for rivers and streams in the western Talkeeta Mountains and for rivers that cross the Parks Highway.