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
APD Policies Reviewed
A report on official procedures in the wake of a sexual assault conviction of former Anchorage Police officer Anthony Rollins was made public Friday. Rollins was convicted of raping several women while he was an on-duty police officer. He has been sentenced, but the aftermath of his crimes has initiated changes in Anchorage Police Department procedures.
APD Officer Shot Near Merrill Field Inn
An Anchorage Police officer was wounded earlier today during a shootout at a local motel. APD spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said the shooting took place at the Merrill Field Inn. The motel was evacuated and Fifth Avenue, one of the main traffic arteries into the city, was shut down for about two hours. Parker says it all began when two APD officers were investigating a burglary.
Public Transportation Gets Another Look
The Matanuska Susitna Borough is one of a handful of areas in the United States designated by Easter Seals for a program aimed at better assisting disabled and elderly bus riders.
Army Corps OKs Rail Spur
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given the go ahead to the Alaska Railroad to construct a rail extension linking Houston to Port MacKenzie. The Corps announced Monday that it has issued the department of the Army wetlands permit under the Clean Water Act.
Power Restored To Most Anchorage Residents
The power companies in Anchorage say only a small number of customers are still without electricity in the wake of the severe windstorm that hit the city last week.
Officials Assess Storm Clean Up Costs
Anchorage city officials are not saying yet just how much the cleanup is costing the municipality after Tuesday’s storm or if the Muni will request emergency status from the state.
ASAP Project Undaunted By Competing Gas Line Plans
Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline or ASAP project officials are not daunted by competing gas line plans, nor reports of increased Cook Inlet gas resources, according to Dan Fauske, President of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, and ASAP’s chief officer.
2,400 Still Without Power in Anchorage
About 400 customers in East Anchorage are still without power, according to Municipal Light and Power spokesperson Ronnie Dent. Dent said Friday morning that additional residences without electricity were located late Thursday evening, many of them in apartments.
Officials Ask For Patience In Storm Clean Up
The aftermath of Tuesday’ windstorm in Anchorage is evident all over city streets and backyards. Tree services are working overtime to deal with emergency situations first, such as trees on housetops, or tangled in power lines, before they tackle less dangerous downed trees. Many city residents are still waiting for the chipper to arrive, but state and city officials are advising them to be patient.
Most Outlying Areas Avoid Much Storm Damage
Most of the areas surrounding Anchorage seem to have avoided serious damage from last night’s wind storm. Matanuska Susitna Borough deputy emergency services director Casey Cook says the Borough got “some wind and rain” but not much else. Seward, Girdwood and Whittier also fared relatively well.
Mat-Su Borough Opts To Sell Ferry Susitna
The Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly has voted to sell the ice class ferry Susitna. In a brief meeting last week, they approved the sale. The ferry has been a problem for the Borough, because the unique ship has no place to dock on either side of Knik Arm.
State, Native Corporations Seek Partnerships For Future Arctic Energy
International eyes are turning to the Arctic as a rich source of energy, and some Alaska Native corporations are looking ahead to securing a strong position in future infrastructure development and ownership. At the Arctic Imperative Summit in Girdwood last weekend, state agency officials mixed with Native corporation representatives for a look at possible partnerships.
Alaska Native Leaders Take Cautious Approach To Arctic Development
Will future industrial development of the Arctic benefit Alaska Natives, who now suffer the highest gas and electric power prices in the state? Arctic Imperative Summit organizers say, yes. But some Alaska Native leaders who have been on the forefront of the battle to preserve Native culture are taking a more cautious approach.
Stoltze Routs Connelly
The Republican primary race for Matanusaka Valley's state House District 11 ended with incumbent Republican Bill Stoltze easily defeating challeger Tom Connelly. Stoltze, who has served in the legislature since his 2002 election, came out of Tuesday's primary with 82% of the vote.
Valley Upset Unseats Menard
Republican upstart Mike Dunleavy is heading to Juneau. Dunleavy's upset of incumbent Wasilla Senator Linda Menard has big implications for next year's legislature.
Arctic Imperative Summit Addresses Future Bering Strait Activity
The Bering Strait is known as the gateway to the Arctic. Increased global interest in the resources of the region is beginning to attract investment, but access and infrastructure remain the big challenges. Monday at the Arctic Imperative Summit in Girdwood a panel of Alaska Native leaders discussed their communities’ readiness to handle increased commercial activity in the Bering Straits region.
Sen. Begich To Introduce Legislation Creating Arctic Port Authority
The state of Alaska is working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to locate a site for a deep water port. Alaska Senator Mark Begich says he plans to introduce legislation creating an Arctic Port Authority to facilitate Alaska’s future international shipping needs. Begich made the announcement over the weekend at Arctic Imperative Summit.
Stoltze, Connelly Face off in House District 11
Republican State House incumbent Bill Stoltze has served Matanuska Valley area voters for ten years. Now, Tom Connelly is challenging Stoltze for the District 11 House seat in the upcoming primary, and the Chugiak resident plans to do it without spending a penny.
Begich Explores Possibility Of Natural Gas Export Industry
Senator Mark Begich wants to know if Alaska can develop a natural gas export industry. Begich invited state business leaders to a round table discussion Thursday to examine opportunities for the state’s gas resource.
Menard, Dunleavy Compete For Senate Seat D
Two Republicans with ties to the Matanuska Susitna Borough School Board are vying for the Senate D candidate’s slot in next week’s primary. While both see education funding as a priority, the two have distinct views on the state’s fiscal policies.