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
Mat-Su Officials Saddened By Rep. Gatto’s Passing
Matanuska Susitna Borough officials are saddened by Gatto’s passing. Patty Sullivan, now a spokesperson for the Borough and a former radio reporter who followed Gatto’s initial election campaigns, says he had a homespun sense of humor.
Sen. Begich Gauges Support For Arctic Deep Water Port
Senator Mark Begich met with federal and state military and business leaders in Anchorage Monday to gauge support for an Arctic deep water port to be built somewhere in Northwest Alaska. Begich, who chairs a Senate subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries, has long been a supporter of an Arctic port, which he says will open up economic opportunities for Alaska.
Environmental Group Criticizes Resource Roads
The Parnell administration has budgeted millions of dollars toward a program aimed at building gravel roads to Northwestern Alaska mineral resources, but a conservation group is calling the program a waste of money.
Shaggy Bear Shaguyik on the Run
A two -year-old Kodiak brown bear has escaped her enclosure at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage. Conservation Center spokesman Ethan Tyler says the female Shaguyik escaped when an electric fence surrounding the bear’s enclosure was turned off for maintenance on Tuesday.
Redistricting Board Approves New Plan
The state's Redistricting Board met today (Thursday) to approve a new plan in light of an Alaska Supreme Court order. On March 14, the state Supreme Court ordered the plan be redrawn protecting the requirements of the Alaska Constitution. Read More
Forks Roadhouse Burns Down
One of the longest-operating roadhouses in Alaska has been destroyed by fire. The Forks Roadhouse in Petersville caught fire sometime Tuesday night. The caretaker for the roadhouse returned on Wednesday to find the structure smoking. Read More
Land Purchase Highlights City’s Roots
More than a year ago, Palmer voters approved a bid to allow the city to acquire seven historic properties within the city limits. The lots include the iconic Palmer water tower, long...
Congressman Young Criticizes Federal Oceans Policy at Anchorage Hearing
Invited panelists spoke out against a new National Oceans Policy at a Congressional subcommittee hearing in Anchorage this (Tuesday) morning. Congressman Don Young chaired the subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs oversight...
Goose Creek Audit Findings Raise Questions
An audit on Matanuska Susitna Borough’s Goose Creek Correctional Center finds facility construction cost over-runs were avoidable. The Anchorage certified public accountant who conducted the audit says the report raises questions. But state and Borough officials contend the accountant did not understand the intent of the legislature.
‘Person of Interest’ Detained In Connection With Koenig Case
An arrest has been made in the case of kidnapped Anchorage barista Samantha Koenig. Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Anita Shell says two Anchorage detectives traveled to Lufkin, Texas and have taken in a “person of interest” in the case. He is Israel Keyes, a 34-year-old construction contractor.
State Releases Mat-Su Coal Health Impact Assessment
A draft of a Health Impact Assessment of a proposed coal mine related to several communities in the Matanuska Susitna Borough has been released by the state. A state mining permit is still pending for Usibelli Coal’s project at Wishbone Hill. Although approval of the permit does not hinge on the health report, stakeholders in the mine decision are weighing it carefully.
Mat-Su Repeals Private Plane Tax
The Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly has repealed a tax on privately owned airplanes. At it's meeting last week, Borough Assembly members unanimously approved rescinding the tax, and city airplane owners may want to take advantage of the tax break.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments Challenging Redistricting Plan
The Alaska Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a challenge to districts outlined by the Alaska Redistricting Board last year. Attorneys for the Redistricting Board are appealing part of a lower court judge's ruling that rejected the lines for districts 1, 2, 37 and 38.
Chevak School Receives Suspicious Letter
Another Alaska school has received a letter with a white substance. FBI spokesman Eric Gonzales says the latest school to get one is in Chevak.
AK: Wildlife
Despite all the snow piled up around the state, spring is just around the corner. To prove it, Shaguyik and Taqouka, two Kodiak grizzly cubs, crept out of their log dens at Portage’s Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center this week to enjoy some welcome sunshine. The two little bears, both orphans, have been on view at the Center, as have many other rescued animals, much to the delight of area schoolchildren.
Identical Twins Taking On The Iditarod Trail
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race gets underway this weekend. The race has had its share of unusual mushers over the years. There have been blind mushers, one legged mushers, a musher in kilts, even three generations of one family all running in the same race. But this year, race viewers may do a double take when identical twins Kristy and Anna Berington take to the runners.
Alaska Moose Federation Get Go Ahead For Moose Relocation Program
The Alaska Moose Federation has been given the go ahead to begin a moose relocation program in the Anchorage and Matanuska and Susitna Valley areas.
Junior Iditarod Mushers Overnight in Yentna
Seward’s Conway Seavey has won the Junior Iditarod. Seavey arrived at the last checkpoint in Willow in 15 hours 52 minutes after the race’s start on Saturday.
‘Americans Elect’ Offers Alternative To Standard Primary Process
While Republicans squabble about their choice for a presidential candidate to go head to head against Democrat Barack Obama, a third party process has quietly gained ground through the internet.
Researchers Investigate Weightlessness Effects on Human Body
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn, became the first American to orbit the Earth. And fifty years later, astronauts still face the unknowns of space. There is new evidence that prolonged weightlessness, or even short periods without the pull of gravity, can have lasting physical impacts on the human body. In December of last year, in a paper published by the American Academy of Opthamology, an Anchorage doctor looked at how space travel can effect eyes.