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
Alaska Survival Files Suit Over Susitna-Matanuska Area Plan
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage & Lorien Nettleton, KTNA – Talkeetna
A Talkeetna group is suing the state Department of Natural Resources over the Susitna – Matanuska Area Plan. The non-profit, Alaska Survival, filed suit in Superior Court in Palmer earlier this month, complaining that the plan interferes with access to and use of fish , wildlife and waters in violation of the Alaska Constitution.
Title 21 Revisions Available Online
Anchorage's Title 21 re-write is available on line, starting this [wednesday] afternoon. Mayor Dan Sullivan made the announcement at a press conference earlier Wednesday.
Processing Center in Limbo For Valley Veggies
Since the days of the Pioneer Colonists, the Matanuska Valley has been the heart of Alaska's agriculture industry. But changing times demand updated means of production and processing. Today's consumers are increasingly calling for for fresh, locally grown foods, and that is encouraging some growers to look toward expansion, but the lack of a central processing and production center could be holding them back. Is it time to push for a Valley Agricultural Processing and Development Center?
KSKA: Monday 10/17 at 1:00 pm & Saturday 10/22 at 6:30 pm
Mental Health Trust Offering 11,000 Acres in Mat-Su for Exploration, Development
Greg Jones, Executive Director of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, is expected to speak to the Chickaloon Community Council Wednesday according to Council president Frankie Barker. The Mental Health Trust has announced it is offering more than 11,000 acres for coal exploration and development near the Matanuska Valley community.
RCA Approves Purchase Agreement Between Chugach Electric. Fire Island Wind
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska has approved a power purchase agreement between Anchorage-based Chugach Electric and Fire Island Wind, LLC, a wind power farm owned by Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
Anchorage Municipality Withdraws Lawsuit over Knik Arm Crossing
Anchorage mayor withdraws lawsuit against Federal Highway Administration over Knik Arm Crossing project.
Talkeetna Voters Oppose Massive Hydro Dam Proposal
Tuesday’s election saw changes in communities across Alaska. In the tiny Susitna Valley town of Talkeetna, voters made a choice that could have repercussions far from the community.
Valley Voters Approve Bonds
Matanuska Susitna Borough voter turnout was light yesterday (Tuesday), but those who made it to the polls elected two new Borough Assembly members and approved all three bond proposals. KSKA's Ellen Lockyer has the unofficial results of the Valley election.
Some Key Races Still Lack Clear Results
With the exception of Anchorage, it was municipal election day Tuesday across Alaska. One high profile race was for the North Slope Borough mayor.
Alaska Organizations Win USDA Grants
Three communities in Alaska have received U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Development grants. Community Facilities Programs Administrator Tammy Trevino announced the recipients of the awards this (Tuesday) morning from Washington, DC.
Anchorage High School Grad Wins Physics Nobel
One of today’s Nobel Physics prize winners is a 1985 graduate of Bartlett High school in Anchorage. Brian Schmidt shares the prestigious prize with two other U.S. born scientists.
Eight Indicted in Gun Theft
A Palmer grand jury has indicted nine people in relation to the theft of 38 handguns from a Wasilla store. Alaska State Trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen, says the nine, ranging in age from 30 years to a juvenile of 16, have a collective total of 72 felony charges against them.
Wasilla Residents Work to Recall Councilman
Wasilla city councilman Steve Menard is the target of a recall effort. The town’s city clerk has approved an application for a recall election sponsored by members of an organization called Conservative Patriots Group.
Valley Voters Face School Board Challenge
Matanuska Susitna Borough voters will be selecting two Borough school board seats when they go to the polls on Tuesday
Wasilla Councilman Menard Target of Recall Effort
Wasilla city councilman Steve Menard is the target of a recall effort. The city clerk has approved an application for a recall election sponsored by an organization called the Conservative Patriots Group.
Mat-Su Elections Take Place October 4
Wasilla city elections are set for October 4. Four candidates are vying for the mayor’s seat in the bustling city in the Matanuska Valley.
School, Road, Reapportionment Questions Face Valley Voters
When Matanuska Susitna Borough voters go to the polls next week, they will be asked to approve ballot propositions regarding schools, roads and reapportionment.
Only One Race in Mat Su Assembly Election
Two Wasilla men are vying for the Matanuska Susitna Borough's district four seat. As KSKA's Ellen Lockyer reports, both candidates are concerned with land use issues, but are taking decidedly different viewpoints.
Former Mat Su Mayor in District Race
There's only one real race for Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly this year. As KSKA's Ellen Lockyer reports, although a District 4 contest is creating sparks in Wasilla , there's only one candidate for construction - heavy District 5, and he is willing to bet his experience will be able to help Borough residents benefit from a localized economic boom.
LaHood Discusses State’s Transportation Challenges
Federal transportation secretary Ray LaHood met with Alaska officials in Girdwood Tuesday morning to discuss the state’s transportation challenges – with a special focus on the safety of the highway corridor between Seward and Anchorage.