Laureli Kinneen, KNOM - Nome
Laureli Kinneen is a reporter at KNOM in Nome.
2014 Iditarod Trail Awards Banquet Takes Place In Nome
The 2014 Iditarod Trail Awards Banquet was held last night at the Nome Recreation Center. Hobo Jim entertained the crowd as they ate prime rib and cake. And emcee of the evening – John Handeland – presented the awards earned by those who raced, and survived Iditarod 42.
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Ambler Road Focus Of Anchorage Meeting
The controversial Ambler Road was the focus of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group meeting in Anchorage on Thursday.
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Western Alaska Communities Weather Storm
A storm that brought high winds, high water and high surf caused flooding to communities along the coast of Western Alaska this weekend. At least two communities have made disaster declarations.
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Murkowski, Young Criticize Shared Beringian Heritage Program Plan’s Transparency
The idea of a shared park between Russia and the United States has – in recent years – been discussed in levels as high as the White House. In 2010, then U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke about it at a meeting in Russia. The National Park Service on Monday released the most recent draft of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries. The release has drawn criticism from Alaska’s senior leaders in DC.
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No State Aid In Sight For St. Lawrence Island Communities After Disaster Declaration
While Governor Parnell did declare an economic disaster for the communities on St. Lawrence Island due to a record low walrus harvest this spring, no immediate relief is available from state resources for struggling families. Unlike natural disasters, there is no pot of money available to assist in an economic disaster. And because of this, an organization is spearheading a fundraising effort for the two communities.
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Geothermal Test Well Drilling Begins Near Nome
Drilling for a geothermal test well began today north of Nome at the Pilgrim Hot Springs. The Alaska Center for Energy and Power estimates two megawatts of sustainable power can be generated from the site. If the estimates are true, Nome residents may soon see the benefits of tapping into the resource.
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Low St. Lawrence Island Walrus Harvest Spurs Disaster Declaration
Governor Sean Parnell declared an economic disaster for residents on St. Lawrence Island Thursday. An unusually low walrus harvest is currently impacting the more than 1,300 residents that make the island home.
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Ostebo Explains New Arctic Strategy
Coast Guard Rear Admiral Thomas Ostebo is traveling to major coastal communities in Alaska this week – Kotzebue, Barrow and Dutch Harbor. Today he was in Nome explaining how the Coast Guard will implement the United States Coast Guard Arctic Strategy that was just released this month.
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King Island Community Members Hope To Return To Bering Sea Island
It’s been more than 50 years since there were year-round permanent residents on King Island. And today, most King Island community members who now live in Nome, Fairbanks or Anchorage have never been to their homeland. But one person is raising money to bring members of her community to the island in the Bering Sea.
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Apaay Campbell Shatters 20-Year-Old Kneel Jump Record
She’s not quite 5 feet tall. Very soft spoken and one of the sweetest girls you can meet. From St. Lawrence Island in the middle of the Bering Sea, she’s a fierce competitor and has the Bering Strait region proud. Apaay Campbell from Gambell broke a world record Thursday at the Native Youth Olympics in Anchorage.
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Paul Johnson Memorial Norton Sound 450 Sled Dog Race Begins
The second running of the Paul Johnson Memorial Norton Sound 450 Sled Dog Race began Wednesday at noon. The race follows the historic portage trail from Unalakleet to Kaltag and back and continues on to the finish line in Nome.
New Hospital Opens In Nome
Residents in the Norton Sound region had good reason to come together yesterday. The Norton Sound Health Corporation held a Grand Opening Celebration in Nome, marking the upcoming opening of the new Norton Sound Regional Hospital.
Responders Investigate Oiled Wildlife Reports On St. Lawrence Island
Hunters on St. Lawrence Island have reported oiled wildlife – the most recent report this Monday. Responders from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Coast Guard planned on arriving at the island – to the communities of Gambell and Savoonga – this evening.
Tugboat Gets Stuck Near St. Michael
A tugboat is stuck two miles outside of St. Michael in Norton Sound. Both men aboard the vessel are safe onshore and there is currently no fuel leaking.
Body of Missing Norton Sound Boater Discovered
The body of 48-year old Debbie Kimoktoak was found last Friday on the beach southwest of Unalakleet. Alaska State Trooper Spokesperson Beth Ipsen says a Bering Air helicopter pilot reported spotting the body southwest of Unalakleet.
Local Search Effort Continues For Missing Norton Sound Boaters
While the Coast Guard and Alaska State Troopers have suspended searches in the Norton Sound for a couple missing since Monday, local search efforts in Unalakleet continue today.
Two Missing In Norton Sound
Two people are missing in Norton Sound tonight. The Coast Guard and Alaska State Troopers are searching for two overdue boaters who planned to travel from Koyuk to Unalakleet on Monday. They were reported missing Tuesday evening and after two days of searching, there has been no sign of them.
Telecommunications Issues Causing Problems In Wales
Telecommunications problems in Wales have caused issues for Wales’s residents, organizations and corporations in the past month and a half. Wales, with a population of 145 is located at the Western tip of the Seward Peninsula and is closer to Russia than it is to Anchorage. Residents have had trouble getting their concerns addressed by the companies providing services.
Nome Gold Miners To Undergo Mercury Testing
Mercury testing in gold miners in Nome is going to take place next week. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services will conduct the voluntary screenings that were prompted from concerns that miners in Nome may be exposed to harmful levels of mercury fumes.
Air Force Receives Directives To Remove Cold War-Era Towers
Thirty one White Alice stations were developed in Alaska during the Cold War. The Anvil Mountain Towers north of Nome are the only White Alice towers still standing in the State of Alaska. And just last week – the Air Force received directives from the native corporation that will take ownership of the land to remove the towers. Those towers – to some – represent a portion of not just Nome’s history – but the world’s.