Phillip Manning, KTNA - Talkeetna
Sockeye Fire: More than 4,000 Acres; Prompts Evacuations; Parks Highway Closes
Update: 10:18 p.m. The Division of Forestry now estimates the size of the Sockeye Fire at over 4,000 acres.
Willow residents from Sharen Road south to Nancy Lake Parkway are evacuating, and many people are stuck on one side or the other of the fire, which has closed the Parks Highway.
Talkeetna River Dam Project could have preliminary license revoked
A required progress report on the proposed Talkeetna River Dam is overdue, according to the federal agency that licenses large energy projects.
NTSB releases preliminary report on Talkeetna mid-air crash
The National Transportation Safety Board has released the preliminary report on a midair collision at the Talkeetna Airport on May 31.
1 hospitalized after mid-air crash over Talkeetna airport
On Sunday evening, an airborne collision between two airplanes hospitalized an Eagle River man. At 5:15 pm, the Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of the collision at the Talkeetna State Airport.
M/V Susitna Racks Up As Much As $1M in Rain Damage
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s would-be ferry, M/V Susitna, has suffered expensive damage, and now the Borough estimates repairs could cost as much as $1 million.
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Body of Argentine Climber Found High on Denali
The National Park Service reports that the remains of an Argentine climber have been found at a camp high on Denali.
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Climbers Heli-Rescued Off Mt. Dickey After Slide
The National Park Service reports that two Idaho climbers have been rescued after an avalanche on Mt. Dickey in the Alaska Range.
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Troopers: Both Men Involved in Talkeetna-Area Shooting Have Died
The Alaska State Troopers say that both men involved in an overnight shooting on April 18 have died.
U.S. Army ‘Sugar Bears’ Fly Supplies to Denali
On Monday, Army helicopters flew the last round of supplies to Denali base camp for the 2015 climbing season. The unit, dubbed the “Sugar Bears” is well-known in Talkeetna, and has a history in Alaska of combining training and supply runs.
Mat-Su Continues Funding for Ferry Storage
This week, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly went through the quarterly process of approving the next three months of funding for storage and maintenance of the MV Susitna, which currently amounts to about $18,000 per month.
Mat-Su Assembly Rejects Pot Vote
The Mat-Su Borough Assembly unanimously opposed Mayor Larry DeVilbiss' request for an advisory vote on banning commercial marijuana operations in unincorporated areas of the Valley.
Northern Lights Put on Big Display Tuesday Night
Tuesday night, the Upper Valley experienced an impressive display of the Aurora Borealis. The lights are caused by particles from the sun being thrown into space and interacting with the charged particles in Earth's ionosphere, which begins about sixty miles above the surface. This is referred to by scientists as a geomagnetic storm. Donald Hampton researches those storms for the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He says the geomagnetic storm on Tuesday was very rare.
As The Iditarod Start Shifts North, So Does The Economic Boon
This year’s Iditarod restart will be in Fairbanks for only the second time in the race’s 43-year history. Poor trail conditions prompted the move, and many some mushers are happy with the change. For businesses in the Susitna Valley, however, there will be a significant economic impact.
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Iditarod Restart Moving To Fairbanks
For the second time in its history, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will begin in Fairbanks, though race officials still plan to hold the ceremonial start in Anchorage. Last night, the Iditarod Trail Committee's board of directors voted unanimously to move the start of the race from Willow.
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Lonnie Dupre Returns Safely From Historic Denali Climb
Climber Lonnie Dupre has returned to Talkeetna after becoming the first soloist to ever summit Denali in the month of January.
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Lonnie Dupre Becomes First Ever January Denali Soloist
History has been made on North America's highest peak. On Sunday, Lonnie Dupre became the first solo climber to summit Denali in the month of January.
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Human Remains Found In ‘Talkeetna Area’ Cabin Fire
The Alaska State Troopers report that a cabin fire in the Talkeetna area killed one person.
Lonnie Dupre Makes Fourth Winter Solo Attempt on Denali
On Thursday, climber and Arctic veteran Lonnie Dupre left Talkeetna for his fourth attempt to be the first person to summit Denali in January.
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New Report Questions Susitna-Watana Economics; AEA Responds
A new fiscal analysis of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project questions the Alaska Energy Authority's estimates regarding how much the 735-foot tall dam would cost the State of Alaska, if built.
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Bryan Bearss Named as Substitute for Injured Musher Karin Hendrickson
Last week, six-time Iditarod musher Karin Hendrickson suffered injuries that will prevent her from participating in the 2015 Iditarod. Hendrickson is on the road to recovery, and it was announced Wednesday that, while she will miss the race, her dogs will not.
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