Steve Heimel, APRN Contributor
sheimel (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8454 | About Steve
Fall Storms Halt Ferries
High winds in the Gulf of Alaska have forced ships into shelter. The cruise ship Statendam couldn't leave Seward Sunday, the Amsterdam and Westerdam cancelled their stops in Sitka, which is in sheltered waters, but still on the outer coast. Travelers expecting state ferries are advised to contact the Marine Highway for the latest information there.
McGrath Man Killed in Canoe Accident
A tipped canoe resulted in a death near Nikolai Sunday evening. Three young men were out on Outhouse Lake when the conoe rolled. Leonard Andrews Junior, 30, of McGrath was unable to swim to shore like the other two.
Fort Wainwright Soldier Killed by IED
Another Fort Wainwright Stryker soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Pfc Brett Everett Wood, 19, was from Spencer, Indiana. The bomb attack happened Friday while PFC Wood was on foot patrol in Kandahar Province.
Juneau Man Killed After Vehicle Slips Off Jack
A Juneau man is dead after his vehicle slipped off its jack while he was working on it Sunday afternoon. Joshua Beach, 31, was pinned under the car. Fire and Rescue responded, but life-saving measures were of no avail.
Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Container Ship Crew Member
The Coast Guard had no luck searching for a missing crew member from a cargo vessel in the Pacific Saturday. The Korean-flagged container carrier Mol Explorer out of Oakland reported a crew member missing Saturday afternoon.
Committee Confirms Two Federal Judges
The US Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to confirm two Alaska women for federal Judgeships - Morgan Christen to the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court, and Sharon Gleason to the US District Court.
Hunter Still Missing In Kachemak Bay Area
A hunter has been missing for almost a week in the Kachemak Bay area. Robert Johnson, 38, of Anchorage, did not show up Saturday to rendezvous with his partner at camp.
Arctic Ocean Sea Ice Withdrawing at Record Pace
The sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is nearly finished with its seasonal melting. Soon the onset of longer nights will begin freezing it up again. But by the time it is over, this year’s sea ice withdrawal may be a record.
Federal Transportation Reimbursement Deadline Approaching for Farmers
A reminder is out to Alaska's farmers that the deadline is approaching to sign up for federal transportation reimbursement. Farmers in states with high transportation costs qualify for the money, designed to even costs of getting food to market.
Two Dead After Vehicle Crash in Wasilla
A vehicle left the road Monday morning in Wasilla and two young men were killed when it crashed into a retaining wall.
LGBT Rights Ballot Measure in Anchorage
There will be another try to pass a gay rights ordinance in Anchorage. The closest it got was to be passed by the Assembly and vetoed by Mayor Dan Sullivan.
Cook Inlet Energy Race Is On
The oil and gas industry is about to start exploratory drilling in the deeper waters of Cook Inlet, perhaps by tomorrow. One Jack-up drilling rig is in place and a second was just bought and the owner hopes to have it drilling here by next spring.
State Lawmakers Eye Norway For Energy Ideas
About a dozen Alaska Lawmakers and others are in Norway looking at how the country develops it's renewable and fossil fuel resources. Norway gets 98% of its energy for in country use from hydropower.
Child Hit at Fairbanks School Crossing Dies
A woman who drove through a Fairbanks school crossing and struck a child is now facing manslaughter charges, after the death yesterday of 11 year-old Jamison Thrun from Nome, of his injuries.
Cross-Continent Motorcyclist Dies at Intersection
A Japanese motorcyclist on a trans-continental ride was struck and killed by a pickup truck at a Fairbanks intersection Tuesday. Police say the collision occured on Airport Way and Chushman and the driver of the pickup had the light
Navy Space Scientist Heads to UAF
An astro-physicist from the Navy has been named the new head of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Robert McCoy comes out of a career at the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Research Laboratory.
Strike Vote at Anchorage Water Utility
Anchorage utility workers have authorized a strike at the water and sewer utility, but there may not be a work stoppage. An arbitrator has already ruled in favor of the union, but the Municipal Assembly refused to accept the contract terms.
Longliner Aground off Alaska Peninsula
A Halibut longliner went aground near Aniakchak Bay yesterday morning and the three crew members were rescued from a lifeboat by a coast Guard helicopter out of Kodiak. The crew of the 32-foot vessel "Bear," out of Homer, was wearing survival suits.
SUV Plows through Fairbanks Elementary School Crossing
Investigation continues of an incident at a school crossing yesterday in Fairbanks. 11 year-old Jamison Thrun from Nome is in critical condition after a woman driving an SUV ran through a stop sign and hit the child in the crosswalk at University Park Elementary School.
Another Stryker Soldier Fallen
Sunday another Fort Wainwright Stryker Brigade soldier was killed during an attack in Afghanistan's Kandahar Province. Specialist Jay Green, age 23, of Sterling, Virginia, was killed and two others were wounded when a dismounted patrol was attacked by an explosive device and small arms fire.