Tony Gorman, KCHU - Valdez

3 POSTS 0 COMMENTS
Tony Gorman is a reporter at KCHU in Valdez.

49 Voices: Erik Boltman of Anchorage

This week we're hearing from Erik Boltman from Anchorage. Boltman moved to Alaska after serving in the Air Force and participated in the Valdez Fly-in. Listen now

Effort to ban Valdez pot sales fails in Municipal Election

It looks like Alaska’s first retail marijuana store isn’t going anywhere for a while. Ballot Proposition 1, which would have banned the sales and cultivation of marijuana within Valdez city limits, is on its way of failing following preliminary results from last night’s Municipal Election. Listen now
Cannabis Plant. (Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Future of Valdez marijuana sales hangs in balance

Last fall, history was made in Valdez. The state’s first marijuana retail store opened its doors to all buyers. Now, the future of the store is in the hands of voters. Residents face Ballot Proposition 1 in the upcoming municipal election. Listen now
Alaska News Nightly by Alaska Public Media

To the displeasure of some locals, Tailgate Alaska grabs land use permit from DNR

One of the biggest winter sports events kicked off over the weekend in Thompson Pass. Tailgate Alaska is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. But, not everyone is in a joyful mood. Some Thompson Pass enthusiasts are not happy after the Alaska Department of Natural Resources granted a land use permit to event organizers and are hoping to appeal the decision. Listen now

Body of Wilderness Classic Racer Recovered From Tana River

A long time competitor in one of Alaska’s most famous and dangerous backcountry races has died. Rob Kehrer was found dead while competing in the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic over the weekend in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Download Audio:

Crew OK After Seiner Capsizes In Prince William Sound

The crew of a seiner is okay after their fishing vessel capsized in the Prince William Sound earlier this week. The Auriga was seeking at shelter from a storm at the time of the incident. Download Audio

Online Program Hopes To Revive Eyak Language

The Eyak Language is being revived through an online learning program that was launched this week. The program is the first of its kind for the language since the death of the last Native-born Eyak speaker five years ago. Download Audio

Chitina Dip Net Salmon Fishery Opens At Midnight

The Chitina Subdistrict Dip Net Salmon Fishery opens at midnight. Dip netters can expect to see plenty of fish during the first opening. Download Audio

Copper River Commercial Salmon Fishing Kicks Off Thursday

The Copper River commercial fishing season kicks off Thursday morning. Download Audio

Governor Leads Valdez Choose Respect Rally

Governor Parnell led the Choose Respect rally in Valdez today. Download Audio

Valdez Earthquake Survivors Recall 1964 Experiences

The community of Valdez was devastated by the Good Friday earthquake. The giant tsunami that formed right after the shaking began killed 30 people gathered at the harbor and on the dock. The earthquake and tsunami destroyed the town. It took three years for locals to relocate from Old Town Valdez to where the new town site is today. Download Audio

Valdez Museum Prepares Commemorates 1964 Quake

The Valdez Museum is commemorating next week’s 50th anniversary of the 1964 Earthquake with the launch of two exhibits. Download Audio

3 OK After Vessel Sinks Near Valdez

Three men are okay after their vessel sank near Valdez while participating in an oil spill response drill. The Coast Guard Sector Anchorage Command Center received a report Wednesday night that the landing craft Belltech 5 was taking on water and sinking near Valdez Arm. Download Audio

Richardson Highway Reopens After Avalanche Debris Removed

The wait is over for residents in Valdez.  The Richardson Highway is now completely open to motorists ahead of schedule. The announcement comes after avalanches buried and flooded the roadway nearly two weeks ago. Download Audio

Richardson Highway To Reopen Wednesday

After nearly two weeks, the Alaska Department of Transportation says the Richardson Highway in the Keystone Canyon area could reopen as soon as Wednesday.

Richardson Highway Opens North Of Mile 19

The Alaska Department of Transportation opened up a section of the Richardson Highway today. DOT cleared avalanches from the road north of mile 19, but the highway is still closed between Miles 12 and 19. Download Audio

Can You Guess When The Road To Valdez Will Reopen?

Nobody knows when the Richardson Highway is going to reopen, but the Valdez Parks and Recreation Department is hoping everyone has a fun time guessing. Download Audio

State, Valdez Officials Assess Richardson Highway Avalanches

Valdez remains cutoff by road from the rest of the state due to avalanches and flooding over the weekend. Progress has been made in clearing some of the debris on the Richardson Highway, but crews still have a long way to go. Download Audio

Allen Moore Wins Copper Basin 300

Allen Moore has successfully defended his Copper Basin 300 title. The Two Rivers musher held off Nicolas Petit on the final leg for his fifth victory, the most in race history. Download Audio

Driver Injured After Semi-Truck Strikes Bus Carrying Kenai Skiers

A high school cross-country ski team is okay after its bus was struck by a semi-truck on the Richardson Highway on Friday morning. Valdez Police say the accident involving the Kenai Central High School cross-country ski team happened at mile 55 of the Richardson Highway at 11:30 a.m.