Dave Bendinger, KDLG - Dillingham
Dillingham Students Embrace Automotive Class
One thing teachers and parents hope to see from their students is motivation, to show a little enthusiasm daily about learning something new, to embrace a challenge, to make productive use of their time in school each day. In the Automotive Class at Dillingham High School, students undertake routine maintenance on vehicles for free, if owners provide the parts and materials. The students are not only becoming pretty good at what they do, they’re also excited about it doing it. KDLG’s Dave Bendinger noticed the students’ motivation when he dropped his truck off for some maintenance.
‘Bristol Bay Forever’ Initiative Clears Lt. Governor’s Office
The “Bristol Bay Forever” citizen initiative cleared the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Thursday, which means the initiative’s sponsors can start collecting the necessary signatures to put the initiative on the ballot.
BBNC Board Member Resigns After Sexual Assault Charges
Facing sexual assault charges, Sergie Chukwak has resigned from the board of Bristol Bay Native Corporation, where he had served since 2010. BBNC Board Chair Joseph Chythlook, said in a written statement today that Chukwak’s decision to voluntarily resign will allow the Board to “focus on effectively serving” its shareholders.
Man Arrested In Dillingham On Outstanding Warrant
Derek Michael Stephens, 30, was arrested Friday afternoon in King Salmon on an outstanding warrant involving four counts of sexual exploitation of a child from the state of Idaho. Bristol Bay Borough Chief of Police Rodney Enevoldsen says authorities in Idaho made his department aware of the Warrant and the interest in Stephens in August, but until last week there had been no plans to extradite.
BBNC Board Member Charged With Sexual Assault
A board member for the Bristol Bay Native Corporation has been charged with sexually assaulting a female. 45 year old Sergie Chukwak, of Naknek, is accused of assaulting the woman on Nov. 5. This morning, he appeared before the magistrate in Dillingham telephonically from the courthouse in Naknek.
Report Peer Reviews EPA’s Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment
A report was released today on the peer review process of the EPA’s assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed. One of the central critiques offered by the panel of experts is that the draft document is lacking a clear purpose and objective. The input from the reviewers will be added towards a final version of the Assessment, which is intended to guide EPA’s decision making process about large-scale mineral developments in Bristol Bay.
Freezing Rain, Snow Quells Dillingham-Area Blaze
A mix of freezing rain and several inches of snow is rarely good news. But for residents in the Dillingham area who've watched a large tundra fire continue to burn since last Friday, last night's wintry mix came not a moment too soon.
Fire Burns Over 10 Miles Of Tundra Near Dillingham
Fueled by strong winds and dry tundra, an accidental fire is burning outside of Dillingham. The fire started Friday afternoon on the edge of the city and has quickly consumed more than ten miles of open tundra. Now the Forestry Division’s Fire Management Office in McGrath is coordinating resources to respond.
Plane Crashes on Tikchik Lake, Pilot Presumed Killed
A plane crash Sunday evening in the Wood Tikchik State Park north of Dillingham appears to have claimed the life of the pilot. A Grumman Widgeon piloted by 71-year-old Newt Ball crashed during a landing on Tikchik Lake at around 5:15 p.m. Ball was reportedly the only person on board, and is presumed to have died on impact.
Naknek Opens New Fitness Trail
Last week, the Bristol Bay community of Naknek celebrated the official opening of a new multi-use trail near the school, known as the “Sockeye Run Fitness Trail and Bike Path.” The trail is 5-years and some $200,000 in the making, and was completed thanks to the work of multiple agencies, countless volunteers, and one dedicated young girl with a vision.
Naknek Man Heading To U.S. Triathlon Championships
Triathlete Damien Hill from Naknek is heading to the US National Championships this weekend. The Hyvee 5150 Elite Cup Championship race will feature the world’s top triathathletes, including the medalists from the London Olympics.
AK: Summer Camp
Kids can learn to be an astronaut at Space Camp. For song and dance, maybe it’s off to Broadway camp. Fish science? For that, there’s no better place than Bristol Bay Salmon Camp. Nine high schoolers from around Alaska learned aquatic science skills as they studied the ecosystem of spawning salmon in Wood TikChik State Park recently.
NPS Finishes Katmai Trophy Grizzly Hunting Study
The National Park Service recently finished a study on the impact of trophy grizzly hunting in Katmai Preserve. By Park service estimates, the harvest numbers are not affecting population, or conflicting with other park uses, but some conservation groups and the bear viewing industry are not so sure that’s accurate. Before renewing 10-year contracts for sport hunting guides, the NPS would like the public to weigh in.
Pen Air Dropping Air Taxi Services
Pen Air has been operating air taxi services around rural Alaska for more than 55 years. In June, they ended their air taxi services out of Dillingham, and yesterday announced that all remaining air taxi routes will soon be cancelled as well.
New Webcam Streams Video Of Katmai Bears
At midnight last night, Katmai National Park and Preserve switched on newly installed webcams around Brooks Camps. And by early afternoon, viewers from all over the world were tuned in to a live-feed of the park’s famous grizzlies over the internet.
King Salmon Man Arrested For Cold Case Murder
A King Salmon man is in police custody for a murder case that is nearly three decades old. Authorities believe they will finally close a cold-case that’s haunted a community.
Researchers Find Surprising Plastic Pollution Levels In Pacific Northwest
Researchers in British Columbia using migratory sea birds from Alaska have found surprising levels of plastic pollution off the coast of the Pacific Northwest.
Alaska Sending Fire Crews To Help Fight Lower 48 Blazes
A slightly slower start to the fire season in Alaska has allowed the state to loan some of its fire crews to the Lower 48 for the time being. The Alaska Fire Service says five crews of Fire Fighters have gone to Wyoming.
Project Healing Waters, BBNC Sponsor Injured Veteran, Soldier Fishing Excursion
Project Healing Waters and the Bristol Bay Native Corporation sponsored eight recovering veterans and injured service personnel for a week of fishing at the Mission Lodge on Lake Aleknagik. KDLG’s Dave Bendinger was along as they fished for king salmon on the Nushagak River.
Divers Unable to Find Lost Bag of PCB-Contaminated Dirt
An 11,000 pound bag of PCB contaminated dirt fell into the waters off the Dillingham city dock last November. Alaska Logistics decided to wait until spring break up to remove that bag, known as a super sack. But salvage divers working yesterday weren’t able to find the bag.