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AFD Responds to Midtown Four-Plex on Fire

By Abby Hancock — Sat, 25 May 2013 20:05:00 -0800

A fire started in a midtown four-plex at about 7:40 p.m. Saturday and 13 units with the Anchorage Fire Department responded.

According to AFD dispatchers, the fire occurred on the 800 block of W. 25th Avenue near the Spenard area near Arctic and Fireweed. The roof of the structure was fully engulfed in flames. No injuries were reported.

This is a developing story. Please check back later for updates.

KTUU's Neil Torquiano contributed to this story.

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Hundreds Gather Downtown To March Against Monsanto

By Blake Essig — Sat, 25 May 2013 18:55:00 -0800

Hundreds of protesters marched Saturday morning in downtown Anchorage to voice their concerns over genetically modified foods.

The "March Against Monsanto" took part in cities across the world and organizers say they want to protect our food supply, support local farmers and spread awareness about the harmful effects of genetically modified foods or organisms.

"We want safer food, we want to know what's in our food and we want answers as to why these chemical companies won't tell us what they're doing with the food," said Anchorage event organizer Kim Houston.

Food companies have claimed to use seeds or animals that have been genetically engineered to increase the world's harvest. Monsanto Co., based in St. Louis, said Saturday that it respects people's rights to express their opinion on the topic, but maintains that its seeds improve agriculture by helping farmers produce more from their land while conserving resources such as water and energy.

Following the protest in Anchorage, Representative Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, announced she will be introducing legislation requiring labeling for genetically modified foods sold in Alaska during the 2014 legislative session.

In April, the Food and Drug Administration issued a brief statement over the concerns with labeling for genetically modified plants and said it supports voluntary labeling.

The FDA wrote, "the agency is currently considering those petitions, and at this time, has not made a decision, in whole or in part, regarding the petitions."

Organizers of the movement say more than 2-million people across 436 cities in 52 countries participated in Saturday's march.

Contact Blake Essig

Are Alaska's Bridges Safe? Truckers Advocate Repairs Following Wash. Bridge Collapse

By Adam Pinsker — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:33:00 -0800

They're built to last for decades, but even bridges tend to wear out over time mainly due to daily use by the same people who pay for and build them: us.

"Probably the biggest wear and tear on bridges, especially in the state of Alaska, are actually heavy loads, that travel across them," said Department of Transportation Spokesman Jeremy Woodrow.

Every bridge in Alaska is inspected at least once every two years under federal requirements. That regimen has been in place since a bridge collapse in Minnesota killed 13 people in 2007. No lives were lost Thursday night when a bridge along Interstate 5 collapsed north of Seattle. Officials believe an overloaded semi-truck struck a support beam causing the collapse.

"The incident that occurred in Washington State is a very isolated incident," adds Woodrow. "While those types of bridges are very common across the U.S., it has to take the right type of incident for that to occur."

Truck drivers are required to have their loads inspected at weigh stations and they could be ticketed for carrying too much weight.

"There are legal weight limits to protect both the highways and bridges," said Executive Director of the Alaska Trucking Association Aves Thompson. "If we want to exceed those legal weight limits, an operator must receive an over sized or over weight permit."

Thompson says his drivers are sometimes the most reliable bridge inspectors since they traverse the state frequently.

"Bridges need replacement, bridges need repair," adds Thompson. "We continue to advocate with the legislature to fund the DOT to make the necessary upgrades to both highways and bridges."

Although many of us take them for granted until something catastrophic happens like a collapse, truckers and DOT officials know bridges may be built to last but they don't last forever.

Contact Adam Pinsker

Drugs Seized in Juneau Investigations

By The Associated Press — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:21:00 -0800

Police confiscated hashish, heroin and marijuana in a pair of drug investigations in Juneau.

The Juneau Empire reports a regional drug task force arrested 54-year-old Daniel Meschonnic late Friday while seizing heroin. The man was booked into the Lemon Creek Correctional Center on a felony drug accusation.

A day earlier, investigators seized hashish and marijuana they believe was ultimately destined for Haines.

Alaska State Troopers has recommended a suspect be charged with two felonies for attempted misconduct involving controlled substances. The Juneau District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case.

The suspect's name has not been released because he or she has not been charged.

Flood Warning Issued for Salcha River

By The Associated Press — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:16:00 -0800

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Salcha River because of snow melting amid warm temperatures.

The rising water has broken up large chunks of ice in the upper part of the river, which could quickly form ice jams.

The weather agency says water will quickly rise behind these jams and could trigger flooding with little warning.

People along the river should move property to higher ground away from river banks. Campers and hikers are warned to avoid low-lying areas.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that temperatures in the 70s are expected Saturday and Sunday.

Fairbanks Man Sentenced to Almost 400 Years in Prison

By The Associated Press — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:54:00 -0800

A Fairbanks man convicted of sexually abusing two children has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports 57-year-old Arthur J. Augustine was found guilty earlier this year by a jury that deliberated for less than a day.

Augustine was sentenced this week in Fairbanks Superior Court to four consecutive 99-year terms. That adds up to 396 years in prison.

He was convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

The abuse occurred between January 2011 and February 2012.

In the early 1980s, Augustine was convicted of sexually abused two girls in Fairbanks.

Colorado Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Alaska

By The Associated Press — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:12:00 -0800

A Colorado man is indicated by a federal grand jury in Alaska for perjury and making false statements.

The U.S. attorney's office says in a release the indictment was returned against 61-year-old James Paul Hunt of Montrose, Colo.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis says Hunt had applied to be a third-party custodian for his son, who is charged with distributing child pornography.

Feldis says when Hunt signed his custodian application, he didn't disclose a prior arrest, one of the questions on the form. Feldis says Hunt pleaded guilty in Colorado in 1987 to sexual assault on a child. Feldis also says Hunt didn't disclose the charge or his guilty plea when questioned under oath.

Each felony count carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

2nd Bacteria Outbreak Reported on Peninsula

By The Associated Press — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:09:00 -0800

State health officials say five people have become ill after drinking raw milk from a Kenai Peninsula farm.

The Peninsula Clarion reports it's a similar bacterial infection that sickened more than 30 people in February.

In both instances, state health department spokeswoman Laura Carpenter says it started at Peninsula Dairy in Kasilof. Owner Kevin Byers declined comment.

The farm is a raw milk-cow share operation that delivers to shareholders on the peninsula, Anchorage and Sitka.

Health officials say Byers said he has informed shareholders of the outbreak, caused by fecal contamination of a cow's raw milk.

The state cannot shut the operation down because he only distributes the milk. The Clarion says the shareholders collectively own the cows.

Two people have sought medical attention in the latest outbreak.

Alaska Agencies Raise Awareness, Patrols for Memorial Day Safety

By Chris Klint — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:42:00 -0800

As the Memorial Day weekend begins, local, state and federal authorities are working to keep Alaskans safe in their cars, boats, campsites and kitchens.

Both Alaska State Troopers and the Anchorage Police Department have added officers for enforcement of seat-belt laws as part of the national Click it or Ticket campaign, which began Monday and is continuing through June 2.

"Troopers encourage you to always practice safe driving behaviors on the roads while traveling to and from your destination," AST spokesperson Megan Peters wrote in a statement on the campaign. "If you are in a vehicle, you should always wear your seatbelt and encourage those around you to do the same. Children in vehicles should be properly restrained using the appropriate safety equipment whether it be a seatbelt, a booster seat or a car seat."

Peters says troopers will also be on the lookout for drunk drivers throughout the holiday weekend. While Peters acknowledges that people may choose to drink during the long weekend, she urges Alaskans to neither drive drunk nor allow their friends and loved ones to do so.

APD spokesperson Dani Myren says three additional officers will be on Anchorage streets for the campaign, ramping up to five more on Monday.

"Under Anchorage Municipal Code, a motorist or passenger age 16 or over found not wearing his or her seatbelt can be fined up to $60.00 plus a $10.00 surcharge; a driver with children under the age of 16 who are not properly restrained can be fined up to $200.00 plus a $10.00 surcharge," Myren wrote.

Alaska's waterways will also see a heightened focus on safety, as National Safe Boating Week begins Saturday. U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg says the event, timed to coincide with the Memorial Day weekend, tries to broaden the use of life jackets and prevent people from operating under the influence.

"The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to boat responsibly while on the water and avoid the consumption of alcohol," Klingenberg wrote in a statement. "The use of life jackets, emergency beacons, flares, float plans and appropriate communications devices are advised for anyone operating watercraft."

Klingenberg says many communities on Alaska's coasts will have Coast Guard Auxiliarists on hand to offer vessel safety checks and safety classes. Details on those events have been posted on the Coast Guard Auxiliary's National Safe Boating Week website.

Alaskans staying ashore over the holiday are being asked by the state Division of Fire and Life Safety to avoid burn hazards, during activities ranging from starting campfires to burning debris during spring cleanup.

"Please consider your safety, and the safety of others; do your part to prevent human-caused fires," division spokesperson Maggie Rogers said in a statement. "Make sure campfires are completely extinguished, that fireworks are used carefully and only where legal, and adhere to burn permit regulations. If you build a campfire, make sure tools and water are available, do not leave the fire unattended, and properly dispose of smoking materials."

Rogers also asks that anyone who sees wildfires promptly call 911 to report them.

Even if you're staying home for the weekend, the state Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging people to observe food-safety guidelines during meals and cookouts.

DEC spokesperson Ty Keltner says foods should be thawed or marinated in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Raw meats shouldn't be stored near ready-to-eat foods like fruits or vegetables.

On the grill, meats should be cooked to temperatures of 165 degrees for chicken, 155 degrees for hamburgers and 145 degrees for steaks and fish. In addition, cooked meats shouldn't be placed on unwashed plates that have held raw meat.

After meals, Keltner says warm foods should be kept warm while cold foods should be kept cold, with any moved items kept at their temperatures in insulated totes. Any food that's been outside for more than two hours should be thrown out.

Contact Chris Klint

Longtime Librarian Appears at Nome Graduation for Final Goodbye

By Reba Lean — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:20:00 -0800

Nome-Beltz High School seniors of 2013 wanted a graduation speaker who resonated with all students.

At a Wednesday night ceremony, the seniors got their wish when a longtime friend appeared before them in the form of a pre-recorded message. She spoke to students intimately, as if she was having a one-on-one conversation, and read a book to them. She was their librarian.

Graduate Dylan Johnson said a lot of different ideas for speakers came up at a senior meeting early in the school year.

Only one person stood out as the obvious choice.

"When Miss Joy came up, we all, we just agreed instantly," Johnson said. "There wasn't really any questions asked that she was the one we wanted to speak."

Joy Hewitt was the librarian of Nome Public Schools since 1990.

The Burlington, Wis. native touched the lives of hundreds of students who passed through the small town's schools.

Hewitt retired in June, 2012, about a year and a half after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

She died March 1, this year.

Before she went, Nome-Beltz seniors made their appeal for her to appear as their graduation speaker. It took some urging.

"We had the idea that she could film herself, and as soon as she heard that idea, she was all in for it," Johnson explained. "Before we gave her that option, she was kind of iffy about it and didn't know if she would do it because she didn't know if she'd be able to make it. But as soon as she heard that, she told us she was honored and she'd do that for us."

Hewitt recorded her message in February, with the help of a former Nome teacher who now teaches in Palmer.

Colony High School teacher Bob Williams said the message was one of the last items on Hewitt's bucket list. He said they did two and a half takes of the speech because even though she was tired, it was important to her.

Hewitt passed away three weeks after recording the video.

Williams traveled to Nome to present Hewitt at the ceremony this week.

He said most people don't remember their graduation speakers or what they said, but he could feel the attention of the class of 2013, even as he introduced the message.

In her video, Hewitt read the story of "Pete the Cat," a children's tale about a protagonist that walks through all sorts of things with his new white shoes.

People at the ceremony said the moral of the story was to keep walking, no matter what you step in.

"Make your life a story that you're proud to tell," Hewitt told students. "A story about learning and loving life. A good life is a life well lived. Love what you do. Do what you love. Dream big. Work hard. Keep walking. And read."

Hewitt told students that her story was nearing its end, but theirs was just beginning.

Nome Public Schools graduated 30 students this year.

Chugach State Park Officials Prepare for Another Busy Summer

By Samantha Angaiak — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:05:00 -0800

The parking problem at Flattop will soon have a new solution as Chugach State Park officials prepare for another busy summer at the most used trail head in Anchorage.

By June 1, the State's new overflow parking lot will be serviceable, according to project engineers. The $700,000 construction project started last summer and it will include a new overlook.

"It's important to give people a place to park, so they're not parking up and down Toilsome Drive because it's illegal and poses a safety concern," Sarah Stephens, Project Engineer, said. "We're building a new overlook to kind of tell people about the mountains and the region."

Hikers like newlyweds Amanda and Oleg Bondar say it's a chance to celebrate Alaska's beauty.

"We were married a week ago, so it's part of our honeymoon, just enjoying the sunshine and being together and a beautiful place." Amanda Bondar said.

With more sunnier days approaching, park rangers have warned people to use extra caution when hiking along the Glen Alps after seeing people misuse the mountain.

"People like to slide down it and in some places you can see snow and some of the eastern gullies and wherever there's snow, it kind of attracts people," Kurt Hansel, Park Ranger, said. "It's a mountainous, steep area, so accidents happen regularly up there."

Contact Samantha Angaiak

Sutton Man Dies in Standoff With Troopers

By Joshua Staab — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:15:00 -0800

A Sutton man was fatally shot by Alaska State Troopers after refusing to vacate his residence when troopers attempted to issue him a court order.

The incident began at about 4:10 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, when troopers responded to the Sutton home of Theodule LeJeune, 58, to serve him with a domestic violence order issued by a Palmer Court Judge.

LeJeune was served by troopers through a window at his residence, but refused to vacate the residence at troopers' request, according to an AST report.

"The order was for him to be out of the home," said Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters.

Troopers continued to attempt to make contact with LeJeune, who, according to AST officials, retreated further into his residence. For a time troopers tried to convince the Sutton man to vacate his house, when he stepped into view holding a firearm, which he then pointed at troopers, according to the report.

"Troopers departed the residence and throughout the night and the next day other means were utilized in an attempt to get Lejeune to surrender peacefully," according to the report.

An arrest warrant and a search warrant were subsequently issued on Thursday "for two counts of assault in the third degree, violation of a domestic violence protective order and disorderly conduct," and at about 6:30 p.m. troopers returned to LeJeune's home to serve the warrants, according to the report.

Troopers made a number of unsuccessful attempts to contact LeJeune as well as taking tactical measures to enter the home and remove the man from his residence.

Eventually LeJeune exited the home on his own holding a firearm, according to the report.

Attempts were made to disarm LeJeune with "less lethal tools," including one of AST's tactical response vehicles.

"LeJeune fired upon troopers who had taken up tactical positions outside of the TRV," according to the trooper report. "A Trooper returned fire, striking LeJeune."

LeJeune was declared deceased on the scene.

According to AST officials, the trooper's name will be disclosed following an administrative leave. The leave is standard and typically issued as per department policy, according to the report.

"We've been up all night dealing with it," Peters said.

LeJeune's next of kin have been notified. The investigation is ongoing.

Email Joshua Staab

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New Seward Hwy Begins New Traffic Patterns During Construction

By Neil Torquiano — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:32:00 -0800

New traffic patterns will soon begin on the New Seward Highway between the Dowling overpass and 36^th Ave, starting Saturday, May 25.

Traffic, heading north or towards Midtown, will be shifted to the west and the northbound on-ramp at Dowling Road will be temporarily relocated to Brayton Drive.

Construction crews will be off for Memorial Day from Saturday, May 25 through Monday, May 27.

There will be more traffic pattern changes beginning the week of June 2 on Brayton Drive. According to transportation officials, a three-way stop will be created at the intersection of Brayton Drive and Mockingbird Drive. Also, access to Alpenhorn will be maintained with two-way traffic on Brayton. Access to Becharof Street via Brayton will be closed. There will be a detour on Shelikof Street for incoming access and traffic will be allowed to exit Becharof Street via Brayton Drive.

Also, the northbound on-ramp at Tudor Road will be closed 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 7 until 6:00 a.m. Monday, June 10.

Around construction zones, driving speeds will be reduced to 45 mph and officials request that drivers be alert of construction signs and crews working in the areas.

Contact Neil Torquiano

Amber Alert Called Off for 5-Year-Old Girl, Father in Custody

By Neil Torquiano — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:33:00 -0800

An Amber Alert for a 5-year-old girl was canceled after Anchorage police say she was reported safe after her father was taken into custody Friday evening.

Around 7:37 p.m., police issued the alert for Willoh Handy after her father 38-year-old Shane Handy allegedly abducted her on the 9200 block of Kirkwall Circle, near Dimond Blvd.

Shortly after 8 p.m., Alaska State Troopers made a traffic stop in Wasilla after spotting a vehicle that matched the description and license of the suspect's vehicle.

Police spokesperson Anita Shell wrote in a statement, "Troopers stopped a vehicle matching the description and license plate of the child's abductor in the area of the Parks Highway and Pittman Road approximately 8 PM tonight and recovered the child safely."

This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.

Contact Neil Torquiano

JBER Soldier Found Guilty of Abusive Sexual Contact

By Chris Klint — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:23:00 -0800

A Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson soldier has been sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted in a court-martial of abusive sexual contact and three other offenses.

In a Friday statement, U.S. Army Alaska spokesperson John Pennell says military judge Maj. Stefan Wolfe also found Chief Warrant Officer Guillermo Castillo, 33, guilty Thursday of DUI and two counts of disobeying a lawful order. In addition to the jail time, Castillo will forfeit $3,000 per month for 12 months and be dismissed from the Army.

Castillo, a member of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division since June 2010, had been charged with touching an adult civilian woman while she was sleeping in October 2012. He had pleaded guilty to the DUI and orders charges, but testified Wednesday that he was only guilty of assault of consummated battery in the abusive-conduct charge because he touched the woman's waist while lying next to her drunk.

Pennell says he isn't at liberty to share many details of what happened at Thursday's court-martial proceedings, due to the possibility of disclosing information about the victim.

Although the manner of Castillo's separation from the Army is not the same as a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge, Pennell says a dismissal is similar to those measures.

"For commissioned officers under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the only punishment is a dismissal," Pennell said. "It carries the same stigma."

Castillo's forfeitures won't necessarily be paid to the Army, according to Pennell.

"(Castillo) can request the court-martial convening authority that that money be used to compensate the victim," Pennell said.

Contact Chris Klint

Kauai Indictment in Former Alaska Woman's Murder

By The Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:03:00 -0800

Prosecutors will be able to pursue Hawaii's harshest penalty against a man charged with murdering a woman, in a case where both the victim and suspect are former Alaskans.

A Kauai grand jury on Thursday returned an indictment against 26-year-old Steven Wilson for second-degree murder in last month's stabbing death of 21-year-old Kendra Lewis.

Police say Wilson and Lewis relocated to Kauai from Alaska at the beginning of the year and were living together at the time of her death. He is being held on $1 million bond.

The Kauai prosecuting attorney's office says grand jurors also found the murder was "especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity." That will allow the state to seek an enhanced sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Lewis was found dead in her room at a condominium.

Water Shortage Costs Kivalina Students 3 Weeks of School

By Rachel D'Oro — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:47:00 -0800

Students in a remote Inupiat Eskimo village in northern Alaska received three fewer weeks of school because of a severe shortage of treated water.

The fall semester was postponed five weeks in Kivalina last year after storms damaged a water supply pipeline that left the school without clean water.

School district superintendent Norm Eck says students were able to make up two weeks because school days were lengthened by 30 minutes.

Classes ended last week. Eck says little treated water remains in the village tanks and the school would have soon run out anyway.

He says the school still met the number of days required.

Kivalina city manager Janet Mitchell says severe water restrictions remain in place until tanks can be filled after the river thaws and turbidity levels drop.

Witnesses Describe Night of Devante Jordan's Murder

By Mallory Peebles — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:10:00 -0800

Questioning in the murder trial of Marquinn Jones-Nelson ran long Thursday, with the judge extending the trial session by an hour so jurors could hear additional testimony from witnesses.

Jones-Nelson is on trial for the murder of Devante Jordan, a suspect in the 2009 death of 17-year-old Desirae Douglas who was himself shot to death in a Mountain View apartment during the winter of 2011.

On Thursday, jurors heard from a witness who was inside the apartment on March 24, 2011, the night Jordan was shot. They also heard from the former girlfriend of both the defendant, Jones-Nelson, and the man he is accused of murdering.

Witness Katina Mitchell said while she was dating Jones-Nelson in early 2011, she drove him to an apartment in Mountain View the night Jordan was shot. Mitchell said she waited outside in a car while Jones-Nelson and another man went into the apartment to collect money -- and then she heard gunshots.

"Marquinn hops in the front and just tells me to drive and just says, 'Drive, drive, drive, drive,'" Mitchell testified. "So I just take off driving and I'm like, 'What happened, what happened,' you know? And then he just says that he killed Devante."

Mitchell said that she had been dating Jordan "on and off" for at least 6 years, but she wasn't talking to him at the time of the shooting.

While the prosecution says Jones-Nelson went to Jordan's apartment to kill him, defense attorney Jon-Marc Petersen said Jones-Nelson was forced to shoot Jordan in self-defense.

Regina Jones, Jones-Nelson's mother, agrees and says her son isn't a violent man.

"I really don't think it's something he planned to set out and come and do," Jones said. "You know he doesn't do that, like I said he's not a violent character. He tries to -- and you heard it yourself in court -- he tries to diffuse it. He tries to talk his way out of a fight, he doesn't like to fight."

Jordan's mother and family declined an interview.

The first man to take the witness stand Thursday, Deonte Wren, was continuing his testimony from Wednesday. Wren said he saw Jordan approach Jones-Nelson two times in the apartment with an upset demeanor, and that Jones-Nelson shot Jordan during the second approach. Wren said he didn't know where Jones-Nelson got the gun.

Mitchell's cross-examination was not completed Thursday. The case will pick up Tuesday when court resumes. The entire trial is expected to last until the first week of June.

Contact Mallory Peebles

Airport Proposals Raise Coastal Trail Concerns

By Abby Hancock — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:06:00 -0800

An airport in Anchorage is in the initial phase of determining the best path forward to meet current and future needs, but two of the five "draft alternative plans" are stirring up a conflict between conservation and development.

On Thursday night, the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport held a public open house on its Master Plan Update. Airport Manager John Parrott says five proposals range from doing nothing in terms of development, to re-purposing the North Terminal, and adding a new North-South runway. The latter is under Draft alternative five and is the most controversial proposal the airport is considering.

A new runway would be built on fill that would have to be put in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. Opponents say it would destroy Point Woronzof Park and cut into the existing coastal trail. Parrott says it is too early to discuss the ways the coastal trail might be accommodated but the airport is still committed to a continuous coastal trail.

"All of that gets determined when there's actually the need for the runway. We're not at that step yet and won't be for at least a few years," said Parrott.

However, Turnagain Community Council President Cathy Gleason is gearing up for an all-too familiar fight. Draft alternative five has her concerned about municipally-dedicated park land at Point Woronzof. She questions how the coastal trail can be maintained for winter skiing if a portion of it will have to be tunneled under a new runway. Potential safety risks along a tunneled part of the trail, also worries Gleason.

"There is no good way to provide a contiguous coastal trail that would benefit the public the way the existing trail does now," said Gleason.

The airport expects to have a master plan finalized by the end of the year.

The public can comment on the draft alternatives on the airport's website.

Contact Abby Hancock

Public Comment Period on Pebble Report Nearing Deadline

By The Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:58:00 -0800

The public comment period is scheduled to end next week on a federal study of large mining impacts in the Bristol Bay region.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set May 31 as the deadline for comments on its revised watershed assessment. The report also is expected to undergo a new round of peer review before a final report is released.

The final report, expected later this year, could affect permitting decisions for the proposed Pebble Mine.

The revised assessment found construction of a large-scale mine near the headwaters of Bristol Bay could have major impacts even without a mishap, including wiping out up to 90 miles of streams and altering stream flows.

The CEO of the group behind the mine project has called the EPA assessment flawed and unnecessary.

Comments may be submitted either in writing or online, learn more here.

Voter Case from November Election Under Review

By The Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:42:00 -0800

A state election official says it appears someone registered to vote in Alaska and another state cast ballots in both states during the November election.

Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai says the matter has been sent to the criminal division of the Department of Law for review.

Alaska joined other states in doing a cross-check of voter registration rolls. In April, Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell's office announced more than 25,000 Alaska voters might also be registered in other states and that 14 individuals may have voted in two states during the election. Treadwell cautioned those 14 might involve something like a father and son with the same name.

Fenumiai said Thursday she's waiting for information on one other person. Other than that, she says the review is finished.

UAF Nearing Partnership for Veterinary Program

By The Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:32:00 -0800

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is nearing agreement on a partnership that would establish a new veterinary medicine program.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reportsthe proposal would allow the school and Colorado State University to jointly offer a veterinary degree. Under terms of the deal, details of which haven't yet been finalized, UAF would provide the first two years of graduate-level study and Colorado State would provide the final two.

The arrangement would allow UAF to provide a limited number of students with access to a top-tier veterinary school without the expense of maintaining a full program.

Paul Layer, a UAF dean, says Alaska is currently the only state that doesn't have a veterinary school or a partnership with a state that does.

No fatalities after Interstate 5 bridge collapses over river in Washington state

By the Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:34:00 -0800

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - Authorities say there were no fatalities when an Interstate 5 bridge over a river north of Seattle collapsed.

The Thursday evening bridge failure dumped vehicles and people into the water.

Marcus Deyerin, a spokesman for the Northwest Washington Incident Management team, said there were no fatalities or suspected fatalities. He said three people were rescued from the water and sent to area hospitals. He didn't know the extent of their injuries.

A search of the river continues and a dive team was on scene as well as several rescue boats still on the river.

The four-lane bridge over the Skagit River collapsed about 7 p.m., Trooper Mark Francis said.

It was not known what caused the collapse of the bridge about 60 miles north of Seattle in Skagit County, which stretches from the North Cascades National Park to a cluster of islands off the Washington coast.

Xavier Grospe, 62, who lives near the river, said he could see three cars with what appeared to be one person per vehicle. The vehicles were sitting still in the water, partially submerged and partly above the waterline, and the apparent drivers were sitting either on top of the vehicles or on the edge of open windows.

"It doesn't look like anybody's in danger right now," Grospe said.

Helicopter footage aired by KOMO-TV in Seattle showed several rescue boats at the bridge collapse scene with several ambulances waiting on the shore. One rescue boat left the scene with one person strapped into a stretcher.

A damaged red car and a damaged pickup truck were visible in the water, which appeared so shallow it barely reached the top of the car's hood.

Crowds of people lined the river to watch the scene unfold.

The bridge is not considered structurally deficient but is listed as being "functionally obsolete" - a category meaning that their design is outdated, such as having narrow shoulders are low clearance underneath, according to a database compiled by the Federal Highway Administration.

The bridge was built in 1955 and has a sufficiency rating of 57.4 out of 100, according to federal records. That is well below the statewide average rating of 80, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal data, but 759 bridges in the state have a lower sufficiency score.

According to a 2012 Skagit County Public Works Department, 42 of the county's 108 bridges that are 50 years or older. The document says eight of the bridges are more than 70 years old and two are over 80.

Washington state was given a C in the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2013 infrastructure report card and a C- when it came to the state's bridges. The group said more than a quarter of Washington's 7,840 bridges are considered structurally deficient of functionally obsolete.

ASD Budget Shortfall Limits Summer School Options

By Corey Allen-Young — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:32:00 -0800

As the Anchorage School District wraps up its 2012-2013 school year Thursday, summer school is set to begin next week -- but budget cuts are already impacting students' options.

Due to ASD's budget shortfall, which stands at over $20 million, there will be no elementary and middle summer school this year. Instead the options are limited to ASD's iSchool online courses, and a shortened summer session in high schools -- choices that administrators hope doesn't limit students' ability to succeed.

For East High School Principal Mike Graham, teaching students doesn't stop on Thursday. Even on the last day of school, he hopes to use every tool possible to reach them and get them to learn.

Graham says summer school is one of those tools, and has played a role in improving graduation rates at East by 10 percent over the last six years.

"It's pretty much extended (the) year -- in other words the kids (who) have been in the course, they are going to go and earn another 10 percent, maybe they are at the 50 percent range," Graham said. "They are going to do a few more days and do what it takes to get it up, so they can get the credits."

With budget cuts reducing the summer school program in high schools to just credit-recovery classes, there's concern that fewer students will get help.

"We won't have classrooms full of kids taking classes with teachers this year," Graham said. "Counselors have been working with kids, advisors, teachers, helping them know that, 'Hey, the options are not there for you that you may have had in the past, that sort of safety net, so you got to step it up and do it now.'"

Doing it online is another option for students this summer, since the district's iSchool offers accelerated online courses in everything from health to economics to even forensic science classes.

"The range of what we offer is immense -- we really can handle students at all different levels," said Denise Trujillo, ASD's iSchool team coordinator.

Officials say that for students willing to put in the work, iSchool offers the flexibility to learn anywhere there is a computer.

"They can work on their class 24-7, wherever they have Internet access," Trujillo said. "Students may be working a job during the regular (school) hours; they can do this on the evening, they can do it on weekends."

It's not too late to sign up for summer school at ASD, either in the high-school programs or iSchool. The cost is $100 per course, but waivers are being offered. There's also help available for students who don't have a computer or Internet access.

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APD Cruiser Escorts Moose off Field at Service High

By Chris Klint — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:05:00 -0800

A moose marked the last day of school Thursday with a visit to Service High School, during which Anchorage police used a cruiser to slowly chase the animal off a field.

In a brief video sent to Channel 2 by Service High student Kyla Jones, the moose ambles along at a casual pace outside her classroom, followed by an officer at the wheel of a squad car.

APD spokesperson Anita Shell says police were informed at 11:07 a.m. about the moose outside the school, at 5577 Abbott Rd.

"This moose had clearly been a problem since 10 o'clock in the morning," Shell said.

Service High's APD school resource officer, Mitch Paige, used his vehicle to carefully pursue the moose, which Shell says had been chased off by 11:16 a.m.

According to Shell, the use of the cruiser shown in the video is fairly routine during moose calls received by police.

"That's how we get 'em out of residential areas," Shell said. "It's a little safer than getting out and chasing them on foot, or shooting them."

Shell says APD often responds to similar moose calls from areas of town that border woods, including its own headquarters at 4501 Elmore Rd. She says no damage or injuries -- either human or ungulate -- were reported during the incident.

"The moose was not hurt in the production of that video," Shell said.

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Kotzebue Search Efforts for Snowmachiners Scaling Back

By Chris Klint — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:47:00 -0800

Search efforts near Kotzebue for two snowmachiners who have been missing for more than a week have been reduced to ground volunteers, according to state officials.

Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Megan Peters says that as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, troopers ceased their funding of the search for Shallain Adams, 23, and Clifford Griest, 32. The two left Kotzebue headed for Selawik at 2 a.m. May 15, riding a black Polaris IQ snowmachine.

According to Peters, no sign of Adams or Griest has been found since the search for them began, with poor conditions frequently grounding aircraft and hampering ground searchers' efforts.

"It's gone on for so long because the weather's been so bad," Peters said. "At this point, we just don't have anything to go off of."

Peters emphasizes that while Wednesday's change means troopers aren't directly involved in the search, they are still monitoring the situation and can step back in if new information comes to light. Adams and Griest have been entered into the state missing-persons database, and routine AST flights in the region will continue to keep an eye out for them.

"The search continues, just not under our supervision," Peters said.

According to Peters, no new information has come to light on the circumstances under which Adams and Griest left Kotzebue.

"They left at two in the morning, which is not the safest thing to do, but there's nothing illegal about it," Peters said.

Alaska National Guard spokesperson Kalei Rupp says the 11th Air Force's Rescue Coordination Center, which had been flying search missions since Tuesday, was released from the search by troopers Tuesday.

"We no longer have any Guard assets searching," Rupp said.

Wendie Schaeffer, a volunteer with Northwest Arctic Borough Search and Rescue who has been coordinating the search for Adams and Griest, says search efforts have been "scaled back considerably."

Continuous rain Wednesday accelerated breakup conditions, which have caused searchers' snowmachines to fall through upper layers of snow -- repeatedly immobilizing them, and forcing them to be dug out.

"It's easier to search at night, when the snow gets a bit of a crust to it," Schaeffer said.

While the weak snow pack has slowed searchers, Schaeffer says it also hampers access to many patches of thin ice Adams and Griest may have encountered.

"There are some areas that are dangerous and there's open water, but getting to them is going to be very, very difficult," Schaeffer said.

As efforts continue crews are increasingly concerned about their own safety, but Schaeffer says the ultimate decision to suspend the search will be made by Adams' and Griest's relatives.

"The family is going to make the determination -- the guys and the crews will do what they can, as long as it's safe," Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer says donations to sustain the search can be made at any Wells Fargo bank branch to the Arctic Circle Search and Rescue account, by specifying that the money is meant for the Adams-Griest search.

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Kokhanok Woman Arrested in Man's ATV Crash Death

By Jessica Ridgway — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:03:00 -0800

Alaska State Troopers have arrested a Kokhanok woman charged with murder in the death of a 25-year-old man whose body was found in Lake Iliamna, after state prosecutors say she drove an ATV drunk and failed to help him following a crash.

According to a Thursday statement from Deputy District Attorney Clint Campion with the Alaska Department of Law, 24-year-old Brenda Nowatak was indicted Thursday for her alleged role in causing the death of Trefim Wassillie Jr.

Wassillie's mother found his body face-down in Lake Iliamna on Sept. 16, 2012 and notified the village public safety officer in Kokhanok. Wassillie's remains were sent to the state medical examiner's office in Anchorage where an autopsy revealed that he died "as a result of drowning and blunt force injuries to the head," according to Campion.

An Alaska State Troopers dispatch released Thursday afternoon says additional investigation established that Nowatak had been driving an ATV, while Wassillie rode with her. Prosecutors say Nowatak was drunk at the time.

"While traveling southwest along the shoreline of Lake Iliamna near Kokhanok, the 4-wheeler struck a stump on the beach causing both to be ejected from the 4-wheeler with (Wassillie) being ejected into Lake Iliamna," troopers wrote. "Brenda Nowatak left the scene without rendering assistance to (Wassillie) who subsequently drowned as a result of the incident."

Nowatak has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and DUI.

After a grand jury indicted Nowatak Wednesday and an arrest warrant for her was issued, she was arrested Thursday and taken to King Salmon, where she is being held on $10,000 bail.

Channel 2's Chris Klint contributed information to this story.

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Tow Vessel Fuel Problems Preceded Kulluk Grounding

By Dan Joling — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:56:00 -0800

The chief engineer for the ship that attempted to tow a Royal Dutch Shell PLC drilling barge across the Gulf of Alaska in December says he doesn't know why all four of his vessel's main engines failed but that a fuel additive is the chief suspect.

Carl Broekhuis, who was on board the 360-foot Aiviq, testified Thursday before a Coast Guard panel investigating the grounding of the Kulluk, a drilling vessel that operated last year in the Beaufort Sea.

Broekhuis says engine fuel injectors began to fail Dec. 27, six days into the voyage from Dutch Harbor to Seattle, and that all four engines shut down within hours.

Testing detected a yellowish gel in the fuel but Broekhuis says he's not seen reports of what it was.

State: Man Lost Toes after Couple's Medicaid Fraud

By Chris Klint — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:20:00 -0800

An Anchorage husband and wife have been sentenced for endangering the welfare of an adult, after billing Medicaid for care they didn't provide to a diabetic man who later had two of his toes amputated.

According to a Thursday statement from Attorney General Michael Geraghty's office, Maurice Marulanda, 37, and Sandy Marulanda, 36, were each convicted in state District Court of a single welfare-endangerment count, with Maurice Marulanda also convicted of medical assistance fraud.

"Adult Protective Services employees with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services became aware that the Medicaid recipient was not receiving care after the recipient's apartment manager called authorities due to the unsanitary conditions of the recipient's apartment and his personal hygiene," prosecutors wrote.

Although the Marulandas were supposed to be providing home-based health care services for the man, DHSS found that that wasn't happening when investigators were assigned to the case.

"Instead of caring for the recipient, the Marulandas simply handed the recipient their timesheets through his apartment window for him to sign in order to verify that services were being provided," prosecutors wrote. "The Marulandas then submitted these timesheets to Medicaid for payment. The Medicaid recipient ultimately went to the hospital and suffered the loss of two toes due to his diabetes and poor physical condition."

Sandy Marulanda received a suspended sentence Wednesday of 60 days in jail. She will also have to pay a $1,000 fine and work 40 hours of community service. Maurice Marulanda was sentenced March 13 to 180 days of suspended jail and 180 hours of community work service, with a $2,000 fine.

"Both defendants were placed on probation for a period of five years, permanently barred from billing Medicaid and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,017.48," prosecutors wrote.

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Fort Yukon Flooding Danger Mostly Over

By The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:52:00 -0800

The community of Fort Yukon is able to relax after days of worry because it appears the danger from flooding is mostly over.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that late Wednesday night dozens of residents watched as slabs of river ice suspected to be from a once-menacing ice jam 12 miles up the Yukon River passed safely below the town's levee. The ice jam had accumulated a lake of water estimated to be 7 miles wide and 30 miles long, which could have created a serious flash flood if it broke all of a sudden.

Early Wednesday, the ice jam developed a large hole that likely grew, sending more ice downriver.

City flood coordinator Velma Carroll says she was told Wednesday night that the worst appears to be over.

Oil and Gas Group Sues over Bearded Seal Listing

By The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:14:00 -0800

The Alaska Oil and Gas Association is suing over a federal decision to list certain populations of Arctic bearded seals as threatened.

The trade association says there is no scientific evidence linking climate change to adverse effects on the seals. It also says that scientific data indicates the populations currently appear to be healthy.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Fairbanks, seeks to have the listing rule set aside.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in December announced that ringed seals and bearded seals in the Arctic Ocean would join polar bears as species listed as threatened by loss of sea ice.

Officials Say Two-State Voting Case Under Review

By Becky Bohrer — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:02:00 -0800

A state election official says it appears someone registered to vote in Alaska and another state cast ballots in both states during the November election.

Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai says the matter has been sent to the criminal division of the Department of Law for review.

Fenumiai said Thursday she's waiting for information on one other person. Other than that, she says the review is finished.

Mat-Su Borough Hikes Cigarette Tax

By Adam Pinsker — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:28:00 -0800

It will soon cost more to light up in the Mat-Su Borough. The borough passed a $418-million budget that includes a tax hike on cigarettes.

District 3 Assemblyman Ron Arvin says the increase amounts to $1 per pack and the tax will be effective when the new fiscal year starts on July 1.

"It's a compelling issue for me because I'm from an anti-tax, anti-government ideology," said Arvin.

The borough first enacted an excise tax in 2005 and it has not increased until now.

"The statistics are that if you implement a high cost for a young adult or juvenile to get cigarettes, the consumption goes down," adds Arvin.

Smokers like Mario Snyder say the borough should find a better source of tax revenue than cigarettes.

"I'm not into the sin taxes," said Snyder. "Why aren't we taxing the oil companies? Why aren't we taxing SUVs?"

Borough Mayor Larry Devilbiss says the tax increase should generate $3 million in revenue. $1.49 million of that has been earmarked for the Mat-Su School District. Other monies from the tax will help pay for youth court, and a planning grant for the City of Wasilla.

Devilbiss says the mill levy went down slightly, meaning property taxes won't increase in the Mat-Su Borough this year.

Contact Adam Pinsker

AHFC Seeks Comments on Smoke-Free Public Housing Units

By The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:10:00 -0800

The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. is seeking comments on a plan to ban smoking in more than 600 of its public housing units.

Comments are being taken through June 15. The smoke-free policy, if enacted by AHFC, would take effect Aug. 1.

It would affect 290 units in Anchorage, 156 in Fairbanks and 62 in Juneau, plus some units in Ketchikan, Wasilla, Sitka, Cordova and Seward.

It's not clear whether the policy would be expanded.

AHFC's director of public housing said in a release that the agency would evaluate the impact of the policy over the course of a year. Cathy Stone said if it is deemed successful, AHFC would "most likely" extend the policy to its entire stock of housing.

AHFC owns and manages more than 1,600 units statewide.

Ice Jam Breaks on Yukon River

By The Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:38:00 -0800

A gap in an ice jam is slowly draining a massive backup of water upriver from the community of Fort Yukon.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner says part of the ice jam on the Yukon River broke early Wednesday morning.

Forecasters have been watching a large amount of water behind the ice jam 12 miles upriver from the community 145 miles northeast of Fairbanks.

A National Weather Service area flood watch for the Yukon, from Beaver to Rampart, remains in effect until Friday afternoon. Forecasters with the service's River Watch Team are monitoring a breakup front which is moving downriver.

"If an ice jam forms as the breakup front moves past then water levels could rise rapidly and flooding could occur at Beaver, Stevens Village and Rampart between now and Friday," forecasters wrote.

Fort Yukon police Sgt. Peter Hawbaker says that other than some ice Tuesday night and early Wednesday, water levels have not changed since dropping after minor flooding Monday.

Some low-lying areas of the town with more than 580 residents flooded including a road to the airport.

State emergency managers are working with Fort Yukon and other communities threatened or affected by flooding, including Circle and Eagle.

Rig Manager Testifies in Shell Barge Grounding

By The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:00 -0800

The rig manager aboard a Royal Dutch Shell PLC drilling barge says a second tug could have prevented it from running aground in December off a remote Alaska island.

Todd Case was the offshore installation manager employed by Noble Drilling when the Kulluk ran aground off a small island near Kodiak Island on a tow across the Gulf of Alaska toward Seattle.

Case in the third day of testimony before a Coast Guard investigation panel recounted how weather got progressively worse after the Kulluk departed Dec. 21 from Dutch Harbor.

The line between the towing vessel Aiviq and the Kulluk parted Dec. 27. Multiple attempts failed to maintain replacement lines.

Case says looking back, multiple tugs as part of the original towing plan could have prevented the grounding.

State Planning Replacement of Tustumena

By The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:36:00 -0800

The state is planning replacement of the 49-year-old ferry Tustumena.

The ferry has been out of service since November, and service to southwest Alaska and Kodiak has been more than halved.

A schedule laid out by marine highway system general manager John Falvey would have a committee begin drafting plans and specifications for a new ship starting this fall. The Kodiak Daily Mirror reports that after research and public comment, construction would begin in 2015.

Heading into the first stage of planning, Falvey is considering a ship about 320 feet long, bigger than the existing Tustumena but smaller than the Kennicott, which has picked up some of the Tustumena's workload but can't fit into some ports the Tustumena visits.

Deployed Military Police Heading Back to Alaska

By The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:16:00 -0800

Army officials say 50 soldiers are due back in Alaska on Friday following a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan.

According to officials, the soldiers are assigned to the 793rd Military Police Battalion at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage and the 472nd Military Police Company at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks.

The soldiers are set to arrive at JBER first.

Those based at Fort Wainwright will then fly to Fairbanks.

AFD Investigating Fire, Possible Burglary at Midtown Coffee Stand

By Chris Klint — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:28:00 -0800

Anchorage firefighters are investigating a fire at a Midtown coffee stand early Tuesday morning, this month's second suspicious blaze at a local food-service establishment with indications of burglary beforehand.

According to Anchorage Fire Department spokesperson Al Tamagni Jr., a passerby called crews to the Sugar Shack coffee stand at 3720 Lake Otis Pkwy. at about 4:04 a.m. While 12 AFD units were initially dispatched to the fire, Anchorage police were among the first responders.

"APD got there and said it was fully involved," Tamagni said.

Crews quickly extinguished the fire, which was focused on a doorway on the north side of the Sugar Shack. The stand was unoccupied and apparently closed, with no injuries reported during the fire, but a subsequent investigation of the scene raised questions with firefighters.

"The southern window was broken out and all the items beneath it were on the floor," Tamagni said. "It looked like somebody had broken into (the stand) and burglarized it."

Tamagni says no determination has yet been made about the cause of the fire, which he says left the interior of the structure as a total loss. Crews turned the scene over to the Sugar Shack's owners after the fire was put out.

"At this point we're just calling it suspicious circumstances and it's under investigation," Tamagni said.

Tuesday's fire comes less than two weeks after a morning conflagration on May 11 burned the Sunrise Grill and Pancake House in South Anchorage, at 8201 Old Seward Hwy. AFD announced Monday that investigators believe the restaurant was burglarized before the fire, but Tamagni says no links have been made between the two incidents.

Anyone with information about either fire should call AFD at 267-5060 or Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP.

Channel 2's Mallory Peebles contributed information to this story.

This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.

Contact Chris Klint

NTSB: Pilots in Deadly Midair Collision Weren't in Contact

By Chris Klint — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:22:00 -0800

The pilots involved in a midair collision near Talkeetna nearly two years ago that left a family of four dead were communicating on different radio frequencies, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

A factual NTSB report, released Tuesday, sheds new light on the July 30, 2011 floatplane collision near Amber Lake which killed the Carlson family -- pilot Corey Carlson, 41, Hetty Barnett Carlson, 39, and their daughters Adelaide, 3, and Ella, 5. The pilot of the other plane, 56-year-old Kevin Earp of Eagle River, was uninjured in the crash.

In the report, the NTSB says Earp's Cessna 206 took off from Sister Lake at 2 p.m. headed for nearby Amber Lake, roughly 16 miles southwest of Talkeetna. The Carlsons' Cessna 180 had taken off from Anchorage's Lake Hood seaplane base at 1:30 p.m., headed for Amber Lake.

Earp told investigators he had little to no warning before colliding with the Carlsons' aircraft at about 2:15 p.m.

"(T)he pilot of the Cessna 206 said that while on approach to Amber Lake he did not see the Cessna 180 coming from his right until the last seconds prior to the impact," investigators wrote. "He said he pulled his airplane up and left to avoid the collision."

Earp's wife, who was on the ground at the couple's cabin near Sister Lake that day, watched him take off from Sister Lake headed for Amber Lake. She told the NTSB that she had seen a plane passing to the north of her headed east or northeast before he took off -- which she believed to be the same aircraft which collided with him after he was airborne.

"As she watched, the airplanes appeared to be converging. She saw her husband's Cessna 206 pitch up and roll left, and the two airplanes collided," investigators wrote. "She said the airplanes seemed suspended together for a few seconds, and she saw a flash and smoke as the unknown airplane plummeted toward the ground trailing smoke."

The NTSB says the Carlsons' plane lost part of its left wing and its left aileron, which were lodged in the floats of Earp's aircraft. The Cessna 180 crashed and burned afterward, in a fire which destroyed most of the passenger compartment, while Earp was able to limp his Cessna 206 back to Anchorage.

According to the report, Earp was working as a Boeing 737 captain at the time of the crash and had more than 19,000 hours of total flight time logged. No flight records were available for Corey Carlson, but in a June 30, 2007 medical form filed with the FAA Carlson said he had about 220 hours of total flight time logged, 50 of which had occurred in the past six months.

Although the crash took place in airspace where planes aren't required to have two-way communications gear, both pilots were reportedly transmitting and listening for other aircraft. Earp told the NTSB that he was using 122.8 MHz -- the radio frequency designated for that purpose by the Federal Aviation Administration in areas south and west of the Parks Highway, including Amber Lake.

Similar transmissions in areas north and east of the Parks are supposed to occur on 122.9 MHz, the frequency Carlson was apparently using at the time of the crash.

"According to a pilot-rated member of the Cessna 180 pilot's family, another pilot heard the Cessna 180 pilot making position reports on 122.9 MHz at the time of the accident," investigators wrote. "The family member said communicating on (122.9 MHz) was the common practice used by the Cessna 180 pilot and himself at all remote lakes."

The NTSB says the Amber Lake crash led to the formation of the Mat Su Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Working Group, an organization intended to clarify and standardize radio frequencies in the region to avoid similar crashes in the future.

Tom George, co-chair of the working group and Alaska regional director of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, says the group is working closely with the FAA to identify inconsistancies and make recommendations regarding radio frequencies.

"What we're trying to do right now actually, is define some zones that would use the common frequency for an entire area rather than just an individual airport to help reduce confusion of the type that might have contributed to that accident," said George.

In a survey posted online last year (PDF), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association says 53 percent of responding pilots who flew in the Mat-Su Valley reported feeling unsafe due to "aircraft proximity" during the previous five years.

Channel 2's Abby Hancock contributed information to this story.

This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.

Contact Chris Klint

Court-Martial Begins for JBER Soldier Accused of Abusive Sexual Contact

By Corey Allen-Young — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:54:00 -0800

The third recent court-martial involving an Anchorage-based service member began Wednesday on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for a soldier accused of several charges, including abusive sexual contact.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Guillermo Castillo sat in the Memorial Courtroom on JBER Wednesday, as military prosecutors and defense attorneys argued his fate. It is the third military sex-crimes case to be announced by local authorities in the past 30 days.

Castillo, 33, is charged with abusive sexual contact after allegedly touching an adult civilian woman while she was sleeping in October 2012. He is also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in December, as well as two counts of willful disobedience of a direct order from a superior officer.

Castillo has pleaded guilty to the willful disobedience charges and the DUI charge, but says he is not guilty of the abusive sexual contact charge. He has been assigned to JBER's 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division since June 2010, and deployed with the brigade to Afghanistan for six months last year.

In testimony before military judge Maj. Stephan Wolfe, Castillo said he is only guilty of assault of consummated battery because he unlawfully touched the woman on the waist, when he laid in the bed next to her while he was drunk.

The alleged victim has said that he did touch her against her will, according to documents read in court Wednesday.

Earlier this month, U.S. Army Alaska officials said Spc. Jose Nataren was sentenced at court-martial to 12 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, after being convicted of sexual assault and adultery for sneaking into a fellow soldier's barracks on JBER and assaulting her Sept. 20.

Nataren's conviction was announced two days after Anchorage police said a court-martial had sentenced Marine Gunnery Sgt. Nicholas Howard in a similar case to a reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge -- but no jail time. Howard, a recruiter who worked at the Dimond Center mall, was convicted of first-degree sexual assault and adultery after he assaulted a friend's girlfriend.

Castillo's court-martial is scheduled for Thursday, with Wolfe expected to rule on the abusive sexual contact charge as well as overall sentencing. The maximum amount of time Castillo could face for all of the charges is 11 years.

Editor's note: Information that could identify the victim has been omitted from this story.

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Yup'ik Fishermen Found Guilty of Illegal Fishing

By The Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:57:00 -0800

Two dozen Kuskokwim River fishermen on trial this week for illegal fishing have been found guilty by a judge in Bethel.

The fishermen's attorney, James J. Davis Jr., says he will appeal the convictions issued by Monday through Wednesday by Magistrate Bruce Ward. Davis says one of the 25 fishermen is in Hawaii and his case will be heard later.

The subsistence fishermen were cited last year during a poor king salmon run. They argued they have a spiritual right to fish for king salmon when restrictions are in place.

KYUK says Ward found the state's need to restrict kings supersedes the fishermen's religious rights.

Ward imposed $250 fines for all but one fisherman, who was fined $500.

The trials began in April with specialists on Yup'ik culture.

Canadian Guide Sentenced for Illegal ANWR Sheep Hunts

By The Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:50:00 -0800

A Canadian guide has been sentenced after admitting he guided two hunts in Alaska in which undersized Dall sheep were killed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Patrick Downey, 67, of Turner Valley, Alberta, was sentenced in federal Court in Fairbanks. Federal prosecutors say Downey was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and placed on five years probation. During that time, he will not be allowed to hunt or guide in the United States.

Downey for 20 years has guided hunters in the Brooks Range. In 2008 and in 2009, he guided ANWR hunts in which Dall sheep killed had less than a minimum full curl to their horns. Both times prosecutors say he pounded the horns' tips with rocks to try and conceal their sub-legal size.

Washington Man Convicted in Juneau Woman's Death

By The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:32:00 -0800

A Washington state man is scheduled to be sentenced next week in the death of a Juneau woman last year.

The Juneau Empire reports Jacob Andrew Mommer was convicted earlier this month of first-degree murder and second-degree assault in the January 2012 death of Ashton Ericka-Marie Reyes.

Mommer is scheduled to be sentenced May 31.

Dan Donohoe, a spokesman for the King County prosecutor's office, says Mommer could face up to about 36 years in prison.

Prosecutors said a Seattle Police investigation found that Reyes and her boyfriend had arranged to sell the suspects marijuana, but were robbed and shot during the drug deal. The boyfriend survived.

Invasive Plants Close Lake near Nikiski to Planes, Boats

By Chris Klint — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:31:00 -0800

Invasive plants have closed a lake at a state recreation area near Nikiski to planes and boats for the summer, with state and federal workers planning to contain the infestation in its waters.

The state Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation says Wednesday that its director, Ben Ellis, signed an order Monday closing Stormy Lake in the Captain Cook State Recreation Area.

According to state officials say both Stormy Lake and Daniels Lake, on the recreation area's boundary, have been infested by Elodea plants. The aquatic plants can have severe effects if unchecked, and easily spread by attachment to plane floats or boat hulls, and can asexually reproduce in other bodies of water.

"Ecological impacts include reduced water quality, increased sedimentation, native vegetation displacement, and degraded salmon spawning habitat," officials wrote. "Elodea can also impact recreation use by entangling outboard motors, decreasing fishing opportunities, and creating undesirable conditions for swimming and wading."

The state anticipates treating Stormy and Daniels lakes to halt their Elodea infestations this summer.

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ASD Educators Prepare For Natural Disasters

By Corey Allen-Young — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:12:00 -0800

Communities across the nation are reacting to the effects of the deadly storms in Moore, Oklahoma as the Anchorage School District enters the home stretch before the school year ends.

"The heart wrenching stories of teachers in Oklahoma covering their children with their bodies and I have no doubt that would be the case in every one of our schools in Anchorage," said Theresa Owens, Principal of Creekside Park Elementary.

Officials say every building is built to code and is inspected constantly to make sure they are in appropriate conditions to survive a natural disaster. A combination of fire, earthquake, and major trauma drills are also conducted throughout the school year with staff and students, according to officials.

"We work on a daily basis internally here in the school district, along with the Municipality and the State of Alaska to make sure that the students and staff here in the Anchorage School District are as safe as we can get them," said Mike Abbott, ASD Superintendent of Support Services.

The Anchorage School District has 22 schools designated as emergency site shelters to house and feed students for up to three days in case of a natural disaster.

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Parnell Signs Bills on Oil Tax, Budgets

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:51:00 -0800

Gov. Sean Parnell has signed into law several bills, including an overhaul of Alaska's oil tax structure.

Parnell championed the overhaul as a way to increase oil production. He referred to the bill Tuesday as the "More Alaska Production Act."

Critics fear the plan gives away too much to oil companies with no guarantee about what Alaska might see in return. Protesters gathered outside the venue where Parnell spoke and signed the bill in Anchorage.

Parnell also signed bills involving permitting and a gas line project.

Parnell says taken together, the bills are part of an historic package aimed at moving Alaska forward.

In addition, Parnell signed state budgets totaling $13.2 billion.

The operating and capital budgets constitute about $1.1 billion less in unrestricted general fund spending compared with the current year. Unrestricted general funds refer to money that isn't restricted in its use by the law, constitution or something else.

Parnell vetoed $2.5 million, much of which was attributed to a calculation error. He called his reductions "modest."

Parnell, who earlier in his term vetoed a record $400 million in spending, says lawmakers this year stuck to the spending limit that all sides had agreed to.

Republicans took over the Senate after last year's elections, putting the GOP in control of the House, Senate and governor's office for the first time in years.

Contact Chris Klint

Assembly Votes to Indefinitely Postpone Public Testimony Reform Ordinance

By Adam Pinsker — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:04:00 -0800

The Anchorage Assembly voted unanimously to indefinitely postpone Ordinance 63, a proposal to reform public testimony policy, shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Dozens lined up at Assembly chambers to take a stand on taking the stand, which was essentially tabled.

Many of these people were opposed to ordinance 63, a proposal by Assembly Chairman Ernie Hall that would have made changes to the policy for public testimony at assembly meetings.

Hall's proposal would have required a sign-up sheet when the room swells with people wanting to comment on a particular issue, as was the case earlier this year when the city wanted to rewrite the labor laws

"After AO 37, I received a letter from the ACLU that stated, you need to do it the same time, every time you do it," said Hall. "You can't do it with a shotgun this way this time - this way next time."

According to Hall, his proposal would have established a protocol on how to conduct public comment that can be followed by future assemblies.

"It's going to guarantee [that] the people that show up the first night and put their name on the list are going to be the first to testify when you go into the following meeting because you will begin by calling the names on the previous sign-up sheet," said Hall.

Assembly Member Dick Traini opposed the ordinance because he said people who didn't sign up on the first night of testimony, wouldn't be able to do so on the second night.

"You know our obligation when we run for the Assembly is to listen to everyone," said Traini. "That just means if you have to have another meeting, you start the meeting at noon."

That assurance fell on deaf ears on the second night of public testimony on the matter.

"I will be heard before this assembly," said Richard Evans. "I demand my right to speak before this assembly because it's the government of this city and the government of me."

The next Anchorage Assembly meeting is scheduled for June 4.

Contact Adam Pinsker

Finalist for Archaeology Curator to Give Talk

By The Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:29:00 -0800

One of three finalists for a job as curator at the University of Alaska Museum of the North is scheduled to speak at a public seminar this week.

University of Alaska Fairbanks officials say Josh Reuther will speak about the archaeology of the Kuskokwim River.

Officials say Reuther is a Fairbanks-based archaeologist with Northern Land Use Research Alaska, a resources predevelopment firm.

The free public seminar is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. Friday in the Reichardt Building at UAF.

Reuther is a finalist for the dual position of museum archaeology curator and assistant professor at UAF's anthropology department.

Another finalist for the position, anthropologist Kathyrn Krasinski, spoke Tuesday about prehistoric subsistence.

Graphic Photos Shown On Day 2 of Jones-Nelson and Harris Trial

By Mallory Peebles — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:35:00 -0800

On day two of the Devante Jordan murder, jurors were shown graphic photos taken by police officers who first responded to the scene back in 2011.

Jordan was 19-years-old when he was shot to death at an apartment in Mountain View. He was one of eight men allegedly involved the 2009 deadly shooting of 17-year-old Desirae Douglas in East Anchorage.

Marquinn Jones-Nelson is accused of killing Jordan, tampering with physical evidence, and misconduct involving weapons. Parish Harris is also on trial in the case facing charges of misconduct involving weapons.

The defense for Jones-Nelson claimed their client shot Jordan in self defense.

The prosecution called to the stand Derland George, a man who was in jail at the same time as Jones-Nelson. He testified that Jones Nelson admitted to shooting Jordan.

"Later on in the evening, he told me about a situation he was involved in about a house in Mountain View where he shot Devante," said George.

Two police officers who responded to the crime scene also testified, including Officer Derek Sitz, who said he was one of the first on scene.

"As we entered the apartment, we could hear some screaming going on the inside, and it sounded like crying," said Officer Sitz. "Inside the apartment, we were directed towards the kitchen where a female adult was holding onto a male sitting in a chair."

Officer Sitz said police attempted life saving procedures but Jordan was pronounced dead on the scene. Photos of Jordan's gunshot wounds, one to the torso and two to the buttocks, were presented to jurors.

Jordan's mother, who attended the trial in person, cried out as she tried to leave the courtroom when the graphic photos were shown.

Attorneys for Jones-Nelson said they will not comment on if their client will take the stand. The trial is expected to last until the beginning of June.

Contact Mallory Peebles

AFD: Sunrise Grill Burglarized Before Weekend Fire

By Chris Klint — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:57:00 -0800

Anchorage Fire Department officials say a burglary occurred at a South Anchorage restaurant earlier this month, before it was burned in a fire which is now considered suspicious.

AFD spokesperson Al Tamagni Jr. says in a Tuesday statement that the department is seeking help from citizens in learning more about the blaze, which raced through the Sunrise Grill and Pancake House at 8201 Old Seward Hwy. on the morning of May 11. Nobody was injured in the fire, but officials said at the time that it may be a total loss for the business.

"During the investigation physical evidence was discovered which leads the investigator to believe the business was burglarized prior to the fire's ignition," Tamagni wrote. "Due to the suspicious circumstances the Anchorage Fire Department is asking for the (public's) help in identifying the person(s) responsible for this crime."

Tamagni couldn't immediately elaborate on the nature of the "suspicious circumstances" Tuesday, but said AFD investigator Brian Balega has been charged with handling both the fire and the burglary.

"Our investigator is doing it all," Tamagni said.

Anyone with information on the fire or those responsible for setting it is asked to call AFD's arson hotline at 267-5060 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP.

Contact Chris Klint

German Mount McKinley Climber Dies after Heart Attack

By Chris Klint — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:12:00 -0800

A German man died Sunday night after suffering a heart attack on Mount McKinley, becoming the first climber to die on the mountain during the 2013 climbing season.

In a Tuesday statement, Denali National Park spokesperson Maureen McLaughlin says Klaus Bielstein, 59, of Muenster, Germany was part of an 11-person expedition guided by Alpine Ascents International, which was ascending the mountain via its West Buttress route.

"According to teammates, Bielstein suddenly collapsed after the team rounded the feature known as Windy Corner, just as they reached a commonly used gear caching site at 13,500 feet," McLaughlin wrote.

McLaughlin says many teams ascend to 13,500 feet to cache gear for future legs of the climb, then fall back to 11,000 feet to rest -- a portion of the ascent that often marks climbers' first exposure to steeper terrain and higher elevations.

"It would have been their first taste of getting to higher than 11,000 feet," McLaughlin said.

After Bielstein fell, his fellow climbers attempted to resuscitate him while calling the Kalhiltna base camp by radio at about 7 p.m. Sunday for assistance.

"The guides had started CPR, and just were unable to regain a pulse," McLaughlin said.

National Park Service rangers from the mountain's 14,200-foot camp were able to reach Windy Corner in less than an hour, and a volunteer registered nurse declared him dead after a medical assessment.

"Bielstein's remains were recovered that evening by the NPS A-Star B3 helicopter via a long-line operation, then subsequently flown to Talkeetna and transferred to a local funeral home," McLaughlin wrote.

McLaughlin says 920 climbers have registered to climb Mount McKinley this year, 352 of whom are currently on the mountain. Five of the 14 teams that have already tried the climb successfully reached the summit.

According to McLaughlin, Bielstein's death marks the fifth on the mountain from cardiac arrests in five years, with two recorded in 2008, one in 2009 and one in 2011.

Contact Chris Klint

Former Alaskan Missing on Florida Keys Boating Trip

By The Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:15:00 -0800

Authorities in the Florida Keys are searching for a man who went missing during a boating trip.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports that the U.S. Coast Guard detected 40-year-old Jay Wesley Rydberg's emergency beacon May 14 at 4:13 a.m. During a 78-hour search, Rydberg's beacon was found 33 miles north of Key West, but there were no signs of Rydberg or his 39-foot trimaran sailboat. At the time the beacon went off, there were no reported storms in the area.

Rydberg had been living on his boat at a Key West marina for the past year. His sister told authorities that he had moved from Alaska to Florida to be near his 11-year-old son, who lives in southwest Florida. He was sailing from Fort Myers back to Key West when he disappeared.

Former APD Officer Faces Records Misconduct Charges

By Chris Klint — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:02:00 -0800

Anchorage Police Department officials say a former officer is facing misconduct charges after improperly trying to have a DUI case dismissed against a 23-year-old woman with whom he was having a relationship.

APD spokesperson Dani Myren says police have completed an investigation of Mark J. Moeller. He has been charged with eight counts of criminal use of a computer -- all felonies -- in addition to five misdemeanors, including four counts of misuse of confidential information and one count of official misconduct.

According to a Tuesday statement from Myren, Moeller, 25, was hired as an APD officer on Oct. 24, 2011. On that date, he also signed paperwork to gain access to the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN), a statewide computer database of criminal records.

"In that paperwork, Moeller acknowledged that access to APSIN was only for job related purposes and penalty for misuse of APSIN could result in criminal charges," Myren wrote.

The events that led to the charges against Moeller began on New Year's Eve, when Moeller arrested the woman -- listed as "A.B." in court records. Myren says Moeller wasn't the only APD officer present at the time of the arrest, but he subsequently took a special interest in the case.

"In the days following A.B.'s arrest, Moeller repeatedly contacted (Seneca Theno), the Anchorage Municipal Prosecutor handling the case and asked to have the DUI charges dropped against A.B.," Myren wrote. "The prosecutor was uncomfortable with Officer Moeller's conduct and on January 25, 2013, she contacted the Anchorage Police Department to report his behavior."

Moeller, who was placed under investigation by APD's Internal Affairs Unit and suspended, resigned from the department Feb. 15. The investigation into his activities continued, however, and was handed over to the state Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals.

Greggory Olson, the OSPA assistant district attorney handling the case, says the office received the case from APD because its personnel have greater distance from current and former police officers.

"Our office generally handles allegations of misconduct by the police," Olson said.

Olson says Alaska State Troopers, who maintain the APSIN database, sometimes call police departments to verify whether queries made on it are legitimate. While some such incidents are investigated by OSPA, Olson says the Moeller incident is the first police-misconduct case involving database records that he's seen result in criminal charges.

"Do we see these day in and day out? No," Olson said.

As the investigation continued, it revealed that Moeller had illegally accessed APSIN before the New Year's Eve arrest.

"(B)etween August 2012 and January 2013, Moeller had accessed the APSIN database on multiple occasions to retrieve information not directly related to his official duties," Myren wrote. "According to records retained by the Department of Public Safety, Moeller used APSIN to run queries on his sister-in-law, A.B., and A.B.'s former boyfriend."

In addition to the computer queries, charging documents state that Moeller also improperly requested information from Alaska State Troopers on A.B.'s ex-boyfriend, listed as "T.K.," during an unrelated visit to AST's Palmer office.

"Moeller asked about T.K.'s arrest and was given a copy of the Alaska State Trooper police report on T.K.," prosecutors wrote. "Moeller also stated that a trooper had emailed him photographs of a search warrant execution on T.K.'s residence. Moeller stated that he had shown the pictures to A.B."

Moeller told police that he had looked up A.B.'s APSIN records at least three occasions in January, all at her request to check whether her license had been suspended or revoked. He also said he had destroyed the report on T.K. which troopers had given him by burning it at his home, and that his wife had requested that he look up his sister-in-law, listed in court documents as D.U.

"When interviewed, Moeller said that D.U. was his wife's sister and that he was running her on APSIN at his wife's request, to make sure that D.U. didn't have a warrant," prosecutors wrote. "When he ran her on December 12, 2012, he discovered that D.U. had a warrant and he told his wife not to get pulled over with D.U. in the vehicle."

According to prosecutors, Moeller's relationship reached its peak shortly before he left APD.

"Moeller's relationship with A.B. culminated in a onetime sexual event on January 28, 2013," prosecutors wrote.

Moeller was served Tuesday with a summons to appear in court.

Editor's note: An initial description of Moeller's relationship with A.B. as an affair has been removed after clarification of the case's details.

Contact Chris Klint

Kulluk Coast Guard Hearing: Panel Collects Details of Shell Towing Procedures

By The Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:21:00 -0800

The Shell Alaska official who approved a plan for a winter crossing of the Gulf of Alaska by a drilling barge says the document called for moving to shelter in protected bays if extreme weather hit.

Norman "Buddy" Custard says the other possibility was moving to deep water and riding out a big storm.

Custard testified Tuesday in Anchorage during the second day of Coast Guard hearings into the Dec. 31 grounding of the Kulluk near Kodiak Island during a storm where waves exceeded 30 feet.

The Kulluk during the summer open water season drilled in the Beaufort Sea. It was on its way to a Seattle shipyard when it became separated Dec. 27 from its towing vessel.

Multiple attempts over four days failed to keep tow lines connected.

Alaska Pacific University Approves Tuition Cut

By The Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:10:00 -0800

A private liberal arts college in Anchorage is lowering its tuition by more than 30 percent.

The president of Alaska Pacific University says the change will make a college education more affordable for Alaskans, and hopefully, boost enrollment.

KSKA reports the school's board decided last week to reduce tuition by nearly $10,000 per year, from $29,600 to $19,950. President Don Bantz says that will make Alaska Pacific more competitive with out-of-state colleges.

Tuition at the University of Alaska Anchorage is still cheaper, around $4,000 for Alaska residents and $14,000 for out-of-state students. The University of Alaska system is public.

Alaska Pacific has enrollment of about 600 students. The tuition cut will apply to undergraduate tuition and take effect beginning in the fall of 2014.

ADFG Reduces Bag and Possession Limit for Razor Clams

By Jessica Ridgway — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:04:00 -0800

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has decreased the bag and possession limit for razor clams harvested from the eastside Cook Inlet beaches due to an assessment that shows this year's abundance of razor clams as the lowest on record in the past 21 years.

According to the ADFG, razor clam populations on the Ninilchik Beach decreased from approximately 1,500,000 clams in 2011 to 79,000 clams in 2013. The cause of the decline is unknown, but is thought to be a result of poor spawning or settling success.

Diggers are limited to the first 25 clams dug per day and each person may possess up to 25 razor clams. The reduction is effective beginning 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 23, through December 31.

Contact Jessica Ridgway

Coast Guard Begins Hearing for Kulluk Marine Casualty Investigation

By Blake Essig — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:32:00 -0800

A Coast Guard hearing began Monday to investigate the contributing factors that led to the New Year's eve grounding of the Shell Oil drilling rig Kulluk near Sitkalidak Island.

On Jan. 4, 2013, the Coast Guard launched its formal marine casualty investigation. In the months that followed, the Coast Guard gathered evidence leading up to Monday's public witness testimony in Anchorage at the Loussac Library.

On day one of a 10-day hearing, the Coast Guard introduced 79-items of evidence that included Shell's tow plan, daily operation reports, photos, diagrams and video showing the failure of emergency tow lines.

In addition, officers took testimony of Norman Custard, Shell's emergency response team lead, for nearly three hours on day one.

"On behalf of Shell Exploration and Production Company, I assure you of our full cooperation in this investigation as well as all your efforts to understand why the Kulluk went aground," said Custard.

Throughout Custard's testimony, Cmdr. Joshua McTaggart asked him to describe the procedures, contingency plans and other factors that led to the failed towing of the Kulluk.

Custard described the details of the events that occurred from the moment the tow line was established through the time the Kulluk ran aground.

"It was about 11:40 [a.m. Dec. 27, 2012] when I was originally notified," said Custard. "I had the logistics manager come in to my office and advise me that the tow line between the Aiviq and the Kulluk parted."

Coast Guard officials say they plan to use the findings from the investigation to determine whether additional measures need to be taken to moving forward to prevent a situation like this from happening in the future.

Coast Guard officials say they hope to have the investigation completed by July 5.

Day two begins Tuesday morning at 8:30 at Assembly Chambers and is open to the public.

Contact Blake Essig

Military Announces Third Anchorage Sexual Abuse Case This Month

By Chris Klint — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:23:00 -0800

The Army has scheduled a Wednesday court-martial for a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson soldier accused of sexual abuse, Anchorage's third military sex-crimes case to be publicly announced this month.

A Monday statement from U.S. Army Alaska spokesperson Maj. Joshua Camara says Chief Warrant Officer Guillermo Castillo, 33, was charged Dec. 13, 2012 with abusive sexual contact in connection with an Oct. 6, 2012 incident.

"Castillo is also being charged with violating the orders of two commissioned officers on Nov. 6 and Dec. 8, 2012, and with driving under the influence of alcohol on Dec. 8, 2012," Camara wrote.

According to Camara, Castillo is from California and has served in the Army since 2000, graduating from Warrant Officer Candidate School in 2009. He joined JBER's 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in June 2010, and was deployed to Afghanistan with the unit in 2012 from May to October.

Castillo waived his rights to an Article 32 hearing in January, allowing his case to proceed to a general court-martial. His trial will begin at 9 a.m. in JBER's military courtroom.

The Army said less than two weeks ago that Spc. Jose Nataren had been sentenced at court-martial to 12 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, after being convicted of sexual assault and adultery for sneaking into a fellow soldier's barracks on base and assaulting her Sept. 20.

Capt. Charles Spears, a spokesperson for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, says Monday that further information on the case will not be released until the court-martial begins.

Contact Chris Klint

Bail Denied for James Wells in Kodiak Coast Guard Murders

By Neil Torquiano — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:20:00 -0800

A federal judge denied bail for the man accused of killing two men at a Kodiak Island Coast Guard facility.

Though James Wells' defense team claimed the 61-year-old posed no risk to the community, it was unable to secure bail for the murder suspect, which included 24-hour home detention and electronic monitoring.

The defense presented testimonies from three people, including married couple Henry and Janet Pennington who claimed to have known Wells for more than 20 years, and Victoria Geyer, who would serve as a third-party custodian if the court approved. Geyer, a friend of Wells' wife Nancy Wells, noted it was her first time seeing the defendant in person.

Wells, with his long grey bread, shackled in a yellow jail uniform, appeared Monday afternoon in the federal Courthouse in Anchorage. Wells is charged in the deadly shootings of Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class James Hopkins and retired Chief Petty Officer Richard Belisle in April 2012.

DEFENDANT'S ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT WITH PROSTITUTION

(To listen to the whole audio recording of the bail hearing, click here.)

Federal prosecutors called for Coast Guard Special Agent Denise Andersen to testify to support its case of establishing Wells' character. The prosecution presented 20 exhibits from the defendant's work record that showed a history of "a guy who doesn't follow instructions," and included evidence of acquired COMMSTA equipment found at Wells' home and work evaluations.

Presiding Judge John D. Roberts' decision, however, focused on the "seriousness" of the charges, he said. The Judge noted he could not find a case of any person facing murder charges being granted bail.

"I'm not at all convinced that bail is appropriate in this case, but even if it is, release to third parties on Kodiak Island is not appropriate and I would not approve of that as a location for him to release if that were to occur," Roberts said.

USCG Special Agent Denise Andersen provided testimony about her investigation into Wells, which revealed his alleged involvement with prostitution.

"The prostitution evidence is of course unresolved because we don't know what acts took place," Honorable Roberts addressed the issue before his decision. "But I think what it tells me is that the defendant has a separate life if you will that everything is not accounted for and his friends don't know everything about him."

Wells' trial has been scheduled for February 2014.

Editor's Note: Corrects date for trial date to 2014, instead of 2013.

Contact Neil Torquiano

Kenai Woman Wins Nenana Ice Classic Again

By Rebecca Palsha — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:32:00 -0800

A Kenai woman has won the Nenana Ice Classic for a second time.

On Monday, Yvonne Snow along with her husband Warren won this year's jackpot which totaled $318,000.

No one predicted the exact minute the tripod would fall, which happened at 2:41 p.m. Monday when the ice on the Tanana River went out.

The Kenai couple's guess of 2:40 p.m. was the closest without going over. In 2005, Yvonne won "Alaska's favorite guessing game," however had to split the pot with several other winners, her take was $7000.

Yvonne says she was at work when she found out she'd won.

"I didn't get a call from the Nenana Ice Classic," Yvonne said. "My husband called and I thought he was joking with me because he made fun of me guessing so late in the year, so it was quite shocking."

Contact Rebecca Palsha

Money Stolen after Village Bingo Hall Burglarized

By The Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:32:00 -0800

Alaska State Troopers say a large amount of money was stolen after the Brevig Mission bingo hall was burglarized.

Troopers say the money was stolen from numerous organizations that operate in the building.

Troopers say the theft was discovered last week.

Brevig Mission is an Inupiat Eskimo village of about 415 people 65 miles northwest of Nome.

Grown Up: Young Adults Recall Their Life in Foster Care

By Adam Pinsker — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:01:00 -0800

Revolving parents - an estimated 1800 young people are in foster care throughout Alaska. May is Foster Care month and advocates are trying to bring attention to this group.

Sarah Redmon doesn't spend a lot of time at home these days as she juggles three jobs while attending college full-time. Back in January, Chuck and Janet O'Brien once again became her foster parents. Sarah has known them almost as long as she has known her biological parents. When she was 11, she was taken out of her biological parents' home.

"I know that they're my parents, I know them, I talk to them, and I love them," said Redmon. "But sometimes they can't provide everything I need, so I have to live in a situation like this."

Her fourth grade teacher took her in, but she still maintains a relationship with her biological parents.

Sarah's friend Slade Martin, 24, has also lived in foster care - 24 placements with the shortest being two days and the longest lasting a year.

"At the time it really bothered me, it was like no one wanted me, what did I do wrong, why am I bounced around so much," said Martin.

It appears these foster kids-now-turned-adults weathered the adversity. In the last few days, Martin got his associates degree from Mat-Su College and Redmon has a year of college under her belt.

"I got told no, I wasn't going to graduate as a junior," said Redmon, who plans on using her education and her life experience to help other foster teens. "I graduated as a junior in high school at Bartlett and now I'm in college."

Redmon says, "I'm supposed to get a bachelors, that's not even in my mind, I'm going straight for my masters in social work."

Facing Foster Care is collecting donations to help college bound students who have been in foster care. The group needs new or gently used laptop computers, bedding or tax deductible donations.

For more information, call 907-230-8237.

Contact Adam Pinsker

Judge's Decision Called a Win for Yupik Fishermen

By Dan Carpenter — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:16:00 -0800

An important ruling was made Monday in the trial of several Yupik fishermen charged with defying a fishing closure last summer.

Defendants had argued they had the right to fish last summer based on religious grounds. While the judge in the case agreed free religious exercise protections apply, the Chinook salmon need to be protected.

Last June, the Kuskokwim River was closed for seven days to subsistence fishing of king salmon. When that closure was extended another five days, some fishermen decided to fish anyway at the urging of elders.

The State charged 60 fishermen with using gillnets in violation of the emergency order aimed at allowing king salmon to meet escapement goals. Most of the defendants pleaded guilty or were fined.

On Monday, acting District Court Judge Bruce Ward read a seven page memorandum decision affecting the remaining 22 defendants.

He argued religion is involved with subsistence harvesting of king salmon, but the need to protect king salmon overcomes the argued free exercise exemption for religious practices.

Subsistence fishermen are watching the trial closely and some say despite the ruling against their defense, agreement by the state that subsistence practices are protected on religious grounds is a win.

"In a nutshell, I think it's a good day for all of us and we made huge gains on our hunting and fishing rights," Mike Williams, a subsistence fishermen and tribal leader, said.

Defendants in the case are being represented by the Northern Justice Project free of charge. Defense attorney James Davis says he's extraordinarily excited by what the ruling supporting subsistence practices as a religious practice holds, but says he plans on appealing the charges.

On Monday, the first ten defendants took the stand to express how subsistence fishing is tied to their spiritual practices. When asked how they felt when they were prevented from fishing, many men became emotional.

"Most of the fishermen, even elders who'd been fishing their entire lives, old tough guys, would break down and crying in court - open court in front of their community, even though Yupik men pride themselves on never showing those types of emotions in public," Davis said.

Those charged on Monday were ordered to pay fines ranging from $50 to $500.

Contact: Dan Carpenter

Nenana Ice Classic Tripod Has Latest-Ever Fall

By Chris Klint — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:25:00 -0800

The Nenana Ice Classic's tripod fell Monday afternoon, bringing an end to one of the state's traditions for the year -- and hundreds of thousands of dollars to some lucky winners.

Cherrie Forness, the Ice Classic's manager, says the official time of the tripod's fall into the Tanana River was 2:41 p.m. -- the latest ever recorded for the event. Earlier Monday, Forness told Channel 2 she saw that a channel of water had opened behind the tripod, with a gap opening beneath one leg of the tripod, but the ice under the structure seemed relatively intact.

This year's jackpot is $318,500, but not everybody stood an equal chance to win. While Forness says 1,800 guesses in the Classic extended through May and June, at least a dozen were made for September through December -- with four predicting the tripod's fall in August.

No one predicted the exact minute the tripod would fall. But Warren and Yvonne Snow of Kenai were a minute off, guessing the time at 2:40 p.m. on Monday, meaning they were the closest.

The Associated Press, as well as Channel 2's Ashleigh Ebert and Kortnie Horazdovsky contributed information to this story.

This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.

Contact Chris Klint

No Signs of Missing Snowmachiners in Kotzebue Search

By Chris Klint — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:51:00 -0800

Alaska State Troopers say search efforts continued Monday for two snowmachiners last seen more than five days ago, with poor conditions still hindering attempts to locate them.

According to AST spokesperson Megan Peters, all air assets in the search for Noorvik resident Shallain Adams, 23, and 32-year-old Clifford Griest of Selawik were grounded Monday by bad weather.

"We've got dedicated ground searchers and their efforts have been quite frankly heroic, but there haven't been any confirmed signs of them," Peters said.

While efforts to find the two are continuing, Peters says authorities are concerned about placing searchers themselves into hazardous conditions.

Adams and Griest were last seen leaving Kotzebue early Wednesday morning, riding a black Polaris IQ snowmachine en route to Selawik. Although more than 70 searchers from at least six communities in the region have been involved in efforts to find them, with Alaska Air National Guard flights Thursday and Friday in support, nothing has yet been found.

Beth Ipsen, another AST spokesperson, told Channel 2 over the weekend that other flights, including that of an Alaska Wildlife Trooper planned to assist the search, had also been grounded by the poor conditions.

Troopers say the Northwest Arctic Borough is coordinating the ground search.

Contact Chris Klint

Minor Flooding Reported in Fort Yukon

By The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:12:00 -0800

Fort Yukon is experiencing minor flooding.

The National Weather Service office in Fairbanks reports that village officials say low-lying areas of the community are under water Monday as the breakup front on the Yukon River is passing town.

Flooding has made the frontage road impassable, and officials report water is up to the steps of the tribal hall.

A flood warning is in effect in Fort Yukon until 4 p.m. Tuesday.

National Weather Service hydrologist Ed Plumb says ice downriver of Fort Yukon appears to be more intact. That could cause another jam on the river, and cause additional flooding in Fort Yukon if the water backs up.

Pavlof Volcano's Ash Prompts Flight Cancellations

By Rachel D'Oro — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:24:00 -0800

An Alaska volcano eruption is prompting regional airlines to cancel flights to nearby communities, including a town that reported traces of fallen ash.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory says Pavlof Volcano has released ash plumes as high as 22,000 feet. Clouds obscured the volcano Monday, but scientists say seismic instruments at the volcano 625 miles southwest of Anchorage show continuing tremors.

Geologist Chris Waythomas says the abrasive ash has not risen enough to threaten international air traffic passing over the volcano-rich Aleutian arc. Ash emissions have reached high enough, however, to affect flights of some smaller planes.

Anchorage-based regional carrier PenAir has canceled a dozen passenger and cargo flights to several communities. They include Sand Point, which reported a dusting of ash Sunday.

PenAir says passengers can keep an eye on their flight status on the airline's website. Officials say the changes are no different than those made to accommodate bad weather.

Ace Air Cargo canceled two flights.

Channel 2's Ashleigh Ebert contributed information to this story.

Dimond Center Affected by Brief Power Outage

By Chris Klint — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:07:00 -0800

A brief power outage knocked out power to numerous customers in South Anchorage's main retail belt Monday afternoon, including the Dimond Center mall.

Chugach Electric spokesperson Sarah Wiggers says a substation near the intersection of Dimond Boulevard and the Old Seward Highway lost power at 3:35 p.m.

"We had a breaker tripped," Wiggers said. "We're not sure, but we think it was a blown fuse."

While the outage's effects didn't reach far beyond the intersection, Chugach says business customers were disproportionately affected due to its location.

"I would say about 98 percent of them were commercial customers," Wiggers said.

According to Wiggers, Chugach crews restored power to the area at 4:12 p.m.

Contact Chris Klint

State Announces Plan to Assess Oil & Gas at Refuge

By The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:37:00 -0800

Alaska is proposing a plan aimed at determining the true oil and gas potential in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The plan was announced Monday by Gov. Sean Parnell and Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan.

According to the announcement, the U.S. Department of Interior hasn't indicated it will address oil and gas issues in a new planning document for the refuge so Alaska is stepping up.

The multi-year proposal includes seismic surveys, environmental studies and exploration drilling on the coastal plain of the refuge, according to the announcement. Exploration would take place in winter, and Parnell says it would have a limited impact on the environment.

Parnell says he will ask the Legislature for up to $50 million toward the plan, if the federal government is willing to partner with Alaska.

Do Iliamna Lake Seals Warrant an Endangered Species Listing?

By Garrett Turner — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:55:00 -0800

Last week, National Marine Fisheries Service officials made the decision to consider listing a harbor seal population in Lake Iliamna as endangered or threatened--yet another piece of wood on the controversial fire that is the Pebble Mine project.

In the coming months, the federal agency will continue to review the latest research to make a final decision on the status of the seals. This latest development has sparked a debate between the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pebble Partnership.

Biologists say these freshwater seals are the only population in the United States. They say the seals' unique environment and existence warrant an endangered species label.

"It's a small population of seals," Center biologist Kiersten Lippmann said. "There are only 250 to 350 individuals in the lake and small variations in their environment can push the population towards extinction."

Pebble Partnership CEO John Shively disagrees.

"We don't think it's necessary," Shively said. "The numbers we have seen with the seals is that they've been pretty stable over time."

Shively says the Endangered Species Act improperly.

"The endangered species act was meant to protect things and bring them back," Shively said. "The act is now being used by the environment movement to stop development."

The Center says any mine activity will disrupt the seals and waste coming from the mine will negatively affect the marine mammal's food source.

"If the species is listed as threatened or endangered the Pebble Mine would have to consult with NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] on what kind of impacts the seal would suffer before moving forward in their permitting process," Lippmann said.

But the Pebble Partnership says it already expected to have conversations about the impacts of the mine.

"We want to build a project that provides local jobs and protects the fish," Shively said. "We've always said that if we can exist with the fish than the fish have to come first. We come second."

The Center says last week it passed the first hurdle for the seals to be put on the endangered species list. Now, a 60 day public comment period will go on until the middle of July. Then the federal government will have until next November to make its final decision.

Contact Garrett Turner:

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State's Request for Waiver from Education Law Approved

By The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:03:00 -0800

The Obama administration has approved Alaska's request for a waiver from provisions of the federal education law No Child Left Behind.

In 2011, the administration announced it would let states avoid certain requirements, like students showing they're proficient in reading and math by 2014, if other conditions were met. Those conditions included states imposing their own standards to prepare students for college and careers and setting evaluation standards for teachers and principals.

Alaska applied for a waiver last year.

Critics of No Child Left Behind call it a one-size-fits-all approach to education that doesn't fit Alaska's needs.

The U.S. Department of Education says it has approved waiver requests from 37 states and the District of Columbia so far.

The latest approvals, announced Monday, were for Alaska, Hawaii and West Virginia.

Pavlof Volcano Eruption Ongoing, Ash Up to 22K Feet

By Neil Torquiano — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:27:00 -0800

A remote Alaska volcano continues to erupt steam, lava, and ash.

Officials at the Alaska Volcano Observatory say Pavlof came back to life on May 13 and it continues to spew lava and send massive ash plumes more than 20-thousand feet into the sky.

Mount Pavlof in the Aleutian Islands is located roughly 625 miles southwest of Anchorage.

AVO officials say a plume of steam, ash, and gas, occasionally reaching up to 22,000 ft. above sea level was visible in satellite images.

"Volcanoes are very unpredictable and there is always that possibility -- even though it's a small chance -- of something we haven't ever seen before," Chris Waythomas, Geologist with Alaska Volcano Observatory, said.

The frequently active volcano last erupted in 2007. Previous eruptions have lasted weeks, months and even years.

AVO scientists believe a big eruption could impact international air travel between Anchorage and Asia.

"Pavlof really poses an aviation risk; ash plumes could go up 20,000 feet to flight levels which are 30,000 to 50,000 (feet)," Waythomas said. "It's somewhat rare for plumes to go that high, but not unexpected."

The National Weather Service reported Sunday morning that minor ashfall could reach Nelson Lagoon with low-level winds shifting northeastward and dusting the community. NOAA officials advise residents to avoid excessive exposure and protect critical electronics and other equipment from contamination.

"Fortunately, few people live right around the volcano," Waythomas said. "Cold Bay and King Cove are upwind typically and Sand Point, Nelson Lagoon, Port Moller are all far enough away that they're not likely to receive much ash fall, but the main worry is what a large plume might do with air travel."

This is the second volcano along the Aleutian chain to erupt in May. Mount Cleveland began erupting on May 4 and is being monitored using "using only distant seismic and infrasound instruments and satellite data."

Editor's Note: KTUU's Blake Essig contributed to this story.

Contact Neil Torquiano

Interior Alaska: Flooding Damages Homes in Circle

By Samantha Angaiak — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:51:00 -0800

Waters of the Yukon River rose quickly Sunday morning and spilled into the community of Circle.

Most of the homes and other structures in Circle were damaged by flooding, according to the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Some were inundated with water even pushed off their foundation.

The water rose about five to eight feet Sunday morning, but around noon, floodwaters began rapidly receding.

Emergency officials say the Native Village of Circle helped move people to safety right away, and no one was injured.

An emergency management specialist from the river watch team is staying in circle to help the community, while a hydrologist and pilot are traveling down the Yukon to watch the water levels and communicate with communities down river.

Officials say a flood watch was in effect around 2 p.m. Sunday for Fort Yukon, which is about 145 air miles northeast of Fairbanks. Circle has a flood warning in effect and is about 125 miles northeast of Fairbanks.

Residents took refuge at the school, store, and a location near the post office. The DHSEM says, "the power system and washateria appear intact and operational."

"The good news is now we know all the residents are safe," Jeremy Zidek, DHSEM Public Information Officer, said. "The community was well-notified of the flood danger and early this morning they took action and got everyone up to higher ground to safe locations."

Editor's Note: KTUU's Neil Torquiano contributed to this story.

Contact Samantha Angaiak

Man Believed Dead after Stolen Kayak Overturns

By The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:46:00 -0800

Alaska State Troopers say a 33-year-old man is believed to have drowned in the icy Chena River in Fairbanks after a stolen kayak he was in overturned and he was swept away.

Troopers say a woman who lives on the south side of the Chena called troopers Sunday evening to report she heard a man yelling from the river near The Pump House restaurant.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner says the woman reported seeing a yellow kayak overturned in the river and a person's head in the water.

The woman's husband recovered the kayak, which contained items indicating the man in the water was Joshua Graham.

Troopers say later Sunday, a man reported his home had been broken into and several items, including a yellow kayak had been stolen.

Alaska Among Five States to Receive Money For Tsunami Relief

By Blake Essig — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:24:00 -0800

After months of waiting, the State of Alaska and four other west coast states will soon receive $250,000 to help with tsunami relief.

Last fall, the Japanese government issued a $5 million grant to the United States to help with the monitoring, recovery and cleanup of an estimated 1.5 billion tons of marine debris after the 2011 tsunami.

The money will be dispersed by NOAA, with the remaining funds expected to be issued based on an application process.

Alaska officials say the state applied for an additional $750,000, a number they say is merely a drop in the bucket, due to the challenges cleanup crews face here in Alaska.

"In order to effectively deal with this, it's going to take money," said Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. "It's going to be far in excess of $1 million as we attempt to deal with the tsunami debris that has come to our shore."

"I think this is a step in the right direction, but it's still clearly not enough," said Senator Mark Begich, D-Alaska. "It's really like a prolonged disaster and we won't see the full results for years to come."

Gulf of Alaska Keeper has spent the last 12 years cleaning marine debris from Alaska's pristine coastline and just last summer cleaned more than 250 miles of coastline.

"We've been doing it on the cheap with volunteers and our own equipment and stuff, but we can't come even close to tackling this thing without a bunch of funding," said Chris Pallister, President of Gulf of Alaska Keeper. "We really believe that the cost of this thing is going to approach or exceed $100 million."

The group says additional challenges like constant weather problems, the remoteness of some of the beaches, a short clean up season and the vastness of Alaska's coastline are reasons why the price estimate remains so high.

Sen. Mark Begich expects the results of the states application for additional grant money to be made within the next 60 days.

Contact Blake Essig

Weather Hampers Search for 2 Snowmachiners near Kotzebue

By Chris Klint — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:54:00 -0800

STORY UPDATED AT 7:52 p.m. at 5/19/13:

Alaska State Troopers say weather continues to hamper the search for two snowmachiners near Kotzebue.

Shallain Adams, 23 of Noorvik, and Clifford Griest, 32 of Selawik, left Kotzebue early Wednesday morning on a black Polaris IQ snowmachine destined for Selawik. Over 70 searchers from Kotzebue, Selawik, Noorvik, Kiana, Noatak and Buckland have been involved in the ground search, but "efforts have been hampered by periodic bad weather.

On Saturday, an Alaska wildlife trooper flew for a couple of hours before fog and blowing snow turned the pilot back.

On Sunday, Beth Ipsen, Public Information Officer with Dept. of Public Safety, reported that the wildlife trooper was "fueled up and ready to go," however "freezing fog and blowing snow kept him on the ground."

Ipsen says the Northwest Arctic Borough Search and Rescue team remains the main team coordinating ground searches and that people on the ground were turned back by the weather.

According to troopers, if the weather breaks, then an aerial search will happen a area east and northeast of Kotzebue in the York Bay area.

"There are a lot of shelter cabins in the area, so it's possible they may seeking refuge from the wind and snow," Ipsen wrote in an emailed response. "Luckily it hasn't been cold, which works to their favor."

Ipsen says, "this area is pretty flat and open, but there are lots of rivers, creek and a few lakes, plus a lot of willows that could hide them."

Editor's Note: KTUU's Neil Torquiano contributed to an update of this story.

STORY UPDATED AT 1:12 p.m. at 5/17/13:

Ground and air searchers are trying to find two snowmachiners near Kotzebue who have been missing for more than three days, according to Alaska State Troopers.

AST spokesperson Megan Peters says Shallain Adams and Clifford Griest, last listed by troopers as living in Kotzebue and Kiana respectively, left Kotzebue en route to Selawik on a single snowmachine at about 2 a.m. Wednesday (May 15). It's not clear why they were headed there, or why they left at such an early hour of the day.

Adams and Griest were reported missing to troopers at roughly 2:30 p.m. Wednesday , initiating a search that has expanded to include aid from several communities in the region.

"There's ground searchers from Kiana, Noorvik, Kotzebue, Selawik and Buckland," Peters said.

Peters says ground search efforts Friday have been focused on the north shore of the Baldwin Peninsula, as well as the south shore of Selawik Lake -- areas which bad weather has kept crews from checking.

"Weather has been hampering the search, and they have pockets of bad weather moving around them," Peters said.

Alaska National Guard spokesperson Maj. Guy Hayes says the 11th Air Force's Rescue Coordination Center is providing aerial support as conditions in the area permit. An Air National Guard HC-130 Hercules search plane and an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter were sent to the region early Thursday, but weren't able to participate in the search.

"Due to weather in the morning, they had to turn around," Hayes said.

A second HC-130 flight was launched Thursday night and was able to spend some time looking for the snowmachiners, with a third flight scheduled to launch Friday. Hayes says the Guard is primarily using fixed-wing aircraft for the search, but can send in helicopters if necessary.

"If the request comes in, we can provide whatever support is needed," Hayes said.

In addition to the Guard aircraft, Peters says Alaska Wildlife Troopers aircraft are also involved with the effort.

"RCC is continuing to contribute air assets, and they are coordinating with AWT and other local air assets," Peters said.

Peters says she hasn't heard of any signs of Adams or Griest being found during the search, which has been in progress for more than 80 hours. She says no decision has been made to suspend the search, and there have been no calls for separate searches in the state which might draw resources from the Kotzebue effort.

"It's all taken in stride -- each case has its own circumstances surrounding it," Peters said. "We do the best we can with the evidence that we have at hand."

Editor's note: Alaska State Troopers say Adams' and Griest's locations of residence are the latest ones listed for them.

5-19-13: Date corrected for day snowmachiners went missing from Tuesday, May 14 to Wednesday, May 15 from info provided by troopers.

Contact Chris Klint

No Injuries After Small Plane Crash Lands at Goose Bay Airport

By Samantha Angaiak — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:56:00 -0800

Alaska State Troopers say a small plane, crash-landed at an airport in the Mat-Su Valley.

Troopers spokesperson Beth Ipsen says the plane crashed in the middle of the airstrip at Goose Bay Airport at about 11 a.m. Sunday.

Troopers say the pilot of the Maule M-5 four-seater aircraft was coming in for a landing on the airstrip when he had a gear failure.

One of the struts broke and dug into the ground during the landing and the plane tipped forward, damaging the nose, propeller and wing of the aircraft.

The plane came to a stop in the middle of the airstrip and only the pilot was onboard.

Ipsen says no injuries were reported in the incident.

Contact Samantha Angaiak

DOT to Install Rumble Strips on Richardson and Parks Highway

By Samantha Angaiak — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:33:00 -0800

If you're planning roadtrips in the state this summer, then you may spot crews from the Department of Transportation along Alaska's roads.

The crews will remove existing centerline stripes and installing centerline and shoulder rumble strips as well as new centerline stripes between Mile Post 266 and Mile Post 341 of the Richardson Highway.

The DOT says it will also add centerline rumble strips from Mile Post 305 and Mile Post 356 of the Parks Highway.

According to DOT, there were a combined total of 27 crashes in the proposed project areas including 3 deaths and numerous other crashes where drivers crossed the centerline.

The northern region proposed rumble strips to mitigate instances where drivers drift across the centerline into oncoming traffic.

Contact Samantha Angaiak

Sutton ATV Rider Suffers Serious Head Injuries

By Neil Torquiano — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:03:00 -0800

A 40-year-old ATV rider suffered serious head injuries in a crash early Saturday morning near Sutton, according to Alaska State Troopers officials.

In a dispatch, troopers wrote that they received reports of a man found unresponsive on the Glenn Highway around 2:09 a.m. Saturday.

According to the dispatch, Glenn Milowski, of Sutton, was "pinned under a Polaris ATV in the northbound lane," near Mile 61.5 of the Glenn Hwy and "was not wearing a helmet (at) the time of the accident."

EMS transported him to the Mat-Su Regional Hospital and troopers say his injuries were non-life threatening as of Saturday evening.

The cause of the crash remains ongoing and troopers say "alcohol appears to be a factor."

Contact Neil Torquiano

Kenai Borough to Assess Nikiski Groundwater

By The Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:37:00 -0800

A $150,000 state grant expected from the Alaska Legislature will allow the Kenai Peninsula Borough to help assess groundwater contamination near Nikiski.

Borough Mayor Mike Navarre says the money would let the borough assess environmental data in partnership with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and determine whether a larger plan is needed.

The Peninsula Clarion (http://bit.ly/10H0rMq) reports residents are concerned about groundwater contamination caused by past pollution connected to the petroleum industry.

At least 4,200 gallons of oil-contaminated waste, sludge and other pollutants were dumped at one site in the early 1980s.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is trying to assess whether contamination near the site lingers.

Navarre says he doesn't want borough money duplicating work done by the DEC or the property owners.

Trial Due to Begin in Juneau Baby Death

The Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:03:00 -0800

A trial will begin Monday for a 24-year-old Juneau man charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 4-month-old daughter.

David J. Paul also is charged with manslaughter in the August 2010 death of Rian Jambi Orr.

The Juneau Empire (http://bit.ly/10OJHUK) reports the girl suffered a seizure and was taken to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a brain injury. She died a week later at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The King County Medical Examiner said the baby also had older injuries, including rib and leg bone fractures.

Prosecutors charged Paul a year after the girl's death. A judge threw out that indictment and ruled Juneau police had coerced involuntary statements from him.

A grand jury indicted Paul again in June.

Man Found Dead on Construction Site in Fairbanks

By The Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:24:00 -0800

Fairbanks police are investigating the death of an unidentified 52-year-old man found Sunday morning on a construction site.

KTVF reports that a Fairbanks police received a report of a deceased man on the site at Illinois Street around 7 a.m.

According to Sgt. Doug Welborn, the man was not an employee working at the site, and it appears he may have walked into the area.

The name of the man is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

His body will be sent to the State Medical Examiners Office in Anchorage in order to determine a cause of death.

Alaska Air National Guard Members Receive Silver and Bronze Stars

By Blake Essig — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:18:00 -0800

Five members of the Alaska Air National Guard 212th Rescue Squadron were recognized Saturday for their bravery, courage and heroic efforts in Afghanistan, putting their own life on the line to save countless others.

At Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, military leaders held a Silver and Bronze Star Ceremony. Members of the 212^th Rescue Squadron received a total of seven medals, including one Silver Star and six Bronze Stars with valor.

The Silver and Bronze Stars are the third and fourth highest combat decorations a serviceman can receive.

While the warriors said it was an honor to receive the awards, many called the experience humbling, saying that awards like this represent a collaborative effort by everybody.

"Our whole team deserves one of these in my opinion," said Staff Sergeant Nickolas Watson. "They all did something equal to this or more austere, more times over than I did."

The guardsmen are part of the elite Guardian Angel rescue squadron, a team comprised of combat rescue officers, pararescuemen, survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists, completing personnel recovery and combat rescue missions around the world.

"There's no greater honor than to respond to those types of missions to extract those guys from the battle field," said Master Sergeant Chad Moore.

Bronze Star with valor award recipients includes Captain Christopher Keen, Staff Sergeant Nickolas Watson, Technical Sergeant Christopher Harding and Master Sergeant Chad Moore.

Staff Sergeant Bill Cenna was awarded a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars with valor.

Since 2001, the elite warriors that make up Guardian Angel have conducted more than 12,000 lifesaving combat rescue missions around the world. In the same time frame, specialists have also saved the lives of more than 5,000 civilians during natural disasters and other humanitarian responses.

"I just look at it as doing my job," said Staff Sergeant Bill Cenna. "When someone asks you to perform a mission in the military you cowboy up and make it happen."

Contact Blake Essig

Outdoor Death Near Mulcahy Stadium Not Suspicious, APD Says

By Neil Torquiano — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:17:00 -0800

The outdoor death of a 55-year-old man Saturday morning in Midtown is not being considered suspicious, according to the Anchorage Police Department.

APD spokesperson Anita Shell says his body was found around 10:30 a.m. under a bridge near Mulcahy Stadium by volunteers for a charity walk.

In an emailed statement, Shell wrote, "responding officers said the scene did not look suspicious."

As of 2:15 p.m., police have yet to make contact with the man's family. Once notified, his identity will be released.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the man's exact cause of death.

View Larger Map

Contact Neil Torquiano

Anchorage Sets New Record for Longest Snow Season

By Neil Torquiano — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:14:00 -0800

232 days - it took over 30 years for Anchorage to set a new record for the longest snow season on record.

The National Weather Service measured 2/10ths of an inch just after 9 p.m. Friday and 1/10th Saturday morning - breaking the old record of 230 days set in 1981-1982.

Anchorage police responded to 22 crashes, 4 with injuries and 37 vehicles in distress between midnight and noon Saturday. Police say roads were wet and not icy midday and "motorists should use caution if the temperatures drop below freezing.

Other parts of the city had much higher amounts of snow, however official measurements must be consistent and observed at the Sand Lake forecast office. The recent snowfall also broke the daily record for liquid precipitation, lowest maximum temperature for May 17, and a host of other records.

NWS says Saturday evening's forecast calls for "mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the evening...then partly cloudy after midnight - lows in the upper teens to mid 20s and north wind to 15 mph."

For Sunday, the forecast will be mostly sunny, highs in the 40s, and light winds, according to NWS.

(Couresty: pjwolfe, "A view of the mountains taken near Rabbit Creek Road May 17, 2013.")

Editor's Note: Additional information contributed by the KTUU Channel 2 Weather Team.

Contact Neil Torquiano

Long Winter Stalls Area Parks Improvements

By Garrett Turner — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:08:00 -0800

It's powerful enough to stop a ready bulldozer. The late spring snow has done a number on area parks. On Saturday, Chugach State Park looked like the Alaska December had painted a white masterpiece with four inches of fresh snow.

"This year mother nature is in charge so we're just a little late," park ranger Kurt Hensel said. "Here at Glen Alps, we're under construction to build those additional spaces and that hasn't worked in our favor."

Not only will construction have to wait but improvements like trash clean up and trail clearing are also stalled.

"Most of our units are open but we've been hampered by the late winter," Hensel said. "I think people will have to be patient because there's always a transition from winter to summer."

More snow fell on the hillside than in the Anchorage bowl but the story is the same for the municipality's parks. The snow on the ground gives a wintry illusion but if you look closer signs of Spring are popping up all around the city. But experts say the ground is still frozen preventing the city from making schedule improvements. The Anchorage Park Foundation has a lot of planned upgrades this summer.

"This summer we have six playgrounds and seven miles of the coastal trail to resurface and the veterans memorial," APF's Executive Director Beth Nordlund said. "We have thirty six projects in total and it's just going to be an incredible summer for park improvements when it stops snowing."

Nordlund says Anchorage has a short construction period and for now any area park improvements will have to wait a little longer.

For updates on area parks, here are two links:

http://anchorageparkfoundation.org/

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/

Contact Garrett Turner:

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Hundreds Walk in March of Dimes Charity Event on Snowy Morning

By Samantha Angaiak — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:29:00 -0800

Hundreds gathered in Anchorage for the annual March for Babies event Saturday morning in hopes of ending premature births.

March of Dimes coordinated the event, including activities like the 3-mile walk, music, games for kids, bounce house and food.

Organizers say it's a chance to bring together families, companies and volunteers to raise money so more babies can be born happy and healthy.

All money raised today will be used for research and other nationwide programs to help babies born healthy and those who need help to survive.

Organizers say they're still counting, but will have a total of money raised on Monday.

Contact Samantha Angaiak

Spenard Farmer's Market Kicks Off 4th Season

By Neil Torquiano — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:59:00 -0800

The Spenard Farmer's Market kicked off its fourth season Saturday morning under the windmill at the Chilkoot Charlie's parking lot.

Plenty of people attending opening weekend despite the snow and rain coming down early in the day and by noon, some sunlight brightened the day.

Organizers say on a non-rainy or snowy day, they typically have between 50 and 60 vendors show up to sell goods like produce, seafood and plant boxes. About 20 vendors participated from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., which are the market's normal hours each Saturday.

"It's always good to get that energy out," Mark Butler, volunteer with the Spenard Farmer's Market, said.

The Spenard Farmer's Market will be held every Saturday through September 28th.

"We see people we haven't seen in a long time, neighbors get to walk over here with their dogs and connect with the neighbors and find out what's been happening in their lives, so we really like that community sense of this market," Butler said.

To view a photo gallery, click here.

Contact Neil Torquiano

Coast Guard Sets Hearing for Kulluk Grounding

By Neil Torquiano — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:38:00 -0800

The Coast Guard's investigation into the New Year's Eve grounding of the Kulluk, a Shell drilling rig, remains ongoing as authorities prepare hearings in Anchorage next week.

The Coast Guard wrote in an email that the hearing will be a formal marine causality investigation hearing, which will "provide a forum for the investigating officer to collect information from government and industry professionals about the incident."

"All of [these] hearings are information gathering and it will go back to the District 17th commander," Coast Guard spokesperson Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley, said.

According to Petty Officer 1st Class Mosley, the formal marine casualty investigation was ordered in January by Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, commander, Coast Guard 17th District, to examine the facts, circumstances, and causal factors involved in the Kulluk grounding.

Cmdr. Joshua McTaggart from the Coast Guard Investigations National Center of Expertise will conduct the investigation with the assistance of technical advisors from Coast Guard Sector Anchorage and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. The Coast Guard also said representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board are also participating in the investigation.

Petty Officer 1st Class Mosley says the testimonies can last for several hours and witnesses from the Coast Guard, Shell, Nobel, and other organizations, as identified, will be called to testify.

The Coast Guard says that once the hearings are over, Cmdr. McTaggart will submit a submit a written report of investigation to Rear Adm. Ostebo, and the report will include findings of facts, conclusions, and recommendations. Ostebo will "determine whether additional measures are required to prevent such marine casualties and what if any actions need to be taken to promote safety of life and property at sea," after reviewing the investigation report.

The Kulluk broke loose from its towing vessel en route to Seattle and went aground Dec. 31 at Ocean Bay by Sitkalidak Island, near Kodiak about 252 air miles south of Anchorage, and was towed to Kiliuda Bay a week later. The Xiang Rui Kou, a semi-submersible ship, transported the Kulluk to Korea in March.

The hearings will begin Monday, May 20 at noon at the Anchorage Assembly Chambers at the Loussac Library and start at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 21 and is expected to end at 4 p.m. each day. It will be open to the public and is expected to last until May 30th with a brief break for Memorial Day.

View Kulluk Grounded in a larger map

Contact Neil Torquiano

Alaska Gold Miners Remain Optimistic Despite Dropping Gold Prices

By Samantha Angaiak — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:28:00 -0800

The price of gold has been dropping for six days as of Friday and local miners say the declines haven't dampened their optimism.

The Alaska chapter of the Gold Prospectors Association of America spent part of Friday teaching Anchorage area sixth graders about panning.

Bill Dunlevy GPAA President says it's the association's sixth year participating in the Bureau of Land Managment's "Outdoor Week" event.

"The best way to keep mining alive is to start with the young and hopefully it keeps going," Dunlevy said.

Dunlevy says he began prospecting for gold 48 years ago and he's been around long enough to understand the fluctuating prices of the precious metal.

"When I first started it was locked in at $35 an ounce," Dunlevy said.

The prices of gold began to rise in 2008 and at its highest point reached the $1900 mark, but fell below $1400 an ounce in April.

Dunlevy says the fluctuating gold price isn't what full-time miners are hoping for.

"It definitely impacts them because of price of fuel, price of everything is so expensive that any fluctuation, any hundreds of dollars is definitely going to effect their bottom line," Dunlevy said.

But Dunlevy remains optimistic.

"The profit line won't be as much as it was a few years ago, but of course it's not as bad as $200 or $300 an ounce like it was," Dunlevy said.

Metal Refineries also say they expect to see good profit for the 2013 mining season.

Gene Pool, manager of Oxford Assaying and Refining Corp. says the company has served Alaskans since 1980 and they've been through some tough times over the years, but customers have remained loyal.

"Last year was a big year and this year we expect to be even larger," Pool said.

Pool says Alaska's popularity in mining has been on the rise and he's expecting to see a 50-75 percent increase in placer miners, or those who mine alluvial deposits for minerals using surface excavating equipment this season.

"When we see a big fluctuation like this, it always causes a big kind of stir," Pool said.

Local miners say if you're visiting from out of state in hopes of hitting the mother load, it won't likely happen anytime soon.

"Maybe you'll find something a little bit and that'll make your trip, but I wouldn't count on getting rich," Dunlevy said.

Contact Samantha Angaiak

Copper River Salmon Arrives for Consumers in Anchorage

By Dan Carpenter — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:39:00 -0800

The first commercial opener on the Copper River resulted in a good catch for fishermen brave enough to face strong winds, rain and fifteen foot swells.

Processors took in more than seventy five thousand sockeye salmon or about half of last year's catch on the first day of the season, according to Fish and Game.

Shortly after arriving at processors in Cordova, the salmon were boxed and sent out for a global market eager to serve up the wild Alaska fish.

On Friday, Copper River seafoods delivered fresh salmon to several stores including Costco, Sam's Club and Fred Meyer as well as several restaurants in town.

"All around the world, people love Copper River salmon, they love salmon from Alaska," Cassandra Squibb, the Chief Business Development Officer for Copper River Seafoods, said. "They know that it's sustainable we have it written into our state constitution so there is a lot of demand for our salmon."

The Fred Meyer on Dimond was the first and only one of its stores to receive some of the first catch.

David Sanz, a seafood buyer and category manager with Fred Meyer says the store supports selling sustainable fish like the Copper River salmon.

"It doesn't get a whole lot fresher than this," Sanz said. "This fish came out of the water on the first 12 hour opener which was yesterday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the store by noon."

More fish will arrive in Anchorage after the next commercial opener.

Contact Dan Carpenter

Late Spring Delays Palmer Farmers, Anchorage Growers Remain Optimistic

By Abby Hancock — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:09:00 -0800

A late-to-arrive spring has caused delays for local farmers who are waiting on a weather warm-up in order to begin transplanting starters into the ground.

Another dose of wintry weather on Friday through Saturday has also made conditions not too promising either.

River Bean, owner of Arctic Organics in Palmer, has packed greenhouses full of starter produce plants that he has yet to move outside. He has moved some of the overflow greenery into one of his cold frames to make extra room. His fields remain bare since the ground has been too cold and still partially frozen and vegetables could be smaller.

Bean says May is typically the busy time of year, but this spring, the work continues indoors.

"Usually we're pretty determined to get stuff in the ground, but no, we'll have to wait. So we're getting a lot of other stuff done," said Bean.

Chilly temperatures also tend to keep some potential shoppers away from local farmers markets. Flowers, hanging baskets, and other plants sold at Arctic Organics, have not been in high demand yet. Bean says people are not thinking about gardening. He says it's difficult to determine the impact of the late planting and cold spring.

However, business at Bell's Nursery in South Anchorage appeared steady Friday morning. Owner Mike Mosesions says Alaskans are anxious to start gardening even though most will not begin planting until June 1st.

Bell's produces thousands of pounds of tomatoes every year. This spring, they're slow to ripen due to a lack of sun, said Mosesions, who still remains optimistic.

"This spring has been late but we've been doing this for 41 years, so we've seen a lot of late years," said Mosesions. "However, there's two more weeks until the traditional safe date to plant."

Contact Abby Hancock

Infant's Death Following ATV Crash Under Investigation

By Chris Klint — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:04:00 -0800

Alaska State Troopers are investigating the Wednesday death of a 22-month-old infant several days after an all-terrain-vehicle crash, with few details immediately available about what happened.

According to a Friday AST dispatch, Delta Junction troopers were told at about 3:05 p.m. Monday that the child -- later identified as Charles Goss -- was at the local clinic and not breathing.

"It was reported that the child was experiencing breathing problems initially after an ATV crash that had occurred a few days ago but has been okay after that and seemed to have improved," troopers wrote. "The child was transported to Providence Hospital in Anchorage for further treatment and his condition deteriorated."

Goss died at Providence Wednesday while he was being treated.

AST spokesperson Megan Peters says no further details were available about the incident as of Friday afternoon, because troopers did not investigate the initial crash.

"It's under investigation -- this is something that was reported to us after the fact," Peters said.

Troopers say Goss' next of kin have been notified.

Donna Ranson, Goss' grandmother, says several of his organs were donated after his death.

"The surgery removing his heart, liver, and kidneys was a success and three recipients now have a renewed chance at (life)," Ranson wrote in an email to Channel 2. "The organ donor flag is waving proudly at the Providence Hospital main entrance and will fly for 5 days in his honor."

Laura Carpenter, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health and Social Services, says an autopsy on Goss was conducted Friday.

Editor's note: The spelling of Charles Goss' last name has been corrected from "Gross," as stated by Alaska State Troopers, at the request of family members.

Contact Chris Klint

Yukon River Breakup Causing Flooding in Eagle

By The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:00 -0800

Breakup on the Yukon River has begun and there is flooding in Eagle, a small community of fewer than 100 people in eastern Alaska near the border with Canada.

Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve ranger Pat Sanders says the ice began moving on Thursday. The preserve is northwest of the town.

Sanders says water and ice was lapping Friday at the sides of buildings nearest the river front, and the village of Eagle is cut off from the main town. The good news is that water levels have dropped some in the main town because water is flowing well in the river's main channel.

There are no reports of injuries. Paramedics are available if needed.

Juneau Empire Names New Publisher

By The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:57:00 -0800

The Juneau Empire has a new publisher.

Morris Publishing Group, LLC announced Friday that Rustan Burton has been appointed to the post. Burton is the advertising director at The Daily Republic in Mitchell, S.D., and scheduled to begin his job as publisher in Juneau on June 10.

Burton succeeds Mark Bryan, who resigned last month.

Morris, in a release, says Burton began his media career at The Anchorage Daily News in 2008, where he held positions including retail sales manager.

Burton says he is happy to be returning to Alaska. He says he looks forward to meeting the people in Juneau and finding new ways to promote the community.