06 February 2014

Alaska News

The Richardson Highway to Valdez, closed for two weeks due to massive avalanches, has been reopened.

Valdez hardly noticed.



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Brent Sass leads the Yukon International Sled Dog Race, and is currently resting in Dawson City (Yukon Territory, Canada) on a mandatory 36-hour layover before making heading back to Fairbanks.

Brent Sass of Eureka, Alaska, waves to the crowd as he gets ready to leave the starting line of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska. (AP Photo/ The Daily News-Miner, Sam Harrel)

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A 17-year-old stole an SUV, and led State Troopers on a 63-mile chase at speeds up to 80 mph. The chase ended when the teen hit a patch of ice and rolled the Toyota RAV-4 onto its roof. A trooper also rolled over when he deliberately ditched his cruiser to avoid hitting other vehicles. Amazingly, neither driver was hurt.

The desperado wannabe is in the Palmer Juvenile Detention Center, "where he faces charges of vehicle theft, felony eluding, reckless driving and driving without a license".

I'm sure he imagined himself as some epic anti-hero, making a legendary run into the Interior. Reality check: just another young punk with poor driving skills and no sense whatsoever. I pray this experience teaches him something.

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Have a fantastic Thursday, folks - and thank you for stopping by.

6 comments:

On a Wing and a Whim said...

That's some awesome work by the road crews!

I don't miss winter yet, but I do miss the excitement in the air when the mushing season starts :-) Rooting for anyone yourself?

Rev. Paul said...

Wing, I like Aliy Zirkle - she's a fantastic musher with a good head on her shoulders, and keeps coming close. This could be her year. :)

Stephen said...

Then I'm on board with Ally too. What the heck. So, what are the odds and where do I place my bet?

Rev. Paul said...

Stephen, I'm sure there's a bookie somewhere who'd take that bet, but I'm not familiar with anyone here (cough, cough) who does such things. The bets I hear about are private, between acquaintances and/or co-workers ... even a few office pools.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Bet UPS is happy to see that highway open.

Rev. Paul said...

WSF, I'm guessing their packages are delivered by air, rather than the 6 1/2 hour drive from Anchorage.