The Matanuska River, in the borough to the north, is busily changing its course once again. Residents whose homes were built hundreds and thousands of yards from the river's edge have been washed away in recent years.
And it's doing it again.
One fellow, interviewed on a local newscast, drove a section of re-bar into his yard about 50 feet from the river on July 24th. As of last night, there's only four feet of soil between steel and water.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (called "the Mat-Su" for obvious reasons) is considered declaring an emergency - again - and evacuating folks.
This has to be a heart-breaking, emotional time as all these families have watched homes built by earlier generations, summer cabins, and full-time residences wash down-stream. And for those about to lose the ones that are left, it must be such a nerve-wracking experience.
Our hearts go out to all those affected.
John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
Showing posts with label Mat-Su Borough. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mat-Su Borough. Show all posts
12 August 2016
17 June 2015
A Twofer
Sale! Two-for-one special today: a wildfire update, and the Police Blotter. Free free free!
The "Sockeye" fire to the north of Anchorage is close to 8,000 acres, and nearly 100 buildings (including homes) have burned.
The Kenai Peninsula’s Card Street fire grew to an estimated 2,000 acres Tuesday as lightning sparked two more fires near Cooper Landing.
* * * * *
Assault
Two adult males who had been bickering like children ever since they began working together on a fishing boat engaged in an altercation involving some choking, punching and threats by one or both parties. No charges were filed per the District Attorney and the vessel captain said he intended to have the two men put on different boats.
Assistance Rendered
Bar staff requested assistance with a hostile patron who refused to leave and was bellowing in the parking lot. Officers located the inebriated patron and his brother and advised both of them not to return to the bar this night. The two men left in a cab.
Assistance Rendered
The brother of the inebriated bar patron reported that his sibling had attacked him. Responding officers found one brother with a bite mark on his hand, and another with splotchy red marks on his chest and shoulders. The siblings provided stories that were inconsistent with the officers’ observations and the two were ultimately grounded in their respective rooms.
Animal
A patron of the Dutch Harbor Post Office was attacked by a nesting eagle as she wheeled a package cart into the building. The woman was treated at the clinic for several puncture wounds to her scalp and ear.
Public Safety
[The] Postmistress, who advised that four postal patrons had been attacked in the last week, asked for additional signage warning of the threat posed by a pair of nesting national symbols.
Assistance Rendered
Caller phoned UDPS* from Table Top Mountain and said he was hiking home from McLeese Lake but had become disoriented in the fog. Officers were able to give him guidance to an old WWII road near Wide Bay, where he awaited a comrade with a boat. UDPS later received information that both parties had returned safely.
Assault
[A man], 23 yoa, was arrested for Assault II after officers responding to an ambulance request discovered that his wife had significant injuries including some indicators of strangulation. [The man] denied strangling his wife but admitted he may have been in a fit of rage.
Drunk Disturbance
Bar staff reported a patron had knocked over several drinks and was being unpleasant to other patrons, though nobody so affected wished to pursue any charges. Officers located the inebriated man across the street, and advised him not to return to the bar. The inebriate, who claimed he had money for cab fare, left in a taxi.
Assault
[The] inebriate who, as it turned out, had no money to pay his cab fare asked his driver to take him to an ATM but was unable to withdraw any funds. A minor scuffle broke out between the inebriate, the taxi driver and several other passengers when the driver told the inebriate she wasn’t driving him anywhere else. Again, no persons involved wished to pursue charges. An officer drove the inebriate home and gave him to his wife.
* Unalaska Dept. of Public Safety
The "Sockeye" fire to the north of Anchorage is close to 8,000 acres, and nearly 100 buildings (including homes) have burned.
The Kenai Peninsula’s Card Street fire grew to an estimated 2,000 acres Tuesday as lightning sparked two more fires near Cooper Landing.
* * * * *
Assault
Two adult males who had been bickering like children ever since they began working together on a fishing boat engaged in an altercation involving some choking, punching and threats by one or both parties. No charges were filed per the District Attorney and the vessel captain said he intended to have the two men put on different boats.
Assistance Rendered
Bar staff requested assistance with a hostile patron who refused to leave and was bellowing in the parking lot. Officers located the inebriated patron and his brother and advised both of them not to return to the bar this night. The two men left in a cab.
Assistance Rendered
The brother of the inebriated bar patron reported that his sibling had attacked him. Responding officers found one brother with a bite mark on his hand, and another with splotchy red marks on his chest and shoulders. The siblings provided stories that were inconsistent with the officers’ observations and the two were ultimately grounded in their respective rooms.
Animal
A patron of the Dutch Harbor Post Office was attacked by a nesting eagle as she wheeled a package cart into the building. The woman was treated at the clinic for several puncture wounds to her scalp and ear.
Public Safety
[The] Postmistress, who advised that four postal patrons had been attacked in the last week, asked for additional signage warning of the threat posed by a pair of nesting national symbols.
Assistance Rendered
Caller phoned UDPS* from Table Top Mountain and said he was hiking home from McLeese Lake but had become disoriented in the fog. Officers were able to give him guidance to an old WWII road near Wide Bay, where he awaited a comrade with a boat. UDPS later received information that both parties had returned safely.
Assault
[A man], 23 yoa, was arrested for Assault II after officers responding to an ambulance request discovered that his wife had significant injuries including some indicators of strangulation. [The man] denied strangling his wife but admitted he may have been in a fit of rage.
Drunk Disturbance
Bar staff reported a patron had knocked over several drinks and was being unpleasant to other patrons, though nobody so affected wished to pursue any charges. Officers located the inebriated man across the street, and advised him not to return to the bar. The inebriate, who claimed he had money for cab fare, left in a taxi.
Assault
[The] inebriate who, as it turned out, had no money to pay his cab fare asked his driver to take him to an ATM but was unable to withdraw any funds. A minor scuffle broke out between the inebriate, the taxi driver and several other passengers when the driver told the inebriate she wasn’t driving him anywhere else. Again, no persons involved wished to pursue charges. An officer drove the inebriate home and gave him to his wife.
* Unalaska Dept. of Public Safety
16 June 2015
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Again)
There are two out-of-control forest fires burning to the north and south of Anchorage - miles away, but the wind carries the smoke for quite a distance.
The one to the north is at 7,600 acres so far, and as of last night some 1,700 homes were threatened. A few have already burned to the ground.
The fire to the south, on the Kenai Peninsula, is about one-tenth that size. But things are so dry here, due to the past winter's lack of snow, that everything goes up like a torch as soon as a spark appears.
Meanwhile, two-thirds of Alaska is under a red flag warning, with fire danger "high" to "extreme", and a burn ban in place.
Cough, cough ... and with temps of 83 in Anchorage (and 88 in the Mat-Su) yesterday - and no rain in sight, it might not get better for awhile.
 |
| Anchorage, this morning |
The one to the north is at 7,600 acres so far, and as of last night some 1,700 homes were threatened. A few have already burned to the ground.
 |
| The Mat-Su Borough / Parks Highway, last night |
The fire to the south, on the Kenai Peninsula, is about one-tenth that size. But things are so dry here, due to the past winter's lack of snow, that everything goes up like a torch as soon as a spark appears.
Meanwhile, two-thirds of Alaska is under a red flag warning, with fire danger "high" to "extreme", and a burn ban in place.
 |
| from www.ktuu.com |
Cough, cough ... and with temps of 83 in Anchorage (and 88 in the Mat-Su) yesterday - and no rain in sight, it might not get better for awhile.
02 February 2015
NTSB Investigates Yet Another Mid-Air Crash
From the Alaska Dispatch News:
As federal investigators sort through the wreckage of a midair plane crash in Mat-Su on Saturday that injured a wildlife trooper and another pilot, attention is turning to the role radio communications may have played in the collision.
On Sunday, Alaska State Troopers identified the pilots involved in Saturday’s crash as Levi Duell, 35, of Anchorage and Jeffry Bara, 52, of Eagle River.
Duell and Bara were flying Piper PA-18 Super Cub airplanes when they collided southwest of Wasilla on Saturday afternoon. Both pilots were taken to area hospitals. Medics described Bara’s injuries as critical. AST spokeswoman Megan Peters said both men remained hospitalized as of Sunday.
Federal investigators spent Sunday at the crash site, a patch of woods near a private airstrip near Knik-Goose Bay Road and Vine Road, cataloging wreckage, said Clint Johnson of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Follow the link to read the rest.
As federal investigators sort through the wreckage of a midair plane crash in Mat-Su on Saturday that injured a wildlife trooper and another pilot, attention is turning to the role radio communications may have played in the collision.
On Sunday, Alaska State Troopers identified the pilots involved in Saturday’s crash as Levi Duell, 35, of Anchorage and Jeffry Bara, 52, of Eagle River.
Duell and Bara were flying Piper PA-18 Super Cub airplanes when they collided southwest of Wasilla on Saturday afternoon. Both pilots were taken to area hospitals. Medics described Bara’s injuries as critical. AST spokeswoman Megan Peters said both men remained hospitalized as of Sunday.
Federal investigators spent Sunday at the crash site, a patch of woods near a private airstrip near Knik-Goose Bay Road and Vine Road, cataloging wreckage, said Clint Johnson of the National Transportation Safety Board.
 |
| The wreckage of a Super Cub rests in the woods near Sunset Rd, off of Knik-Goose Bay Rd in Wasilla on Saturday, January 31, 2015. The pilot, who collided mid-air with an Alaska State Trooper Super Cub, was life-flighted to Providence hospital in Anchorage. The pilot of the other airplane was taken by ambulance to Mat-Su Regional Hospital. | Loren Holmes / ADN |
Follow the link to read the rest.
17 December 2013
Hangar Fire Damages 3 Planes, Injures 8 Responders
From the Anchorage Daily News:
A Butte airplane hangar fire early Tuesday morning sent eight emergency responders to a local hospital for smoke inhalation and possibly destroyed three planes, according to a written statement from the Matanuska-Sustina Borough.
Fire departments from Butte and Palmer responded to the hangar, at 17901 E. Maude Road, about 2 a.m., according to the statement. Four Palmer firefighters, three Butte firefighters and one medic were taken to Mat-Su Regional Hospital for smoke inhalation, the borough said.
As of 9:14 a.m., the hospital was evaluating two of the responders and had already admitted one, according to the statement. Megan Peters, Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman, said there was no one in the hangar at the time of the fire.
22 November 2013
Ice Storm Warning, Traffic, Roads, and Power Outages (Updated)
At 9:34 this morning, the Weather Service issued this statement:
Roads are already in horrible condition. The Glenn Highway (the only highway out of Anchorage, heading north) is listed as "very dangerous to hazardous" by D.O.T.
Roads in the Mat-Su Borough, north of Anchorage, are described by the State Troopers as "absolute crap." That's a direct quote.
A school bus slid off a road outside of Wasilla and overturned; the driver and two children were "slightly hurt" but otherwise no injuries.
This is ungood.
Update: the ice storm warning expired at noon, but the freezing rain is expected to continue until later today.
In the meantime, two more school buses crashed (but no further injuries - thank you, Lord!).
And the entire Kenai Peninsula is now without power. Sheesh.
.. Ice Storm Warning in effect until noon akst today...
... Winter Weather Advisory for snow and freezing rain remains in
effect until midnight akst tonight...
The National Weather Service in Anchorage has issued an Ice Storm
Warning... which is in effect until noon akst today.
* Location... the Anchorage area... including Eagle River.
* Snow... 3 to 6 inches.
* Ice accumulation... one to three tenths of an inch.
* Timing... moderate freezing rain will continue this morning and
then diminish to periods of light freezing rain in the
afternoon. A cold front will approach from the west later
today... with freezing rain transitioning to all snow during the
afternoon hours. Snow may become heavy at times this evening...
before tapering off after midnight tonight.
Roads are already in horrible condition. The Glenn Highway (the only highway out of Anchorage, heading north) is listed as "very dangerous to hazardous" by D.O.T.
Roads in the Mat-Su Borough, north of Anchorage, are described by the State Troopers as "absolute crap." That's a direct quote.
A school bus slid off a road outside of Wasilla and overturned; the driver and two children were "slightly hurt" but otherwise no injuries.
This is ungood.
Update: the ice storm warning expired at noon, but the freezing rain is expected to continue until later today.
In the meantime, two more school buses crashed (but no further injuries - thank you, Lord!).
And the entire Kenai Peninsula is now without power. Sheesh.
21 August 2013
Mid-Week Ramble
It occurs to me that I've been linking to or re-posting lots of newsy articles, but haven't spent much time saying anything of my own.
Sorry 'bout that. Just haven't been feelin' it, lately. But all y'all made me promise to keep going, and so I have.
One commenter even said he'd be happy if all I posted was the Unalaska Police Blotter and our local weather forecast. That bar's not too high to clear, even for me.
* * * * *
You remember I recently linked to a story about a Celebrity Cruise ship that was stranded in Seward because of electrical/propulsion problems?
That same ship is has become stranded again, in Ketchikan, where the Coast Guard has ordered it to remain in port until the issues are fixed permanently, and not just with duct tape like last time (apparently).
* * * * *
I've also mentioned that we've had mostly rainy weather since the 1st of the month. Several area streams and rivers are now at or near flood stage, and there's a small stream advisory in the area.
Chester Creek in Anchorage is out of its banks in low-lying areas in several city parks, as hiking/biking trails are submerged thereby. And parts of the Eklutna (e-KLOOT-nuh) Lakeside Trail (some 26 miles north of Anchorage) have washed out, to name but one other example.
* * * * *
Oh - you'll also remember I recently wrote about the ferry boat which is owned by the Mat-Su Borough, for which there are no dock facilities.
Seems the Borough has decided to dry-dock the ferry, indefinitely.
* * * * *
It seems we're going to attend the Alaska State Fair in Palmer this weekend. Younger Daughter & her BFF announced their intention to go ... and since neither of them drives, we're elected to provide transport.
It'll be fun, hopefully somewhat drier than of late, and should provide blog fodder.
Sorry 'bout that. Just haven't been feelin' it, lately. But all y'all made me promise to keep going, and so I have.
One commenter even said he'd be happy if all I posted was the Unalaska Police Blotter and our local weather forecast. That bar's not too high to clear, even for me.
* * * * *
You remember I recently linked to a story about a Celebrity Cruise ship that was stranded in Seward because of electrical/propulsion problems?
That same ship is has become stranded again, in Ketchikan, where the Coast Guard has ordered it to remain in port until the issues are fixed permanently, and not just with duct tape like last time (apparently).
* * * * *
I've also mentioned that we've had mostly rainy weather since the 1st of the month. Several area streams and rivers are now at or near flood stage, and there's a small stream advisory in the area.
 |
| Bicyclists Notice Water Level Changes at Eklutna Lakeside Trail (KTUU-TV / August 20, 2013) |
Chester Creek in Anchorage is out of its banks in low-lying areas in several city parks, as hiking/biking trails are submerged thereby. And parts of the Eklutna (e-KLOOT-nuh) Lakeside Trail (some 26 miles north of Anchorage) have washed out, to name but one other example.
* * * * *
Oh - you'll also remember I recently wrote about the ferry boat which is owned by the Mat-Su Borough, for which there are no dock facilities.
Seems the Borough has decided to dry-dock the ferry, indefinitely.
* * * * *
It seems we're going to attend the Alaska State Fair in Palmer this weekend. Younger Daughter & her BFF announced their intention to go ... and since neither of them drives, we're elected to provide transport.
It'll be fun, hopefully somewhat drier than of late, and should provide blog fodder.
01 July 2013
The Luckiest Boy in Alaska
Boy, 6, rides 3 miles atop family van before falling off on Parks Highway
The stupid is strong with parents who allowed it to happen in the first place. The story goes on to state that no one was charged "with a crime or traffic violation."
Makes me wonder exactly who these people are.
A six-year-old rode on the roof of his parents' minivan for three miles down the Parks Highway without the parents noticing before he tumbled off and onlookers plucked him off the highway and called 911, the Alaska State Troopers said Sunday.
The boy escaped with only minor cuts and bruises.
The child told troopers he was riding on his parents' car as it left their home near Mile 52 of the Parks Highway, according to an online trooper dispatch.
"We think the kid was riding on the roof where there are bars," said AST spokeswoman Beth Ipsen. "He has apparently done it before."
The stupid is strong with parents who allowed it to happen in the first place. The story goes on to state that no one was charged "with a crime or traffic violation."
Makes me wonder exactly who these people are.
01 December 2012
Cold Morning, Warm Thoughts
It's one degree above zero this morning, but at least I don't have to worry about scraping windows. It's ever so much more relaxing - even at an early hour - on Saturday, with a fresh cuppa, and no demands on my time.
Not yet, anyway. :)
Just north of Anchorage in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough ("the Mat-Su" or just "the Valley"), high winds have prompted air quality warnings due to the dust & volcanic ash. Outside of Palmer, there's been a wildfire which was driven by those same winds. The local fire departments have been working overtime to contain it.
Looks like they're getting there; I know from personal experience (lo, those many years ago when I was a firefighter) that it's no fun having strong winds push a fire in your direction.
* * * * *
You know how all us gunnie types are always advising folks to be prepared, and carry a sidearm for self-protection? Well, here's the opening sentence from an article at www.adn.com:
"Five would-be robbers assaulted a pair of liquor store employees and a pregnant bystander Thursday afternoon while trying to steal booze" at a downtown location, yesterday.
"...tried to protect themselves and fight back." I hate to read things like this, but just keep thinking that if even only one of those victims had been armed, the whole thing would have come down differently.
It's heart-breaking to think that the injuries could have been prevented by just a bit o' common sense in the form of a firearm.
* * * * *
It seems that one of Anchorage's assemblymen is trying again to extend a soon-to-expire 2010 law allowing folks to set off fireworks on New Year's Eve.
I don't really know why he's bothering, except perhaps to lessen the number of calls to the APD; there are LOTS of fireworks set off on Dec. 31, legal or not. Always have been, and probably always will be.
Kinda sounds like 'gun control', no?
* * * * *
One bit o' good news: I filled the truck tank this morning, because it's not a good idea to have a dwindling supply of gasoline when temps drop well below zero, as they're forecast to do tonight & tomorrow.
The price per gallon has dropped to $3.63 from the seasonal high of $4.19/gallon, two months ago.
I'm okay with that.
* * * * *
That's enough news. This is the day the Lord has made: I will rejoice, and be glad in it!
Thanks for stopping by, my friends.
Not yet, anyway. :)
Just north of Anchorage in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough ("the Mat-Su" or just "the Valley"), high winds have prompted air quality warnings due to the dust & volcanic ash. Outside of Palmer, there's been a wildfire which was driven by those same winds. The local fire departments have been working overtime to contain it.
Looks like they're getting there; I know from personal experience (lo, those many years ago when I was a firefighter) that it's no fun having strong winds push a fire in your direction.
* * * * *
You know how all us gunnie types are always advising folks to be prepared, and carry a sidearm for self-protection? Well, here's the opening sentence from an article at www.adn.com:
"Five would-be robbers assaulted a pair of liquor store employees and a pregnant bystander Thursday afternoon while trying to steal booze" at a downtown location, yesterday.
"The clerks have broken facial bones, among other injuries. From that article:
Surveillance video showed Torrence Barras and the Tuinei brothers hitting the liquor store employees with fists and bottles, while the employees tried to protect themselves and fight back, the charges say.
"A former store employee, who is pregnant, had stopped in for a visit just before the fight started, Parker said. She called 911 on her cellphone when the fight broke out and "got socked in the face" by Trevor Barras as he was leaving the store, Parker said.
"Medics took Whisman and Moore to a hospital, where they were treated for broken facial bones. The pregnant witness did not seek medical care..."
"...tried to protect themselves and fight back." I hate to read things like this, but just keep thinking that if even only one of those victims had been armed, the whole thing would have come down differently.
It's heart-breaking to think that the injuries could have been prevented by just a bit o' common sense in the form of a firearm.
* * * * *
It seems that one of Anchorage's assemblymen is trying again to extend a soon-to-expire 2010 law allowing folks to set off fireworks on New Year's Eve.
I don't really know why he's bothering, except perhaps to lessen the number of calls to the APD; there are LOTS of fireworks set off on Dec. 31, legal or not. Always have been, and probably always will be.
Kinda sounds like 'gun control', no?
* * * * *
One bit o' good news: I filled the truck tank this morning, because it's not a good idea to have a dwindling supply of gasoline when temps drop well below zero, as they're forecast to do tonight & tomorrow.
The price per gallon has dropped to $3.63 from the seasonal high of $4.19/gallon, two months ago.
I'm okay with that.
* * * * *
That's enough news. This is the day the Lord has made: I will rejoice, and be glad in it!
Thanks for stopping by, my friends.
02 September 2011
Gridlock: Not Just for Feds Anymore
PALMER -- The Mat-Su Borough soon will take ownership of a unique ferry born out of a partnership with the U.S. Navy that cost local taxpayers almost nothing.
Oh, it gets better:
So they have a "free" ferry boat, but no place to land it, no customers, and neither gummint on either side of the Cook Inlet/Knik Arm can agree on where to place such a landing. Those oh-so-tempting Federal dollars don't look so good now, do they?
Bringing teh stupid, Alaska-style.
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