All posts by Deborah

Sen. Heitkamp Embraces ‘Not Invisible’ Hashtag for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

By Vincent Schilling: Sen. Heitkamp Embraces ‘Not Invisible’ Hashtag for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Excerpt:

According to Heitkamp’s office, the efforts of Savanna’s Act and the #NotInvisible hashtag is to help raise awareness and bring this issue out of the shadows so it is no longer invisible. The Senator says she urged tribal leaders, politicians, celebrities and supporters to take a photo with the #NotInvisible hashtag and then post it on Facebook and/or Twitter on the 29th to help highlight these crimes.

On the 29th, tribal leaders, politicians and celebrities responded to Heitkamp’s efforts by posting selfies along with the #NotInvisible hashtag. Among the celebrities and politicians were Senator Jeff Merkley a co-sponsor of the bill, Senator Tom Udall, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Mazie Hirono and actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk/Bruce Banner in the latest Thor Ragnarok.

84% of Native American women experience violence in their lifetime. But outside of Indian Country, few people are aware of this epidemic. It’s time to raise awareness and show that these women are #NotInvisible.

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 29, 2017

Alaska Updates December 13, 2017

Condolences
By Rebecca Palsha, Kalinda Kindle: Solider from Alaska dies in Afghanistan
 
 
 
 
By Kyle Hopkins: Investigator: Sen. Wilson did not violate sex harassment policy; related investigation ongoing
 
 
 
 
By Associated Press: Juneau’s shelter for women to open its doors to men
 
 
 
 
By Rebecca Palsha: Artists bring ‘White Christmas’ to Downtown, even if the weather won’t
Need a jolt of Christmas cheer? Call artist Katie Sevigny and her band of high school art students.
 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: 2 arrested for stealing mail in the Tudor area
 
 
 
 
By Tracy Sinclaire: Bright lights from tiny pebbles – how to watch Wednesday’s peak meteor shower
 
 
 
 
By Samantha Angaiak: School district asks community for input amid revenue shortfall
The survey will be available through December and findings will be presented to the school board at a public meeting.

To view ASD’s Budget Input Survey click here.
 
 
 
 
By Jackie Purcell/KTUU: Rain-Freezing Rain-Snow-Warmer, Thanks to the Pineapple Express.

Alaska News December 12, 2017

By Kortnie Horazdovsky: Former Anchorage tutor sentenced for sex abuse of student
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A former Anchorage tutor was sentenced to serve 23 years in jail with 11 suspended after pleading guilty to sex abuse of a minor and distribution of child pornography.

Evan Fischer was initially investigated by Anchorage Police in 2015 for possessing and distributing child pornography over the Internet, but detectives discovered he had been in a sexual relationship with an underage student.

His total sentence for the two charges includes 10 years probation and registering as a sex offender for life.
 
 
 
 
By Samantha Angaiak: “Those are the murderers right there” accused shooter blames others at arraignment
 
 
 
 
By Sean Maguire & Leroy Polk: UPDATE: APD says video surveillance validates McDonald’s shooting victim
 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: Mom accused of child’s starvation death in court
 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: ‘Hoverboard’ dentist in court for Medicaid fraud
The Department of Law also alleges Lookhart devised a scheme to send money collected from Medicaid directly to his home.

If convicted, Lookhart and Crandford face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,00.
 
 
 
 
By Associated Press: Flirting, sexting added to Alaska teachers’ code of ethics
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) – An Alaska education commission has added flirting, sexting and inappropriate touching to the list of things that teachers are not allowed to do with students.
 
 
 
 
By Caslon Hatch: The Doctor is in, at downtown Anchorage mall
The 5th Avenue Mall was chosen as a location because there are no other medical service options within the central city grid.

The clinic officially opens Tuesday. Hours of operation will coincide with mall hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Another location will open at the Dimond Center Mall in the spring with plans to expand to more areas in the state.
 
 
 
 
By Patrick Enslow: Seawolf women honored in U.S. Senate
 
 
 
 
By Photojournalist Shawn Wilson: Homeless rehab program begins in the kitchen
 
 
 
 
By Rebecca Palsha: Free syringe program grows to include a mobile health unit
The woman whose husband is addicted to opioids has been able to keep a good job, but she’d still like him to stop.

“I worry every day, from day to day. I don’t know if something is going to happen to him or if he’s going to overdose, or if he’s going to get in trouble with the law. It’s hard to tell from day to day what’s going to happen.”
 
 
 
 
By Kortnie Horazdovsky: UAF Engineering building opens after year-long construction delay
“Most of the high bay facilities at other universities would be encased in concrete walls. Ours is encased in glass,” said Douglas Goering, Dean of the College of Engineering and Mines. “So people can see what engineers do and experience and become engaged with what engineers do.”
 
 
 
 
By Angela Cox: Rasmuson Foundation Awards $6.6 Million
 
 
 
 
By James Gaddis: Teacher of the Week: Frau Lucht
 
 
 
 
Moms Everyday Alaska: Double peppermint chocolate chip cookies

The NaNoWriMo challenge

By Jacob Mann Frontiersman.com: The NaNoWriMo challenge

PALMER — The month of November has become an annual wave of words across the nation. Writers of all ages unite under the same challenge — to write a novel in 30 Days. The official challenge is sanctioned by the organization, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Caitlin Buxbaum is a Valley raised writer on the path to become an educator. As November approached, she gathered a group of children who accepted the challenge. Buxbaum combined forces with the like-minded educators in Colony Middle School English teacher, Sacha Pettit and Mat-Su Central English teacher, Tricia Kenney.

More…

Alaska News December 11,2017

By Leroy Polk: Weekend homicide suspect arrested after Anchorage police deploys SWAT
 
 
 
 
By Liz Raines: Harassment in Alaska’s capitol building: HR perspective
 
 
 
 
One Alaska Update A Note From Gov. Walker…

Coming This Week: Walker-Mallott Budget for FY 2019

This week, the Walker-Mallott Administration will unveil the budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2019. Budgets are moral documents, as they reflect the values and priorities we have for our state. Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Mallott envision a Safer, Smarter, and Stronger Alaska that is thriving for future generations. We can only get there if we get our fiscal house in order.


More:

Alaska News December 10, 2017

By Sean Maguire: The Mendeltna Creek Lodge near Glennallen is on fire
The lodge’s owners, Mabel and Russ Wimmer, are both fine but their pets, a cat and two mastiffs, both perished in the fire.
 
 
 
 
By AP: Weather Service cuts balloon launches amid staffing issue
The loss of any input data affects weather models, but the degree it hurts the accuracy of forecasts isn’t easy to quantify.

Weather Service Alaska Region Director Carven Scott says the Weather Service supplements data from weather balloons with data from satellites.
 
 
 
 
By Cameron Mackintosh: Snowmachiners practice for the worst with simulated crash course

On Saturday, a group of 25 snowmachiners put their search and rescue skills to the test, in a hands-on crash simulation organized by Learn to Return, a business that provides survival and first aid training.

Learn to Return director Brian Horner says he usually offers the course to employees in the construction industry or other similar fields. But Saturday’s class was comprised of people who work for events like the Iditarod, Iditasport and Iron Dog, as well as members of search and rescue groups and the Anchorage snowmachine club.
 
 
 
 
Another view: Wilderness Medical Training
By Scott Gross: New Anchorage course offers wilderness medical training

Alaskanomics: The Mat-Su Economy

Alaskanomics: The Mat-Su Economy

The Mat-Su Economy

In a recent issue of Trends, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development highlighted the growth in the Mat-Su economy. The borough has seen a large increase in population, while the state saw a modest growth. Since 2010, population in the Mat-Su has grown by 15 percent, which is much higher than the 4 percent that was seen throughout the state in the same time frame. New home construction is also strong and even during the state’s recession, the Mat-Su saw job growth.
More…

Natalie Beach is collecting women’s stories for a #MeToo piece for O, The Oprah Magazine

12/17/2017
Alaska is now represented.
Thank you.
Deborah Collins

I was hoping to reach out to the women in the Alaska Women’s Network to see if any wanted to share a story. It would be completely confidential. They could message me, email me at Natalie.Beach@hearst.com or submit by following this link http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/share-your-story?FB=fb_omag_share_your_me_too_story_confidential

Alaska News December 09, 2017

By Sean Maguire: AST: Suspect tried to run over State Trooper during high speed chase on Glenn Hwy
 
 
 
 
By Kyle Hopkins: ‘He should resign. It’s that simple.’ Woman who says she was groped by Alaska lawmaker says apology is not enough
 
 
 
 
By Leroy Polk: With theft on the rise, Fred Meyer’s grocery store looks to police for help
 
 
 
 
By Sean Maguire: Red Cross Alaska deploys 7 volunteers to assist with the California wildfires
 
 
 
 
By Heather Hintze: DOT buys properties, boards up buildings for Glenn Hwy expansion
 
 
 
 
By KTVA: Appeal denied for mom convicted in son’s death
 
 
 
 
By Scott Gross: Struggling Veterans gain some ‘peace of mind’ during holidays
 
 
 
 
By Sean Maguire: VIDEO: Alaska SeaLife Center seal released into the wild

Alaska News December 08, 2017

By Leroy Polk: Anchorage woman shot inside home by someone outside her window
 
 
 
 
By Leroy Polk: Alaska man chases 4-wheeler thieves on his snowmachine, kicks one off
 
 
 
 
By Associated Press: Alaska suffers resurgence of beetle that causes tree deaths
 
 
 
 
By Sean Maguire: Western Alaskan village placed on lockdown for 5 hours
Johnson is set to be remanded at the Yukon Kuskowkim Correctional Center. “Bail is set at $5,000 cash plus a court approved third party custodian,” say Troopers.
 
 
 
 
By Beth Verge: DOC, Salvation Army unveil new $2.2M plan to help end substance abuse
 
 
 
 
By Laurel Downing Bill: Story Time with Aunt Phil: Eskimo Scouts emerge after Pearl Harbor
 
 
 
 
By Beth Verge: Salute to Gold Star families: Alaska mountain peak naming proposal heads to D.C.