By Anchorage Dailey News: Downtown homicide just after midnight is Anchorage’s first of 2018
Police were asking anyone with information about what happened to call police at 786-8900 or to call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or go to www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com.

Anchorage set a record with 35 homicides in 2017.

 
 
 
 
By James Brooks: Goodbye bail: Alaska switches to new system of criminal justice
 
 
 
 
By Associated Press: Juneau Police Department begins using body cameras
 
 
 
 
By James Brooks: Alaska 2017: A year of almosts and maybes
 
 
 
 
By Richard Mauer: SB 91 goes into effect Monday, changing Alaska’s criminal bail system
 
 
 
 
By Victoria Taylor & Sean Maguire & Kalinda Kindle: AFD: Overnight fire causes significant damage to College Gate Elementary School
 
 
 
 
Drone video of the Downtown fireworks display 2018
 
 
 
 
By Victoria Taylor / Phil Walczak: Anchorage business offers special feast for dogs to welcome in 2018
 
 
 
 
By Scott Gross: Inside the Gates: JBER dental lab jumps to new tech
 
 
 
 
Moms Everyday Alaska: Southwest breakfast protein sandwich

By SeanMaguire: Blizzard warning for Turnagain Pass and Portage Valley
The warning is in effect from 9 p.m. Saturday until 6 p.m. Sunday; the AOEM says the blizzard poses a “significant threat to life or property.”
 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: Alaska high court backs child pornographer in records requests
 
 
 
 
Wish him the best.
By Victoria Taylor: Nanooks player to miss remainder of season undergoing cancer treatment
 
 
 
 
By Scott Gross: North Pole aurora green-lights couple’s engagement

By Heather Hintze: Three trials likely for four Grunwald murder suspects
 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: Woman wounded in early-morning Anchorage shooting
 
 
 
 
By Daniella Rivera: Looking back: Anchorage’s deadliest year on record
 
 
 
 
By Emily Carlson: New APD unit arrests 51 violent felons in 2 months
“I can tell you there’ll be 51 people, if they go to jail, that won’t be committing crimes anymore,” says Lt. Michael Kerle, head of the 10-person unit charged with finding the city’s most violent offenders.
 
 
 
 
By Chris Klint: Arkansas trio arrested in wave of Anchorage fraud
Anybody with more information on the suspects or the case is asked to contact APD Financial Crimes Detective Michele Logan at 907-786-8706.
 
 
 
 
By Patrick Enslow: Iron Dog cancels ceremonial start due to ‘tough economic times’
 
 
 
 
By Jack Carney: Residents wonder if new ordinance will help city and homeless population
 
 
 
 
By Kortnie Horazdovsky: KTUU.com’s Top 10 stories of 2017
 
 
 
 
By Sidney Sullivan: Ring in 2018 with these New Year’s Eve festivities in Anchorage
 
 
 
 
By Leroy Polk: GCI subscribers may not be able to watch FOX and ABC next year
Representatives with GCI said that the owners of LLC’s Vision 1, Vision 2, and Coastal Television, which operate the three networks in the state, are demanding a 300 percent fee increase during renegotiation this year.

GCI’s director of communications, Heather Handyside, called this kind of increase “ridiculous.”
 
 
 
 
By Joe Vigil: Activist investor pressures Alaska Communications to sell
 
 
 
 
By Angela Cox: Seven Nonprofit Executives Selected for Sabbatical Program
At their November 28 board meeting, Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors approved funding for the Sabbatical Program through 2020. The next deadline to apply is October 1, 2018. Details about the Sabbatical Program, guidelines for preparing a proposal, and application materials are available at https://www.rasmuson.org/grants/sabbatical/
 
 
 
 
Kids spend winter break learning about animals
 
 
 
 
By Daybreak Staff: Mic Check in the Morning: Naked Mabel

APD Impaired Driving Enforcement Increased During New Year’s Holiday
The APD Impaired Driving and Traffic units want to remind everyone to slow down, wear your seat belt, and celebrate the holidays responsibly. Don’t drive impaired. Use a designated driver, cab or ride-sharing program. Driving under the influence is a preventable crime.
 
 
 
 
By Daybreak Staff: Kaladi Bros. to hold ‘Dale Tran New Years Day of Giving’ on Jan. 1
 
 
 
 
By Kortnie Horazdovsky: Man pleads guilty to manslaughter for teen’s shooting death
According to Kalytiak, the maximum sentence for manslaughter is 20 years. But because Peterson had not been convicted of a felony at the time of the crime, he’s likely facing a range from five to nine years. Peterson will go before a judge on May 9, 2018 to find out his fate. Kalytiak added that the plea bargain is open on sentencing, so the prosecution and defense will likely argue aggravating and mitigating factors.

Peterson did plead guilty in September to a felony assault charge that stemmed from a kidnapping and robbery investigation. But since that crime occurred after Woodford’s death, the felony won’t count against his sentencing, Kalytiak said.
 
 
 
 
By Kortnie Horazdovsky: Man charged with taking photos of boys in Sitka swimming pool locker room
Wade is currently in custody at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau, according to state records.

The state says he faces a potential sentence of up to 99 years for each count if he’s convicted.

 
 
 
 
By Daniella Rivera: Wanted again: Why was Christian Young released?
 
 
 
 
By Victoria Taylor: 11 Homicides remain open in Anchorage’s deadliest year
 
 
 
 
By Beth Verge: APD: More than 21K calls for service received in November
 
 
 
 
How would health care transparency affect you?
By Associated Press: Ketchikan considers ordinance on health care transparency
Officials with PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center told the city council at its meeting last week that they would like to see a broad debate take place between all stakeholders before a decision is made.

The Ketchikan City Council did not take action on the proposed ordinance last week.
 
 
 
 
By Leroy Polk: New color camera systems bring caribou counting into the digital age
 
 
 
 
By TIFFANY BORGES Frontiersman.com: PARKS & GLENN: Heroes of the ice road
 
 
 
 
By Matt Hickman Frontiersman Regional Editor: PODCAST: Why he chose Lt. Governor and not Governor & thoughts on State income Tax
 
 
 
 
By JACOB MANN Frontiersman.com: Christmas friendship dinner
 
 
 
 
By Barbara Hunt: PALMER BUZZ: The year that was
 
 
 
 
By Samantha Angaiak: Thinking of trying to prepay property taxes? You may want to hold off
 
 
 
 
By Amanda Evengaard: As Alaska Glaciers Shrink, Salmon Populations May Also Decline
 
 
 
 
Craig Medred: Kenai in crisis

DEC is holding a public hearing on the plan in Anchorage on Jan. 4.
 
 
 
 
What Do I Know: Graham v MOA #5: A Much Better Overview Of Why This Case Is Important
Graham v MOA #5: A Much Better Overview Of Why This Case Is Important

Graham v MOA – Overview of Why It’s Important

[This is an overview to explain what I see as a major problem.
MOA = Municipality of Anchorage
AFD = Anchorage Fire Dept
My evidence in this post is minimal. This series of posts will offer detailed evidence.]

There was a wrongdoing. Jeff Graham was intentionally and unfairly denied promotion. This was proven in court to the satisfaction of the jury.
The problem is structural and individual.
The exam process did not follow the MOA Charter requirement that it comply with ‘merit principles’. Instead the oral exam (particularly) was so subjective that graders could give whatever score they wanted. The only remaining evidence was the sketchy notes of the graders. No recordings, audio or video. This subjective exam was abused to prevent Jeff Graham from promoting.
The exam was part of a good-old-boy system that demanded loyalty and punished those who didn’t toe the line.
The wrong doing was aggravated by the response to Graham’s protest of the exam. It was not taken seriously, there was no investigation. Constructive critiques of the exam by two other firefighters were also ignored.
In court, evidence was presented (and not refuted by the Municipality) that the head of the training academy said he would never let Jeff Graham promote.

More…
 
 
 
 
By Laurel Downing Bill: Story Time with Aunt Phil: Cordova’s famous iceworm
 
 
 
 
By Shawn Wilson, Rebecca Palsha: Members of Grammy nominated Alaska band Portugal. The Man home for Christmas
 
 
 
 
By Chef Julie Andrews: Healthy veggie frittata

By Cameron Mackintosh: Fairbanks Four file lawsuits against city
 
 
 
 
By Beth Verge: Federal charges filed in string of Alaska prison overdoses
 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: Suspected heroin trafficker wanted by APD
 
 
 
 
By Emily Carlson: State says this year’s flu shot is 35% effective
 
 
 
 
By Daybreak Staff: Workforce Wednesday: Construction apprenticeships
 
 
 
 
By Sidney Sullivan: What to do with your tree now that Christmas is over
 
 
 
 
By Photojournalist Joshua Maxwell: What does this tree removal company do different for the holidays
 
 
 
 
By Sidney Sullivan: UPDATE: No unexploded mortar round located along Richardson Highway
 
 
 
 
By Associated Press: Fish and Game closes east side beaches to clamming in 2018
The closure begins Jan. 1 at 12:01 a.m. and will continue through the end of the year. It marks the fourth year in a row there will be no clamming in the area.
 
 
 
 
Moms Everyday Alaska: Ham and gouda quesadilla

By Beth Verge: DOC making improvements to stop smuggling of drugs into facilities
 
 
 
 
By Sidney Sullivan: Richardson Highway shut down for suspected unexploded mortar round
 
 
 
 
By Emily Carlson: AK is 47/50 in pension funding obligation

 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: Shot fired to break up dogfight in Juneau
 
 
 
 
Unique Nativities
 
 
 
 
The 2018 AMATS Committee Meeting Calendar is available online (https://goo.gl/CV8s2D). Happy holidays and best wishes in the new year!

 
 
 
 
Sitka Nature: Sitka Nature Show #145 – Zach LaPerriere
The November 26th show featured a conversation with Sitka-based woodworker Zach LaPerriere. We talked about spalted wood and an upcoming talk by Dr. Sara Robinson, as well as his process for creating bowls, and what he learns about the wood he uses and the history of the trees that provided the wood. Zach has a website where you can see many of the bowls he has created.
 
 
 
 
Sitka Nature: Dusky Thrush
 
 
 
 
Sitka Nature: Sitka Nature Show #146 – Seri Robinson
The December 10th show featured a conversation with Dr. Seri Robinson, expert on spalted wood. She was in town to give a talk as part of the natural history seminar series. You can learn more about spalted wood at her Northern Spalting website.
 
 
 
 
Sitka Nature: Sitka Nature Show #147 – Jen Cedarleaf and Victoria Vosburg
 
 
 
 
49 Writers, Inc.: Deb Vanasse | Writer, Interrupted
 
 
 
 
49 Writers, Inc: Guest Blogger Meagan Macvie | Publishing (and Learning) with Ooligan Press

 
 
 
 
49 Writers, Inc.: Guest Blogger Meagan Macvie | A Certain Necessary Faith
 
 
 
 

By Laura Holman: Kennyhill Drive SWAT standoff leaves one man dead
 
 
 
 
By Beth Verge: Palmer man admits to stealing gas from Butte Airstrip airplanes
Scott’s truck was impounded and he was remanded into Mat Su Pre-trial on $10,000 bail for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree and five counts of Attempted Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree.
 
 
 
 
By Scott Gross: What dispatchers want you to know when calling for help
When 911 is dialed in the Anchorage area, the call is answered at the Anchorage Police Department. When a call comes in, it is determined by the police department whether it is a police call for help or medical. If the call is medical or fire in nature with no police needed assistance, the call is immediately sent to secondary dispatch centers.

“We try not to waste any time getting units going,” lead dispatcher at Fire Station 12, Stephanie Wolf said. “When we get a phone call, the way it rings lets us know if it’s a 911 call. It will also say something specific in the corner of our computer screen.”
 
 
 
 
By Associated Press: High winds damage coastal villages on Kuskokwim Bay
 
 
 
 
By Beth Verge: Salvation Army Brass Band wraps up season as part of century-long tradition
 
 
 
 
By 719woman.com: Meal under $10: Oven baked spicy chicken tacos

By Kortnie Horazdovsky: Troopers, FPD shoot, kill suspect near Fairbanks on Christmas Eve
 
 
 
 
By Victoria Taylor: Armed man shot and injured by AST in Soldotna
 
 
 
 
Moms Everyday Alaska: Overnight cinnamon roll casserole

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

 
 
 
 
By Victoria Taylor: Lights with a twist, Anchorage couple creates Chicken Coop Christmas Village
 
 
 
 
By Anna Rose MacArthur, KYUK: Alcohol is fueling a spike in search-and-rescue operations in Bethel
“Our current membership is getting long in the tooth, so to speak. They’re getting older,” Barr said. “And we need some of the younger people in this community to step up and volunteer so we can train them, spend time with them; they can respond with us.”
 
 
 
 
By David A. James, Nancy Lord: The books our reviewers couldn’t put down in 2017
 
 
 
 
Addley Fannin, For the News-Miner: The best Alaska books of 2017

By Mike Ross: Father Moore passes away
His sister, Linda Moore, in a written statement said “Grateful for his life, there will be a wake Thursday December 28, at 6:00 PM at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 2901 Huffman Rd, Anchorage. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30AM Friday December 29 at the Co-Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 3900 Wisconsin Street, also in Anchorage.”
 
 
 
 
By Victoria Taylor: First responders partner with children for holiday shopping spree
 
 
 
 
By KTVA Web Staff: Kodiak embraces Maddy Sickafoose, young cancer survivor, her family
The program also features an interview with two Alaska Airlines employees — Jodi Harskamp, a pilot who donated a kidney to Jenny Stansel, a flight attendant. For Stansel, the gift of a kidney immediately turned her health around. Before the transplant, Stansel was on dialysis and steadily declining.

This episode of Frontiers, The Alaska Spirit of Giving, will air on two separate Sundays – Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve – Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 at 4:30 and 10:30 p.m. Frontiers will also run in place of KTVA’s 5:00 p.m. news on Christmas Day.
 
 
 
 
By Jacob Mann Frontiersman.com: Santa flies in from chopper to chopper
The 2017 Miss Harley, Quin Burton, lives in Anchorage but she came to the Santa Fly in to spread some holiday cheer. Somewhat similar to other “Miss” titles, Miss Harley attends various events and functions throughout the year with the mission to empower women and promote women riders. As a rider, she loves the wind in her face, the freedom, and the sense of comradery- a sentiment shared with countless others at the event, including Santa.

“You get to have an alter ego: PTA Mom by day and Biker Chick by night,” Burton said.
 
 
 
 
By Lauren Maxwell: Mumps cases over 100 and growing
 
 
 
 
By Kortnie Horazdovsky: More public lands opening to snowmachines