Teleconference celebrates constitution, statehood

December 31, 2008 at 10:33AM AKST

On Jan. 9, the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska and the University of Alaska Eight Stars of Gold Project will come together to offer an evening event to celebrate 50 years of Alaska’s statehood and the Alaska Constitution.

Memorable moments on the tundra

December 31, 2008 at 10:29AM AKST

Residents of Bethel and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta witnessed their share of change in 2008 when it came to political leaders.

Trappers victimized in vandalism spree

December 29, 2008 at 5:10PM AKST

Alaska wildlife officials are trying to snare the person – or people – responsible for sabotaging several traps in the Bethel area.

Bethel plans New Year’s celebration

December 29, 2008 at 12:45PM AKST

A family New Year’s celebration is planned for Wednesday night at the Bethel Parks and Recreation Youth Center and 4-H Program building.

Begich to educate Congress on Native contractors

December 24, 2008 at 10:29AM AKST

U.S. Sen.-elect Mark Begich renewed his support for the 8(a) program that gives Native Americans special status with the federal government at an Anchorage business luncheon last week, insisting that critics in the Lower 48 don’t understand how the program works.

Tracking the year’s big stories in the Bush

December 24, 2008 at 10:27AM AKST

Rural Alaska, once isolated from the rest of the world, wasn’t immune to big national events in 2008.

Democrats join House majority caucus

December 24, 2008 at 10:25AM AKST

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, a Dillingham Democrat from Alaska House District 37, talked regularly with both Democrats and Republicans attempting to form an organization for the upcoming legislative session.

YKHC and Alaska VA Healthcare System collaborate to help rural veterans

December 23, 2008 at 3:58PM AKST

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) and Alaska VA Healthcare System have partnered together to help rural veterans gain better access to their healthcare benefits.

Economic realities temper state funding wishes in Bethel

December 18, 2008 at 9:47AM AKST

The Bethel City Council wrote a resolution back in August that established priorities for fiscal year 2010 funding.

Renewable energy is pushed statewide

December 18, 2008 at 9:45AM AKST

The state’s energy czar says his new energy initiative could put Alaska entirely on clean, renewable power.

Calista gives elders $250 for Christmas

December 12, 2008 at 3:09PM AKST

Calista Corp. will give $250 to its elders in celebration of the holidays.

Rural schools lose hundreds in five years

December 11, 2008 at 11:43AM AKST

State researchers hoping to determine how many people have left rural Alaska for bigger communities report that rural schools lost 1,802 students in the last five years.

Grant wishes for better Alaska communities

December 11, 2008 at 11:38AM AKST

As First Alaskans Institute celebrated 11 projects that it funded with community-development grants this year at a dinner in Anchorage, board chairman Willie Hensley noted that the deadline is coming fast for 2009 projects.

Cell phones say ‘hello’ to Bush Alaskans

December 11, 2008 at 11:19AM AKST

The cellular age has finally reached village Alaska in a big way.

Support BRHS basketball at the ACS/Pepsi Invitational

December 10, 2008 at 12:38PM AKST

The Bethel Regional High School boys and girls basketball teams will get their new seasons rolling into high gear at the Anchorage Christian School/Pepsi Invitational over the New Year’s holiday weekend, and ACS officials are asking Bethel businesses to support the Warriors by advertising in the tournament program.

“Gingerbread Workshop” on tap at Bethel Youth Center

December 10, 2008 at 9:43AM AKST

The City of Bethel is inviting area children and their families to attend its “Gingerbread Workshop” at the Bethel Youth Center on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Readers’ holiday writings, photographs welcome

December 04, 2008 at 12:13PM AKST

It never fails: Students look at the calendar this time of year and not only dream of the trappings of Christmas and the holidays, but also of the break from school.

M.E. School celebrates ‘Christmas Around the World’

December 04, 2008 at 11:42AM AKST

It’s always festive and entertaining — it’s the Mikelnguut Elitnuarviat School holiday program, set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Bethel Regional High School.  

Explaining Alaska’s elevated gasoline prices

December 04, 2008 at 9:14AM AKST

As a pair of state-government entities continue to investigate and study why gasoline prices in Alaska aren’t coming down as fast as they are in the Lower 48, Paul Dock thought about Kipnuk’s haves and have-nots.

Native corporations’ success not a thing of past

December 04, 2008 at 9:12AM AKST

Despite a widespread pessimism about the economy, falling oil prices, and the loss of one of Alaska’s most powerful advocates — Sen. Ted Stevens — Sheri Burretta, president of the Association of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Presidents and CEOs, said that the fiscal future of Native corporations was not all gloom.

Energy costs place lower as migration explanation

December 04, 2008 at 9:10AM AKST

The energy crisis in rural Alaska partly explains why people are leaving villages for larger communities, but it’s not among the top three reasons, according to the preliminary results of a new survey conducted by First Alaskans Institute.

Hoffman’s subsistence perspective on Game Board

December 02, 2008 at 2:16PM AKST

Alaska’s newest Board of Game member will also be its youngest, but Stanley “Stosh” Hoffman has lived enough years to see the boom-and-bust cycle of predator and prey around the Kuskokwim River village where he grew up.

Villages’ safety is priority for top cop

December 02, 2008 at 2:11PM AKST

The state’s new public safety commissioner said bullets whizzed his way just once during his law enforcement career — when he was an 18-year-old village cop in a Northwest Alaska community.

State count: Rural schools lose hundreds in recent years

December 01, 2008 at 8:11AM AKST

State researchers hoping to determine how many people have left rural Alaska for bigger communities report that rural schools lost 1,802 students in the last five years.

Hot line can help in rural-to-urban transition

November 26, 2008 at 2:08PM AKST

You recently left rural Alaska and need help in the big city?

Energy prices less important than other factors in rural-to-urban flight

November 24, 2008 at 11:29AM AKST

The energy crisis in rural Alaska partly explains why people are leaving villages for larger communities, but it's not among the top three reasons, according to the preliminary results of a new survey conducted by First Alaskans Institute.

Higher pay credited for VPSO boost

November 24, 2008 at 9:29AM AKST

Thanks to a big raise awarded by the state Legislature, the Village Public Safety Officer program has added officers for the first time in years.

Villages’ safety is priority for state’s top cop

November 21, 2008 at 4:04PM AKST

The state’s new public safety commissioner said bullets whizzed his way just once during his law enforcement career — when he was an 18-year-old village cop in a Northwest Alaska community.

Chicken of the sea, other fish, recast as cats

November 21, 2008 at 12:51PM AKST

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has decided that the high volumes of fish that continue to be caught and consumed each year are the result of a marketing problem for the species, and have given fish new name: sea kittens.

Surveying the classroom for educational upgrades

November 21, 2008 at 12:49PM AKST

Not surprisingly, Alaska’s K-12 educators shared more thoughts than anyone on the state’s unscientific survey about education leading up to the start of the two-day statewide summit on the subject, which kicked off in Anchorage on Nov. 13.

Venezuela free fuel for Alaska likely again

November 21, 2008 at 12:45PM AKST

A Venezuelan oil company has once again said it will provide 100 gallons of free heating fuel for thousands of Alaskans, according to an official with the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council.

Hoffman brings subsistence perspective to Game Board

November 20, 2008 at 9:25PM AKST

“Giving Thanks” at M.E. School

November 20, 2008 at 10:45AM AKST

It’s entitled, “Giving Thanks”.

LKSD’s budget task force meets Tuesday

November 19, 2008 at 12:37PM AKST

The Lower Kuskokwim School District’s FY10 budget assumptions task force is meeting Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 3 p.m.

Kids’ play takes center stage in Bethel this weekend

November 18, 2008 at 2:52PM AKST

The Bethel Actors Guild skews younger this weekend with the premiere of the “Rocky Monster Show – A Kids Musical”, which opens Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Yup’iit Piciryarait Cultural Center.

Bethel high school coach pins his life to the mat

November 13, 2008 at 10:41AM AKST

In a typical wrestling season, Darren Lieb probably spends more time on the mat than in his own bed. That’s because his job as head coach of the Bethel Regional High School team eats up most of his time and takes him all over Alaska.

Raising expectations

November 13, 2008 at 10:40AM AKST

NEWTOK — Michael John arrived in this Western Alaska village in the 1950s, traveling with his family in boats that carried the dog team and other belongings.

Bush Alaska cuts ties, goes for Begich

November 13, 2008 at 10:39AM AKST

Bush Alaska has benefited handsomely from Sen. Ted Stevens’ money-producing magic, but it broke with past trends on Nov. 4. Registered voters in the six districts extending from Kodiak to the North Slope sided with Democrat Mark Begich, some of them quite heavily.  

Absentee ballots may extend Alaska’s waiting game

November 06, 2008 at 10:30AM AKST

With pre-election polls showing Alaska’s iconic Sen. Ted Stevens in a dead heat with Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, not to mention Gov. Sarah Palin on the national ticket, the Nov. 4 general election could hardly have been more hotly anticipated. But even after the polling booths closed Nov. 4, Alaskans awaiting final results may have to wait a little longer – more than 10 days longer.

Sunny side of Jung

November 06, 2008 at 10:25AM AKST

A renowned Yup’ik educator, consummate volunteer and beloved figure behind an anti-tobacco campaign in the Bethel region received the Alaska Federation of Native’s Elder of the Year Award.

Military to help Newtok move

October 28, 2008 at 9:54AM AKST

A few good men and women will help an imperiled village in Western Alaska move to higher ground.

Alaskans asked to take part in education survey

October 23, 2008 at 3:11PM AKST

As Alaska takes initial steps to develop a statewide plan for education from preschool to post-secondary, the state wants to know what residents think about education and our expectations for high school graduates.

Well-traveled wrestlers

October 23, 2008 at 10:06AM AKST

Take one look at what remains of the Bethel Regional High School wrestling team’s schedule.

Hunters up in arms over moose decoy in protected region

October 23, 2008 at 10:04AM AKST

A moose decoy that helped state wildlife officials nab two men along the lower Kuskokwim River has stirred resentment even among those who have fought hard to protect moose in the region.     

Weather puts village fuel supply on ice

October 23, 2008 at 9:58AM AKST

A combination of river ice and shallow water put a surprise end to barge deliveries on the Kuskokwim River this year, leaving several villages scrambling to get enough fuel to last the winter.  

Alaska Railroad announces AFN special

October 16, 2008 at 3:52PM AKST

The Alaska Railroad Corp. and officials with the Municipality of Anchorage released information Thursday about a special Alaska Federation of Natives Convention rate.

Warriors want old results with new faces

October 16, 2008 at 10:11AM AKST

A new-look Bethel Regional High School volleyball team returned to its own version of “titletown” Oct. 9, a little tardy on arrival.

Going online to get ready for college

October 16, 2008 at 10:10AM AKST

A record 21 Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program students graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage last spring, according to program officials.

Council ready for cleanup

October 16, 2008 at 10:09AM AKST

Three new Bethel City Council members were sworn in Tuesday night after riding a wave of voter discontent to victory.

$300,000 fund shift irks council

October 09, 2008 at 10:17AM AKST

The Bethel City Council wants Alaska State Troopers to investigate why a city employee — or employees — used more than $300,000 from the endowment fund principal to help pay for the courthouse expansion.

Recycling machine gives new life to old oil

October 09, 2008 at 10:15AM AKST

A program that has removed mountains of junk from hard-to-reach villages will expand next summer when it helps villages along the Yukon River turn used engine oil into valuable heating fuel.

Making a mark at state

October 09, 2008 at 10:14AM AKST

One look at Jennifer Klejka’s left ankle, a little marked-upon skin showing just above her running shoe, confirmed the close-knit quality of the Bethel Regional High School girls cross-country team.

Hoffman, Albertson, Klejka claim council seats

October 08, 2008 at 10:44AM AKST

Three city council candidates rode a wave of voter discontent to victory in Bethel’s municipal election Tuesday night.

Bethel to test public health emergency capabilities

October 07, 2008 at 10:38AM AKST

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Pandemic Coalition will test the capabilities of the local emergency health system during the 2008 Mass Dispensing Exercise (MDE), Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

In Bethel, voters have eight choices

October 02, 2008 at 9:23AM AKST

Eight City Council candidates – many of them with longtime experience in local government and community service – are vying for three seats in Bethel’s Oct. 7 election.

Yup’ik artist creates a national image

October 02, 2008 at 9:20AM AKST

It’s not quite Hollywood, but Moses Wassilie’s work will soon be on display in Southern California once more.

A stretch for dirt roads

October 02, 2008 at 9:08AM AKST

A remote Alaska town without a bar, clothing store or even a road out just got its first limousine.