Author: Nicole Thompson

Hey there, Bethel residents! Interestingly, despite the beauty of every environment, each environment has its complications. Today, we discuss the five most likely diseases you will experience in your community. Knowledge of these makes us confident and able to care for ourselves and our loved ones. Alright, where were we? Yes, let’s come to the point. 5 Most Common Diseases in Bethel The following are the five most common diseases you will likely see in Bethel. 1. Respiratory Infections What are they? Respiratory infections primarily affect our respiratory system, comprising the lungs and other respiratory structures. They include common colds,…

Residents of Bethel and surrounding areas, particularly those in the housing subdivision, are advised of an upcoming water supply interruption. The city will be temporarily cutting off water services on August 2nd and 3rd to facilitate the installation of a new water connection for the Ayaprun School. Water interruption will commence on August 2nd and is expected to be restored on August 3rd. However, there may be a slight delay in full water pressure restoration. It’s important to note that water supply disruptions have occurred in the past due to infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. The city is committed to minimizing…

After 78 years of out-of-pocket medical bill payments, 103-year-old World War II veteran Louis Gigliotti from Anchorage, Alaska, has finally gotten his veterans benefits. Known by most as “Jiggs,” Gigliotti was a surgical technician during the war but was not aware of the advantages he would have as a veteran. Melanie Carey, Gigliotti’s caregiver for around ten years, found the error when she started helping him with his medical bills. She found out that despite possessing a Veteran Administration card, he had been paying for his treatment out of pocket. “I don’t think he understood that being a veteran has…

The search for a missing plane bound for Yakutat was called off late Monday evening after exhaustive efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies. The aircraft, a 1948 Beechcraft Bonanza owned by longtime Haines pilot Sam Wright, was carrying Yakutat residents Hans Munich,Tanya Hutchins, and Sam Wright himself. It was last tracked near Mount Crillon at the southern end of the Fairweather Mountain Range. The three individuals departed from Juneau on Saturday, but the plane never reached its destination. Wright, along with Munich and Hutchins, who own Coastal Air Service, were reported overdue that evening. Both Wright and…

Joshua Kelly-Morris, a 24-year-old Bethel resident, has been sentenced to 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. The charge stemmed from a fatal fight in a Bethel home in 2022 that resulted in the death of 21-year-old Ian Makaily. According to legal authorities, Kelly-Morris was initially charged with first-degree murder. Details surrounding the fight remain unclear, but witness statements allege Kelly-Morris and Makaily were heard arguing downstairs before Kelly-Morris informed others upstairs that Makaily was dead. Based on these statements, Bethel police apprehended Kelly-Morris. As part of a plea agreement, Kelly-Morris pled guilty to the lesser charge of…

Residents of Bethel are being warned by the local police department about a phone scam involving a person posing as a police officer. Reports have surfaced of an individual identifying themselves as “Deputy Chris,” using various last names, and making calls that appear to originate from Bethel’s courthouse. The scammer claims to have urgent legal documents that require immediate attention. Residents have also reported on social media that the caller accused them of property crimes and demanded they account for their whereabouts. This scam in Bethel is part of a wider trend of police impersonation scams across Alaska, with similar…

Kauffman Museum has received a transformative gift of $3.4 million from the estate of Donald C. Harder, a long-time supporter and friend of the museum. This generous donation is the largest single gift in the museum’s history, and it will profoundly impact the institution’s ability to preserve and showcase the region’s cultural and scientific heritage. The $3.4 million gift will support various initiatives at the museum, including enhancing exhibits and programs to make them more engaging and interactive, expanding the museum’s collections to include new and significant artifacts, supporting educational initiatives and outreach programs for underserved communities, and renovating and…

The Bethel Police and Fire Departments responded to a reported stabbing at the intersection of Main Area Street and Kilbuck Street. The incident occurred on Saturday at 6:00 PM on evening. The victim, a 32-year-old male, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is currently in stable condition. Authorities have confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the public, emphasizing that the situation was isolated. The Bethel Police Department is actively investigating the incident to gather more details, including the motive and any potential suspects. Additionally, community members have been reassured of their safety as the investigation…

HUBER HEIGHTS— a small group of Bethel Township residents attended the Huber Heights City Council meeting to express their objections to a proposed 296-acre annexation. The annexation, petitioned by a few property owners on January 16, involves land near the Carriage Trails development. During the meeting, Bethel Township resident Jeff Morford highlighted issues such as traffic and school overcrowding, attributing them to the council’s annexation plans. “Your solutions would not be needed if you had not created the problem in the first place,” he urged the council to reconsider future annexations to allow Bethel Township to grow at its own…

Bethel Park student Lyla Walsh has taken the initiative to set up a summer engineering camp exclusively for girls, aiming to inspire and increase female representation in engineering fields. Recognizing the gender disparity in engineering, Lyla Walsh designed the camp to engage young girls in hands-on engineering projects and interactive learning experiences. The camp includes activities like building the tallest paper tower and making the sessions fun and educational. In addition to the interactive projects, the camp features guest appearances by female engineers who provide mentorship and share their professional experiences. This initiative aligns with broader efforts like the Girls…

James Harris, a seasoned law enforcement professional with 32 years of experience, recently relocated to Bethel, Alaska from New Mexico. Previously, he served as the police chief in Belen, New Mexico starting in 2019. Harris has taken on the dual roles of Bethel’s Chief of Police and the newly established position of Public Safety Director, where he will oversee both the police and fire departments. Harris aims to address Bethel’s persistent issues with recruitment and staff retention, which have been significant challenges for the city’s police department. The department has struggled with high turnover rates and a staffing model where…

Emergency crews are relentlessly searching Lake Norman for a swimmer who went missing after a drowning incident reported Thursday afternoon. Location: Near the sand bar, west of the Bethel Church Road peninsula on Lake Norman Time Reported: Thursday, after 7:00 PM Responding Agencies: Huntersville Fire Department, Medic officials, Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue Huntersville Fire Department reported first responders resumed the search on Friday. Law enforcement officials are urging boaters to avoid Marker D4 and the “Sandbar Lake Norman” area to avoid hindering search efforts. This incident comes just hours after Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue issued a safety reminder to boaters enjoying the…