Author: Rachel Enano

A district court judge has ruled in favor of the family of Daniel Demott, a 66-year-old man killed in a 2018 standoff with Anchorage Police. The incident occurred on November 5, 2018, when police arrived at Demott’s residence after receiving a report of a family dispute. According to the family’s lawyer, Jeff Barber, the dispute was between Demott and his daughter Kelsey Howell. Howell had called the police because her father was experiencing a mental health crisis. However, the situation escalated once officers arrived on the scene. Barber stated that Demott had been experiencing mental health issues and had been…

A devastating snow machine accident in Eagle River, Alaska, has left Junior LaTocha, a 38-year-old father and business owner, without a leg. LaTocha was snow machining with his son and friend, Kenvin Cross, on a trail south of Glennallen.  Suddenly, LaTocha’s machine crashed into a power pole, resulting in severe injuries that required amputation surgery. Cross, who witnessed the accident, said everything happened quickly. LaTocha was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Meanwhile, Cross launched a GoFundMe campaign to help offset LaTocha’s medical expenses. LaTocha, who owns and operates Alaskan electricians, was uninsured at the time of…

Veterinarian Dr. Jen Donaldson hosted a unique event in Wasilla. The event, Teddy Bear Care, brought kids and their stuffed animals together for a fun and educational experience. It aimed to teach kids about proper animal care. Donaldson, who sold her animal hospital in Texas, has been volunteering in Alaska. She has hosted teddy bear care events in local businesses, including Spunky Monkey in Wasilla. At the event, kids brought their stuffed animals to receive a check-up and learn about proper care. Donaldson’s goal is to teach kids how to care for their pets and to sew seeds for future…

Eielson AFB Tanker boost. The US Air Force has announced plans to base four KC-135 refueling planes at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. Senator Dan Sullivan is thrilled about this development. He has been advocating for more tankers in Alaska for almost a decade. Moreover, Sullivan has worked with several Air Force leaders. He has also emphasized the need for tankers in Alaska. With over 100 fifth-generation fighters in Alaska, the need for tankers is more pressing than ever. Furthermore, the original plan was to base the aircraft at Eielson starting in March 2021. However, bureaucratic delays pushed back…

Alaska Municipal Leaders Unite. Hundreds of mayors and municipal officials from across Alaska are gathering in Anchorage this week for the annual Alaska Municipal League conference. Executive Director Nils Andreassen says the conference is an opportunity to hear from members about the challenges they’re facing. “The list is long,” he says. Some key issues include the opioid crisis, lack of housing, and workforce vacancies. Andreassen notes that vacancy rates can range from 5 to 30% in some communities. Jerilyn Kelly, Mayor of Quinhagak, says the conference offers a unique opportunity for rural communities to network and share ideas. “Our rural…

Deena Bishop, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner has sparked a change in remote learning policies. The MAt-Su Borough School District has decided to stop using remote learning days due to bad weather. This decision comes after Bishop communicated to superintendents that e-learning days should not be expected to count as school days for traditional schools. John Notestine, a district spokesperson, said that the district will not use remote learning days until more information is made. Meanwhile, the Anchorage School District has not made any public announcements about changing its approach to remote learning. Corey Allen-Young, spokesperson…

Conan Storm, a Fairbanks man living with muscular dystrophy, is grateful for the support from his community and is grateful for the support from his community after a harrowing SUV crash. On Saturday, December 7, Storm’s vehicle rolled into a ditch on Pegar Road near Pioneer Park. Fortunately, bystanders rushed to his aid, pulling him to safety. Storm, who is homeless, was living out of his SUV. He expressed his thanks to Golden Heart Community Support. Storm recalled feeling lost and alone for 20 minutes before being freed from his vehicle, which had a lift kit to support his limited…

Anchorage Mushing District’s decade-long project is nearing completion. The district aims to install an arch by summer 2025, with construction starting in May and taking four months to complete. This timeline is crucial, as the district’s agreement with the city requires the arch to be finished by January 2026. Meanwhile, the district has been working tirelessly to prepare the site. Underground electrical work is completed, and the sidewalks are expanded to accommodate the arch. Furthermore, the district has been raising funds for the project. One such initiative is the sale of bronze disks with dog paw imprints. These disks can…

Alaska’s population will decline by 2% before 2050, according to population projections through 2050. The report’s author, David Howell, notes that this decline is not necessarily cause for alarm. However, it will significantly impact the state’s workforce. The number of workers in Alaska will decline steadily through 2030. Baby Boomers aging past 65 will lead to a loss of 7,000 workers in the next six years. This decline will not be evenly distributed across age groups. Millennial aging will lead to a drop of 29,000 in the 20-39 age group. Meanwhile, the 40-64 age group will rise by 21,400. Furthermore, the…

Santino Figueroa, 18, was indicted by a grand jury on December 6. He faces charges for the murder of 35-year-old Krystofer Encabo Figueroa, who is charged with First-Degree Murder, two counts of Second-Degree Murder, and tampering with Physical Evidence. If convicted, he could spend up to 198 years in prison. Additionally, he faces an extra 5 years for evidence tampering. On November 23, the Anchorage Police Department (APD) found Encabo dead in an apartment. He had multiple gunshot wounds. The APD arrested Figueroa and charged him with second-degree murder. Figueroa admitted to shooting Encabo. He claimed someone in Encabo’s apartment…

A technical glitch in the Anchorage School District’s mass notification system caused confusion among families on Thursday morning. The glitch occurred through the district’s Finalsite system, which sends emails, texts, and app notifications. This issue affected the school’s communication about the delayed start due to icy roads, The districts initially announced a two-hour delayed start. However, a few hours later, families received an email written in Latin. Parent Kenya Sharp said she used Google Translate but didn’t understand the message. The email was supposed to inform parents that the district would switch to remote learning, except for Girdwood K-8. Corey…

Jane Angvik, a trailblazer in Alaska’s history, reacts to the news of a female majority on the state’s Supreme Court. She was the first woman to serve as Anchorage Assembly chair from 1984-1985. This milestone marks a significant step forward for women in leadership. Angvik attributes this progress to the growing number of educated women in Alaska. In the 1970s, women started going to law school in large numbers. Consequently, more women became attorneys across America, including in Alaska. As a result, women are now taking on leadership roles in the state’s judiciary. The Alaska Supreme Court will have a…