Author: Rachel Enano
Rachel Enano
Rachel is passionate about to write the stories that matter most to her community. With a sharp investigative mind and a knack for storytelling, she strives to shed light on both the triumphs and challenges faced by residents.
The Armed Services YMCA of Alaska seeks nominations for its 2025 Salute to Military awards. The awards recognize civilians who have supported troops in Alaska and exceptional enlisted service members. Two civilians will be honored with this year’s awards: the Alaska Military Spouse of the Year and the Bobby Alexander Civic Leader of the Year. According to Kat Franchino, Marketing Director for ASYMCA of Alaska, the nonprofit organization represents enlisted members from all branches of the military in Alaska. The awards are an opportunity to highlight the sacrifices these younger service members make while stationed in the Last Frontier. Moreover,…
The Fairbanks school consolidation plan has sparked concerns and optimism among stakeholders. School Board President Melissa Burnett expressed her worries about the potential impact on rural communities, particularly Salcha and Two Rivers. Burnett highlighted the need for careful consideration of transportation times and the potential effects on students and families in these areas. She emphasized the importance of providing clear information to the affected communities. Moreover, Burnett wants to ensure that the communities have a solid understanding of what the consolidation plan entails. Also how it will affect them. The school board is seeking feedback from the public, particularly regarding…
A dramatic scene unfolded in midtown Anchorage on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in an Anchorage police shooting. A man was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being shot by a police officer. According to Police Chief Sean Case, the incident began with a reported robbery at the 500 block of Northern Lights Boulevard. A female victim was found bound with tape around her wrists and mouth. She managed to escape to a nearby business and call the police. Meanwhile, officers responded to the scene and were told that the suspect was trying to break into an ATM. One officer spotted a man…
The US Cross Country skiing championships concluded on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. Kendall Kramer, a University of Alaska Fairbanks senior, made history by winning her first national title in the 20K classic mass-start race. Kramer’s time of 58 minutes, 17.2 seconds edged out Erica Laven, a Swedish skier competing for the University of Utah. Kramer’s victory was a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. Growing up in Fairbanks, Kramer had always considered Kincaid Park her home course. He praised the course conditions and credited her experience skiing in Anchorage for her…
The city of Anchorage is rethinking its transportation plans. With a declining population, state officials have scrapped plans for a high-speed freeway connecting the Seward and Glenn highways. Instead, they’re exploring proposals for a slower, more scenic parkway. The current highway connection, established in the 1960s, cuts through the Fairview neighborhood. This neighborhood was once the heart of Anchorages’ Black community. Despite speed limits and stoplights, the streets are notorious for speeding and crashes involving pedestrians. Galen Jones, the state’s manager for the Seward-Glenn Connection study, says many people expressed concerns about noise, large footprints, and residential relocations. They were…
Drunk driving fatalities are a serious concern in the United States. A recent case in Alaska highlights the devastating consequences of driving under the influence. Matthew Davis, a former JBER soldier, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a fiery crash that killed a young couple, Amelia Nowak and Derek Duerr, in 2022. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 39 minutes ¹. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths. These deaths were all preventable. The…
The Anchorage Police Department has released the final tally of outdoor deaths in 2024, reporting a total of 50 individuals who lost their lives outside. This number is up from the initial report of 47 deaths in December. Consequently, concerns about Anchorage’s outdoor deaths have grown. According to APD, an outdoor death is defined as a non-suspicious death of a person without a fixed address. Furthermore, the medical examiner’s office can reclassify these deaths if further investigation is needed. The data shows that April and October were the deadliest months, with nine outdoor deaths each. Notably, these months did not…
Anthony Lee Herring received a 25-year sentence for the murder of Jaclyn Welcome. On June 19, 2001, Herring fired around 16 shots from an AR-15 rifle at a group of people behind Kline’s Tesoro in Anchorage, killing Welcome and injuring four others. Herring had a verbal altercation with the group the day before the shooting. According to court documents, a man in the group fired a handgun, and Herring responded by firing his rifle from across the street. Herring claimed self-defense but was found guilty of second-degree murder and first-degree assault. In May 2024, he pled guilty to these charges…
The Salute to the Military Awards nominations are now open. The Armed Services YMCA of Alaska is seeking nominations for civilians who have supported troops in the state. Kat Franchino, Marketing Director for ASYMCA of Alaska, explained that the awards aim to highlight the sacrifices made by junior enlisted service members stationed in Alaska. “We want to recognize those who have gone above and beyond,” she said. The event has been a yearly tradition since 1977. This year, two civilians will be honored: the Alaska Military Spouse of the Year and the Bobby Alexander Civic Leader of the Year. Additionally,…
The First-Day Hike celebrations kicked off on Wednesday, with hundreds of free, guided hikes across the US. In Alaska, rangers from Alaska State Parks hosted a guided hike at Chugach State Park. Ranger Timothy Gurnett led the hike at Eklutna Lake, which had just frozen over. “Starting the year off on a good note is what it’s all about,” Gurnett said. He guided hikers along the 2.2-mile Eydlu Bena Loop Trail, sharing information about the area and winter hiking tips. Gurnett emphasized the importance of being prepared for winter hikes. He recommended dressing in layers, bringing spare batteries, and sharing…
The US Cross Country Ski Championships are set to begin in Anchorage, featuring 350 top skiers from around the country. The event will take place from Thursday to Tuesday, with skiers competing in various divisions. According to Matt Pauli, chief of competition, the Kincaid courses will be in fine shape despite the lack of snow. Pauli has four decades of experience working in major competitions. Trond Flagstad, a UAA associate Nordic Coach said that while the lack of snow is a challenge, the base is good, and skating is excellent. Naomi Smith, a 12-year-old winter star’s skier, will be cheering…
The former Northway Mall in Anchorage, Alaska, is getting a new lease on life. A major redevelopment project is transforming the 30-acre site at 3101 Penland Parkway. The project includes the demolition of a large part of the enclosed mall, which is nearing completion. New businesses are moving in, joining existing tenants like Shockwave Trampoline Park and Xpress Lube. O’Reilly Auto Parts is one of the new additions, occupying a 37,000-square-foot space. The auto parts store is set to open in the summer of 2025. The redevelopment project also includes exterior improvements. A new landscape plan will be implemented in…