Author: Rachel Enano

A judge in Anchorage has ruled that the state of Alaska is violating its regulations by failing to provide timely assistance to low-income elderly and disabled Alaskans. This ruling highlights the severity of the Alaska assistance backlog. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by the Alaska civil rights firm Northern Justice Project, alleges that the state’s Department of Health has failed to process multiple applications to Alaska’s adult public assistance program within the required 30 days. Data provided by the state shows that this requirement has been violated for years. Recent data indicates that the state is still behind on processing…

An Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks was forced to return to Ted Stevens International Airport on Christmas Eve after an eagle struck the plane. This incident is now known as the Alaska Eagle plane strike. The pilots quickly decided to turn back as a precautionary measure. Passenger Michelle Tatela described the experience as a “Christmas Eve story.” She was traveling with her sister and mother, who were visiting from Chicago. They had planned to spend Christmas at Chena Hot Springs. When the plane returned to Anchorage, passengers were told that a bird strike involving an eagle had triggered…

A shooting in Anchorage’s Mountain View neighborhood left two hospitalized on Sunday morning. The Anchorage Police Department responded to reports of a shooting around 5:15 a.m. near Richmond Avenue and Taylor Street. When officers arrived, they found a vehicle and two victims. One victim had life-threatening injuries to the upper body. The other had non-life-threatening injuries. Both victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the police department is investigating the shooting. They have arrested two people in connection with the incident. The department is asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Additionally, if you…

Patti Engleman’s dog, Tyra Banks, is a 77-year-old Xoloitzxuintli, a Mexican breed known for its speed and agility. Recently, Tyra achieved a milestone in her career. She won the 12-inch height division at the AKC Agility Invitational in Orlando, Florida. Tyra finished the course in 29.597 seconds, earning her another title. This win is impressive, considering Tyra has Cushing’s Disease, a condition that could end her career at any moment. Engleman says making it to invitationals was on her bucket list for Tyra. Engleman is grateful for the time she has with Tyra and is making the most of it.…

The city of Wasilla, Alaska is shining bright with a 20-foot menorah on the second night of Hanukkah. The giant menorah, built by local artist Patrick Garley, was lit Thursday evening at Wasilla Lake. Rabbi Mendy Greenberg of Mat-Su Jewish Center said the menorah was made in memory of former Mayor of Wasilla Bert Cottle. “There’s a general universal message of Hanukkah to every single person”, Greenberg said. “the idea of fighting the darkness with a candle of peace.” This year’s Hanukkah celebration is the tenth year Wasilla Lake has hosted the public menorah lighting. The lighting ceremony began near…

Anchorage residents marked the shortest day of the year with various Winter Solstice Celebrations in Anchorage. Despite the limited daylight, people gathered outdoors to enjoy the festivities. The Municipality of Anchorage hosted its annual Winter Solstice festival at Cuddy Park in Midtown. The event featured an Olympic-sized skating rink, dog sled rides, live reindeer, food trucks, a photo booth, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Karen Lapointe, a volunteer at the festival, noted that the winter solstice marks the beginning of longer days. “It’s an awesome time to celebrate,” she said. Meanwhile, Hilltop Ski Area attracted hundreds of…

The Senate has passed a bipartisan bill to boost Social Security payments for millions of public service retirees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers. This legislation aims to eliminate longtime reductions to Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million people who receive pensions from work in federal, state, and local government. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the bill. Schumer said it’s a significant victory for public service retirees who have waited decades for this moment. Consequently, the bill will boost Social Security payments for millions of retirees. Furthermore, Sen. Sherrod Brown added that Social Security is a bedrock of…

Alaska Planned Parenthood closures have become a reality, with the Juneau clinic shutting its doors in December. Rebecca Gibron, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, and Kentucky, cited operational challenges as the reason for the closure. Gibron explained that the healthcare ecosystem has changed significantly since the pandemic. Workforce and provider shortages, rising costs, and lower reimbursement rates have all taken a toll. As a result, Planned Parenthood is shifting its focus to telehealth services. However, Gibron noted that access to reproductive healthcare is still a challenge in Alaska. For women seeking an…

A dramatic turn of events has unfolded at the Fairbanks Ice Rink where a 21-year-old woman, Chelsea Charlie, was initially charged with kidnapping and assaulting two children. However, court documents now reveal that the felony kidnapping charge has been amended to coercion with fear of injury, a class C felony. On December 8, Charlie allegedly approached an 11-year-old and a 9-year-old at the Big Dipper Ice Arena, owned and operated by the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The 11-year-old managed to escape after falling. Charlie reportedly dragged the 9-year-old 20 to 30 feet before they were able to break free. The…

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…