Author: The Tundra Drums Staff
December 18, 2025 DR-4893-AK MA-004 FEMA News Desk: (425) 487-4610 Email: fema-r10-newsdesk@fema.dhs.gov ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Bethel Assistance Hub, staffed with FEMA representatives to support Alaskans impactedby October’s West Coast Storms, will be temporarily closed tomorrow, Dec. 19, and will reopen at 10 a.m. Jan. 6, 2026. When the Bethel hub is open, specialists help survivors apply for disaster assistance, answer questions, and upload required documents. The hub is open 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Location AVCP Tugkar Building 570 3rd Ave., Bethel, AK 99559 If you’re unable to visit the hub and still need FEMA assistance, there are other…
An avalanche safety workshop aimed at increasing winter backcountry awareness and preparedness will be held in Fairbanks on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The event, titled “Avalanche Safety,” is hosted by Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Fairbanks and will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center. The workshop is designed to provide participants with essential knowledge and skills related to avalanche awareness, risk assessment, and safe travel practices in snowy and mountainous terrain. Organizers say the program is intended for individuals interested in winter outdoor activities, including hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and other backcountry recreation.…
Alaska State Parks is inviting residents to welcome the new year outdoors by participating in the 13th Annual First Day Hike, hosted in partnership with the Delta Junction Trail Association (DJTA) on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at River Walk Park in Delta Junction. Participants are encouraged to hike, ski, or snowshoe along easy, family-friendly trails as a way to begin the new year with outdoor activity and community engagement. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by state parks across all 50 states, promoting wellness, movement,…
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has completed work on the traffic signal at the intersection of Tongass Avenue and Jefferson Street, officials confirmed. According to DOT&PF, crews repaired vehicle detection systems and adjusted signal timing at the intersection. The improvements are expected to allow the signal to operate more efficiently, with reduced wait times for vehicles traveling from Jefferson Street. Transportation officials said the changes were made to improve traffic flow and safety at the busy intersection. DOT&PF will continue monitoring the signal to ensure it functions as intended and to determine whether additional adjustments are…
Superior Court Judge Daniel Doty on Tuesday sentenced Moses Blanchard, 25, to 60 years in prison with 20 years suspended for his role in the 2023 murder of Lincoln “Bingo” Peratrovich, 80. Court records show that in March 2023, inflammatory accusations against Peratrovich were circulated on social media. Following those posts, Peratrovich was assaulted at his home in Klawock by Blanchard and co-defendants Blaise Dilts and Gonzalo Sanchez. Peratrovich later died as a result of the injuries he sustained during the attack. Blanchard’s sentence reflects his involvement in the fatal assault. Co-defendant Blaise Dilts was sentenced earlier this year in…
Dec. 17, 2025 The World’s Geophysicists Gather What’s Shaking Alaska?! Here is your weekly seismic update from the Alaska Earthquake Center for the week of December 17, 2025, where earthquake activity is monitored 24 hours a day. Over the past week, Alaska recorded about 1,300 earthquakes. Around 1,000 of these were aftershocks from the powerful magnitude 7.0 Hubbard Glacier earthquake that struck on December 6. Also Read: What’s Shaking Alaska?Weekly Earthquake Summary (December 10, 2025) Scientists say these aftershocks are now slowly decreasing in number and strength, which is normal after a large earthquake. Most of the recent aftershocks have…
The City of Fairbanks Public Works Department says it continues to work diligently throughout the winter season to keep city roads clear and safe, emphasizing that snow removal operations are carefully planned but remain dependent on changing weather conditions. According to Public Works officials, snow removal efforts prioritize main roads, emergency routes, and key public areas to ensure that essential services can operate without interruption. Once those areas are cleared, crews shift their focus to residential neighborhoods. Officials note that severe weather or additional snowfall may require schedule adjustments. Residents are reminded that city code requires adjacent property owners to…
The annual Whittier Harbor Cleanup is set to return on February 7, bringing together divers, volunteers, and community members for a coordinated effort to remove debris and improve the condition of the harbor. Organizers confirmed that the cleanup will once again take place in Whittier this year and is open to anyone interested in helping, regardless of diving experience. While certified divers and free divers will be working in the water, non-diving volunteers are also needed to assist with a variety of tasks on land. These include moving recovered items to a central collection area and supporting logistical operations throughout…
Community members still have an opportunity to support local animal adoption efforts following this past weekend’s Bark in the Park event, as the event’s online silent auction remains open. Organizers announced that the auction continues to accept bids for a variety of donated items, with proceeds benefiting animal adoption initiatives and community partners involved in the event. Officials say every bid contributes directly to supporting animals in need and strengthening local adoption programs. Residents who were unable to attend the event in person, or who wish to continue supporting the cause, can browse auction items and learn more about dogs…
An Anchorage jury on Tuesday convicted Adam Darius Pringle, 43, of Murder in the Second Degree and Manslaughter in connection with the March 2022 killing of Keenan Wegener, 27, following a jury trial in Anchorage Superior Court. Evidence presented at trial showed that Pringle and co-defendant Daniel Alex Rocero, 48, assaulted Wegener inside an East Anchorage residence. Prosecutors said the two men beat Wegener with an eight-pound metal sledgehammer, stood on his neck and chest, and later placed his body inside a large plastic storage tote. Wegener died from asphyxia and blunt force trauma, according to testimony. Officers with the…
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) announced that the highway was reopened at 6 p.m. Saturday following the completion of avalanche control operations. DOT&PF crews conducted avalanche mitigation work earlier in the day to reduce the risk of snow slides and ensure safe travel conditions. Once the operation was completed and the area was assessed, officials cleared the roadway for traffic. Also Read: Dalton Highway Remains Closed Saturday Due to Severe Weather and Avalanche Risk Motorists are advised to continue exercising caution while traveling through the area, as winter conditions may still be present. DOT&PF encourages drivers…
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Anchorage Field Office is warning Alaska residents about an increase in fraud schemes involving scammers who impersonate law enforcement officers or government officials. According to the FBI, the scams typically involve unsolicited phone calls in which callers falsely claim that the recipient has an outstanding warrant, missed jury duty, or other legal issues. The scammers then demand immediate payment or request sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or banking details, in order to resolve the alleged problem. The FBI emphasized that legitimate law enforcement agencies and courts do not contact individuals by…