News - Copper River Record

The new Casa de la Arte, under construction.

Tazlina Businesses Rebuilding After 2020 Fire

In December of 2020, the local community watched in horror as the Tazlina Trading Post, the adjoining businesses, and a private residence were destroyed by a fire. Although the fire … more

Allison Sayer | 9/15/21

First Responders Remember Those Lost on September 11

By Keenan James Britt A first responder 9/11 memorial ceremony was held the morning of Saturday, September 11, in Valdez at Fire Station 1. The ceremony marked the solemn occasion of the … more

Amanda Swinehart | 9/15/21

Autumn

Warmth fades from the sponge-gray sky. The leaf-stored light now blazes brightAcross the boreal uplands.Birch and aspen and willow are fitting trees for the north country.Dark so long, light so … more

Amanda Swinehart | 9/15/21

Harvesting and Preparing Shaggy Mane Mushrooms

It’s the time of year when huge patches of shaggy mane mushrooms pop up on the edges of development everywhere. Lawns, gravel pits, and other wide open, semi-developed areas, are … more

Allison Sayer | 9/10/21

Preliminary Data Suggest King Salmon met Escapement Goals

On June 23 of this year, king salmon retention in personal use fisheries and all sport fishing for king salmon in the Upper Copper River drainage closed. This was due to … more

Allison Sayer | 9/10/21

Galileo's sketches of the moon from en:Sidereus Nuncius , published in March 1610.

The Return of Moon

By Mackenzie DysingerI can see Old Man Winter making his way to my doorbut I have no time to ask him in.Although I can hear the weary trees mourn, especially the Birch as their leaves begin to … more

Amanda Swinehart | 9/10/21

Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons/Nenad Stojkovic.

COVID-19 Holds Steady in the Copper Valley

Coronavirus continues to Circulate in the Copper Valley and Valdez.As of Friday, September 1, the Copper River Native Association (CRNA) reported 49 total active cases in the area … more

Allison Sayer | 9/10/21

Copper Valley School Alumni Reunite

Bricks with departed community members’ names. Photo by Allison Sayer. [/caption] By Allison SayerAlumni from the Copper Valley School met on the grounds of the old school site over the weekend of … more

Allison Sayer | 9/4/21

Local Girl’s Heroic Beagle Rescue

By Joni StoneGrandpa and her sisters all said, “Anniyah is a hero!” We couldn’t agree more, and this is the story. Mavis, a spunky local beagle that is beloved by the Widgeon Way neighborhood, … more

Allison Sayer | 9/4/21

The Wish Belly Part X

Serialized Fiction by Shane KimberlinMelinda jumped up on her seat in a gargoyle fashion.“Did that...did your cat just talk?”“Hello,” said the cat, “I am the cat.”She was quiet a … more

Allison Sayer | 9/3/21

COVID-19 “Nowhere Near Over”

“Hi, Terri, this is Allison from the Copper River Record… sigh... I’m just calling for an update on the situation with coronavirus cases in Valdez because… sigh… it still … more

Allison Sayer | 8/31/21

Kat Jordan’s Gluten Free Crackers

Sometimes I just want some light tasting crackers to go with tuna salad, cheese and grapes, or just to snack on. I don't always have them, especially since gluten free are somewhat limited here, so … more

Allison Sayer | 8/28/21

Missing Mini Ramps at the Valdez Skate Park

By Kyle KlauseLocals in Valdez were happy to see construction wrap up on the shiny, new and mold free fire station this summer. While the project was many years and controversies in the making, the … more

Kyle Klause | 8/28/21

August in the Garden

By Tenley NelsonJuly and August are frenetic months. Saturday mornings are for harvesting produce to send out to McCarthy to be turned into restaurant fare. The rest of the week is weeding, … more

Allison Sayer | 8/28/21

Crystal Visions by Trish Hamme. Image License: CC 2.0

The Wish Belly Parts VII-IX

A fiction serial by Shane KimberlinPart VII“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person.Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.”- Oscar WildeI leapt back and stumbled, falling … more

Allison Sayer | 8/27/21

Fireweed

By Mackenzie DysingerProof that beauty can come from ashesfireweed is the forest’s great assetbecause where vain wildflowers dare not growfireweed declares her home.When the lupine and the … more

Allison Sayer | 8/21/21

State of Alaska Public Health Nurse Sonja Engle leads a training on the use of naloxone hosted by Cross Road Medical Center.

A Ray of Hope in the Opioid Epidemic

By Jennie TschappatThe Copper River Basin is no stranger to the heartache and loss of Alaska’s opioid epidemic, but Leslie Corless at Cross Road Medical Center is committed to helping families and … more

Jennie Tschappat | 8/21/21

COVID-19 Cases Climb in Valdez

with additional reporting by Amanda SwinehartThe City of Valdez is experiencing a new COVID-19 outbreak. City of Valdez Public Health Nurse Terri Lynch (RN, BSN, Public Health Nurse … more

Allison Sayer | 8/17/21

Johana McMahan and LeAnn Larson pose in their race outfits.

The Gakona Trifesta

By Mackenzie DysingerWith its numerous rivers and tributaries, the Copper River Basin captivates the dreams of many outdoor enthusiasts. The combination of roads and trails that intersect with the … more

Allison Sayer | 8/14/21

Glennallen Student Helps Alaska’s Waterways

Glennallen’s own Brennan Garcia. Photo courtesy of ANSEP. [/caption] ANSEP Press ReleaseGlennallen’s very own Brennan Garcia is interning with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this summer, … more

Allison Sayer | 8/14/21