Tributaries
Tidbits from the Headwaters
Valdez Student Receives Highest Musical Award at Regional Festival
Valdez middle and high school music students performed in local and regional ensembles at the annual regional music festival, this year hosted at Anchorage Christian School (ACS). Of the 14 students who participated, 11 of them qualified to participate in the Alaska Solo and Ensemble Competition at the state level, which will be hosted at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in May.
Valdez Medical Clinic: Fixing an Airplane While Flying it
In a letter last week to their patients, Dr. Kathleen Todd, M.D. and Dr. John Cullen, M.D., announced that Valdez Medical Clinic LLC will be transferring management to Providence Valdez Medical Center.
Olympic Snowboarders visit Valdez Schools
The Natural Selection Tour, featuring 24 snowboarders from around the world, finished their competition in Valdez on March 28th. Among competition finalists were Olympic Gold Medalists and X-Games finalists and medalists.
Valdez Forms Child Care Task Force
At the February 21 Valdez City Council Meeting, council members approved the formation of a task force to address child care in the City of Valdez (COV).
Valdez Ice Climbing Festival
On February 17, 18, and 19, the nonprofit Valdez Adventure Alliance hosted the annual Valdez Ice Climbing Festival in Keystone Canyon. The event attracts participants and spectators from across the globe and is made possible largely by volunteers in the area.
Proposed Nuclear Project Update
On Feb. 15, Copper Valley Electric Association (CVEA) held their second round of public meetings in Valdez and Glennallen regarding the possibility of constructing a micro nuclear reactor (MMR) in the Copper River Basin or Valdez area.
Valdez Elks Tournament
Valdez High School hosted their 45th Annual Elks Basketball Tournament this past weekend, February 9-11. Sixteen teams played eight games daily, culminating in the championship girls and boys games Saturday evening.
Valdez Eighth Graders Blast Off
During February 6-8, the 8th grade Gilson Middle School (GMS) students in Valdez finished their science unit on forces and gravity, culminating in each student building and launching a model rocket.
February 8 Valdez City Council Business
The Valdez City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 8. Mayor Scheidt and council member Wegner were absent.
New Oyster Farms and Fireworks Before Bedtime
The Valdez City Council convened on January 17 for a regular meeting with all members in attendance.
Arab American Doctor on the Alaskan Frontier
Last fall, Marvin Wingfield presented a talk via Zoom at the Valdez Museum titled “David Hasan Sleem: Arab American Doctor on the Alaskan Frontier.” Wingfield is the former Education and Outreach Director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC).
Valdez City Council January 3 Meeting
The Valdez City Council convened on Jan. 3 at 7 pm. All council members were present. For the consent agenda, there was a unanimous acceptance of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mike Britt’s resignation. Sarah Jorgenson-Owen was unanimously appointed to the commission.
Stars Shine Bright at Valdez Community Christmas Show
The community of Valdez ushered in the holiday season on Saturday, December 10 with an evening of theater, music, and dance. The Valdez Arts Council and Valdez Dance Company partnered to showcase the incredible shining talent within the Valdez community.
Valdez Hosts Its First Pride Parade
On Saturday, June 4, members of the Valdez LGBTQ+ community and their allies gathered at Magpie’s Valdez venue for a Pride parade. The parade was part of a weekend-long series of events celebrating the pride and diversity of the local LGBTQ+ community.
Valdez City Council Endorses Nuclear Microreactor Bills
At the March 15 Valdez City Council meeting, the council voted to approve Resolution #22-17 which urges “passage of Senate Bill 177 and House Bill 299.” If passed, the bill would exempt nuclear facilities under 50 megawatts from current regulations that require multi-agency review of a nuclear facility’s hazards and legislative designation of its site.
Copper Basin Energy: The Nuclear Option
At a time when high energy costs are a factor for many in Valdez and the Copper Basin, the Valdez City Council heard a presentation on a potential “micro modular” nuclear reactor (MMR) to be built in the vicinity of Valdez. Travis Million, CEO of the Copper Valley Electric Association (CVEA), and Christian Rabiti, director of Technology Strategy for Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC), presented this during a work session on February 17.
Valdez Housing Incentives: “Nobody Gets Anything Unless A House Gets Built”
City Manager Mark Detter and Planning Director Kate Huber present their plan to Council for tackling the housing crisis in Valdez.