Tributaries
Tidbits from the Headwaters
Soaring Eagle Transit Offers New Passes
Soaring Eagle Transit, a local intercity transit service, is in full operation this spring after the pandemic forced the program to close temporarily. Gulkana Village Council manages the service, which features two Toyota Sienna vans. It is now offering new daily fees and monthly pass options to better meet the community's needs.
Bill Frees Up Emergency Funds for Fire Prevention
While snow still covers parts of the Copper River Basin, the fire season has already begun in the Lower 48. Alaskan firefighters, however, will now have the option to remain at home and get paid instead of leaving the state to find work.
Copper Basin Breaks Record Snow Year
On April 1, a statewide snow survey confirmed what many area residents already know: 2022 was a record-breaking snow year in the Copper Basin.
Record Turnout at Annual Hill Climb Event
The 31st annual Hill Climb event in Thompson Pass, hosted by the Valdez Snowmachine Club, took place on April 15-17 this year. The main event is what Valdez Snowmachine Club president Ken Lares described as a “slalom uphill in reverse on a snowmachine” that takes place on Odyssey Mountain.
Public Meeting On Proposed Nuclear Project
On April 19, the Copper Valley Electric Association (CVEA) and the Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) held a public meeting in the Glennallen Elementary School gym to present information about a proposed micro modular nuclear reactor for the Copper Basin area and to take questions.
Gulkana Village To Launch Community Gardens
The Village of Gulkana has received a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to start a community garden project.
Inviting Birds Home
Birds are already starting courtship and territorial displays on Prince William Sound, and migratory species are steadily arriving. Some are still on their way. This is a good time to think about getting some nest boxes together.
News Around the State
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and Southeast Conference (SEC) are partnering to conduct a low emission ferry research project. Alternative-fuel powered, low-emission, and electric ferries could be a game-changer for Alaska’s Marine Highway System, as DOT&PF starts to replace AMHS’s aging fleet in up-coming years.
April in the Garden
This April there is still snow everywhere, except under the spruce trees and along the steeper south bluffs. Breakup is delayed and after a long winter it is to the irritation of every gardener to realize all the spring chores will be compressed into a smaller window.
New Housing Opportunities On The Way In Glennallen
The Copper River Basin Regional Housing Authority has purchased the former campus of Alaska Bible College in Glennallen. Plans include expanding housing opportunities for the community.
The Light of the Earth
To me, there is nothing more beautiful than the human spirit. It’s like a bit of heaven come to earth. I’ve experienced times in nature that were breathtaking. Like the time I walked to the river after a heavy snowfall in the late spring.
McCarthy Area Council Kicks Off 2022 Meeting Season
There are still feet of snow on the ground, but spring has sprung and the McCarthy Area Council (MAC) is looking ahead to the 2022 summer season.
Resilience and Hope Bring Change
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month! At the Copper River Basin Child Advocacy Center, we have been raising awareness of child-abuse prevention by providing school presentations in Glennallen and Valdez, sponsoring our annual Go Blue Walk, and providing classroom competitions for Go Blue Day in Copper River School District classrooms.
Mountain Motivation - Sean Wisner
Michelle LeBlanc interviews Sean Wisner, Fire Chief for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, DIY dad of two amazing kids, and plant based endurance athlete.
Celebrate Recovery: Faith and Accountability
On New Year’s Eve of 2021, Tawny LeBlanc and Lorraine Jackson were sitting outside the hall in Gulkana. People were milling around outside, or in vehicles, due to the continuing pandemic. Jackson and LeBlanc were talking about addiction and how devastating its effects were, not just in Gulkana, but in the greater Copper River Valley. With the dogged support of Tribal Administrator Robin Eleazer, LeBlanc started the Gulkana chapter of the Celebrate Recovery program.
Remembering Congressman Don Young
Congressman Young was laid in state at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 29th. He was the 43rd person in U.S. history that has held that honor. He was the Dean of the House of Representatives, the longest serving member of the Republican Party.
Pioneers Remember Valdez Earthquake
On Sunday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m., Igloos Two and Seven of the Pioneers of Alaska hosted a memorial service in memory of those lost in Valdez and PWS as a result of the earthquake on that date in 1964.
School Board Hears Sobering News About Drugs
Board President Joshua Scott said, “We’re hearing a lot of parents voice concerns about the drugs,” and asked Troopers if there is merit to rumors in the community.
The Old Gulkana River Village
In 1943, my father heard a Caterpillar come right up to the door. They said, “Get out.” They crushed the houses down and buried them under 15 feet of gravel.