Water continues to receding, allowing displaced residents to go home and start the cleanup.

Initial water quality tests performed by the Talkeetna Sewer and Water engineer Mike Kilgo indicate that the community water supply in the Talkeetna townsite is not contaminated, however they are seeking third party confirmation from an outside lab before they give residents the go-ahead to drink tap water.  Kilgo is flushing out the tanks and residents may detect an elevated quantity of chlorine in the water.  Residents with their own private wells are strongly advised NOT to drink their water until it is lab tested.  

Kilgo says the town’s sewage cells are also intact and were not damaged by flood waters, although overflow sewage has contaminated surface water.  Any residents with flood water damage in their homes are advised to take extra precautions to thoroughly clean and disinfect, including wearing gloves, rubber boots, and perhaps a particle mask.   

The Mat-Su Borough transfer site is currently accepting all storm-damaged items at no charge, and additional dumpsters have been requested and will be placed near the Talkeetna State Airport by Saturday afternoon.

-Talkeetna Sewer and Water Update, 10:45 am

EMERGENCY OPS CENTER, SEPT. 22, 8 am

MAT-SU—After managing a response to a fierce, wet storm round the clock for five days, the emergency team in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough will get some relief today with the arrival of a Type 2 Incident Management team sent in by the State to assist in disaster response.

Morning update from Talkeetna
7:30 am

Talkeetna Fire Captain and Operations Chief Tim Morgan just stopped by the command center on his way home to a well-deserved sleep break to report that flood waters continued to recede in both East Talkeetna and downtown Talkeetna.  Hydrology levels have dropped significantly on the Talkeetna River and Montana Creek; the Susitna River water levels are slowly dropping.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER 7:14 am, Sept. 22—There are three shelters open in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough for residents who may need to leave their flooded home. And a fourth site for RVs at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. See the map of shelters.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, SEPT. 21—Listen to observations right out of the helicopter from Assistant Borough Manager George Hays as he reflects on how the Mat-Su looked above the surging rivers and creeks yesterday. Hays flew over Talkeetna during the town's voluntary evacuation. Near Gold Creek, he observed railroad tracks suspended in air. And more. Click on a five-minute audio clip.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Here is the 2:30 am road update in the Mat-Su Borough. See the map large when you click on it.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Here is a 3 am update on the Flood Event. No new road closures have occurred in the last several hours. Water levels have been reported receding in East Talkeetna and some on the Little Su River.

MAT-SU BOROUGH—Manager John Moosey of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough signed a local disaster declaration Sept. 20. The Borough has sustained severe losses and threats to life and property from a strong storm system with high winds and heavy rains.

8:00 pm Talkeetna Update

Water continues to rise in East Talkeetna, now covering parts of the Talkeetna State Airport runway.   The intersection of Second Street and F in East Talkeetna is closed to vehicle traffic due to high, flowing water.  In downtown Talkeetna, water has not breached the wall of sandbags at the end of Main Street, however certain areas are flooding.

9:27 pm, Sept. 21
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Wasilla Creek is pushing water into a large subdivision called Meadow Brook Subdivision right now down Tiffany Drive.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Here is an update on road closures as of 6:15 pm, Sept. 21.

From HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, as of 17:00 the following roads are closed:

West Paydirt Rd

West Sluice Box Dr

Robin Hood

Maid Marian

Fryer Tuck

Nottingham

Bottom of Rainee Dr.

Merlin Dr. (between Paydirt and Robin Hood)

Little John

King Arthur access is closed at the Parks, but is accessible by taking Cherri Lake to White Rabbit

Longbow

Bottom half of No Name Hill

According to the Alaska River Forecast Center and the National Weather Service, the Upper Susitna is expected to continue to rise over the next 24-36 hours.  The confluence with Gold Creek is expected to have a one to three foot rise through tomorrow afternoon.  There is a quick routing of the river to the Sunshine bridge, which is expected to crest with one to one and a half additional feet by tomorrow afternoon.

Talkeetna Emergency Services are currently monitoring rising water on the Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers.  All residents and businesses downtown and East Talkeetna are currently under a voluntary/recommended evacuation order.  Emergency Services personnel have done a door to door evacuation notification.

Evacuation is not mandatory at this time.  Residents are still strongly advised to leave the area and check in with the Red Cross shelter at the Sunshine Senior Center.

Click the Map to see updated Road Closures.

Road Closures in the City of Houston (per Mayor Vergie Thompson)

The northern end of Enchanted Forest subdivision is becoming impassable.

The following roads are completely closed or washed away:
No Name Hill Drive
Rainee Street
Pay Dirt Road
Little John Drive

Click the Map to see updated Road Closures.

Talkeetna—Sunshine Transit is now an emergency vehicle and has gone off its regular schedule. Please pass it on. We are helping anyone who needs assistance getting out of Talkeetna.

-Sue Deyoe

-end-

Fire chief Farina and Steve Mahay both agree that flooding of the Town of Talkeetna is imminent.  Authorities request that all residents evacuate the town immediately.  The Sunshine Senior Center can accommodate 20 people.  Talkeetna Elementary School is taking student to Su Valley High School.  Please contact the School District for pickup info.  

MAT-SU – 12:02 pm RED CROSS UPDATE. Anyone leaving Talkeenta voluntarily who would like to use a Red Cross shelter should report to the Sunshine Senior Center for shelter assignment.

CV

Fire chief Farina and Steve Mahay both agree that flooding of the Town of Talkeetna is imminent. Authorities request that all residents evacuate the town immediately. The Sunshine Senior Center can accommodate 20 people. Talkeetna Elementary School is taking student to Su Valley High School. Please contact the School District for pickup info.

MAT-SU—Listen to Borough Deputy Clerk Jamie Newman highlight the important business of the Borough's Oct. 2 election. Vote early at several designated places, including the Borough, (350 E. Dahlia Ave, Palmer) the Division of Elections in Wasilla (Mat-Su Elections Office 1700 E. Bogard Rd, Suite B102), or Palmer, Wasilla, & Houston cities,  or Talkeetna and Trapper Creek Public Libraries. Learn more at http://www.matsugov.us/

Road Closures:

Shirley Town Drive located off of Willow Fishhook Road.

Schrock Road north of Little Susitna River at Sitze Road, water is flowing on road.

Concurrent Flooding:

Report of flooding at Schrock Road and Bald Eagle, water level is at 2inches and rising. 

Houston FD reported Little Su River is now across Maid Marian Drive. The Little Su has risen 11 inches in the last 3 hours. It is averaging a rise of 3-4 inches per hour over the last 24 hours.

Maid Marion has floating water on road.  Little John has 8 inches of fast flowing water, swamp behind is also filling up fast.

Pay Dirt Road in Houston is currently underwater with approximately 6 to 12 inches of rapidly flowing.  Water is currently to the edge of structures along Pay Dirt Road. Houston Fire Department personnel have been dispatched to assess the situation

Mercedes Road in Talkeetna has risen 6 inches since 6pm on Thursday evening, and is still on the rise. The culverts at Cummings Road are at capacity and water is rising but has not topped Cummings Road yet. No water flowing on Beaver Road at this time.

Moose Meadows Road has been breached in a second location by the Little Susitna River. The water is currently approximately 1 ½ feet below the bridge at Moose Meadows Road.

Wasilla Creek continues to rise. Borough Responders are going door to door in the Winding Brook Estates Subdivision, to warn residents of the high water and suggesting they evacuate.

At Schrock Road and Stable the water has risen and is currently knee deep on the road.

Evacuations:

Longbow in Enchanted Forest Subdivision has been completely evacuated.

As of 1:30 am on Friday, the Matanuska River is at 10.16 feet.  Flood stage is 12 feet. Water is currently flowing over Maud Road east of the Old Glenn Highway. The residents on the south side of Maud Road east of the Glenn Highway are being warned of the rising water and are asked to evacuate.

The south side of Maud Road is being evacuated on the west side of the Old Glenn Highway.

Flood Updates:

Water is running across the Schrock at Bald Eagle

Road is closed at Schrock and Curtis

Little Su River is flowing across Maid Marian

The Little Su River has risen 11 inches in 3 hours as of 03:15 hours

Phillips Road off Meadow Lakes Loop has water running across if from Cloudy Lake

Mercedes Road in Talkeetna has risen 6 inches since 6pm on Thursday evening and is still on the rise. The culverts at Cummings Road are at capacity and water is rising but has not topped Cummings Road yet. No water flowing on Beaver Road at this time.

Moose Meadows Road has been breached in a second location by the Little Susitna River. The water is currently approximately 1 ½ feet below the bridge at Moose Meadows Road.

MAT-SU – 6:50 p.m. UPDATE. People living off Palmer Fishhook by Wasilla Creek, between Crabb Circle and Nangle Street are advised to evacuate. Residents living on Trunk Road near Wasilla Creek are advised to be aware of rising water levels. 

Here is a map of the road closures due to water from the heavy, wet storm.

Closed and Soon to Be Closed Roads & Bridges in Mat-Su due to water.
ReOpened Roads
Evacuated Areas

                                                                                              Click through for updated list.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER 3 PM, Sept. 20, — Here is a comprehensive list of closed roads and bridges by geographic area as well as three areas of evacuation in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough due to water on roads from heavy rains and high creeks and rivers.

2:30pm - PARKS HIGHWAY AT MILE 71.5 IS OPEN. TROOPERS REPORT.

Rain should be tapering off by tomorrow. More rain is expected on Saturday, then some breaks Sunday and Monday. Another storm is expected Monday or Tuesday with some winds but not to the extent of this storm. 

Travelers on the Parks Highway mile 71.5 beware of delays...water from Willow Creek is entering the highway. DOT is on scene and intermittently opening and closing the highway.

Willow Creek is one foot shy of crossing the Parks Highway at Hatcher Pass Road. Emergency Services crews made house-to-house contact with 18 households on Welch Way near Wasilla. North Welch Way is now impassable. Also near Wasilla, Moose Meadows Road is eroding quickly and is closed.

Working in the Emergency Operations Center

According to the National Weather Service http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/

Willow Creek is at major flood stage. Moderate flood stage is reported at Yentna River at Lake Creek and Montana Creek at the Parks Highway. Minor flood stage is reported at the Little Su River at Hatcher Pass Bridge, Willow Creek near Willow, Moose Creek at Oilwell Rd., and Talkeetna River at the Railroad Bridge.

In Talkeetna, Beaver and Mercedes roads are flooded. District Chief Ken Farina has crews knocking on doors in the East Talkeetna area instructing people to evacuate immediately, specifically the homes at the north end of Beaver Road. “The Talkeetna River has risen about a foot since this morning”, Chief Farina advised. Anchorage’s Dive Team is enroute to assist.

Road closure update: Shorty Road and Welch Road are closed.
Glenn Hwy news: The gravel slide at Mile 71 has been cleared, however, rock slides are increasing between Miles 77 and 79 between N. Fish Lake Rd and N Chickaloon Branch Rd, West of where the Glenn crosses the Chickaloon River. Click through for more.

Last night a 9-1-1 call came in with a report of chest-deep water in a home off Marilyn Circle near Lucille & Seldon streets outside Wasilla. Five families were surrounded by water. An unnamed creek is nearby and the homes are in a low lying wet area. Firefighters from Central-Mat-Su and the Mat-Su Water Rescue team responded with 3 rafts near 1 am.

Road closure update: Shorty Road and Welch Road are closed. Glenn Hwy news: The gravel slide at Mile 71 has been cleared, however, rock slides are increasing between Miles 77 and 79 between N. Fish Lake Rd and N Chickaloon Branch Rd, West of where the Glenn crosses the Chickaloon River. The highway is passable but drivers should use caution; crews are on their way to clear the roadway.

AKZ111-210000- MATANUSKA VALLEY

INCLUDING...PALMER...WASILLA...SUTTON...CHICKALOON

5:00 AM AKDT THURSDAY SEP 20 2012

...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM AKDT THURSDAY...

TODAY- RAIN. HIGHS IN THE 50S. NORTH TO EAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

TONIGHT- RAIN. LOWS IN THE 40S. NORTH TO EAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH BECOMING SOUTH TO EAST 15 TO 25 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT. 

FRIDAY- PARTLY SUNNY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MID 50S. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH. LOCAL GUSTS TO 30 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT-RAIN LIKELY IN THE EVENING...THEN A CHANCE OF RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE MID 40S TO LOWER 50S. EAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH. LOCAL GUSTS TO 30 MPH.

Nine people were rescued from a flash flood by raft outside Wasilla last night near midnight. A  9-1-1 call was placed for a flood in an unexpected location, Seldon and Lucille roads, where no identified stream is located. The water was waist-deep in the home when the call was made.

A crew of six works to shore up dike next to Yoder road after 5 truck loads of rip-rap had been delivered from Palmer. Pictures taken by Stefan Hinman of the Mat-Su borough public affairs at around 7:45 pm Wednesday.

MAT-SU—Flooding overnight caused rivers to go over their banks flooding roads and closing some as a result of the high water.

Click through to see a list of Road Closures.   For more information contact (907)373-5378

The work repairing the dike at Montana Creek and Yoder Road is getting too dangerous to continue and has ceased for the time being.  Residents on east side of the Montana Creek Bridge at Yoder Road are being asked to evacuate by Borough Road Maintenance Personnel and the Alaska State Troopers. Earlier today trucks brought riprap from Palmer while a crew of six worked until 8:45 to shore up dike using an excavator and loader. Water is currently flowing over Yoder Road at Montana Creek and the Road is closed at the Montana Creek bridge.

Evacuation is recommended for Willow Creek residents from Shirley Town Road to the Parks Highway due to waters affecting roadways. Click trhough for more information and to see the map.

Here is an overview of activity at the Emergency Operations Center in Wasilla. For floods; overall Montana Creek, at two sites, is in minor flood status and Willow creek at one site is also at near flood stage.  Additionally, Moose creek (the one near Talkeetna) has water beginning to cross Oilwell road at mile 3 and mile 12.  It is reported these creeks have risen about 8-10 inches in the last 24 hours.

Water Breaks through the dike at Yoder Road

Flooding up north concerns Mat-Su Residents.With the increase of water in the streams and rivers in the Mat-su Borough risk of flooding has become a reality for some and a concern for others.  The NWS hydo gauges are indicating that the waters are going  to continue to rise till this storm passes.

Rising water is being monitored by Borough Responders at the bridge on Yoder Road at Montana Creek. Borough and local responders are also monitoring key locations in the Upper Susitna Valley to gauge the rising water levels in area creeks and rivers. Moose Creek has receded and the water level is currently below the flood and action stage. There are no road closures at this time.

The Mat-Su Borough has activated the Emergency Operation Center.  This is in preparation for the oncoming inclement weather.   Once again the winds are forecasted to be strong and the heavy rainfall is causing rising waters.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Emergency Services Director Dennis Brodigan is monitoring which way the storm will trend. The concern is a worst-case scenario of more rain in the mountains, which could lead to flooding in rivers, creeks, streams possibly affecting homes and roadways. If you start experiencing flooding and need immediate evacuation please call 911.

ANCHORAGE—Matanuska-Susitna Borough Manager John Moosey gave the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce a presentation on the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension today, highlighting the project as a job producer for Alaska.

Mat-Su— Nordic skiers will enjoy 3.5 miles of new trails this winter in the Government Peak Recreation Area at Hatcher Pass.
Construction was completed last week, a first step in developing a regional ski and recreation area.

MAT-SU—Effective October 1, 2012, the Greater Palmer Consolidated Fire Service Area (GPFSA) will be awarded an ISO Public Protection Classification of “6/10.” Currently, the GPFSA is rated at an “8b/10.” The numerical rating system is used by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) to rate the fire protection capabilities of a fire department.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska River is closing in on five homes, two in Butte, three in Sutton. Two residents are getting help from locals to move their homes away from the river. So far, a third is applying for a portion of the move to be paid by federal emergency funding. Today and yesterday, Borough staff worked quickly troubleshooting the problem and connecting with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to make it happen.

Mat-Su— On Friday, July 13, members of the media were invited to visit the newly constructed Goose Creek Correctional Center (GCCC) as the Department of Corrections (DOC) prepares to bring in 128 inmates to the facility. Starting the week of July 16, 2012,  DOC's first quarter FY13 ramp-up plan will begin with 76 minimum security inmates being transfered from the Point MacKenzie Correctional Farm, with an additional 52 minimum and medium security inmates coming mainly from Palmer Correctional Center and the Anchorage Correctional Complex. Each quarter will see more inmates added, culminating with the return of 1048 inmates to Alaska, currently being housed in Hudson, Colorado.

Mat-Su—  In the month of May, three vessels successfully docked at Port MacKenzie, opening the doors for even more business as the young port continues to grow. The first vessel offloaded 5 scrapers which were put straight to work on the first five-mile segment of the rail extension that will connect to the mainline in Houston.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska River is still pounding away, eroding the riverbank in parts of Butte and Sutton. One property owner’s septic rock is gone, another lost a shed-like cabin into the water over the weekend. Two river rafting companies have suspended trips because of trees swept into the river’s force.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Department of Emergency Services is alerting residents along the Matanuska River of high, fast water. Fire officials knocked on doors in the Butte last night warning of potential flooding from riverbank erosion. Borough staff met again today with residents in Sutton whose property is eroding into the river.

Erosion along the Matanuska River is a recurring summer concern, but the high fast waters are a month early. The deep snowpack, warm temperatures above 70 F recently, and the rain showers have pumped the glacial river with water.

MAT-SU—Construction of an addition for the Dorothy Swanda Jones Borough building in Palmer has begun. Entrance to the building has changed. For the next four months, meetings for Assembly, Planning Commission, and Platting Board will be moved to the School District Administration building.

The addition will create a larger public meeting space and new work space for employees.

MAT-SU—You're invited to feel the inspiration at the grand opening this Friday of the Sutton Library and Community Resource Center from 3 pm to 7 pm in Sutton. View the brief video to catch a glimpse of the skill and passion that went into the construction of the $2.4 million project.

MAT-SU—Last night (May 15) the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly overturned three mayoral vetoes on the new budget. Monday night the Assembly adopted a budget with a new areawide mill rate for next year’s taxes. This year’s and next year’s tax rates are the same except for the increase approved by voters in October for road and school bonds. That increase is $33 per $100,000 of assessed value. The average assessed home of $211,400 will see a $70 tax increase for the new school and road infrastructure.

MAT-SU—This Saturday in Willow a Spring Trail-Building workshop is offered where you learn the basics of design, layout, construction, and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized trails with three hours of classroom instruction followed by hands-on field work. The program is free, hosted by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Dept. of Community Development. The Borough benefits each summer from volunteer work on Mat-Su trails.

Mat-Su– Academy Charter school broke ground yesterday on its new addition which will add ten much needed classrooms. These latest improvements will allow the school to get rid of six run-down, poorly ventilated portables currently serving as classrooms. The Mat-Su Borough School District will take some of the portables back but several of the worst ones will be used for fire training.

MAT-SU—The Assembly adopted the Borough's budget for next year last night, May 8. The mill rate is lower than last year at 9.918. The non-areawide mill rate is 0.489. By Wednesday afternoon Assemblymember Ron Arvin asked to reconsider the budget in order to increase the "reduction in the mill levy without cutting departmental budgets or reductions in services to the Borough residents," his motion states. Mayor DeVilbiss can make vetoes on the budget.

MAT-SU—After one night of deliberating the proposed budget, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assemblymembers adopted 11 amendments ranging from addressing the high turnover for emergency responders to lowering the tax rates for some of the Borough’s 16 road service areas and eight fire service areas. More work continues tonight.

MAT-SU—A variety of speakers testified last night (May 2) before the Assembly of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough as it considers the proposed $393 million budget. Another hearing is scheduled tonight at the Central Mat-Su Public Safety Building.

MAT-SU—It’s that time again. Yellow bags stuffed with garbage along the roadside signal the arrival of Alaska spring. From now until June 12, community councils and groups across the Borough are holding community clean-up days, when residents get out and pick up the trash, and haul it to the Borough landfill for free.

“It helps the Borough get all that litter picked up,” said Cathy Mayer, Solid Waste Division Manager.

MAT-SU—Eric Phillips has 20 plus years of management experience that touches all aspects of his new job as the Community Development Director at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Land & resource management, trails, libraries and recreation will be under his care.

After more than 10 years of dedication, Borough Programmer & Analyst Rhonda Zak retires today. It's only fitting then that a tribute she wrote on the retirement of the former server Alea is shared. Zak was instrumental in complex, behind-the-scenes efforts like these that keep Borough business going.

MAT-SU—Learn what’s on the next Assembly agenda without looking for it. Sign up for an automatic email notification so the Assembly agenda arrives in your inbox.

“I’ve been striving for improved access to local government. Here’s a way you can stay informed with less effort and testify on the issues that matter to you,” Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss said.

Mat-Su–The fire season is heating up and has ushered in the first Red Flag Warnings of the season. A ‘Red Flag Warning’ means that critical fire weather conditions are imminent or occurring. http://firewx.arh.noaa.gov/  Alaska Governor, Sean Parnell has designated April 30 to May 4 as Wildland Fire Prevention and Preparedness week.

MAT-SU— The average Matanuska-Susitna Borough tax bill would drop $70 in Borough Manager John Moosey’s proposed 2013 budget, due to a lower average assessed home value and a firm line on budget increases.  The Assembly deliberates and approves the final budget in May.

MAT-SU—This Saturday dispose safely of your expired and unused prescription/shelf medications at a drug take-back event at four locations in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough from 10 am to 2 pm at Wasilla Fred Meyer, Wasilla Carrs Safeway, Palmer Fred Meyer, and Talkeetna Sunshine Health Clinic.

Mat-Su– Thursday, April 19 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss with Assembly Member Jim Colver at his side, signed Title 43 into law. The new subdivision regulations will simplify the process for developing land, helping stimulate development in the Mat-Su, DeVilbiss and Colver said.

MAT-SU—Charter schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough are a step closer in achieving funding parity with traditional schools here, thanks to some measures adopted unanimously Tuesday night (April 17) by the Borough Assembly, and sponsored by Assemblymember Jim Colver.

MAT-SU—The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will have a staff person available at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s one-stop permit center through the summer. The Corps presence in the Mat-Su every Thursday from 8 am to 2 pm gives an opportunity to work locally with the federal agency from May 15^th thru September 15th. The Corps closed their Mat-Su office nearly two years ago.  

MAT-SU—Significant funding is anticipated from the State capital budget for the fastest growing community in Alaska for roads, rail, highways, fish, tourism, and education. In the operating budget the Goose Creek Correctional Center will receive $32.5 million to become fully operational by summer 2013.

The Mat-Su Borough will also receive $5.73 million from state revenue sharing of oil wealth with Alaska communities.

MAT-SU—A historic gold rush roadhouse in Petersville in the foothills of the Alaska Range burned to the ground last night. A caretaker reported seeing the smoke this morning. Only the cabins are left of the Forks Roadhouse. Accessible in winter by snow machine, the roadhouse today was a restaurant, supply hub and entertainment spot for locals and snow mobile enthusiasts.

MAT-SU—Over the last week, a feller buncher took down trees and an excavator cleared a path through deep snow, the beginnings of a one-mile road that leads to the future Government Peak Recreation Area at Hatcher Pass.  

MAT-SU—Warming temperatures and deep snow accumulation make flooding very likely for some property owners in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The Department of Emergency Services urges residents to consider whether their property is in a low-lying area and to take precautions.

“It’s a lot easier to be prepared than to react during an emergency,” said Mat-Su Emergency Manager Casey Cook.

MAT-SU—On Sat., more than 39 volunteers at the Animal Shelter for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough were honored for their dedication with the President's Volunteer Service Award. “The shelter staff and the homeless and abandoned animals we care for are so thankful for their generous efforts,” said Mat-Su Borough Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Fujimoto. “We could not do all that we do without them.”

MAT-SU—Just three days into the job as the new Matanuska-Susitna Borough Economic Development Director, Don Dyer is on the phone connecting with the owner of a high-tech company who was considering leaving the Borough. Dyer walks the owner over his obstacles of talent pool and logistics and drafts out a new business plan. The high-tech business owner’s anxiety vaporizes. He scraps any plans of relocating.  On to day four.

Mat-Su– On March 20, 2012,  ‘Chosin Few’ organization member John Beasley testified before the Mat-Su Borough Assembly to request having a mountain named in recognition of the Marines who fought so courageously in one of history’s most brutal battles, ‘The Chosin Reservoir Campaign.’ In that battle, 3,000 Allied soldiers died fighting their way through Chinese forces who out numbered them 5 to 1 while enduring frostbite in the harsh -35º weather and mountainous terrain.

MAT-SU--Bullets whizzed past surveyors in the woods at Point MacKenzie yesterday (March 20). Target shooters likely did not know about active surveying beyond the Point MacKenzie Trailhead parking lot near milepost 17 on Point MacKenzie Road.

MAT-SU—Adding more online services in a borough nearly the size of Scotland will be a great convenience for some residents of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. “It's a huge issue for the farthest reaches of the Borough,” said Mat-Su Borough Assemblymember Ron Arvin at a recent meeting where the increase of online services was supported by the Assembly. Business licenses, swim lessons, pet licenses, ice rink time, and trailhead parking passes are among the coming online transactions.

MAT-SU—Today,  March 15, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Animal Care officers, assisted by Alaska State Troopers, executed a search warrant at a property off East Sheep Drive in the Montana Creek area. Based on the findings, 12 dogs were removed from the property and placed in protective custody at the Animal Care Facility.

For more information call Animal Care Manager Phil Morgan at 355-2100.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s sound credit was reflected in the bond ratings assigned this week by three credit rating agencies: Standard & Poor’s rating services gave the Borough AA+, FitchRatings AA, Moody’s Investors Service Aa2 for bonds the Borough is selling for schools and older bonds the Borough is refunding for schools and the port.

MAT-SU—An airplane tax was unanimously repealed last night by the Assembly for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, where the highest concentration of private airstrips and public airports is found in the nation. Assemblymember Darcie Salmon sponsored the legislation in support of our local aircraft owners.

MAT-SU— Work begins in a few weeks on a road that leads to a long-anticipated Nordic Ski and recreation area at Hatcher Pass. Tonight (Feb. 21), the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly unanimously approved the contract for building a parking lot and an access road (Ullr’s Trail) to trails in the Government Peak Management Area.

MAT-SU– Unusually thin ice on parts of Big Lake are causing some concern with the Mat-Su Borough Emergency Services, especially in light of the upcoming Iron Dog snowmobile race that takes place this Sunday at South Port Marina on Big Lake. In a usual year, the ice on Big Lake averages four to five feet thick.  But this year there is a definite drop off in thickness across the entire lake.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly and the Alaska Railroad Corp. are working together to oppose a court challenge to the Surface Transportation Board’s approval of construction for the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension.

MAT-SU—Delivering natural gas from the North Slope to Cook Inlet through a high-volume gas pipeline would benefit Alaska in both domestic and world markets. That high volume gasline to Cook Inlet could be a marriage of both concepts, the ASAP gasline and the Alaska Gas Pipeline project.   

ANCHORAGE—The annual report for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough earned first place in the Alaska Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America at a recent awards banquet on Jan. 26. Some 130 Alaska public relations professionals are members including business and industry, military, government, and marketing strategy firms.

MAT-SU—Monday, dog breeder Frank Rich was sentenced to six months in custody and ordered not to own or care for an animal for ten years. Last January the rescue of 174 of his Huskies overwhelmed Mat-Su Animal Care, and his mistreatment of them drew outcry from across Alaska to the western states. “This is a massive failure to meet any standard of reasonable care,” Borough Attorney Nicholas Spiropoulos told Alaska District Court Judge David Zwink, before the sentencing. “This defendant is not fit to own a hamster.”

MAT-SU–  Last Monday, Animal Care removed ten Mastiffs, a hermit crab, and fish, among other pets, from a Mat-Su residence. Complaints of abandoned dogs on Knik River Road prompted Mat-Su Borough Animal Care officers to apply for a search and seizure warrant.