MAT-SU—Diverting the resources from the Mat-Su landfill has never been easier or the capacity to do so greater. See for yourself at the opening celebration of the $3.9 million facility known as the first Regional Resource Recovery and Training Park in Alaska on Jan. 6, Thursday, at 3 p.m.

MAT-SU—A new Animal Care Manager is starting at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough on Jan. 3. Richard Stockdale, of Kalispell, Montana, was chosen as Manager from a field of 19 applicants from the Lower 48 and Alaska.  Stockdale has been involved in the Animal Care field since 1985, including 15 years as the animal care director for Flathead County, Montana.

MAT-SU—Students at Houston Middle School will soon have the skills and confidence to save someone’s life. Knowing that 80 percent of heart attacks occur at home, Matanuska-Susitna Borough emergency responders are extending their reach by teaching an 8^th grade class cardio pulmonary resuscitation or CPR.

Dec. 27, 2010 Mat-Su—Tonight the Borough Assembly meets in executive session (moved to a public meeting) to discuss the process of hiring a Borough manager with the search firm: Colin Baenziger & Associates out of Florida. The firm was hired last week.

MAT-SU—The New Year will ring in more than a calendar change. For the first time in 42 years, residents inside the Matanuska-Susitna Borough boundaries can shoot off fireworks legally on New Year’s Eve.

The allowable timeframe: 6 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Gov. Sean Parnell stands behind the Port MacKenzie Rail extension by dedicating $20 million to the project in his capital budget. Learn why this project will bring tremendous benefit to Alaska.

You can view three videos with former Anchorage Mayor Rick Mystrom giving you the numbers.

Mat-Su—After the celebration, remember you can take your Christmas tree to a few locations for recycling until Jan. 15. Trees are turned into woodchips for trails, paths, and gardens.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough and ALPAR, Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling, are sponsoring this event.

MAT-SU—Assemblymembers for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough met with state lawmakers today to highlight priority projects for the Borough for 2011. The two-hour meeting was productive and one of teamwork. Sen. Charlie Huggins remarked upon the partnership between Legislators and the Assembly. “This is an important partnership with you as we work for the betterment of our community.”

MEA has reported that the number of homes without power is down to approximately 500, from 1,800 reported last night.  The main cause is trees falling on the power lines. Please stay away from downed power lines; they may still carry current.

With winds expected to continue between 45-60 mph through Thursday, keep your emergency supplies at the ready and watch for flying debris.

The Red Cross will be setting up two shelters this evening.  At 7:00 p.m. there will be a warming center at the Palmer Senior Center, and at 10:00 p.m. there will be overnight accommodations available at the Wasilla Sports Complex.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough's bond rating was upgraded to AA by FitchRatings today, reflecting the Borough's strong financial performance during a global economic downturn. "The Borough benefits from sound fiscal policies, ample reserves, and low debt levels..." according to a news release from FitchRatings. Tammy Clayton is the Finance Director at the Borough. Elizabeth Gray is the Acting Borough Manager.

MAT-SU—A high wind warning will be in effect by 3 pm today, Tuesday, with wind gusts exceeding 75 mph in the Matanuska Valley, including the communities of Palmer, Wasilla, Sutton, and Chickaloon, according to the National Weather Service.

MAT-SU—The second busiest fire department in the state, the Central Mat-Su Fire Dept.,  is celebrating the opening of two new fire stations. Fire station 63 is on W. Horizon Drive off Knik Goose Bay Road and fire station 66 is on Fairview Loop near Snowshoe Elementary.

MAT-SU—Last night the Assembly for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough agreed to extend the search for a Borough manager by hiring an executive search firm.

The decision comes after a long deliberative interview process in which a list of 60 candidates was shortened to three.

Mat-Su—Naming the Lake Louise Warm Storage facility the Matthews Public Safety Building and extending the terms of port commissioners, were some of the topics that drew support from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly tonight. (Nov. 23).

MAT-SU—Eight candidates are running for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough mayor seat. The deadline was Friday. The special election for mayor is Jan. 11, 2011. Former Mayor Talis Colberg left the seat in October.

MAT-SU—The Borough's radio commercial this week reminds us all to be patient when driving and focus on the driving. Deputy Fire Chief Michael Keenan gives us some tips that are especially timely given the Ice Storm Warning for Mat-Su. Click here to listen.

MAT-SU, Mon. 22, 9:44 am—Most Elementary schools closed today in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the District reports. Middle and high school are in session as students were already on the road before the icy conditions worsened. KTNA radio reports Talkeetna and Willow elementary schools stayed open. The District will watch for conditions tomorrow. All after-school activities are cancelled today.

All transfer sites are closed today due to the glazed-over roads.

MAT-SU—Fish Worship, Is it Wrong? Artist and author Ray Troll shares his thoughts on all things fish in his keynote address “Salmon are Cool” at this year’s Mat-Su Salmon Symposium.

MAT-SU—Three candidates for Borough manager will be interviewed in person on Nov. 20, a Saturday, by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly. A time has not yet been set for interviews in the Assembly chambers.

Mat-Su—Assemblymembers and local Alaska Legislators paid respect to Mat-Su veterans at a dedication ceremony this week. An east-west corridor along Bogard Road and Seldon Road to Church Street is now dedicated as Mat-Su Veterans' Highway.  State Rep. Wes Keller, of Wasilla, sponsored the bill to make it happen. Keller climbed a ladder and helped tear off the covering Monday, Oct. 25.

MAT-SU – Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, the Borough HazMat Team, and LifeMed participated in a drill this morning at the hospital with great success. Simulating a LifeMed helicopter crash,“victims” were treated for a variety of mock injuries availing staff to practice immediate fire response, decontamination, and triage of patients.

The Borough HazMat Team deployed two outdoor decontamination units, and the hospital created a decontamination station in the ambulance bay to practice protecting a number of injured people, in this case, victims doused with jet fuel.

MAT-SU—Dark days, high winds, cold temps are upon us. It's time to pull out the disaster supply kit and see if the flashlight batteries work, if the water has any bugs in it. Or it's time to actually buy a tote and put your supply kit together, at last. You'll be glad you did when the lights go out in a big storm. In one place, you will have emergency supplies to keep you and your family comfortable.

MAT-SU—Deputy Mayor Lynne Woods received a standing ovation for her dedication to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough while serving two terms. Assemblymember Pete Houston said serving was one of the most important times of his life. Both Assemblymembers gave parting words Tuesday night.

MAT-SU—Matanuska-Susitna Borough Clerk Lonnie McKechnie thanked the Canvass Board for their fastidious work in counting the 1,777 absentee and questioned ballots from the recent election. The group of five women worked for 11 days on finalizing the ballots for certification by the Assembly.

MAT-SU -- Animal Care is pleased to announce a one-year anniversary as a no-kill shelter.  For cats, anyway – 8 months for dogs. 

Palmer -- On the last night that Mayor Talis Colberg presided over the Assembly he honored Chief Charles Von Gunten of the Butte Fire Department for his 40 years of service by proclaiming October 19, 2010 Chief Charles Von Gunten Day.

MAT-SU—The nearly 1,800 absentee and questioned ballots recently counted did not overturn any race or proposition results supported by voters at the polls. The Borough election results were certified last night. The Assembly welcomed Noel Woods and Warren Keogh as new Members and said goodbye to Deputy Mayor Lynne Woods and Pete Houston, and later Mayor Talis Colberg.

MAT-SU BOROUGH—The Mat-Su CERT instructors were highlighted nationally this month alongside peers who are preparing for tsunami on Hawaii, coping with flooding in New Jersey, and mobilizing in the aftermath of earthquake in Haiti. CERT is Community Emergency Response Team. In 2009 Mat-Su CERT became the first CERT in the country to offer training to inmates.

ANCHORAGE-HOMER-MAT-SU- As part of an effort to prepare for a possible natural gas
shortage this winter, Southcentral Alaska residents are being asked to voluntarily reduce their
energy consumption for two hours on the evening of Wed., Oct. 20.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Animal Care Facility will be holding an adoption fair at Sportman’s Warehouse in Wasilla on October 23 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Only breeds suitable for hunting companions will be there.  Adoption fees as low as $37.50 for previously spayed/neutered animals.

Mat-Su— The list of Matanuska-Susitna Borough manager candidates is now down to seven after Assemblymembers spent Monday interviewing 11 candidates by video-conference.

MAT-SU­– The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Finance Department does it again. For the 25^th consecutive year, the department has again won the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting given by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report.

"It's a tribute to the commitment of the employees of the Borough Finance Department. For 25 years in a row they have received this award. Outstanding," Acting Borough Manager Elizabeth Gray said. "Taxpayers' funds are being properly monitored, managed, and invested." The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

Lake Louise—A community in the outer reaches of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is celebrating having a heated garage, for emergency vehicles. “It’s a godsend for us to have an ambulance now with I-V bags and humidified oxygen that’s not frozen solid, and all the fringe benefits that go along with that,” said Corky Matthews, the fire chief, the ambulance chief and one of the chief proponents for the shelter.

Oct. 7, 9:43 pm—Two vacuum trucks were offloading fuel from the overturned tanker on the Glenn Highway near Chickaloon tonight. The hazardous materials crew came from Palmer.

Fire Chief James Steel of the Central Mat-Su Fire Department said much less of the fuel may have spilled than originally thought, up to 2,000 gallons of the 8,800 gallons of heating oil. The driver of the vehicle was injured and taken to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. Steel said no traffic is backed up any longer, a lane is open. He expects to be on scene until possibly 2 a.m. -end-

Mat-Su Oct. 7, 6:17 pm‑Traffic is stopped on the Glenn Highway tonight after a tanker loaded with 8,800 gallons of heating fuel overturned, taking out 200 feet of guardrail and coming to rest on the highway at mile 78 in Chickaloon.

MAT-SU--Monday afternoon the Borough Assembly unanimously adopted the Matanuska River Management Plan, the first collaborative plan for living along the unpredictable Matanuska River. The glacially-fed shifting river has caused significant property loss over the years.

MAT-SU—Assemblymembers for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough narrowed the search for a Borough manager tonight, shortening the list from 75 candidates to 11.

Tonight (Monday night) was the third meeting on the manager position.

MAT-SU—Tuesday night the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly unanimously adopted the Asset Management Plan: Natural Resource Management Units. This 750-page document provides for the multiple-use management of various natural resources on 167,000 acres, which is nearly half of the land owned by the Borough.

Deputy Mayor Lynne Woods was especially pleased with the science behind the plan. “This Natural Resource Management Plan is a 21^st century tool that values all uses of the forest,” Woods said.

MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH—Two local communities are joining a nationwide effort encouraging citizens to safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications. Sponsored by Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Alaska State Troopers, Operation Medicine Cabinet coincides with the first-ever U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency national prescription drug take-back day.

MAT-SU—On Oct. 5, Mat-Su voters will decide whether to invest in local roads. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly recently approved putting a $32.5 million road bond package on the October ballot to pay for 13 road projects ranging from Talkeetna to Palmer.

SUSITNA FERRY— Aboard the MV Susitna Tuesday, Co-Inventor Lew Madden said the new ferry moved beautifully through choppy seas of Clarence Strait outside Ketchikan.

“She is very very stable. It’s a comfortable ride,” said Madden who is the Owner’s Representative for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the owner of the $70 million Susitna ferry.

PORT MACKENZIE—The third cement ship to Port MacKenzie successfully offloaded 12,120 metric tons of bagged cement over the holiday weekend.

This was the maiden voyage for the Panamax size vessel “Peace Lucky,” which is 582.2’ long. The vessel originated from Zhangjiagang Port in China and is owned by CLC-V-II Company Limited, and Operated by San Juan Navigation. The vessel departed over the weekend.

MAT-SU—In early August, one man near Sutton lost part of his house to the scouring Matanuska River. By mid-August, immediate concerns moved downstream near Butte where a revetment near Ye Old River Road began washing away, exposing low-lying areas to seepage.

Some residents hope for 100s of truckloads of big rock to keep the water from chewing off more of the riverbank.

“That may sound like a good idea but the Borough can’t do it,” said Matanuska-Susitna Borough Deputy Mayor Lynne Woods.

Mat-Su—Talk. We’re listening. A survey is on the front page of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough website on customer service and online outreach. Your feedback may help shape some Borough programs and services.

MAT-SU—Today, (Aug. 17), the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for the Yentna River at Lake Creek in the western Susitna Valley. The Yentna River could rise several inches above flood stage tonight, resulting in minor flooding, according to the forecast. Lodges along the river have been contacted and are taking precautionary actions.

PORT MACKENZIE—More than 70 new construction jobs were created at Port MacKenzie this summer as great progress is being made on two large construction projects.

MAT-SU—Some 80 feet of property at the back door of Forrest Blubaugh’s house near Sutton has washed away recently in the Matanuska River.

Borough officials with emergency services, code compliance, public works, and planning departments have been monitoring the erosion and coordinating with community members.

Chief Bob Haskell reports that the Animal Care Facility is celebrating its 8th month as a "no-kill" shelter. Actually, by working closely with rescue groups, it's been 8 months for dogs and 11 months for cats. With that the animal gods are smiling on the Chief, the shelter has recently temporarily housed a sheep, three goats and a pair of white ferrets. Two of the goats and the ferrets are still available for adoption. If interested, please call or visit the facility. 746-5500 - Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, 30 July 2010 5:00 p.m.

MAT-SU—Eight candidates filed for two seats on the Assembly. Five candidates filed for school board seats. The deadline to file was 5:00 p.m. today. The Borough's regular election is Oct. 5, 2010.

Assembly District 1: Warren Keogh, George Rauscher, James Tapley, and Bruce Walden.

Assembly District 2: Thomas Braund, Assemblymember Peter Houston, John Leiner, and Noel Woods.

For School Board Seat C: Susan Pougher.

For School Board Seat F: Neal Lacy, and Colleen Vague.

For School Board Seat G: Lynn Gattis, and Myrl Thompson.

Friday is the last day for callers who feel they may have been overlooked in the census to complete their 2010 questionnaire quickly over the phone. Residents that believe they did not receive a form, who did not mail it back or have not been contacted by a census enumerator are urged to call 1-866-872-6868.

You are cordially invited to an open house, hosted by the Mat-Su chapter of the Farm Bureau and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, for farmers and agricultural product distributors on Thursday, July 29 from 4-7pm at the Palmer train depot.

MAT-SU — Construction at the Goose Creek Correctional Center marches smartly on with “substantial completion” expected September of 2011.  Governor Parnell toured the progress today noting the vehicle filled parking lot from the estimated 300 construction workers.

MAT-SU—The Borough and the company that owns a conveyor at Port MacKenzie agreed recently to settle a three-year-old lawsuit that could have continued for another four to six years. The settlement comes at a time when two large infrastructure projects are underway and potential tenants are stepping up their interest in doing business at Port MacKenzie.

MAT-SU BOROUGH–Before a new Permit Center was created at the Borough administration building in Palmer, a person who wanted to build a house would have to check in with the Public Works Department on the first floor for a driveway permit then walk up the stairs to Code Compliance on the second floor for a mandatory land use permit, often visiting each place twice. Given the 600-plus land use permits and the 600 driveway permits issued each year, that’s a lot of stair time.

MAT-SU—This Saturday meet local artist Linda Henning who won this year's Borough poster contest of the M/V Susitna ferry. Henning drew inspiration for her painting from photos and the rush of wind when aboard a ferry.

MAT-SU—After adding several amendments that offer protections to nearby residents, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly approved a new 25-year lease for a road across Borough land that links Wishbone Hill Coal Mine to the Glenn Highway.

KETCHIKAN—The rear admiral from New York who convinced a small Alaska shipyard to build a never-been-done-before vessel told an appreciative crowd today that the M/V Susitna is what’s right about America: former Rear Admiral Jay Cohen, Office of Naval Research.

KETCHIKAN, ALASKA—Two days before some 500 people are expected at a christening celebration of the M/V Susitna ferry, workers at the Alaska Ship & Drydock were adding touch up paint to railings and still threading some of the 60 miles of cable through the $70 million ship.

It’s time again to lace up your jogging shoes, polish up the baby stroller, and apply that sunscreen because the 14^th Annual MTA Race for Technology is Saturday, June 26 at 10 a.m. All abilities are invited to participate. Racers start at the Palmer Library and your race choices are: 5K, Youth 1Mile, and Team Challenge! Entry fees are affordable and all proceeds go to the Big Lake, Sutton, Palmer, Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Wasilla, and Willow libraries.

MAT-SU—The long and steady effort to build a new library in Sutton paid off. Last Thursday Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell signed the capital budget bill, which has $1.7 million appropriated for the Sutton Community Library and Resource Center. “Everyone has worked so hard to reach this point, we are literally dancing a jig,” said area Assemblymember Lynne Woods.

MAT-SU—EMTs from around the Mat-Su Borough will be practicing this week to care for critical patients while in flight.  Though it is rare for Mat-Su EMTs to be called on for this role, there are times when our regular medevac resources are unavailable.

PORT MACKENZIE, ALASKA—Too large to fit through the Panama Canal, the vessel, “JP Azure,” easily tied up along the fenders Friday at the deep draft dock at Port MacKenzie, the young port’s biggest ship ever and a harbinger of bigger things to come.

MAT-SU—The Port MacKenzie Rail Extension project is going to receive $35 million in state funding. The appropriation was signed into law today for an infrastructure project on a scale similar to the 1971 George Parks Highway. Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in new development will be created as a result of shortening the rail distance from the Interior to tidewater.

MAT-SU -- Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications during Operation Medicine Cabinet, Saturday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the AT&T Sports Arena parking lot in Palmer. The Mat-Su Borough is partnering with Alaska State Troopers and the Mat-Su Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition for the event, which is designed to prevent misuse and abuse.“It’s about keeping our community safe,” said John Duffy, Mat-Su Borough manager.  “Operation Medicine Cabinet is a valuable community service that helps educate the public on how proper disposal protects loved ones from accidental ingestion, protects the environment by keeping drugs from entering the water supply, and prevents drug abuse.”

MAT-SU—On the third night of deliberations on the Borough budget, the Matanuska-Borough Assembly considered 37 more amendments Wednesday night bringing the tally to 58 amendments. Nearly all of the amendments are reductions in spending.  Most of them passed, lowering the areawide mill rate to 9.993 for now, very close to the present mill rate of 9.98.

MAT-SU—Tuesday night the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly agreed on advertising statewide and nationwide for the Borough Manager’s position.

MAT-SU -- On May 22, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. the Central Landfill is holding a first-ever RUMMAGE SALE!  Want to get rid of all the stuff crammed into your closets, attic, garage, shed and every other nook and cranny, but don't want to have a garage or yard sale at your home? Bring it all to Central Landfill and have your sale there. Then, if you don't sell it and you don't want to cart it back you can dispose of it there, free of charge! Call 746-2821 for more information and to reserve a space. Cost is $20 for a 10' x 10' space. Price includes disposal of any unwanted items. You may purchase your space from May 10-May 20 at the Central Landfill Scalehouse.

Central Landfill will be closed to public disposal on this day.

MAT-SU, May 5—Last night the Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution that designates the Government Peak area of Hatcher Pass for year-round, non-motorized use. In winter, the area will be devoted primarily to skiing and snowboarding. Hatcher Pass is in the Talkeetna Mountains.

MAT-SU—Seeking artwork of Mat-Su Borough artist. Award: $1500 for painting the Susitna Ferry in the waters of Knik Arm with Port MacKenzie in foreground and Anchorage in distance.

MAT-SU— In Alaska, being counted matters most in the Mat-Su. We stand the most to gain. Since the 2,000 U.S. Census, our population has grown 42 percent, well above the state average.

Other communities here have grown faster. Knik-Fairview has grown radically, 96 percent since 2000 and is now as large as a sizeable Alaska town, population 13,824, according to State Economist Neal Fried. Fishhook grew 64 percent and Meadow Lakes, 52 percent.

MAT-SU― The National Fish Habitat Board in Washington, D.C., recognized the Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District for its leadership in education and outreach programs.

Last year the Wasilla District engaged more than 2,000 kids and adults in Mat-Su fish habitat restoration and protection projects.

“While small in size, their program yields big results,” said Jeanne Hanson of National Marine Fisheries Service who submitted the nomination. “This “can do” attitude never seems to falter regardless of the obstacles.”

MAT-SU–Meet with project managers next week, Wed. March 24, 7 p.m., to learn more about a summer project on Engstrom Road. The project will upgrade a culvert for fish passage and flood management. The road work will improve alignment and sight distance on a curvy road with many dips. The construction will temporarily close the road for about three days in June.

Surface Transportation Board hosts public meetings

MAT-SU –Today the Surface Transportation Board—the arm of the federal government that approves all new rail lines in the country—posted a draft environmental impact statement on the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension project.

The new rail extension would begin at Port MacKenzie in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and extend track some 30 miles to 45 miles to the mainline of the Alaska Railroad. The connecting point, between Big Lake and Willow, has not yet been decided in this draft EIS document.

MAT-SU BOROUGH—At 11:44 pm the Assembly decided, 5-2, to postpone indefinitely a resolution on a motorized, off-road corridor in Hatcher Pass near a proposed Nordic ski area.

Assemblymember Cindy Bettine asked that a worksession be held April 13 with staff and the Assembly. Assemblymember Ron Arvin asked that all work meet a 60 day comment period to be included in a draft update of the Hatcher Pass Management Plan, now underway with the Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources.

GOOSE CREEK CORRECTIONAL CENTER—A recent tour of the state prison in the Point MacKenzie area showed what it takes to build the State's largest vertical, public construction project: four of the five buildings are enclosed, including one of the most complex structures, the Support & Visitation building with its 176,000 square feet of floor space. Loads of conduit runs beneath its floors and then surfaces labeled in eight colors for distinction.

MAT-SU—Connecting Port MacKenzie to the mainline of the Alaska Railroad will create an economic boon for the Central Alaska regional economy, from Fairbanks-North Star Borough, down through the Denali Borough, down through the Mat-Su Borough, to Anchorage, according to former Anchorage Mayor Rick Mystrom.

POINT MACKENZIE—Beginning March 1, the Mat-Su Borough Solid Waste Division will be placing one 40 yard container at Point MacKenzie.  For some, this ends a 68-mile drive just to take out the trash.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly agreed Tuesday night to update how the school district budget content is presented. The budget content code was first drafted in 1966. Assemblymember Jim Colver sponsored the ordinance. “Accountability is essential for the $45 million in local property taxes that is currently contributed to fund Mat-Su schools,” Colver wrote in the summary statement.

ANCHORAGE—The Mat-Su Borough is nearly the size of Ireland. When Mt. Redoubt spewed, ashfall touched down in Skwentna first. More than 70,000 skaters enjoyed the ice at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena in the greater part of last fiscal year. Such stats and anecdotes can be found in the Borough's Annual Report, which took first place in annual reports last night (Jan. 27) in the Public Relations Society of America, Alaska Chapter.

All too frequently emergency responders lose precious seconds to locating a physical address because it is not posted on the home, or not posted visibly. Borough code requires the address to be posted no farther than 50 feet from a road.

This week a commercial airs on KMBQ radio, reminding property owners of the importance of proper addressing.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assemblymember Mark Ewing is passionate about the subject. Ewing also is a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

MAT-SU—New floodplain maps in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough are the topic of discussion on Feb. 11, 6 p.m.-7p.m. in the Borough Assembly chambers in Palmer at 350 E. Dahlia Ave.

Northwest Hydraulic Consultants updated the 1985 Flood Insurance Study at the request of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. New Flood Insurance Rate Maps have been generated from the study. The revision shows the areas that would be inundated by a 100-year flood.

SU VALLEY HIGH—Calling it "an amazing cornerstone for an amazing community," former Assemblymember Tom Kluberton addressed some 90 residents, mostly from the Upper Susitna Valley, who turned out to celebrate the new Susitna Valley Jr./Sr. High School Monday (Jan.11) near Talkeetna.

The same day in the Mat-Su, 80 mph gusts were lashing most parts of the Borough, tearing off roof tiles, knocking down an electric line onto a vehicle and street lights onto parking lots, uprooting trees, flipping a plane. Winds weren't so fierce here, but emotions ran deep as memories of fire and loss and perseverance began to join the past inside an impressive $24 million school.

MAT-SU —The Nordic ski side of the proposed Hatcher Pass Ski Area has gained the primary focus of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

“We’re focusing on the south side, so we can get a road and transit facilities built and let people go skiing,” Manager John Duffy emphasized to the Assembly Tuesday night.

MAT-SU—Get out in winter this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at mile 10.6 Hatcher Pass Road for the 6th Annual Winter Trails Day in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Strap on cross country skis and snowshoes for free and learn the proper technique in a number of classes during the day. Hot refreshments and restrooms provided. A warming barrel is on hand to take the edge off the chill. Bring the family.

From the Alaska State Division of Fire and Life Safety

Twenty-one Alaskans have died from fires in 2009, and there are still nine days left in the year. Traditionally, the occurrence of fire deaths increases during the holiday season and into the end of January; it is especially important to practice fire safety throughout this time.  Alcohol usage was confirmed to be a contributing factor in the majority of these avoidable fire deaths. Alaska has averaged 21 fire deaths per year for the last 5 years; a rate three times the national average.

MENARD SPORTS CENTER—Despite heavy snowfall and slick roads, 437 people turned out to receive an H1N1 vaccine today at the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla.

The vaccines are free. The event was sponsored by Mat-Su Public Health and the Mat-Su Borough.

MENARD SPORTS CENTER—Some 111 people have received H1N1 vaccines this morning as of 11 a.m. at the clinic going on at the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla.

MAT-SU—Three explosions went off at Point MacKenzie this morning. An employee of Fairbanks Natural Gas Company reported an explosion at 7:16 a.m. Deputy Fire Chief Mike Keenan reported a second explosion as he was enroute to the scene before 8 a.m.