Mat-Su School district funding falls to lower mill rate

Thu, May 15, 2008

The Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly gave the okay to the FY 2009 Borough budget late Tuesday, despite last minute wrangling over the Borough’s contribution to its school district. A lowered mill rate won out over an increase in funding for Valley schools.

Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Mat-Su Borough

Salvation Army and Red Cross seek to balance local missions with outside needs

Wed, May 14, 2008

The recent natural disasters in this country and in Asia have impacted the Alaskan branches of the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Both are accepting contributions to help while at the same time seeking to preserve their missions within the state.

Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage

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Mat-Su’s proposed budget faces borough assembly tweaking and vote

Mon, May 12, 2008

The Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly is expected to pass the FY 2009 Borough Budget at a special meeting in Palmer Tuesday. The Borough administration and some key Borough services don’t always see eye to eye on spending.

Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Mat-Su Borough

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City to try curb side recycling

Thu, May 8, 2008

The Anchorage Assembly has approved curbside recycling, but only for a minority of Solid Waste Service customers, the city-owned garbage operation.

Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage

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Sheffield defends port project

Tue, May 6, 2008

Future Port of Anchorage

Within hours of an opinion piece in Monday’s Anchorage Daily News against the scope of the city’s port expansion, Port Director - and former governor–William Sheffield gave a project update. Sheffield’s talk before the Chamber of Commerce was previously scheduled, but some of his comments responded to the morning’s article.

The Port of Anchorage - Intermodal Expansion Project

Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage

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Proposed Mat-Su Budget contains tax increase

Tue, May 6, 2008

Matanuska Valley residents could see a tax levy increase this year. The proposed Matanuska Susitna Borough budget for fiscal 2009 shows a small jump in the mill rate, which Borough officials attribute to a slowdown in Valley growth. APRN’s Ellen Lockyer spoke with Mat- Su Borough manager John Duffy about the increase.

Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Mat-Su Borough

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Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service Area presents new fees

Thu, May 1, 2008

Tuesday night the Parks and Recreation department released its 2008 Fee schedule to the Anchorage Assembly. As the members discovered, the agenda item was to notify them of changes, not to seek the body’s approval.

Comparison: Current v. Proposed Parks and Recreation Fees - Fall 2005 - 2008 (PDF)

Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage

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Eagle River realizes town center goal

Wed, Apr 30, 2008

The building that failed as a shopping mall is perfect for a town center. At least that’s the contention of those backing the project…and last night, the Anchorage Assembly unanimously agreed.

Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage

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Dialogue on Race and Diversity produces personal challenges

Tue, Apr 29, 2008

Yesterday about three hundred people gathered at St. Anthony’s Church for a dialogue on racism in Anchorage. The discussion ranged from community wide responses to the much more personal.

Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage

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City increases pressure on perpetually reckless drivers

Mon, Apr 28, 2008

Anchorage is stepping up its anti-scofflaw efforts with an awareness campaign designed to discomfort the city’s leading negligent drivers…and in some cases, those who provide them vehicles.