Mat-Su

‘No getting on that bridge’: Glenn Highway bridge closures, detours to cause major delays

The northbound span of the Knik River bridge will close for at least 30 days, with work expected to start by mid-April depending on the weather.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  March 21, 2025

Palmer City Council member Richard Best resigns amid turmoil over criminal charges

The resignation is effective immediately, he said in a statement.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  March 19, 2025

Plan for mining exploration road adds to concerns in remote West Susitna region

Nova Minerals is asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a road permit to support work at its Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals project.

Alex DeMarban March 17, 2025
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Wasilla police officer kills man who fired on him, troopers say

Witnesses in the Settlers Bay area described hearing several rounds of shots. No one else was injured, Alaska State Troopers said.

Zaz Hollander March 17, 2025

Palmer to hire former Anchorage official as city manager

Anchorage’s former deputy manager, Kolby Hickel Zerkel, will start the job in late April.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  March 17, 2025

Authorities investigating work crew’s fatal plunge through ice near Susitna River

Two men were lost and three rescued last week as they traveled off a remote job site.

Zaz Hollander March 14, 2025

Palmer mayor recall will go before city voters

Palmer voters will decide whether to recall Mayor Steve Carrington.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  March 12, 2025

Wasilla City Council member Timothy Johnson to resign

Johnson is stepping down because of health and family issues, he said in a letter.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  March 12, 2025

2 workers remain missing after ATV carrying 5 breaks through river ice in Mat-Su

Two people were swept under the ice on the Big Susitna River on Thursday morning while three others were able to reach safety, Alaska State Troopers said.

Anchorage Daily News March 7, 2025

Mat-Su seeks local control over some state-mandated open meeting rules

The requested change is part of an effort to exempt road and fire service area boards from the state’s open meetings law.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  March 7, 2025

Mat-Su school district reaches settlement in lawsuit over student free speech rights

The district must allow student political speech but can dictate the time and place of student protests, according to an agreement.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  February 28, 2025

State drops latest charges against Palmer City Council member Richard Best

Palmer police charged Best with driving with a revoked license during a Jan. 20 traffic stop in downtown Palmer.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  February 25, 2025

Trooper shoots man while responding to domestic violence call in Wasilla

The man was taken to a Mat-Su hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, troopers said.

Anchorage Daily News February 21, 2025

Woman found dead after house fire near Wasilla

The 80-year-old woman was found inside the home Saturday evening, Alaska State Troopers say.

Anchorage Daily News February 17, 2025

New trapping ban looks to protect dogs near some Mat-Su trails

The new regulation bans most traps and snares near a series of 13 area trails.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  February 10, 2025

Mat-Su School Board approves homeschool program shake-up in effort to boost state funding

The plan includes new graduation options and higher allotment payments for homeschool families.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  February 7, 2025

Houston man arrested in 5-day kidnap and assault of woman, troopers say

The 57-year-old man was arrested in 2023 on similar accusations later amended to assault charges.

Anchorage Daily News January 30, 2025

Palmer City Council to weigh sanctions against member cited for driving on revoked license

Palmer police issued the summons to council member Richard Best on Jan. 20.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 30, 2025

Hatcher Pass Road still closed by avalanches that will take days to clear

The area popular with skiers and snowmachiners has a fresh blanket of more than 4 feet of snow.

Zaz Hollander January 30, 2025

Mat-Su Borough must pick up half of public bus costs — or lose the service

A federal grant that covers almost the entire cost of the program operated by Valley Transit is going away.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 29, 2025

Mat-Su Assembly rejects public hearing requirement for multifamily housing projects

The hearings were proposed to give residents more say over construction that could affect property values.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 27, 2025

Mat-Su property values rise as new builds reach 7-year high

Construction in the borough was up 25% last year compared to 2023, officials say.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 22, 2025

Could a push to expand winter trails boost a controversial mining road west of Anchorage?

Boosters of a mining road in the backcountry northwest of Anchorage are poised to get a $100,000 federal grant for trail work. Some locals see it as part of an under-the-radar effort to push the road forward.

Max Graham, Northern Journal January 21, 2025

Mat-Su school board considers shakeup of home-school correspondence program as district faces $22 million shortfall

The plan would divide Mat-Su Central into two programs: one with an in-person class requirement, and one with reduced high school graduation credit standards.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 17, 2025

Mat-Su Assembly to consider ban on ballot counting machines

Another proposal would remove a resignation requirement for some Assembly members who move out of their districts.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 15, 2025

‘Expect it to be bad’: State officials seek public input on upcoming Glenn Highway overhaul

The project includes 33 miles of deep resurfacing and culvert replacements between Anchorage and Palmer.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 8, 2025

Man shot and killed following attempted break-ins near Wasilla

The 38-year-old man was shot at a home after multiple callers said he was trying to enter vehicles and buildings late Sunday, Alaska State Troopers said.

Anchorage Daily News January 7, 2025

Anchorage and Mat-Su schools closed as strong winds and icy roads persist

The University of Alaska Anchorage closed its campus Tuesday and People Mover warned of delays on routes.

Tess Williams January 6, 2025

A new Wasilla High career program looks to boost the local workforce by teaching adults

The program will focus first on Ukrainian refugees resettled in the area before expanding to all Mat-Su residents.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  January 2, 2025

Proposed trooper post would bolster patrols near Willow and Talkeetna

The Alaska State Troopers post is part of the 2026 budget proposal released last week by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Sentinel  December 23, 2024
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