Episodes

October 5th, 6-10pm, Valdez Civic Center

This 18th annual fundraising event is a delightful evening that includes a sit down dinner, entertainment, silent and live auctions, the famous Dessert Dash, and more.

This year the Valdez Museum is proud to honor the United States Coast Guard which has had a long-standing presence in Valdez and throughout coastal Alaska. Since1867 revenue cutters have been patrolling the 20,000 miles of Alaskan coastline, and the U.S. Coast Guard continues working hard to ensure the safety of all mariners.

Purchase tickets online online HERE or at the Valdez Museum front desk.

INCLUDE YOUR BUSINESS IN BUSINESS TRICK OR TREATING – Cost $15

BUSINESS TRICK OR TREATING is: Thursday, October 31st from 3 to 5pm

* Your business will be listed in Monday, October 28th edition of KVAK’s e-mail newspaper

* Your business listed in radio spot Sun, Oct 27th through Thu, Oct 31st on 93.3FM & 1230AM

In the PayPal notes section, be sure to include your name, business, business address, and contact info. 

SPONSOR KVAK’s CANDY COUNTDOWN – Cost $25

KVAK will give listeners a chance to call in to win candy on the radio Oct 6-31st

* On FRIDAYS – Every business who sponsors Candy Countdown will be entered in a drawing to

win a Pizza Party (2 Large Pizza’s) for your office/next meeting, whatever!

* Your business will be named as a sponsor in promo’s for the promotion

Add one or both of the above, then click to pay online.

Online applications may be submitted through the City’s boards and commissions application portal HERE. Paper applications are available at City Hall and can be submitted by email to aferko@valdezak.gov or dropped off at the front desk of City Hall.

Deadline for submission is 5pm October 8th for appointment by City Council on October 15th.

Valdez Museum & Historical Archive Association Board of Directors

One vacancy to serve a one-year, three-month term, expiring January 2022

Read more HERE

City Parks & Recreation Commission

Three vacancies to each serve a three-year term, expiring October 2022

Read more HERE

Providence Valdez Medical Center Health Advisory Council

Four vacancies to each serve a three-year term, expiring October 2022

Read more HERE

Economic Diversification Commission

Two vacancies to each serve a three-year term, expiring September 2022

Read more HERE

Courtesy of VHS Coaches

Volleyball

Valdez  VS Monroe VolleyBall 9/20-21/19

Head Coach: Adam Sharrai

Assistant Coach: Katie Burns

Buc Volleyball matched up against the Monroe Rams this weekend with play Friday night and Saturday morning.  The Bucs took the Rams in 3 straight games but not without struggling to find some rhythm and fluidity on the court.  The Bucs agreed they need to focus more and discipline themselves in their base play, communication, passing, and defense.   

Saturday began with slow starts but actually became a little easier for the Bucs who began moving and communicating more efficiently  as the games progressed.  The third game also got off to a slow start as well and the Bucs trailed most of this game finding themselves down 18-23 and then 20-24 game point Rams.  After a time-out discussion, the Bucs focused their efforts and chipped their way back holding off the loss to tie it up 24-24.  They kept their efforts up to push on to 26-24 holding the Rams to a 6-0 run to win the game and match in three straight.

The Bucs agreed they need to continue working hard in practice and perfect their skills and discipline to play at the level they wish to reach.  The Bucs kept at it showing their determination and are ready to keep working hard—Go Bucs!

Next Week:  Non-conference @ Cordova

Cross Country

Trailblazers-Wasilla Invite 2019

Photo courtesy of Melissa Koontz

The Buccaneers Cross-Country team braved cold and wet conditions in the valley.  Due to the torrential downpours earlier in the week, the meet was moved from Wasilla to the Palmer High School Trails.  The team was excited because they know these trails well. 

Only 5 runners participated in this meet as the team continues to battle sickness and injuries.  Junior Wyatt Mehlberg has been nursing an old ankle injury and decided to continue rehabbing his ankle so he can run at regionals.  Senior Rafael Alfaro led the team as captain, while continue to rehab his back.  Seniors Kalin Woods and Katelyn Wadsworth spent the weekend getting healthy after being sick.

The rain let up just in time for the Boys open race.  Freshman Patrick O’Brien represented Valdez and held a steady pace.  He turned it up on the home stretch down the track and finished in 27:01.  O’Brien overcame the slick course to finish strong.

Sophomore William Benes and Freshmen Cole Wadsworth and Jason Smilie represented Valdez in the Boys Varsity Race.  All three runners stayed close in the first lap.  Benes began to use his long legs to pull away from his teammates in the second lap.  Staying consistent, he remained in the first half of the race pack and Benes finished at 19:35.  Freshmen C. Wadsworth and Smilie continue to push themselves with every race.  Despite overcoming a lingering cold, Smilie set a new personal record of 21:10, with Wadsworth hot on his heels at 21:25, also setting a new personal record.  These two young runners are determined to secure a spot for state.

Last, but certainly not least, Senior Chloe Miller continues to impress.  Miller started of surprisingly strong, holding second place until coming to the first hill.  Her fast pace at the start was hard to hold and she began to slip, but managed to hold onto her new quicker overall pace.  Finishing just shy of her personal record last week at 23:55 Miller has proved that she is consistent and can hold her faster pace for longer.

Next week is Regionals and a true test of the grit these athletes possess!  The top 15 runners for each division compete at state.  Within 3A/2A/1A Valdez currently has 4 male runners within the top 10.  Jin Shiozaki is 3^rd, followed by Rafael Alfaro in 4^th and Kalin Woods in 5^th.  William Benes is currently in 7^th.  Other possible contenders for state are Jason Smilie in 31^st place and Cole Wadsworth in 33^rd place.  For the girls, Chloe Miller is in 9^th place and is followed by Katelyn Wadsworth in 10^th and Sophia Palomar in 11^th places.  Momoka Ishikawa is also a contender in 13^th place.  Go Bucs!

Results

Football

Valdez Football vs. Redington

It was a cold, wet Friday night at Redington.  Despite fumbling 3 of our first 5 plays in the slippery rain, we generally played a very good first half.  We held Redington from scoring multiple times in the red zone. However, offensively we couldn’t break through. Despite not moving the ball well, we were only down by a score of 0-6 at the end of the first half, and ready to take control in the second half.

On the first play of the second half, however, Redington scooped up the kickoff and returned it up the middle all the way for the touchdown. The remainder of the second half was similar, as we found it difficult to pass or run the ball effectively. Defensively, we were down 4 starting players as well for various reasons, and as we became tired it began to show.  On the bright side, Josh Baczuk recorded his first career interception.It was a cold, wet Friday night at Redington.  Despite fumbling 3 of our first 5 plays in the slippery rain, we generally played a very good first half.  We held Redington from scoring multiple times in the red zone. However, offensively we couldn’t break through. Despite not moving the ball well, we were only down by a score of 0-6 at the end of the first half, and ready to take control in the second half.

The game ended as a loss to the Buccaneers at 42-0.  This week we travel to Fairbanks to take on the Monroe Rams on Saturday evening.

Kathleen Todd: I always vote because democracy only works if people express their preferences in this way. You shouldn’t complain if you don’t show up.

I wish the election had been better publicized (sooner, more places, more information) and that the city government or someone else would have explained to the public why Valdez bonds for things even though it has money in the bank (so we can get the most out of the property taxes we charge ourselves and the Alyeska and PetroStar properties, as I understand it)

Anonymous: I did not. It was going to happen whether or not I voted. Last time I voted and then heard from City Council that the vote ‘wasn’t a mandate’ and ‘people had different reasons for voting no’, so it didn’t matter that people believed they were voting down the fire station. What was the point of showing up this time?

Tom McAlister: Yes, I have never missed an election from when I became eligible in 1960. Whether it was City, State or Federal.

Naomi Sasse: Yes, I did vote. I wanted my views to be considered.

Anonymous: This is the first election I haven’t participated in. I think it’s really important to vote and for everyone to participate so all our voices can be heard, but it’s equally important for those in office to respect those votes. I feel our local leaders haven’t honored the voice of Valdez residents and will do what they want to anyway.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release: 19-VA-2

September 18, 2019

A World Free of Veteran Suicide by Empowering Connections    

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — September is Suicide Awareness Month. Imagine a world free from suicide. A world where no Service Member or Veteran takes their own life. How do we get there? What does it take to build that world?

We can all play a role in preventing suicide, but many people don’t know what they can do to support the local Veterans, Service members, Guard or Reserve members or their families.

The best way we can reverse this tragedy is through knowledge. Be aware of the risk factors for someone contemplating suicide, whom to contact, and what to do to assist one of our service members or veterans in need.

Common Risk Factors and Warning Signs:

• Unable to adjust into the community or find work – Not getting along with life-long friends and family members, lacking the desire to enjoy previous hobbies (ie: camping, fishing, hunting) or unable to hold permanent employment.
• Sleeping issues – Cannot sleep at night.  The Veteran “self-medicates” with medications, drugs, or alcohol to sleep.
• Lack of motivation and energy – Functioning requires drugs, copious amounts of caffeine, nicotine, and other amphetamines.
• Traumatic Brain Injury/Post Traumatic Brain Injury – Any traumatic brain injury and post traumatic injuries whether diagnosed or not.
• Depression – Sad, lethargic, lacking energy to communicate or function normally.
• Substance abuse or “self-medicating” – Alcohol is needed to sleep. To awaken requires excessive caffeine, and illegal drugs, or other stimulants. One third of all suicides occur when the Veteran has been drinking or doing drugs.
• Major life stressor – Most suicide attempts in the Veteran community occur roughly within two weeks after a major life stressor. For instance: loss of a family member, home, marriage, or job.  The majority of suicides center around financial or relationship issues.

“One of the best ways to help is listen. It is difficult sometimes to just listen without providing guidance but in reality, being heard helps ease the tensions in life. Reach out to an old friend. A friendly face and just letting them know you are still there could affect their decisions,” said Verdie Bowen, Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs. “Remember, this epidemic is not going to get better until we all take an active role. There is power in connection.”

The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis, and/or their families and friends with qualified, caring VA staff through a toll-free hotline (1-800-273-8255 (Talk), and press 1) or VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or text 838255. The person doesn’t need to be enrolled in the VA in order to receive help contact the VA.

“If you just want to stop by my office for a cup of coffee that’s ok as well. It’s free and either I or my staff will be more than pleased to speak with you. For directions to the office or if you just want to talk, give us a call our phone number is 907-334-0874 or toll-free 1-888-248-3682. I believe together we can change veterans’ suicide one connection at a time,” said Bowen.