Episodes

(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – November is Avalanche Education Awareness month and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) wants Alaska’s drivers to be aware of avalanche zones as they travel the state’s highways this winter.

“Our goal is to improve safety for highway users by reducing avalanche hazards while minimizing avalanche related traffic delays and road closures,” said Jim Kennedy, ADOT&PF avalanche specialist. “We want Alaskans to be alert to avalanche area highway signs and stay safe when traveling.”

Avalanche areas exist across Alaska. ADOT&PF avalanche specialists monitor highway avalanche risk by tracking weather, terrain and snowpack conditions. Common conditions that increase avalanche hazards include significant amounts of new snow or rain, strong winds and rapid changes in temperature.

ADOT&PF recommends the following practices for drivers traveling in avalanche prone areas:

• Check 511.alaska.gov or call 511 for current road conditions before traveling.
• Do not stop in avalanche areas.
• Always travel with emergency supplies in case of extended road closures.
• Expect delays when ADOT&PF is conducting avalanche hazard reduction work.

If a driver encounters an avalanche affecting the highway, ADOT&PF recommends:

• Do not step outside the vehicle.
• Do not attempt to drive through the avalanche debris, regardless of size.
• Drive away immediately to a safe location outside the avalanche zone.
• Call 911 and report the avalanche to Alaska State Troopers.

For more information visit ADOT&PF’s Snow Avalanche Programs page.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 242 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, over 5,600 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Movingthrough service and infrastructure.”

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Wrestling:  (Coach Tyler Thompson)

The wrestlers took to the mat at the Palmer / Lancer Smith Memorial in Wasilla. This is largest and arguably the toughest tournament of the year. Looking at wins and losses from the weekend it may appear as if we had an unsuccessful weekend. However, I saw some of our best matches of the year. We came up short of victory but we did a good job of leaving everything on the mat. I saw our wrestlers give it their all in some hard fought matches and I am proud of the fight they have and eagerness to succeed.

As always, we still have work to do and plan to take advantage of this next open weekend to heal, prepare and train for the final stretch of the season.

All-State Choir:  (Ann Norris)

This is the ASAA All-State Honor Choir.  Jillian Fleming and Ariana Alvarez-Morales performed in a Gala Concert with students selected by audition at West High on Saturday night.

Nordic Ski: (Coach Melissa Koontz)

Birch Hill Town Series #1

November 18, 2017

The Valdez Buccaneers Nordic Ski Team traveled to the frigid north to find snow and to have their first cross-country ski meet.  Birch Hill in Fairbanks hosted the first race of their Town Series.  They had just received about 6 inches of snow.  We were excited to see snow after our dry start here in Valdez.  The Bucs did well considering they have only practiced twice with skis on.  Rowan Miller skied the Girls’ Junior Varsity 2.5 kilometer race and placed 3^rd out of 7 skiers.  We are excited to have Tolgonai from Kazakhstan on our team.  She is new to skiing and will compete in future meets.  Ben Swanson started the Boys’ Varsity 7.5 kilometer race strong and finished in 29:51, placing 19^th out of 37 high school competitors.  Josten Carson started the season strong, finishing in 31^st place with a time of 37:00.  Coach Miner and Coach Koontz are very impressed with the dedication and determination of these athletes.  It is a challenging start to the season without snow.  We are fine tuning our snow dance and ski skills.

Open ski for 8^th – 12^th graders will begin once there’s enough snow to groom the trails.  All levels are welcomed to ski from 3:30 – 5:00 Mondays and Tuesdays.  Limited supplies of ski, boots and poles are available.

Race totals:

Prospector & KVAK Studios invites you to attend a 40^TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY!

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System has reached a significant milestone this year and we think you deserve congratulations for your hard work and dedication.

Please join us Sunday, December 3^rd at 7 pm at the Prospector for a night of live music, drawings, prizes, discounts and hors d’ouevres. And don’t forget to wear your TAPS badge for admission and prize drawings!

This event will be just like a Prospector select client shopping night but EXCLUSIVELY for TAPS employees and guests. TAPS employee may bring one guest.

Susan and Austin Love welcomed Tyson Edward Love to the world on Nov. 11, 2017 at 4:24am.

He weighed 7 pounds, 3.9 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Congratulations!