Laura Collins

In Their Own Words: Keynote Speakers from the Kawerak Regional and Rural Providers Conference

By Laura Collins | June 8, 2015

Keynote speakers from the 2015 Kawerak Rural Providers' Conference, from left to right: Donna Lee Ann Barr, Andrea Irrigoo, Lucy Apatiki, & Darlene Trigg. Photos: Nome Chamber of Commerce.

Each day of the conference began with a keynote speaker, whose message was aired on KNOM each morning. All four speeches are presented here.

A Race Within the Race, Kelly Maixner & Pete Kaiser

By Laura Collins | March 20, 2015

Kelly Maixner and Bethel’s Pete Kaiser battled for their Iditarod finish in a pack of 5 mushers crossing under the Burled Arch within an hour of each other early Thursday morning.

Martin Buser Finishes His 32nd Iditarod

By Laura Collins | March 19, 2015

Martin Buser finished his 32nd Iditarod Thursday morning, pulling under the Burled Arch to a cheering crowd of friends and family.

Western Alaska’s John Baker & Richie Diehl

By Laura Collins | March 19, 2015

Kotzebue’s John Baker and Aniak’s Richie Diehl make a good showing for Western Alaska in Iditarod 43 — finishing 21st and 23rd, respectively.

Wade Marrs Sets the 2015 Pace For Fastest Finish, Safety To Nome

By Laura Collins | March 19, 2015

Wade Marrs, in his best Iditarod finish yet — 8th place — also sets the 2015 pace for the fastest Safety-to-Nome run, at 2 hours and 30 minutes.

9th & 10th, Ken Anderson & Nicolas Petit

By Laura Collins | March 19, 2015

Ken Anderson and Nicolas Petit round out the top 10 finishers for Iditarod 43, in 9th and 10th respectively.

Aliy Zirkle Rounds Out The Top Five

By Laura Collins | March 19, 2015 |

A large crowd of fans lining Front Street cheered Aliy into the chute and to her 15th Iditarod finish midday Wednesday.

First Time In Top Five, Jessie Royer

By Laura Collins | March 19, 2015 |

Jessie Royer greets fans welcoming her to Nome at the end of her 2015 Iditarod run.

In 2015, Jessie Royer achieved her first crack into the top five. Posting consistently fast run times throughout the race, Royer said that she was very pleased with how her team ran this year.

Burmeister Offered Warm Welcome Home

By Laura Collins | March 18, 2015

Third to Nome for Iditarod 2015, Aaron Burmeister was greeted by friends, family, and the Nome St. Lawrence Island Singers and Dancers. “The dogs performed phenomenal…I’m just honored to be the guy that was on the runners this year driving them to Nome.”