Posts by Davis Hovey
Iron Dog Extends Course 400 Miles for Kotzebue Loop, 30 Teams Set to Race in 2020
Signups for the 2020 Iron Dog end Thursday at midnight, and the approximately 30 registered teams are preparing for an extra challenge. This year the world’s longest snowmobile race will be even longer, with a new loop going through Kotzebue. “By adding what is approximately 375 or 400 miles, we’ll get more action on the…
Read MoreSea Ice A Long Ways Off From Western Alaska
With a poor start for ice forming in northern Alaska waters this season, the latest climate forecasts predict sea ice may not reach Western Alaska until December. According to the National Weather Service, sea ice has started to form along the upper coast of the North Slope on the Chukchi side, as well as in…
Read MoreSuspected Burglar From AC Store Break-In Arrested
The main suspect for a recent break-in at the Nome Alaska Commercial Company store has been taken into custody. Nome Police announced earlier today that 19-year-old Christopher Gandia was arrested *Monday the 21st (a previous version of this story mistakenly said the arrest took place on Sunday, that has now been updated) and remanded to…
Read MoreIPOP Gathers Environmental Data With DNR Permit, Not Yet Approved for Mining Project
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has authorized IPOP LLC to continue using a six-inch suction dredge in Safety Sound, east of Nome, as they seek to move forward with a potential project. Earlier this month on October 5th, DNR approved the company’s amended Application for Permits to Mine in Alaska (APMA). KNOM’s Davis Hovey reports:…
Read MorePete Kaiser Among First Mushers to Enter 2020 K300
Yesterday (Oct. 14th), a handful of mushers signed up for the 2020 Kuskokwim 300 on the opening day of registration. Among them, was four-time K300 winner and 2019 Iditarod champion, Pete Kaiser. According to race staff, the first four mushers to sign up yesterday were Dennis Kananowicz, Wade Marrs, Nicolas Petit, and K300 rookie Dave…
Read MoreYouth Sue State Over Climate Change, AK Supreme Court to Decide Lawsuit’s Fate
Two Western Alaskans spoke out about climate change yesterday as part of a group of 16 young people currently suing the State of Alaska. The case, Sinnok vs. Alaska, was brought before the Alaska Supreme Court as the justices decide whether or not to allow the lawsuit to move forward. Andrew Welle and Brad De Noble…
Read MoreNome and Region Facing Longer Coastal Flood Season, Which Began This Weekend
Several communities in the Norton Sound region experienced coastal flooding over the weekend, although the high water didn’t do as much damage as originally forecast. Coastal flooding occurs when dry land is submerged under ocean water. According to coastal flood warnings from the National Weather Service, the water level was forecast to rise five to…
Read MoreMoose Research in Unit 22 Could Explain Declining Population
Moose nutrition throughout the Seward Peninsula is currently the focus of one of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game’s latest research projects. Results from this project could help ADF&G better respond to declining moose populations in Unit 22D. The four-year study started in the fall of 2017 by setting up radio-tracking collars on moose…
Read MoreCrabbing in 2019? Fish & Game Says “A Year to Forget”
According to a recently released recap from the Department of Fish & Game, crabbing in the Norton Sound this year was underwhelming in many ways. At the beginning of 2019, ADF&G set the region’s lowest guideline harvest level in 20 years, poor ice conditions and early sea ice loss prevented many from crabbing in the…
Read MoreMore Drilling at Graphite Creek Site as Graphite One Works On “Pre-feasibility”
Last week, Graphite One announced this season’s drilling program has begun in the Kigluaik mountains, less than 60 miles north of Nome. This is one part of the pre-feasibility process which will provide more information about the Graphite Creek deposit for the proposed mining project. According to a press release from the company, “approximately 800…
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