Davis Hovey

Two separate cases of COVID-19 have been identified in two different communities over the last two days. There are now five active cases in the Norton Sound region.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is still reviewing a gold mining project proposed by IPOP LLC from last year. But as of February 1st, the company submitted another permit application to the Corps for review.

A resident of Koyuk has tested positive for COVID-19. Norton Sound Health Corporation announced the latest case was identified yesterday.

Silhouette of internet tower in Noorvik, Alaska, at sunset.

Quintillion and GCI recently announced a partnership that will provide faster internet speeds to residents in Nome and Kotzebue. These services will make the rural hubs similar to urban cities, and potentially reduce the digital divide for Western Alaskans.

A photo of the village of White Mountain.

Norton Sound Health Corporation originally said late last night two new cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the region, but in fact only one was found in White Mountain.

A view of St. Michael. Photo: KNOM File.

A resident in St. Michael has tested positive for COVID-19 and Norton Sound Health Corporation says they aren’t sure how the individual contracted the virus.

The 2021 Iron Dog is slated to begin in two weeks out of Big Lake. Although the race route has been slightly adjusted and COVID-19 precautions put in place, the world’s longest snow machine race will come to Nome as the usual halfway point.

The Nome hospital at dusk, viewed from the front, with light streaming through its windows.

Another Nome resident and a healthcare employee have tested positive for COVID-19. Norton Sound Health Corporation announced the newest case earlier today and the other was identified on Tuesday.

There will be commercial crabbing in the Norton Sound this winter. Whether there’s Red King Crab around or enough fishers to catch them remains to be seen, but ADF&G is optimistic.

While COVID-19 cases continue to climb, so do the number of vaccinations in the Norton Sound. According to NSHC, more than a third of eligible residents in the region have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine at this point.