Nome News

Orange and white Coast Guard helicopter flying directly overhead

Two people are still missing after a gold mining dredge capsized near the Cape of Nome last night. One member of the three-person crew made it to shore after the capsize and called for assistance.

Emmonak's local option law was changed via special election vote, but then 34 votes were ineligible... Photo Credit: Creative Commons

State Troopers and the Anchorage Airport Interdiction Team seized alcohol and marijuana at Nome airport on October 7th from three suspects.

The City of Nome is struggling to spend all of its CARES Act money before the December 30th deadline. A third round of community benefit funding is now open, which applies to anyone on the Nome power grid.

The search for Florence Okpealuk is still ongoing. Three search and rescue dogs from the MAT+SAR K-9 Team combed the area of West Beach over the weekend but did not find the missing 33-year-old woman.

During the regular Nome Common Council meeting, the council is seeking to purchase property from Elsa Bronson for $200,000, next to the current ice-skating rink.

In an effort to bring Florence Okpealuk home a team of search and rescue dogs will be combing the beach and tundra west of Nome this weekend. KNOM reports that her family, friends, and community have all worked to make the search happen.

“You know, no one wants to go running into a burning building… What makes someone want to go in there and save somebody? Well that could be answered by Officer Martino.” – Nome Police Chief Mike Heintzelman

“I believe that if we keep speaking. They will listen,” said Billi Jean Miller during Saturday’s march in Nome. She and many others continue searching for Florence Okpealuk.

Stickers proclaiming “Naliġaaniktuŋa!” or "I Voted!" in Iñupiaq, at the polls in Nome. Photo: Matthew F. Smith, KNOM.

As of 12pm on Thursday (October 9th), all absentee ballots and in-person votes from Municipal Election Day were certified. Here are the official results:

Municipal elections in Nome take place at Old St. Joe's on Tuesday, October 3rd.

Nome’s voters can choose their city’s mayor and five other positions at today’s Municipal Election. The polling place is open for in-person voting from 8am-8pm at Old St. Joe’s.