News

IN FLAMES— A Nome volunteer firefighter points the fire hose into the flames that consumed a five-plex on Fourth Avenue on Sunday evening.

Fire engulfs Fourth Avenue five-plex

Spectators marveled at billowing black smoke coming out as flames gutted most of a yellow housing complex near East 4th Avenue and Steadman Sunday evening. Nome Volunteer Fire Dept. got the call...

POINTING TO THE FUTURE— Virgil Soonagrook of Gambell refers to a map of his village as he discusses possible economic development at the fourth Arctic Resource Development and Infrastructure summit on Tuesday. Listening to Soonagrook are, left to right, Richard Koozaata, Louie Green Jr. and Bill Culbertson.

Connectivity is key issue at fourth BSA summit in Gambell

The Arctic is changing. For years, the elders of northern communities have been reporting it, and scientists have been putting forth much data to support it. In an effort to continue their proactive...

Photo by Diana Haecker INALIQ DANCERS— During last week’s Kawerak/Rural Provider’s Conference, evening entertainment included bench dance performances by Little Diomede’s Inaliq Traditional Dancers.

Justice bill discussed at Kawerak/Rural providers conference

As part of a two-year partnership, Kawerak teamed up with RurAL CAP and hosted the 33rd Rural Providers conference in conjunction with the annual Kawerak gathering, held in Nome last week. The...

At Nome Common Council, burn barrel debate heats up

Positive news came from Superintendent Nome Public Schools Shawn Arnold during last Monday’s regular Nome Common Council meeting. Funds to operate pre-kindergarten education that had been dropped...

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND— Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze signs a patent transferring over one million acres of land to the corporations Kukulget, Inc. of Savoonga, and the Sivuqaq, Inc. of Gambell, during a ceremony with community leaders of St. Lawrence Island on July 27.

St. Lawrence Island corporations get clear title to their land

The federal Bureau of Land Management handed over permanent title to St. Lawrence Island to Alaska Natives last week. Neil Kornze, federal BLM director, traveled to the sixth-largest island in the...

Nome prepares for Arctic Chinook drill

During last week’s regular Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting, the upcoming operation Arctic Chinook dominated the discussion. As planning details emerged over the last months, it became...

PREPARATIONS— Div. of Elections Supervisor Angelique Horton, center, and her crew Monica Giang, Katie O’Connor and Alec Johnson on Friday, July 29 prepared bags with election materials for shipping.

Region IV election office gears up for primary elections

While national headlines are filled with stories about the presidential candidates, the primary elections are rapidly approaching and Alaska State Division of Elections offices are buzzing with...

TEEMING WITH FISH— 430,000 pinks made it through the Nome River weir as of Monday, July 25.

Norton Sound and Kotzebue fish report - End of July

The commercial summer red king crab fishery was scheduled to close at 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 20. However, nearly half of the fleet were unable to get out because of rough ocean conditions...

NOME MUNICIPAL CEMETERY— The city is in the process of reorganizing cemetery plot management and burial procedures.

Nome Municipal Cemetery sees changes in procedures

A newly formed ad hoc cemetery committee met with the public in an open house format last week to invite input for a more organized and orderly future of the Nome Municipal Cemetery. “We need to...

Port panel discusses spending of grant money

The Port of Nome Commission met July 21 to consider how to spend remaining grant funds for further development. Out of a general obligation bond for $10 million provided to the port some years back...