In brief: Mat-Su

Alaska State Troopers arrested a Palmer man Tuesday on charges that he downloaded and distributed child pornography pictures and movies while working at a Palmer coffee stand.

According to troopers, Roland Goossen, 26, of Palmer was charged with possessing child pornography and distributing the material, both felonies, and second-degree failure to register as a sex offender, a misdemeanor. He's in custody, held on $50,000 bail.

In a written statement, troopers said an investigation of Goossen began in January when members of the troopers' Technical Crime Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted an online undercover investigation searching for suspects in Alaska who were sharing child sexual abuse images and movies.

An Internet Provider address troopers said was sharing dozens of child pornography files was located in Palmer, associated with Custom Coffee, a drive-up coffee stand on the Glenn Highway outside the city. On March 2, Alaska Bureau of Investigation and special agents from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement served a search warrant at the coffee shop. Goossen, who co-owns the shop, was contacted inside. His software was seized and a forensic computer examination conducted. Troopers say his computer contained many images and movies of child pornography, along with file-sharing software.

2 MEA candidates cleared for ballot

Eagle River retiree Tom Staudenmaier and Wasilla incumbent board member Katie Hurley were both cleared this week to be on the Matanuska Electric Association ballot after they submitted more than 50 names of registered MEA members who support their candidacy.

Staudenmaier will run against Eagle River incumbent board member David Glines. Hurley is facing challenger Robert Doyle, former Mat-Su School District chief administrator.

Hurley interviewed with the cooperative's nominating committee to be placed on the ballot but the committee last week declined to nominate her. Four other candidates were nominated: Glines, Doyle, Larry DeVilbiss and William Tull. Tull and DeVilbiss are competing for the Palmer-based board seat. The committee did not list a reason for declining Hurley's nomination request.

Hurley said she was unsure why the committee didn't nominate her. The committee also refused last year to nominate board president Lois Lester. Hurley said she had gathered more than 150 signatures from MEA members in case the committee chose not to nominate her.

The annual meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 27 at Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fair grounds.

Mat-Su Democrats hosting local caucus

The Mat-Su Democrats are holding a party caucus March 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Glacier Canyon Grill in Wasilla to discuss and debate Democratic issues.

Democratic Party caucuses meet across the U.S. every two years. Local party officers are elected at each caucus and resolutions proposed for the Democratic State Convention.

Alaska blogger and radio host Shannyn Moore plans to deliver a lunchtime keynote address entitled "Painting a Red State Blue, One Stroke at a Time" at the event.

Participants are required to be registered Democrat. Voter registration forms will be available.

Youth fashion show takes stage in Palmer

Three Valley sewing teachers plan to have their students show off their creative masterpieces in a friendly competition at the Youth Fashion Show at 5:30 p.m. March 20 at Palmer Depot.

Sherry Carrington of Aurora Creative Designs sewing studio in Palmer, Rosanna Benbow of ASC Sewing School in Wasilla and Clarie German of Sun Valley Sewing between the two cities are hosting the show and encouraging participation from their students. The show is also open to non-students between the ages of 7 and 18.

Each qualified entry gives the seamstress or seamster a chance to win one of two sewing machines. Prizes will also be awarded in six categories: formal wear, sportswear, casual wear, children's wear, costumes and doll wear.

For information, contact Carrington at 841-7429 or visit www.learning2sew.com.

Hatcher Pass plan open for comments

A public review draft of the state's Hatcher Pass Management Plan is available at the state Web site dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/planning/mgtplans. Click on "Hatcher Pass Management Plan Revision -- 2009."

The plan designates allowed uses on state land in the more than 300,000-acre management plan area, most of which is designated for recreational use. The plan also provides recommendations for new facilities in the area and identifies allowed and prohibited activities in the area. Changes to the current pattern of motorized and non-motorized uses are recommended in the plan.

Public comments can be made at that Web site or delivered at upcoming public meetings about the plan. Three meetings are planned: From 5:30-7 p.m. March 22 at Willow Elementary School Gym; from 6:30-9 p.m. April 1 at Central Mat-Su Fire and EMS Station on Swanson Avenue in Wasilla; and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 6 at Central Middle School of Science at the corner of 14th Avenue and E Street in Anchorage. Comments will be accepted until May 5.

Snowmobile safety class held Saturday

North American Outdoor Institute is holding a snowmobile safety class between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday in Meadow Lakes. Sponsored by Meadow Lakes Community Council and Alaska Mining and Diving Supply, the class is geared toward teens and anyone that wants to learn basic snowmobile safety. Participants can purchase a SNELL/DOT helmet for $25 when they complete the course.

Sign up or learn more at www.naoiak.org or call them at 376-2898.