Information sought on two break-ins

Mat-Su Crimestoppers is seeking information on two burglaries that happened in the Wasilla area Feb. 16.

According to Crimestoppers, Alaska State Troopers were called to a residence on Moose Ridge Circle near Mile 8 Knik-Goose Bay Road at 5:55 p.m. Feb. 16. Investigation showed that sometime between Feb. 10 and Feb. 16 someone entered the home by force and stole personal property and electronic equipment worth about $1,500.

They also caused about $2,000 in damage to the property and attempted to steal a vehicle.

At 9:46 p.m. that day, troopers were called to a residence on Lahti Circle, off South Lucinda Place near Wasilla for a reported burglary and theft.

Investigation showed someone had broken into the residence and stolen a camera, television and nail gun. The items are valued at $1,400.

Anyone with information about the crimes can call Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-3333 or submit a tip online at www.matsu-crimestoppers.org.

Tipsters can also text the keyword MATSU, followed by a tip, to CRIMES (274637) from a cellular phone. If the information provided leads to an arrest, the tipster can earn up to $1,000. Callers do not have to give their names.

-- Anchorage Daily News / adn.com

Legislators plan transportation talk

Sen. Charlie Huggins, R-Mat-Su, Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, and Rep. Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake, plan to talk about transportation issues in the Valley at a midday meeting Saturday.

The legislators will hold a transportation-focused town hall meeting at the Knik Elementary School gymnasium from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Between 10 a.m. and noon that day, they plan to give a legislative update and answer questions at the school. At 2:30 p.m., Neuman and Huggins will host another town hall meeting at the Big Lake Elementary School gymnasium.

-- Anchorage Daily News / adn.com

March means golfing in Willow

The Willow Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Iditarod Restart Golf Tournament this weekend on Willow Lake.

One of the teams participating is sponsored by the community's oldest business, Willow Trading Post. According to organizers, the Trading Post team has an average age of 84 years, but the team is a top seed in the tournament.

Willow Chamber president Jim Huston said one team member, 81-year-old gold miner Jim Norcross, hadn't played golf for nearly 50 years but was on last year's winning team. Another member, trapper Emil Stancec, 84, has only been playing the game four years but is a past individual winner and a yearly contender. Huston called farmer Darral Godbee, 78, a child prodigy by comparison. Rounding out the foursome is Joe Rayfield, 94. Rayfield reportedly still cuts and hauls his own wood "for those cold winter nights when he is sidelined to Wii Golf," Huston said.

The nine-hole groomed course features views of Mount McKinley. Teams of four tee off on the par-three course, with refreshments along the way. There's a two-club limit per player. The entry fee is $25 per person. To play, call 355-4700 or show up at the Willow Community Center at 10 a.m. A pancake breakfast sponsored by the Willow Lions will be going on at the Community Center from 8:30 to 11 a.m. that morning.

-- Anchorage Daily News / adn.com

'That Takes Ovaries' talk at Mat-Su

In celebration of Women's History Month, Mat-Su College is holding a talk with a theme based on the popular book, "That Takes Ovaries!: Bold Females and their Brazen Acts." The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in Room 202 of the Fred and Sara Machetanz building on the Mat-Su campus.

The event salutes women and their accomplishments by encouraging women of all ages to stand up and participate. Each woman who stands gets a token of recognition.

Mat-Su College marketing and communications director Courtney Brooke Smith and University of Alaska Anchorage Diversity Action Council chairwoman Kimberly Pace are leading the event, which is open to the public.