Public tips lead APD to suspect in fatal DUI accident: Anchorage police say they've arrested a wanted man thanks to tips provided by the public. Police arrested 29-year-old Andre Clinton -- who was charged with second-degree murder nearly four months after rolling his Chevy Avalanche on Commercial Drive, killing one of the truck's passengers -- Wednesday morning. Last week, a grand jury handed down the murder charge, as well as a manslaughter and assault charge; an arrest warrant was issued for Clinton the same day. Police were unable to locate the man at his place of residence, however. Tipsters led the authorities to Clinton, and come Wednesday afternoon he'd been taken to the Anchorage jail. Clinton's part in the alleged DUI-related death was one of a handful of drunk driving incidents that prompted APD to ramp up its enforcement efforts with the help of citizen volunteers.
Balash named to Parnell cabinet: Joe Balash, a longtime Alaska public servant, has been named commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Gov. Sean Parnell announced Wednesday. Balash served in the administration of former Gov. Sarah Palin as a special assistant to the governor on energy and natural resource issues. In 2010, Parnell promoted him to deputy commissioner of DNR. Balash replaces Dan Sullivan, who recently resigned to pursue the Republican nomination to run against U.S. Sen. Mark Begich next year.
4 rescued after breaking through ice near Willow: The Alaska Air National Guard and Alaska State Troopers worked together to rescue a group that had broken through the ice while four-wheeling on Caswell Lake, north of Willow, early Monday. The group -- one child and three adults -- were contacted by Alaska State Troopers on snowmachines after they went into the water. Because of rough terrain, the Air Guard was called in to hoist the group into a Pave Hawk, HH-60 helicopter before taking the victims to Providence Alaska Medical Center for treatment of hypothermia.
Todd Palin gets Iron Dog partner: Two-time Iron Dog champ Tyler Huntington is gunning for a third win and he hopes Todd Palin will be the man to help him get there. Huntington, 28, of Fairbanks, is looking for redemption after sitting out last year's race when he broke his hip training near Shaktoolik before the 2013 race. While Palin might be better known as the husband of 2008 failed vice-presidential candidate and half-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, he's a well-known Iron Dog racer in how own right, with four wins with three partners. The Iron Dog, a 2,000-mile snowmachine race that starts in Big Lake, takes racers to Nome before finishing in Fairbanks. It's set to begin Feb. 16.
Big 6.0 earthquake in far Western Alaska: Far out in the Andreanof Islands, nearly 100 miles southwest of the Aleutian Islands town of Adak, a big earthquake of a 6.0 magnitude was recorded early Wednesday morning. The shallow quake was centered at a depth of 2 miles and was recorded at 6:57 a.m. Although residents of Adak felt the quake, there were no reports of damage in the lightly population region.
Storm closes Fairbanks schools: A winter storm is to blame for schools closing Wednesday in the Interior town of Fairbanks. The storm is carrying freezing rain and heavy snow. All K-12 classes are cancelled, but the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus locations in the Fairbanks and North Pole areas are open. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for Fairbanks, McGrath, Nome, Kotzebue and Norton Sound communities. Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley have been issued weather advisories for freezing rain, which is expected to start falling around 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Adults attend Girl Scout training camp: More than 60 volunteers practiced leadership, environmental education, disability training, and even bow-and-arrow skills at a learning summit held in Anchorage November 8-9. The summit allows adults to get training designed to better help them mentor Alaska Girl Scouts. There are currently 1,500 volunteers serving more than 6,000 Girl Scouts across Alaska.