Alaska News

AK Beat: Charlie Sheen is latest celebrity spotted winning in Alaska

Winning! in Sitka: Southeast Alaska, watch out for tiger blood; actor Charlie Sheen has been spotted in Sitka, at least according to several Facebook posts from Highliner Coffee Co. Sheen, the star of "Wall Street," "Platoon," and "Hot Shots!" who famously parted ways with "Two and a Half Men" two years ago, apparently stopped by for his morning coffee and bagel after being diverted to Sitka on his way to Petersburg. Sheen isn't the first celebrity to make his way to southeast Alaska this summer; both Mitt Romney and Bill O'Reilly have been spotted on the Alaska Panhandle in recent weeks.

Middling reviews for 'The Frozen Ground': Critical review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes was beginning to weigh in on Alaska-filmed serial killer flick "The Frozen Ground" on Friday, when the film was released in limited cities around the U.S., including Wasilla. Friday afternoon, the film had accumulated 37 reviews from critics, and sat a 54 percent rating on the site, certified "rotten" by Rotten Tomatoes standards. The critical consensus? "Though this by-the-numbers true procedural seems basic, The Frozen Ground presents a welcome return for Nicolas Cage in a solid performance." Hey, could be worse, right?

Step out of your comfort cave and into some live art: Anchorage Community Works, a new public multi-use shared art and work space located in the in the Ship Creek neighborhood of downtown Anchorage, will host four popular Alaska bands as part of its "Grand Opening Party," Friday at 7 p.m. Fairbanks rockers Young Fangs, roving singer-songwriter Matt Hopper and local Anchorage favorites Historian and Ghost Hands will all take ACW's stage throughout the night. The show presents an excellent opportunity for the community to come check out the new space. Tickets are $10; purchase online and read more here.

Nulato man nearly drowned in mud puddle: Neil J. Madros, 40, from the Yukon River village of Nulato has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to drown a man in a 3-inch deep mud puddle. Madros and Kenneth Kriska were drinking in the village of 330 residents Tuesday night when Madros began threatening Kriska's family. When Kriska tried to walk away, Madros pushed him into the puddle where Kriska "got muddy water in his mouth, saw stars and thought he was going to faint" according to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. The Alaska State Trooper report also noted that Madros was seen recklessly driving a red truck around the community the same night. Madros was charged with first-degree attempted murder and four counts of felony assault. He is set to appear in court next week.

UAF student captures rare phenomenon on camera: University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate student Jason Ahrns has become an overnight Internet sensation after he managed to capture the elusive sky-born phenomenon known as "sprites" on still and video cameras. NPR reports that Ahrns snapped shots of the sprites -- which are red lights above the clouds that resemble fast-burning sparklers and can extend into space for miles -- from a plane operated by the Center for Atmospheric Research. Ahrns blogs about his work, and you can read more about what it takes to actually capture elusive sprites on camera.

Moose collision kills driver: A moose has claimed the life of yet another Alaskan. Alaska State Troopers report finding a 2006 Acura in the woods off the Richardson Highway some 150 miles east of Anchorage about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Investigation, according to a trooper dispatch, led to the discovery "the entire top of the vehicle had been ripped off by the impact with (a) moose." A lone occupant was found in the car. The woman had suffered massive head trauma and showed no signs of life. Attempts to revive her failed, and she was pronounced dead. Troopers are withholding her name until next of kin have been notified.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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