Man charged with murder in Togiak shooting claims self-defense
The charges against Richard Sears, 34, claim he shot and killed 61-year-old Samuel Brito over a fight he’d had earlier with Brito’s son.
Rural Alaska
Bethel DMV office reopens after 2-month closure
KYUK reports the office was closed while a new employee was found and trained.
Suspect in fatal Togiak shooting charged with murder
A 34-year-old Togiak man has been charged with first-degree murder in a fatal shooting in the village last week.
Emmonak man defends himself in assault case, gets 17 years in prison
The man acted as his own attorney in a felony domestic violence case, and cross-examined his ex-girlfriend on the stand for more than eight hours.
Bethel hospital opens outpatient clinic in first phase of new facility
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. plans to renovate its older hospital at the site and connect the two buildings.
Record warm water in lower Kuskokwim River likely caused heart attacks in salmon, biologist says
Water temperatures near Bethel broke into the lower 70s last week.
Trooper involved in Togiak shooting is 18-year veteran of force
Daniel Sadloske wounded a suspect in a fatal shooting in the Southwest Alaska village, troopers said.
Trooper shoots, wounds armed homicide suspect in Togiak, troopers say
The man did not drop his gun when commanded to, the Alaska State Troopers said, and the trooper fired “at least one” round at him.
Warmer waters investigated as cause of pink salmon die-off in Norton Sound region
A high concentration of fish may also be contributing to the die-off. A million pinks were counted in the Shaktoolik River on one day this week.
Kaktovik man accused of killing polar bear after it tried to eat whale meat he left in his yard
Federal prosecutors say Christopher L. Gordon left the dead bear in his yard for months before it was burned at the village dump months later.
Bethel city council delays voting on updated alcohol laws
Proposed amendments raised more issues than could be handled immediately.
Bears are breaking into the homes of Naknek residents
An Alaska Department of Fish and Game spokesman says he’s hoping bear problems in the area are peaking with fish coming up the rivers.
All 6 people aboard small plane survive crash and fire at Bethel airport
The fire destroyed the Grant Aviation aircraft. Three of the six people aboard suffered injuries that weren’t life-threatening, officials said.
Add krill and mussels to the list of unusual marine deaths in Northwest Alaska
Village wildlife observers worry that the unusual warmth of oceans off Alaska is causing problems throughout the ecosystem.
A rat was found dead on St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea. Here’s why that’s a big deal.
The Bering Sea island is breeding habitat for millions of seabirds, including rare migratory species. A “strike team” had been searching for the rogue rat for 10 months.
After the Russians came to the Alutiiq region, the dance rattles went silent. A Kodiak artist has changed that.
Complete, ancient versions of the Alutiiq hoop rattle, which uses puffin beaks, weren’t known to exist in Alaska. One artist has revived the practice of making them.
Relocation of erosion-threatened Alaska village progresses to ‘sprint’ pace this summer
Newtok’s transition to Mertarvik is flying along because it has to — the Ninglick River bank is crumbling less than 10 yards from a home.
US attorney general declares emergency for public safety in rural Alaska, freeing up $10.5 million to support police
The announcement comes a month after William P. Barr visited the state to hear concerns about a lack of police in rural communities.
BLM lifts Alaska land withdrawals, opening 1.3 million acres
The withdrawals covered two areas known for their mineral potential.
Medical examiner identifies body pulled from Kuskokwim River near Napakiak
Stacey Hoagland’s boat capsized in September and he could not be found.