 Courtesy ADN
SEMITRAILER SPILLS FUEL IN THOMPSON PASS WRECK DURING FIRST SNOW
ADN- A semitanker lost a trailer on the Richardson Highway in Thompson Pass during Southcentral Alaska's first sustained winter snowfall last week, spilling fuel into an "inactive" river channel.
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CITY BUDGET WORK SESSIONS CONTINUE
The City of Valdez has two work sessions left to discuss the 2017 budget this Wednesday and Thursday nights. The operating budget for our City of just over 4,000 is currently just shy of 45 million dollars (44,740,000*). The 2016 budget was 43,660,000, so if the budget were to be passed at this point in the process the City will spend more than a million dollars more on operations in 2017 this year compared to 2016. In 2012, the operating budget for the City of Valdez was 34 million dollars.
* The $44,740,000 budget number takes into consideration the cuts made so far by City Council, including a removal of two positions recommended by City Manager Dennis Ragsdale (a Public services Administrator and Community Development Administrator).
* A detailed City Budget History and Analysis can be found by
CLICKING HERE
* A Summary of Staffing Requested for 2017 Budget can be found by
CLICKING HERE
* A 2017 Budget Summary can be found by CLICKING HERE
OR
CLICK HERE to see them all in one place.
You can also see the City Budget, including revenue and expenditures HERE.
Following the Budget Sessions this week, the City of Valdez will incorporate changes requested by the City Council and present an updated Budget at the Public Hearing Tuesday, November 22nd at the Regular City Council meeting. The public can have public comment on November 22nd. The budget is slated for final adoption on Tuesday, December 6th.
BUDGET INTERVIEW EXPLAINS PROCESS
City of Valdez Council members have their work cut out for them during budget season. The seven members are tasked with reviewing millions of dollar in City spending in eight work sessions spanning several weeks. The process of the budget is very complex, but KVAK had the opportunity to talk with City Finance Director Brian Carlson to explain the process of putting together, amending and adopting a budget plan for our City.
CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast about City Finance and Budgeting
FIVE PEOPLE SWIM TO ISLAND AFTER BOAT SINKS IN PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
ADN- Five people, including two teenagers, were rescued after their boat sank in Prince William Sound Sunday morning, forcing them to swim to a nearby island. It was not immediately clear Sunday why the boat sank. The 32-foot vessel is "currently submerged with the bow above the water line and anchored," Colclough said.
CLICK HERE for story
ALASKA'S FIRST MARIJUANA SHOP OPENED IN VALDEZ
Michael Holcombe first legal purchase of retail marijuana in Alaska
The first Alaskan marijuana retailer, Herbal Outfitters, opened to the public Saturday.
Is your pet going trick-or-treating in costume? If so, post a photo of them to KVAK Radio’s Facebook page or Instagram page @kvakradio for a chance to win prizes! The deadline to post your pet’s A-MEOW-ING costume is tomorrow, Nov 1!
Voting begins Wednesday (Nov 2) and runs through Sunday (Nov 6).
Click here for more information
Check out the entries so far on KVAK's Facebook page HERE and Instagram- search @kvakradio.
VHS VOLLEYBALL REGIONS
Over the weekend the Valdez High School took time to recognize the senior volleyball players during their last conference games against the Galena Hawks. This year the volleyball team recognized two seniors for their outstanding high school careers; Hali Baczuk and Jane Sharrai.
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SWIMMERS FINISH STRONG AT REGIONS
The Valdez Swim team went to the Region III Swim and Dive championships last weekend. “Our swimmers performed very well this weekend,” said coach Overduyn. “I was very pleased by their performance and the way they carried themselves.”
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DON'T FORGET!
Daylight Savings time begins
THIS Sunday, Nov. 6.
Clocks go back 1 hour.
NEW LAW RAISES ALASKA FISHING AND HUNTING-RELATED FEES BEGINNING IN 2017
Fees for Alaska sport fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses and tags will increase beginning January 1, 2017. The Alaska State Legislature raised the fees last session through the passage of House Bill 137, which received broad support from user groups. The new rates mark the first time in 24 years that hunting license and tag fees have increased, while sport fishing licenses last increased about 10 years ago.
CLICK HERE for more
Gabby Franklin and Isaac Fannin both qualified for All-State Choir.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE FOR 2017 CITY BUDGET
Location: City Council Chambers
Budget Sessions will be broadcast on 1230AM and streamed live on www.kvakradio.com.
CLICK HERE for complete schedule
Wednesday, November 2nd – 6pm to 9:30pm
* Community Service Organizations
Thursday, November 3rd – 6pm to 9:30pm
* Events Support
* Scheduling Overflow
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY NIGHT
Tuesday, Nov. 1st, 2016
in City Council Chambers
Tuesday – 7 pm
(Council meeting scheduled 11/15 will be held 11/22- changed due to AML Conference)
Items will include:
1. Appointment to City Permanent Fund Committee
2. Appointment to Providence Valdez Medical Center Health Advisory Council
3. Discussion Item: Valdez New Boat Harbor - Consideration of Procurement Options for Remaining Work, Including a Change Order Option in the Amount of $1.75 Million
CLICK HERE for Agenda and Packet
All City Council meetings are held in City Council Chambers, broadcast live on 1230AM KVAK and streamed LIVE on www.kvakradio.com
THEY'RE STILL AWAKE: BE BEAR AWARE
Recent incidents involving bears in Seward – where a dog walker was mauled Thursday and a brown bear sow and two cubs were shot last week by homeowners in a local subdivision – are serving as a wake-up call to many in Southcentral Alaska who believe bears have gone to sleep for the winter.
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DID THE LOCH NESS MONSTER MOVE TO ALASKA?
Today- Does the Loch Ness Monster have an American cousin? Video released by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management showing a strange figure swirling and floating in the Chena River in Fairbanks, Alaska, has many wondering if Nessie has an American relative — or maybe made the trip overseas herself.
CLICK HERE for more
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VALDEZ POLICE AND FIRE REPORT
CLICK HERE to see the latest Valdez Police and Fire Report.
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Because we have to ask:
1. Hillary Clinton (Democratic Party)
2. Donald Trump (Republican Party)
3. Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party)
4. Jill Stein (Green Party)
5. Independent
6. Not Voting
CLICK HERE to answer the Question of the Week.
RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK'S QofW
What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
19% - Candy corn
8% - Pumpkin Taffy
8% - Smartees
50% - Anything Chocolate
15% - Carmel Apple Suckers
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10/31 – Masen Holmes, Samantha Laudert
11/1 – Tulontu Olivier, Melissa Reese, Bill Painter, Brianna Waller
11/2 – Amber McCain
11/3 – Deb Hansen, Courtney Porritt
11/4 – Regina Blood
11/5 – Carol Simmons, Helen Adams, Terry Wolf, Leo Overduyn, Joe Freitag, Paul Bodkin
11/6 – Judy Londo, Barb Rusher, Shannon Groundwater, Emily Liesch
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 *FREE Admission * Tickets 50 cents*
All ages welcome!
CLICK HERE for flyer
BRING YOUR CARVED PUMPKIN TO THE CARNIVAL
Local carver Kay Noble is hosting a pumpkin carving contest with prizes. Bring a carved pumpkin to the Halloween Carnival at the Civic Center tonight. There is no fee to enter and you could WIN over $300 in prizes from Crowley Fuel and Safeway. The pumpkins will be judged and prizes awarded at the carnival. Questions, call Kay at 907-223-5562.
TRAPPING SAFETY CLASS
WEDNESDAY - 6pm
Civic Center Conference Room
The Valdez Municipal Code Chapter 9.38 requires that all persons who trap within the Valdez City limits register with the Valdez Police Department. The Valdez Animal Control Office will be conducting a trapping safety class and facilitate the registration process for the upcoming trapping season. At the time of registration trappers must show proof of completion of an approved trapping safety class and possess a valid trapper’s license issued by the State of Alaska.
All trappers must register with the Valdez Animal Control Office prior to trapping within the city limits.
The required safety class will provide pertinent information on trapping safety, and a map of areas within the city limits where trapping is allowed or prohibited
For more information, please contact Rich Long, Animal Control Officer: 835-2286 OR rlong@ci.valdez.ak.us.
17th ANNUAL BOOK BASKET AUCTION IS THIS SATURDAY
The Library will host it’s 17 th Annual Book Basket Auction this Saturday night featuring live music, food, prizes and the auction. Baskets, designed around a theme and containing at least one book, will be auctioned off. Proceeds will be used to purchase materials for all ages. There is no admission charge for this event. The doors open at 6pm and the auction starts at 7pm at the Valdez Library downtown.
TODAY:
FREE Non-Scary Time: 3-5pm
Scary Hours: 7-10pm
APPLICATIONS FOR SEAT ON VCVB BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DUE THURSDAY
The Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau is accepting applications for nominees to fill two vacant seats on their board of directors. An appointed Director shall serve for a three-year term.
To be eligible for position, the nominee must be a Valdez resident, a current VCVB member and in good standing of the Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau. Applications available from the Visitors Center at 309 Fairbanks Drive, Mon-Fri, 8am to 5pm.
The deadline to submit nominations is 5pm, Thursday November 3rd.
KVAK'S WINTER TRAVEL FORECASTS BEGIN TUESDAY
Listen to 93.3FM and 1230AM in the morning and afternoon for your complete travel forecasts! Everything you need to know for traveling Alaska's highways.
Sponsored by Capt'n Joe's Tesoro
HHES TO HONOR LOCAL VETERANS
Hermon Hutchens Elementary School will celebrate Veterans Appreciation Day on Thursday, November 10th. Please join us as we honor our local veterans and learn more about the five branches of the US military. Our ceremony and presentations will begin promptly at 1:45 p.m. in the HHES gymnasium. Parents and local veterans are invited to attend.
NOVEMBER SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS AVAILABLE ON KVAK'S WEBSITE
CLICK HERE for HHES & GMS Menus
OR
HERE for VHS Menus
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Mark Your Calendars
(Mon) Oct 31 -
(Tues) Nov 1 – Valdez City Council Meeting
(Fri-Sat) Nov 4-5 – VHS Volleyball- Regions at Monroe
(Fri-Sat) Nov 4-5 – VHS Wrestling/ACS
(Sat) Nov 5 – Library Book Basket Auction
Nov 8 – Election
Nov 11 – VCS In-service/No School
Nov 11-12 – VHS Wrestling/ V-Lathrop, JV-Hutchison
Nov 12-14 – VHS Volleyball- State at UAA
Nov 14 – School Board Meeting
Nov 17-19 – VHS Wrestling/Palmer
Nov 22 – Valdez City Council Meeting
Nov 24-25 – VCS Thanksgiving Holiday/No School
Nov 28 – School Board Meeting
Dec 2-3 – VHS Wrestling/Grace
Dec 6 – Valdez City Council Meeting
Dec 7 – Cherish the Ladies Concert
Dec 12 – School Board Meeting
Dec 17 – Community Christmas Concert
Dec 21 – VCS End of Second Quarter
Dec 22 – Jan 4 – VCS Christmas Holidays/Vacation for Students
Dec 29 – VHS Basketball – ACS Pepsi Invite
Jan 6 – VHS Basketball – Away at Houston
Jan 12-14 – VHS Basketball away at Delta/Hutchison
Jan 16 – VCS In-service/No School
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