Gilson Middle School held its first district Battle of the Books competition in over a decade on Thursday, January 28.  The winning team was the Koala Bear Exterminators: Blake Morrison, Caleb MacPherson, Cameron Bowden and Kyle Henderson. They will be heading to the State Battle in February.  
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LT BART HINKLE APPOINTED VALDEZ CHIEF OF POLICE

City Manager Dennis Ragsdale appointed Lieutenant Bart Hinkle as Valdez Chief of Police Thursday to replace former Chief William Comer.  Read press release

POWER LINES ON THE GROUND NEAR THOMPSON PASS
CVEA is in the process repairing a transmission line structure East of Thompson Pass around mile 31.5 on the Richardson Highway.  Repairs are expected to continue through Feb 10th.  The public has been asked to avoid the area.
MRS. KEENEY WAS SLIMED AT HHES ON FRIDAY AS PART OF THE PTA PLAYGROUND FUNDRAISER

Community Playground Project raised over 14,000 dollars since Winter Break.  Mrs. Keeney stuck to her word and was slimed.  Thank you for all the support!
Pink Slime is ALL THE RAGE!!!

STUDENT ATHLETES RECOGNIZED AT THE DELTA JUNIOR HIGH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Jade Holmes was named MVP- All Tournament A Team.
Reese King was named MVP - All Tournament B Team.
Ally Seiber was also named to All Tournament team.
See more pictures

BUCCANEERS VS HAWKS

LADY BUCS SPLIT AGAINST THE HAWKS
The VHS girls varsity basketball team had some close games this past weekend against the Galena Hawks. 
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BOYS TEAM LOSES AT HOME
The boys varsity basketball team had some tough games this past weekend and lost both nights to the Galena Hawks.  READ MORE

20th ANNIVERSARY OF FROSTY FEVER

FEBRUARY 26th through March 6th
KVAK Radio was purchased from Pat Lynn in April 1996 by Laurie and Joe Prax. At the time, the Valdez Chamber of Commerce ran a Winter Carnival in April and Judy Londo encouraged Laurie Prax of KVAK to do something at the radio during the festival. While the Chamber organized events and put together a schedule, Prax came up with a "Frosty Fever" button that people could wear into local businesses to get a discount or special. When the Chamber of Commerce folded, KVAK took on organizing the Festival and continued the button giveaway. KVAK's small but mighty staff is finalizing specials and discounts with participants this week and securing festival sponsors. Look for 20th Anniversary events this year, like "Throwback Thursday" complete with retro Coca-Cola giveaways.
 
DEADLINE TO PARTICIPATE/SPONSOR FROSTY FEVER
This is the last week to sign up as a sponsor or business participant of Frosty Fever. Christine Griffin of KVAK is compiling the Festival Schedule of Events and said there is something to do everyday of the nine-day festival. Those interested in submitting an event for consideration on the Frosty Fever calendar, can CLICK HERE for a form.
KVAK's Megan Bauman said the business community is really coming together to sponsor the event, but more sponsors will make for an even bigger celebration. Those with questions about participation in or sponsorship of Frosty Fever can call 835-5825.
 
KVAK LOOKING FOR HELP DURING FROSTY FEVER
The KVAK staff is very busy during Frosty Fever and we are looking for part-time help in the next few weeks with our Frosty Fever promotion. If you are a fast-learner who is good with the public and available during the month of February, please call the KVAK studio at 835-5825 or stop by the studio and talk with Laurie or Megan.

ALASKA COMMERCIAL HALIBUT QUOTA GOES UP FOR FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS
ADN- Alaska halibut stocks are showing signs of an uptick, and for the first time in 15 years, commercial fishermen’s catches will not be slashed this year.  Fishery managers on Friday set the coastwide Pacific halibut harvest at 29.89 million pounds, a 2.3 percent increase from 2015.  READ MORE

KENNY SAILORS, FORMER ALASKAN WHO 'INVENTED' THE JUMP SHOT, DIES AT 95
ADN- There was just one witness to the moment Kenny Sailors helped revolutionize the game of basketball — his brother, Bud — but by all accounts no one has ever doubted their story.
READ STORY

HUGE FIND OFF ALASKAN COAST
weather.com- Archeologists have finally found proof of 33 ships that were abandoned and sank off the Alaskan coast over 144 years ago. 
See video of the sunken ship
history.com -In September 1871, shifting pack ice trapped 33 of a fleet of 40 commercial whaling ships hunting for bowhead whales off the Arctic coast of Alaska. READ MORE

130th ANNIVERSARY OF GROUNDHOG DAY THIS TUESDAY

The tradition of Groundhog Day in 1886 when a group of residents in Punxsutawney, PA decided to celebrate Candlemas Day by searching for a groundhog in the woods.  The owner of the local newspaper liked the idea and followed up in 1887 to make the day official. 
Things you might not know about groundhogs: they whistle when frightened or courting, they drink very little water- most of their liquid comes from dewy leaves, groundhogs hibernate, Phil receives a drink of a magical punch every summer during the Annual Groundhog Picnic, which gives him 7 more years of life.
Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?  Watch a live feed to find out. 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING THIS TUESDAY

Tuesday, February 2^nd, 2016
in City Council Chambers
Tuesday – 7 pm
 
Items will include:
1.  Appointments to the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive Association Board of Directors 
2.  Discussion Item: Septic Replacement Oversight Authority
3.  Approve the Purchase of Ambulance and 
Accessories from Braun Northwest in the Amount of $180,000

CLICK HERE for full agenda
 
CLICK HERE to read meeting packet
 
All City Council meetings are held in City Council Chambers, broadcast live on 1230AM KVAK and streamed LIVE on www.kvakradio.com