June 17, 1994

Here’s what made the news 18 years ago, from the June 17, 1994, Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Door slammed shut on Deshka salmon

A poor escapement of king salmon on the Deshka River drainage has resulted in the popular fishery being closed to sport king salmon fishing by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Use of live bait will also be banned at many of the other Susitna River drainage streams for the Chinook salmon. According to a Fish and Game press release, the escapement goal for the Deshka River is 11,200 fish, and the goal has not been achieved in any of the past three seasons. Prior to the 1994 fishing season, based on the preseason projection of a below-average return, the use of bait was eliminated from the fishery and the possession limit was reduced to one fish. The hope was to help the run achieve its goals, but it wasn’t looking like that would be the case.

MEA rejects Chugach proposal

Matanuska Electric Association has rejected a proposal by Chugach Electric Association to discuss a takeover of MEA.

An independent financial analysis “clearly indicates that the long-term benefits of CEA’s proposal to our members is significantly less than a number of other alternatives,” stated MEA board president Barbara J. “Tamie” Miller in a press release. “Our analysis shows that MEA must explore alternatives to purchasing power from CEA. Two-thirds of MEA’s future cost increases are projected to come from CEA’s future wholesale power costs.”

‘Dorm’ comes to life for Colony Days

If the refurbished walls could talk, they would whisper of late-night card games in front of the fireplace, couples dancing the polka in the living room and friendships formed over the years at the place simply called “the dorm.” The dorm was built in 1935 along with several other buildings in the area. It was built after 200 families, selected under Roosevelt’s project, came to claim land in the Matanuska Valley. The dorm is now the Colony Inn II, an upscale inn located in the heart of Palmer’s historic district.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in 1994 you could:

• Purchase a three-bedroom, two-bath home for $105,000.

• Drive a brand new Chevy Astro Van for $20,000.

• Fly round-trip to Las Vegas for $349.