MAT-SU REWIND: Jan. 31, 2018

Wasilla Blockbuster to shut its doors

WASILLA — What began on Christmas Eve 26 years ago is coming to a close. Blockbuster Video received news Friday night that they would not have their lease renewed. Once of the remaining six Blockbuster stores in the state, the Wasilla location planned to open their inventory sale on Wednesday.

The results of a soft-open on Tuesday were astounding as patrons young and old flocked to the store in the Carrs parking lot to take advantage of the sale.

Manager for all of the remaining Alaska Blockbusters, Kevin Daymude, said they have to be out by March 4 and, until that time, everything is for sale.

Sledding accident in Hatcher Pass leaves eight year old girl briefly unconscious, but all around OK

PALMER — On Saturday evening, just as the sun was setting on a bluebird day at Hatcher Pass, emergency vehicles descended on the parking lot near the Hatcher Pass Lodge to respond to an unconscious sledder.

An 8-year old girl was struck and lost consciousness for 30 seconds, according to emergency responders, and was in stable condition when she was transported to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. Above the lodge where there is a long, smooth sledding hill, the eight year old girl lay in the path after falling off of her sled. She was then struck by two other young sledders following her down the hill. The girl spun around following the collision and was experiencing lower back pain, but had full mobility by the time she entered the ambulance. Ambulance and fire vehicles responded, and the young girl was ok according to bystanders on the scene.

"All we did was help take the patient to the ambulance," said Fire Chief John McNutt at the scene.

Portugal. The Man wins Grammy

NEW YORK — A group of musicians that got their start at Wasilla High School got their recognition at Madison Square Garden at the 60th Grammy Awards on Sunday.

Portugal. The Man took home the Grammy Award for 'Best Pop Duo/Group Performance' for the song 'Feel It Still' which was released on March 3rd of last year.

Featured in Apple advertisements and film trailers, 'Feel It Still' features a bass heavy melody from Zach Carothers, one of the founding members who started 'Anatomy of a Ghost' in 2001 with lead singer John Gourley. The two split from the original band to create Portugal. The Man and moved to Portland in 2004, where they began touring and performing. Portugal. The Man was signed by Atlantic Records in 2010. Feel It Still is the fourth on their 2017 album 'Woodstock' after being released as a single.

Mat-Su product Eric Howk joined the group in 2015.

Fire torches house off PWH; threatens others

A house fire broke out at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday and, aided by gusting winds, quickly burned down a structure Northway Lane along Green Forest near the MTA Center along the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

The fire continued to spread and began threatening a nearby structure. Officials on scene said there was a possible gas leak and MEA was notified.

By 3:30 p.m., seven fire trucks were on scene.

More on this story in Friday’s Frontiersman.

Trial in slaying of K-9 officer Helo begins today

Today at the courthouse in Palmer, the trial begins in the case that resulted in the death of Alaska State Troopers K-9 officer ‘Helo’.

At 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 6, Judge Vanessa White will hear opening arguments in the case against Almando Anthony Abarca, who is charged with two counts of felony assault, one count of failure to stop and killing a police dog because of events that took place on Sept. 25, 2016 when an attempt by Palmer Police to pull over a motorist resulted in the motorist crashing into a tree, getting out of his car and fleeing into the woods.

Troopers came on in support, among them Helo, a police dog. In the chase, Abarca allegedly fired shots, several of them striking and killing the K-9 officer.

The trial is scheduled to last all week.