Peek at the Past

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 27 years ago, from the March 22, 1984, issue of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Downed officer found safe

A state fish and wildlife protection officer has been spotted and is believed to be OK after being reported overdue for about 36 hours. An intense air search was launched in an effort to locate the officer, who failed to return from a routine air patrol.

His plane was discovered on the southeast end of Montague Island in Prince William Sound.

As many as 20 aircraft from seven Department of Public Safety posts, military bases and the Civil Air Patrol were used in the search. The officer was flying over the area in search of possible poachers.

Dean Osmar

first to Nome

Dean Osmar drove his dog sled out of the midnight darkness into a blaze of lights on Nome’s Front Street. He had taken the lead in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race at the halfway point of the 1,100-mile race and held it all the way to Nome.

He finished 90 minutes ahead of second-place winner Susan Butcher in 12 days, 15 hours and 7 minutes, setting a new record for the race.

School district to receive audit

The Mat-Su Borough School Board has agreed the district needs an independent audit to help solve problems at overcrowded schools.

But discussion of the audit revealed sharp differences between the board and the public, which aimed criticism at the district’s superintendent.

“This district is grown like crazy,” said district director of personnel Walter Henderson. “We cannot hold a crystal ball and see what the future holds.”

The management audit will evaluate administrative functions, organizational structure and current management practices of the district.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in March 1984 you could:

• Buy a long list of clothing items for $9.99 each at Koslosky’s in downtown Palmer.

• Get a lube and oil change at Goodyear for $23.

• Get a better deal at Allied Automotive Mechanics with a $12 lube, oil and filter special.

• Buy a Commodore 64 computer for $219, or a complete package with printer, disc drive and color monitor for $1,099.