Peek at the Past

Here’s what made the news in the Dec. 5 and 8, 1984, editions of the Mat-Su Frontiersman:

Troopers crack theft ring

Alaska State Troopers recovered more than $54,000 in stolen building materials and home supplies last week, ending a month-long investigation into a network of thieves and their fences who troopers believe were trying to take advantage of the Valley’s construction boom. The investigation solves 71 documented theft cases in the Valley and should put an end to an Anchorage-based outfit doing thefts out here by order. According to Sgt. Rollie Port, four Anchorage residents have been arrested and as many as 10 more people will face possible grand jury indictments later this month.

School board revises attendance policy

Responding to pressure from parents and at the request of a high school principal, the Mat-Su School Board lessened the stringent requirements of Wasilla High School’s pilot attendance program. The board accepted the recommendations of principal Peter Burchell and assistant principal Jane Feisthamel to wait longer before notifying parents that their son or daughter had been absent. Instead of requiring a parent be notified if a student misses three classes in a subject and demanding each student who misses five classes be put on an attendance improvement program, parents will be notified if their child accrues seven absences. Feisthamel said the changes are necessary because more than 500 of the 1,141 students are on attendance improvement programs.

State to expand wolf hunt program

The state’s Board of Game voted to extend its aerial wolf control program to the Tok area following divided testimony at public hearings in Anchorage the week before. The additional predator-control area covers about 4,900 acres north of Tok along the Alaska Highway. It increases the total number of acres under the controversial program to about 17,400. The board’s decision is based on Department of Fish and Game recommendations that moose and caribou numbers have declined in that area. After the goal of a moose population of 6,000 has been reached, the state will seek a ratio of one wolf to 40 moose. Biologists stated that such a ratio would, in the long run, increase wolf numbers by about 40 over the present level.

It cost what?

According to advertisements in the Frontiersman, in December 1984, you could:

• Purchase a state-of-the-art IBM typewriter on sale for $599.

• Enjoy a 12-ounce jar of Litehouse bleu cheese dressing for $1.98.

• Buy an 8-pound box of Mandarin oranges for $8.98.

• Record your favorite shows with a VHS cassette recorder for $449.99.