PEEK AT THE PAST: April 22, 2005

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su five years ago, from the April 22, 2005, issue of The Frontiersman:

Shooting threat

Palmer was shocked when a Palmer High School student made threats to bring a gun to school and shoot classmates. As of press time, nobody could recall another shooting threat of this magnitude in the Mat-Su Valley, and the buzz around town in coffee shops and offices has been one of disbelief.

A 17-year-old identified by fellow students was arrested at his home following an anonymous tip. While most of the Valley slept Monday night, a telephone rang at the Palmer Police Department and the information shared with law enforcement may have saved lives.

The tipster said a student made verbal threats to carry out a school shooting.

Catholics pray for new pope

Many Mat-Su Catholics were among the millions who watched and prayed as Pope Benedict XVI was revealed, emerging from behind a large, red curtain at the Vatican. He became the 265th pope.

Formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict’s image was seen around the world, including at St. Michael Catholic Church where Father Leo Desso learned about the new pontiff when we walked into the Valley church for morning Mass.

Desso said he was surprised with the selection.

“I knew he was in the running,” he said. “I was hoping it would be a Third World pope, because there is so much of a need in Asia and the Philippines and the whole area.”

Pastor’s past resurfaces

A Big Lake pastor who was acquitted of charges following a shooting incident is the subject of a lawsuit filed by the mother of one of the men he shot.

Phillip D. Mielke was found not guilty by a Palmer Superior Court jury in the shooting death of Frank Marion Jones IV. Jones’ mother, Bonnie Pigott, has now filed a lawsuit against the pastor seeking more than $100,000 in damages.

On April 23, 2003, Alaska State Troopers responded to a call that Mielke had shot two people at Big Lake Community Chapel. Alerted by a baby monitor in the church, Mielke was awoken, took his .44-caliber Magnum and investigated. He discovered intruders, yelled for them to stop, and when they didn’t, fired at them.

Both intruders had drugs in their systems.

NFL hopeful is by the phone

Cole Manger is waiting by the telephone this weekend, hoping for a call from the NFL. it’s draft weekend, and Manger, who recently completed a four-year career as a wide receiver for Bowling Green State University, is one of hundreds of college players hoping to continue at the professional level.

If Manger is not selected in one of the draft’s seven rounds, it could be due to recent workouts and some eye-opening numbers.

The Palmer native had a breakout junior season, but suffered an early season injury in his senior year. On the school’s Pro Day, however, he turned heads by running a blistering 6.49 seconds in the three-cone shuttle run. In fact, coaches were so shocked they asked him to run it again, and he ran a 6.42.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in April 2005 you could:

• Buy a saltwater fishing reel for $129.99.

• Get a 2005 Chevy Aveo for $9,999.

• Fly round-trip to Washington, D.C., for $360.