PEEK AT THE PAST: Aug. 12, 1971

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 39 years ago, from the Aug. 12, 1971, issue of The Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Flooding hits Valley

The water is receding, but flooding caused by heavy rains continues to hit areas of the Valley, especially the Butte and Sutton.

Work to assess the damage of the flooding and what repairs will be needed is underway. In some cases, the receding water makes it clear how much damage there is — about $2.5 million, according to a preliminary estimate from a borough disaster committee. No injures or deaths were reported in the flooding.

About 650 people in the Butte were affected by the high water when the Matanuska River, swollen by 4 inches of rain, sliced through the Glenn Highway slightly north of Maud Road. The water ran along the highway, flooding out homes along the way and damaging an estimated 80 percent of the homes in the Butte area.

Because of the extensive impact of the flooding, the area has been requested by the governor to be declared a disaster area.

Airport road not

a high priority

A proposed one-mile road to connect Palmer with its airport is a priority for the state Department of Highways, but not an immediate one.

The project is listed at No. 19 on the department’s list of 20 roads it plans to build in the next two years.

The effort is to be funded through the 1971 Federal Highway Act.

Another local road is on the list at No. 17: the 6.3-mile Big Lake Airfield and Loop Road.

Deadline nears

for polar bear permits

According to an item in the Aug. 12, 1971, Frontiersman, the state announced it would issue 300 permits to hunt polar bear in spring 1972. If more than 300 permits are applied for, a public drawing will be held.

The 1972 polar bear season begins Feb. 15 and runs through April 15 in the West Area, and March 1 to April 30 in the North Area.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, despite the disruption of flooding in August 1971, Koslosky’s store shelves “are still well stocked” and you could:

• Buy four bags of marshmallows for $1.

• Get four pounds of margarine for $1.

• Snack on little pizzas for 49 cents each.

• Pay 98 cents for a six-pack of Coca-Cola.

• Buy 24 ounces of salad oil for 59 cents.