PEOPLE WE KNOW: May 7, 2017

Johnsons announce birth of daughter

Norah Lee Johnson was born April 14, 2017, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital. The daughter of Alicia Johnson (Berberich) and Robbie Johnson weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces. She joins brother Isaiah, 4, and sister Brooklyn, 2.

Grandparents include Cynthia Burton of Palmer, Greg Berberich of Palmer and Dennis and April Johnson of Cleveland, Tennessee. Great-grandparents include JoAnn Berberich of Palmer, Eleanor Bankston of Lakewood, Washington, and George and Martha Burton of Tacoma, Washington.

Cook graduates from 3 emergency management academies

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Emergency Manager Casey Cook in April became only the second emergency manager in the nation to complete all three academies in the Emergency Management Professionals Program, which is the flagship program of the Emergency Management Institute.

According to a press release from the Mat-Su Borough, Cook graduated from FEMA’s National Emergency Management Advanced Academy at the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, after he completed the full curriculum that provides the strategic level training and education and the essential skills needed for emergency management professionals to manage dynamic and resilient emergency management.

Cook completed the four one-week resident courses in the Advanced Academy including: A Survey of Advanced Concepts in Emergency Management, Assessment and Application of Professional Style in Emergency Management, Advanced Concepts and Issues in the Emergency Management Organization and Advanced Concepts and Issues in the Emergency Management Community and Profession.

Garcias to celebrate anniversary

Jeff and Christina (Shive) Garcia of Wasilla will be celebrating 19 years of marriage in August with an event at their home. They are the parents of Ka’la, Kyle, and Allison — all of whom live in Wasilla. Christina is an early childhood educator, while Jeff works in the telephone I/R field.

The couple has set their celebration for 6 p.m. Aug. 16.