Stranded boaters rescued from Big Su

FLAT HORN LAKE — A state helicopter rescued three stranded boaters on the Big Susitna River on Friday.

According to an Alaska State Trooper press statement, at about 9:55 a.m. a pilot called the Federal Aviation Administration to report a boat in distress stranded on a sandbar in the river south of Flat Horn Lake.

Troopers sent their helicopter, which reached the river at about 12:16 p.m. and talked to the boat’s pilot, Taivaleoaana Toleafoa, 27, of Eagle River. He told them three other people were on a bank up river where he’d left them when the boat drifted downstream.

Two of these boaters were flown to Deshka Landing. By that time Toleafoa’s boat had been repaired and he was able to pick up the last stranded boater. Troopers report that all boaters were in good health.

Rail traffic stopped by van

WILLOW — A van on the tracks stopped railroad service briefly on Saturday.

According to an Alaska State Troopers press statement, troopers got word at 4 p.m. that a blue van was high-centered on the tracks near Mile 85 Parks Highway. They found the van straddling the tracks.

Railroad employees and troopers raised the van with several jacks and pulled it off the tracks with a trooper Expedition. The tracks sustained minor damage but didn’t immediately need to be repaired.

Troopers say the railroad reported a southbound passenger train carrying 800 people had been stopped about a mile north of the van. All-told, the railroad halted service for about an hour while the van was removed, troopers report.

Palmer judges seek seat on state Supreme Court

ANCHORAGE – A record 25 applicants — a pair of Palmer Judges among them — have applied for a spot on the Alaska Supreme Court.

The two Palmer judges are Eric Smith and John Wolfe, according to an announcement the Alaska Judicial Council made last week.

Smith is currently on the Superior Court in Palmer and has applied twice before for a seat on the Supreme Court. His most recent appointment saw him on a short list of names sent to Gov. Sarah Palin, who earlier this year chose the other nominee — Morgan Christen. Smith has lived in Alaska 27 years and has a degree from Yale Law School.

Wolfe is a District Court Judge, an Alaska resident for more than 11 years and a lawyer for more than 25. He has a degree from the Oklahoma School of Law.

The other candidates include applicants from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Nome, Barrow Ketchikan, Juneau and Homer. A good percentage are judges, others are attorneys either in private practice or for the state. For a complete list visit the Alaska Judicial Council Web site at ajc.state.ak.us and click on “Current Vacancies.”

The council will select a list of names to send to Gov. Palin who will then have 45 days to pick one.