Top stories of 2019: January through June

WASILLA — To say a lot happened in 2019 would be an understatement. Countless newsworthy events developed across the Mat-Su Valley and the state.

Below is a compilation of the top 10 stories featured in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman (in no particular order), ranging from January through June. The stories were selected based on significance, impact and overall reach relevant to those living in the Valley.

Top stories from July through December will be in Wednesday’s Frontiersman.

1.) “Displaced Houston Middle students return to school Monday at Houston High”

Published Jan 6, 2019.

The Valley was rattled by numerous natural disasters in 2019 including the McKinley and Deshka wildfires. Prior to the fires, people across the community were still picking up the pieces in the wake of the Nov. 30, 2018 earthquake.

The magnitude 7.1 quake damaged numerous private and public structures across the community, causing millions of dollars of damage. Several Valley schools were affected by the quake, but Houston Middle School was hit the hardest.

Houston Middle School was damaged so severely that it required closure and ultimately led to the fusion with its high school neighbor. Houston Middle and High were combined and re-branded as Houston Junior/Senior High School.

Students returned as one student body in one building with 13 surrounding portable classrooms in January and, to date, Houston Middle and High School students are currently studying under those same conditions as one school.

Article link: frontiersman.com/news/displaced-houston-middle-students-return-to-school-monday-at-houston/article_eced0d60-1184-11e9-bd94-db4b4649e0ad.html

2.) Governor addresses crime, spending during State of the State

Published Jan 28, 2019.

It’s been a year since Governor Mike Dunleavy was sworn into office. During his inaugural State of the State Address, he focused heavily on combatting crime across Alaska.

Article link: https://www.frontiersman.com/news/governor-addresses-crime-spending-during-state-of-the-state/article_12f3a4b2-1edf-11e9-b9f7-df3834bb96ee.html

3.) “Governor announces state budget cuts”

Published Feb. 13, 2019.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced the initial state budget that called for a 1.6 billion cut. The proposed budget contained sweeping effects across Alaska that would slash funds for entities like the University of Alaska, state ferry system, and state health and social services programs.

The 2020 state budget has been revised several times and Dunleavy recently announced the 2021 budget.

Article link: frontiersman.com/news/governor-announces-state-budget-cuts/article_e79df376-2ff5-11e9-a12f-432dae46e490.html

Most recent coverage link: frontiersman.com/news/state-official-governor-open-to-discussion-on-new-taxes/article_620d36e6-2698-11ea-8910-2f141b609542.html

4.) “School district superintendent addresses impact of state budget cuts”

Published Feb 14, 2019.

Mat Su Borough School District Superintendent Dr. Monica Goyette was very concerned with Dunleavy’s proposed budget cuts and expressed those concerns over a Facebook video broadcast Feb 2019.

Goyette said that four years out, the MSBSD would come to a $20 million deficit.

Article link: frontiersman.com/news/school-district-superintendent-addresses-impact-of-state-budget-cuts/article_c2425914-3045-11e9-a2f6-ef45acc9370c.html

5.) “Venue change: Murder trial moved to Fairbanks”

Published Mar. 4, 2019.

Palmer Judge Gregory Heath granted a motion to change the venue for the trial of Bradley Renfro and Austin Barrett, the last two suspects to face trial for the assault, kidnapping, and murder of 16-year-old David Grunwald in November of 2016.

It was decided that Barrett and Renfro would face trial in Fairbanks to find a fairer jury.

They were originally going to be tried together but their case has since split. Renfro was found guilty in Fairbanks and Barrett’s trial week is set to begin April 13, 2020.

Article link: frontiersman.com/breaking_news/venue-change-murder-trial-moved-to-fairbanks/article_cb13c7dc-3ebc-11e9-9c86-9f6cff43107a.html

6.) “Former Valley elementary school teacher faces 14 new counts of sexual abuse of a minor”

Published Feb 8, 2019.

Former MSBSD elementary teacher Lukis Nighswonger is facing a multitude of charges involving the sexual abuse of a minor with numerous alleged victims.

Nighswonger was arrested Sept. 26, 2018, after an interview with the Wasilla Police Department where he described himself as a “pedophile.”

Prosecutors added over a dozen new charges to his initial five Feb. 2019.

Nighswonger is currently in custody and due back to court for a pretrial conference Jan. 23, 2020.

Article link: frontiersman.com/news/former-valley-elementary-school-teacher-faces-new-counts-of-sexual/article_c6535536-2c1b-11e9-9a68-c792960a665f.html

7.) “Temporary fix for Alaska State Fair; Liquor license renewed, future remains uncertain”

Published Mar 19, 2019.

The Alaska State Fair’s liquor license was renewed for the 38th year at the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board meeting on February 19, 2019.

The fair’s liquor license was renewed under the previous ‘recreational site’ classification, setting up another clash over classification in two years when the license is up for review again.

The ABC renewed the fair’s license with reservation, meaning that it was still unclear whether the Alaska State Fair met the definition of a recreational site license. If the fair was unable to maintain their liquor license, they would lose a crippling amount of money, which would affect the overall Valley economy.

The fair caught a break when the Alaska Legislature passed a bill allowing businesses like the Alaska State Fair to continue selling alcohol May 2019. Senate Bill 16 broadened the state’s legal definition to include places that sold alcohol for years without any problems and the fair was included in that bill.

Article link: frontiersman.com/news/temporary-fix-for-alaska-state-fair-liquor-license-renewed-future/article_d1d0631c-4a21-11e9-b63f-7b26ce9f8630.html

8.) “Skeetawk reveals new logo and celebrates with community at Palmer City Ale House”

Published June 21, 2019.

The Hatcher Alpine Xperience unveiled their new logo for the Skeetawk ski area in Hatcher Pass. The logo depicts the Talkeetna Mountains with Palmer Fishhook Road winding like and ‘S’ up the pass.

HAX is a nonprofit organization working to bring the first ski lift to Hatcher Pass and the lift is expected to be open to the public early 2020. It will be the first of its kind in the Valley.

Article link: frontiersman.com/news/skeetawk-reveals-new-logo-and-celebrates-with-community-at-palmer/article_0b6a3314-9496-11e9-8d92-ffe76c2221d5.html

9.) “Wasilla Pool opens after year-long drought”

Published May 8, 2019.

The Wasilla Pool, one of two public pools in the entire Valley reopened May 2019 after being closed just over 12 months due to renovations, The renovations followed a bond initiative that passed Mat-Su Borough voters in 2016.

Article link: https://www.frontiersman.com/news/wasilla-pool-opens-after-yearlong-drought/article_039ca0ba-722f-11e9-bb80-23ce6441b1f7.html

10.) “Three bears adding new location in Palmer”

Published Apr 11, 2019.

Three Bears Alaska is a household name to many Valley Residents. They added their newest location, the Three Bears – Palmer Convenience/Gas Station. The Sudzy Salmon Car Wash in downtown Palmer Sept. 2019.

The newly built a car wash, dog wash, and convenience store is located on the corner of Arctic Avenue and the Glenn Highway, across the street from the Fred Meyer Fuel Station.

Article link: frontiersman.com/news/three-bears-adding-new-location-in-palmer/article_c93d9bf0-5c34-11e9-a0c4-df8622f7a611.html

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com