Interviews and podcasts from the Last Frontier. Created in Valdez, Alaska.
December 21, 2023
VALDEZ - City snow removal crews have been busy clearing the 165 inches of snow that has fallen this season. With more snow on the way, Public Works Director John Witte tells us how the City crews move snow, where to park and even where to put trash cans when Valdez has a heavy snow. Assistant City Manager Nate Duvall talks about when to shovel boats in the harbor and how to avoid heavy snowfall hazards.
Dec 21, 2023
VALDEZ - One hundred and sixty five inches of snow has fallen in Valdez. KVAK's Laurie Prax talked with City of Valdez Public Works Director John Witte and Assistant City Manager Nate Duvall about how the City of Valdez is handling the heavy snow. Witte explains how the City moves snow and how residents can help. Duvall explains how "Snowload" is measured and talks about how to assess whether or not a roof should be shoveled. The City is currently hiring snow shovel crews as the snowload has hit 60 pounds on some City structures.
KVAK's Laurie Prax talked with the Foreman of the Thompson Pass DOT station, Edward Matson, following the road closure caused by natural avalanches on the Richardson Highway. Matson tells us what it was like for loader and equipment operators clearing avalanches in Thompson Pass. 294 inches of snow have already fallen in Thompson Pass and Matson said during the storm 51-inches of snow fell in a 48 hour period. Matson said the crew cleared huge trees that toppled onto the roadway during the storm. Matson counted 76 rings on one of the tree trunks.
KVAK's Laurie Prax talked with Dr. Angela Alfaro about the concept of Blue Zones and the possibility of making Valdez a healthy Blue Zone. Learn about the connections and attributes that make a community healthy and learn about the Valdez Winter Wellness Challenge.
KVAK's Laurie Prax interviewed Venugopal and Bahule about their musical tour through Alaska. Lyric and Spirit celebrates the amazing variety and quality of female vocalists from around the world, featuring Luisa Lacerda of Brazil, Venugopal from India and Bahule from Mozambique. Lyric and Spirit will perform Sunday, Nov 5th at the Valdez Civic Center. Tickets available at the door or at www.valdezarts.org.
KVAK's Laurie Prax talked with Dr. Angela Alfaro about the new Valdez Winter Wellness Challenge that she developed for the Valdez Community. Alfaro talks about how people can sign up, what it takes to sign up and the benefits and prizes that people can get from being involved in the challenge.
KVAK's Barrett McCumby shares information on the 6 overall winners in both the halibut and silver salmon derbies.
KVAK's Barrett McCumby Talks about LaVonne Baysinger's 14-pound silver salmon that is curently in 1st place overall, McCumby also shares the story on how Baysinger caught the fish.
KVAK's Barrett McCumby gives an update on fishing in Valdez, AK. McCumby talks about the first tagged salmon to be caught this year and what the angler who caught it won. McCumby also talks about the king salmon being caught in PWS.
KVAK's Barrett McCumby Talks about the 2023 Valdez Womens Silver Salmon Derby, including how good fishing was, and who won prizes.
