Since March 30, an opossum has been running loose in Homer. Grubby, as she came to be known, arrived in a container ship from Washington, and was free for a couple months before being caught by Homer police on May 24. Grubby was sent to the Alaska Zoo, where she will live out her life. She is doing fine and enjoyed a big dinner of salmon! The news of Grubby's safety and that she will have a long and happy life here in Anchorage was great news to those in Homer who advocated for her rescue. Others think she should still run for mayor and apply for her PFD — ‘Possum Fund Dividend’. Either way, Grubby is a bit of a unicorn as she is the only known opossum residing here in the state of Alaska. Considered an invasive species, opossums are of course not welcome here in Alaska … but it was Grubby’s cult following and social media pages advocating for her safety that in the end probably saved her life. Grubby does have her own fund set up at the Alaska Zoo, to donate just head to their website: AlaskaZoo.org
If you have an idea for an Allgood News story, just email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development just announced the 2024 Alaska Teacher of the Year. This year's winner is Catherine Walker of Dimond High School
Mrs. Walker currently teaches science classes including oceanography, marine biology and STEM. She has been a teacher at Dimond high since 2017. She also instructs an unmanned aviation class, flying drones. Acting DEED commissioner Heidi Teshner came to Dimond High to make the announcement, and she says out of the 130 nominations this year, Mrs. Walker was the one! Mrs. Walker has been an educator for 17 years. Before that she spent time in the Peace Corps, and her husband has also won the top honor, being named Alaska Teacher of the Year in 2018. If you have an idea for an Allgood News Story email Dave : AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
At the Alaskan Heart Run & Walk, there were these amazing Star Wars characters — and they had a real R2D2 unit! Come to find out they make their own costumes ... they must be approved by a legit Star Wars group. And the people, a Commander, Storm Trooper, Snow Trooper and a Librarian Jedi (yes Librarian Jedi!) all work real jobs and they do this free of charge. The response to them was electric, people love them. And come to find out this group visits hospitals and many other places where joy is needed, asking for nothing but the smiles on the faces they receive. Allgood! If you have a charity or non-profit event coming up (even if not Star Wars-related), please reach out to them — they would love to partner and support if possible. The Website: 907STARWARS.COM
Lillian Yang of West Anchorage High School is a 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar! She is one of two students selected from each state (male and a female). Lillian will be heading to Harvard University to continue her education in the fall, but before that she will spend part of her summer in Washington D.C. interning for Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Lillian is her schools valedictorian, loves playing the piano and is a self-described ‘foodie’. Her future plans include applying for law school.
If you have an idea for the Allgood News: Email Dave – AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Jackson Powell Church of Bettye of Davis East Anchorage High School is a 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar. He is one of two students selected from each state (male and female). Jackson will be heading to Dartmouth College in the fall to continue his education, but before that, he will spend part of his summer in Washington D.C. interning for U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Jackson was the captain of his cross-country track team and has overcome being diagnosed with cerebral palsy to not only excel in everything he does, but in most cases be the best. With the support of his parents, Rob and Jana, Jackson’s future looks to have no limits.
If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, Email Dave: AllgoodNews@ktuu.com
Earlier this year, an anonymous donor gave $20,000 to Dr. Etheldra Davis Fairview Elementary with one stipulation, the money had to be used to buy every kid a new pair of winter boots. 6th Avenue Outfitters Co-Op was chosen to purchase the boots. They came out to the school and measured ALL the students’ feet. Each student was then given their own pair of new boots … a half-size larger! And, the total cost of providing footwear for the 400 students came to $28,000. So, 6th Avenue Outfitters Co-Op discounted the boots so all the kids could get a pair. Between the anonymous donor and a community business, over 400 kids in need got some winter boots they can grow into, winter boots they would have otherwise never had. If you have an idea for an Allgood News story Email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
What a Mother’s Day Gift! When Olin Ahonen was just three years-old, his dad, Adam asked him what he wanted to get his mom, Mary for Christmas. Olin said I want to get mom a ‘fun run’ and the ‘Olin Turbo and Mom Family Fun Run ‘was born! Olin said he wanted a blow-up start and finish line, a fire truck and running bibs for all that enter the short 2K course behind Service High School here in Anchorage. The event featured moms, kids, dads, dogs and even a couple former Olympians. Mary, Olin’s mom… is a 2017 Hall of Fame inductee to the track from UAA.
May 14th, 2023 is the 5th year the event has been held and it happens on every Mother’s Day. The ‘word-of-mouth’ fun-run raises money for AWAIC (Abused Women’s Aid In Crisis Inc.). On this day there were over 100 participants and all the mom’s got carnation flowers when they finished. Olin has learned the fine art of giving a gift …that gives back. If you have an idea for the Allgood News Email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
What do you get your mom who loves to run? Her own ‘Fun Run.’ Olin’s gift.
Unalaska just had the grand reopening of their new and expanded library. (April 30th, 2023) For almost a year they had to operate out of a small, former chapel. So, when the building was ready for the books to come the 900 feet back into the new building? They decided to involve the entire town creating a ‘human-chain’ of 250 of the town folks, from students to road crew workers, all political affiliations and all ages from kindergarten to retired …to pass the 500 books, hand by hand to their new home. Librarian Karen Kresh says it was a beautiful and joyous site to see, the entire town coming together for an hour to transfer books. It was a one-of-a-kind community bonding moment that she says she and everyone in Unalaska who participated in… will never forget.
The Seed Lab in downtown Anchorage held a garage sale of some of the Anchorage Museum’s former exhibits and just stuff that had been piling up in office areas and taking up precious storage space. Dave, along with Seed Lab Manager Rebecca Pottebaum, had a little fun "test-driving" the items up for sale. It was a little walk down memory lane of past exhibits. For more on the seed lab and all they have to offer, just go to their website: anchoragemuseum.org. If you have an idea for an Allgood News story email Dave at: allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Thirty-nine Dimond High School students in Mrs. Catherine (Cat) Walker’s marine biology class recently spent the day picking up trash in Prince William Sound cleaning some Whittier beaches as part of class project. What they found — and how much they found — is then taken back to the classroom to be cataloged and then recycled and repurposed by local engineering firm PKS. They found everything, from lots of fishing nets to a kitchen sink, to even a Russian shampoo bottle. Some of the found trash is then ground up and used to make a recycled lumber called grizzlywood. The rest? The class decides how and where it can be best reused and not put back into the trash cycle. The trip is a partnership with Dimond High School’s NOAA Ocean Guardian Program and shipping company Matson. The NOAA Ocean Guardian Program is facilitated by the NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries Program. And as a side note, teacher Mrs. Catherine Walker just found out she is one of four finalists for Alaska Teacher of the Year for 2022-23.
907 Pro Wrestling Academy is the only pro wrestling training center in the state of Alaska. They train and promote local talent and hold shows around town here in Anchorage. I was skeptical being from the South and growing up with the likes of Rick Flair, Jerry Lawler and Dusty Rhodes. But I was pleasantly surprised to find the action, the characters and just the pure entertainment was awesome. The energy and effort each match put into their characters and working the crowd of more than 200 fans was wrestling gold. The fans at the Artic Recreation Center were thrilled and got their money’s worth with the high flying, flipping, taunting and all out brawls that spilled out into the audience.
Upcoming Shows: https://www.facebook.com/907prowrestlingacademy
From 1914 to 1963 there was only one high school in Anchorage. The surviving graduates meet once a month to reminisce and to plan their annual picnic. The American Legion Post #1 is the landing spot for these Alaska historians who relish in the comfort of the past — and still embrace the future. Dave opened up the mic to get just a taste of the wonderful and rich history of these seasoned Anchorageites. If you would like to attend or know somebody that would like to attend this year’s annual picnic to be held at American Legion Post #1, 840 Fireweed Lane, on June 10, 2023 from 1-5pm. Cost is $30 per person. For more info call: Faye Robb at 907-301-5248
The Salvation Army has a wonderful event each year called Transformed Treasures, an event where local artists find items at the Salvation Army Thrift Store and transform them into artistic pieces. The fundraiser is a metaphor for how the Salvation Army changes lives for the better. For More information on this event contact Heidi Navarro at 907-276-2515.
Mandy Iworrigan lives on St. Lawrence Island in the town of Gambell. She was walking her one-year-old dog Nanuq, an Australian shepherd she had gotten for her daughter. That was March 7, 2023. Nanuq later wandered off and Mandy thought Nanuq might come home, but after a few weeks? Mandy became worried. But a month later and 150 miles away (via the frozen Bering Sea) in Wales, Alaska, Nanuq was found alive and in pretty good shape! A photo of a dog posted on a Facebook group called Nome Chatter by Hilary & Michael Ahinga was in fact Nanuq. Dave talks to Mandy about the happy ending, and what she thought happened to Nanuq over the course of that month he was missing. Did she ever give up hope of finding him? She did not! Nanuq flew back home on April 6 and was happily reunited with Mandy, her daughter Brooklyn and the rest of the family. If you have a story idea for The Allgood News Email Dave: dallgood@ktuu.com
Isabella Tran is a 12-year-old ‘go-getter.’ She’s a figure skater, loves playing the violin and she also has been working on a volunteer project to help feed families here in Anchorage. In conjunction with Bean’s Café, the sixth grader put together 35 meals for families for the Christmas and Valentine’s Day holidays. Her late father, Dale Tran died in 2017 and was the CFO of Kaladi Brothers Coffee — and a huge proponent of helping feed the hungry. Isabella says she did this partly to honor her father and because ”It’s the right thing to do." — young people giving hope in the form of giving. If you would like to donate to the Children's Lunchbox, here's the link: https://beanscafe.org/the-childrens-lunchbox/
Jill Flanders Crosby has spent her life in motion as a dance instructor, most of that time right here in Anchorage at the University of Alaska Anchorage as a dance instructor and dance professor. Jill has been a staple in the dance community here for almost 50 years, but her ‘last dance’ will be this Friday at the Anchorage Museum. The performance will be bittersweet as the university is shutting down the dance and theater programs and Jill is retiring after a wonderful career.
Barbara Nickels of Soldotna always leaves the door cracked when she lets her dog Jesse out. And when Jesse comes back in? She knows to close the door. But this time? Jesse brought a friend into her atrium. A big friend... a MOOSE! Much to Barb's shock, the moose was happily munching on all her greenery with Jesse just sitting down beside the big fella. Cops, a lot of noise, and a few broken plant pots later, the moose was safely out of the house. What a story to tell! Only in Alaska.
Dalton Ante is a cool 11-year-old kid who likes cats! So much in fact, he has raised over $2,000 by himself for the Alaska Humane Society and their Cat Adoption program. Dalton is smart, quirky, silly, and has a HUGE heart. Bullied in school for being totally unique, the Alaska Humane Society, where he has volunteered for the last year, is a sanctuary of sorts and a chance for him to connect with cats and try and get them adopted. As many will see in this story, Dalton is a treasure.
The Alaska Humane Society organization is completely funded by donations and is 100% volunteer operated. If people would like to donate, send a donation via PayPal, send a check made payable to Alaska Humane Society to P.O. Box 240587, Anchorage, AK 99524-0587, Venmo @alaska-humane, or drop off a check at the shelter located at 1200 E. 76th Ave. All donations are tax-deductible and donors will receive a receipt. The Humane Society also has an Amazon wishlist.
If you have a story idea for The Allgood News, email Dave at: Allgoodnews@ktuu.com.
Sister Lucia Nguyen works for Catholic Social Services in Anchorage and teaches art and music to people who are trying to escape the realities of life. That includes those in women's shelters & homeless residents. She is passionate about sharing her expression of art as therapy and a way to ease the pain of people in transition — processing emotions by putting them down on canvas. Sister Lucia says they can ALWAYS use more art supplies! They invite Alaskans to donate any size of art canvas, acrylic paints, and paint brushes. Clients and guests will utilize these types of materials every week. Please contact Kelly Mullin at kmullin@cssalaska.org or 907-717-3093 with donations or any questions.
If you have an idea for the Allgood News, contact Dave at Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Ron Bailey of Bailey’s Furniture here in Anchorage started collecting cookie jars back in 1998. Since then, he has amassed more than 700 of the cultural art cookie collection pieces. He has jars from the 1920s all the way up to today. His collection adorns the tops of shelves throughout his retail store, and as a true collector, he says “they are not for sale.” But they are available for viewing at Bailey's Furniture during normal business hours... and what a treat they are!
If you have an idea for an Allgood news story, email Dave at: Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Samoan Fire Knife is the name of the dance, the art of spinning knives and fire torches. It's entertainment and it is carrying on a heritage. Dave met Wendell Pedro and his wife, Bonesha, at the YMCA while he was rigorously practicing his art, and like most Allgood News stories, it’s never the art ... but the passion and the "why" behind the Fire Knife. As you’ll see, it’s true love, marriage and heritage that fuels this "fire." Have a good story idea? Email Dave at Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Alaska March Madness! The 2023 Alaska State High School Basketball Championships converge on Anchorage! Dave and the Allgood News went to the Alaska Airlines Arena to talk to players, coaches and fans on the village migration to the big city and the hoop dreams of the players. Fun, excitement, family and basketball!
Maurine Loopstra recently turned 100! She's been going to the Lake Otis YMCA in Anchorage since the day it opened 46 years ago. She still takes water aerobics three days a week! But it’s the coffee and conversation after the class that's possibly the fountain of youth for Maurine, and although she is 100 years young, it’s not about longevity for her; she says “it’s the people and the laughter" that keep her young and coming back! If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave: Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Dennis Vecera spent 30 years as a very creative teacher here in Anchorage. His knowledge of earthquakes and volcanoes is pretty amazing and when it comes to being creative, he wasn’t above dressing up and singing like Elvis to get your attention focused on science. But it was a passion he followed since he was five years old that followed him into retirement and finally onto the page. That passion? His fictional superhero, "Peanut Power!" Dennis retired right when COVID hit and he had a lot of downtime, so he channeled his inner writer and brought his imagined childhood character to life in the form of four books and even an Iditarod board game that is factually correct and superbly informative. He talked to Dave about "following your Dreams” and never giving up! Here’s Dennis Vercera’s Allgood News. If you have an idea for an Allgood news story, email Dave – Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
You can Email "Peanut Power" aka Dennis Vecera at - dvesera@gci.net
The 'Hydro Bros' Kendon and Aiden saw a need and are now fulfilling it, digging out fire hydrants from all the snow we’ve had here in the city of Anchorage. The two young entrepreneurs heard about a tragic fire where the first responders couldn’t get to the hydrant right away… and that few minutes digging out the fire hydrant may have been the difference in the outcome. The 'Hydro Bros' say they just thought, “What if that happened to us?" And the 'Hydro Bros' were created. So far the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. And on the Nextdoor App? The two young go-getters are becoming superstars. Even the Fire Department has heaped praise on the two 17-year-olds.
Note: The Anchorage Fire Department says that even though it is NOT the homeowner's responsibility to shovel the snow from around the hydrants… they do say it is a good idea if you have the time or means to have a clear path to your nearest hydrant should there be an emergency.
If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com.
Grace Christian School every March sponsors an “ Idita-Read “ contest for the elementary grades to encourage an hour of reading each night by students. There is a gigantic mural on the wall (over 50 feet long) that tracks the Iditarod race progress of each of the mushing reading teams. There is even a team for the administration. The principal, Chris Gionet reads a very 'spirited' update at the end of each school day! It’s a fun and creative way to get kids to read 60 minutes a night and a great way to follow the iconic and uniquely Alaskan Iditarod.
UPDATE: The students in this story, the Metzger Mastiffs 3rd Graders? They won the 2023 ‘Idita-Read’ !They will get the ‘Golden Snowshoe’ AND a Pajama and Movie party complete with donuts! Congrats!
The Iditarod is uniquely Alaskan, and so are the people! Dave was at the ceremonial start of the 51st Iditarod in Anchorage on Saturday and, well, he sings the Iditarod Song with a U.S. Senator, Lisa Murkowski; discusses mushing with Alaska’s state representative, Mary Peltola; meets a young U.S. Marine taking in his first Iditarod, and oh! There’s the Murrow family! Dave asks about cats and we meet some men in their wolf and bear pelts! It’s Alaska! It's Allgood. If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave at: Allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Lifelong Alaskan Ray Ward has been a James Brown Impersonator for decades. The 75-year-old has his own 'James Brown Museum' located in a bedroom of his house. Ward took us inside his modest house to see the museum, but basically his entire house is an homage to James Brown and a menagerie of other uber-famous Black entertainers that Ray has crossed paths with in his 50-plus years in the entertainment business. But James Brown is his self-described "Hero!" He recently has had eye surgery which has curtailed his touring for now. But Ray tells me he’s very popular in Russia and Asian countries.
If you have a story idea for the Allgood News: Email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
The finals of the Fur Rondy sled dog race was won by Blayne ‘Buddy’ Streeper. It’s his tenth victory in the event, tying the record of late musher , George Attla. For Dave of the Allgood News, it was his first time taking in a truly Alaskan tradition. The sights, the sounds and the people made for a fun story about the race and the people that attend.
Dan Parent, the longtime Archie Comics artist and storyteller visited the Bosco's comic book store in Anchorage and talked to Dave of the Allgood News. His journey to his dream job was short, but the job is now nearing almost four decades. The talented and affable artist was fortunate enough to be hired to work with Archie Comics right out of art school. He drew two of his iconic characters and revealed one of his favorite Archie characters — and the inspiration for some of his storylines.
The Allgood News traveled all the way to Palmer, Alaska to the the Valley Arts Alliance 17th annual Wearable Art & Runway Fashion Show at the Palmer Depot. Wearable Art refers to hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork designed to be worn by the human body as an artistic expression. Using their knowledge of color, fabric and non-traditional materials, artists create unique, wearable garments which they (or their models) wear while parading down an authentic “fashion runway," accompanied by narration and music. The show was a great production, and it seemed the entire town of Palmer came out to support the arts. And, as you’ll see, the 25 participants didn’t disappoint.
If you have an idea for an Allgood News Story … Email Dave : AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Russian Jack Elementary is one of two Title One Schools here in Anchorage that was the beneficiary of the All Kids Bike initiative to teach all kids in America to ride a bike. HDR, a worldwide engineering company with offices here in Anchorage, donated more than $12,000 to pay for bicycle curriculum and of course, the bikes! Dave was there for the bike reveal on Wednesday and the excited kindergartners! Dave talked to one excited young kindergartner Kaidence Bean that just loved the bike and the mic.
The Allgood News heads to the Midtown New Sagaya and Kaladi Brothers Coffee to talk about what Valentine's Day means to people. Do they celebrate? Should every day be a day to express your affection for someone you care about or love? Plus, little Maxx has a fun take on the 'love' day and a Valentine's wish for his grandpa in heaven. If you have an idea for the Allgood News, email Dave at AllgoodNews@KTUU.com or Dallgood@KTUU.com
Dawn and John Boullion, owners of Beignet Today, like to bake — so much so that they’ve turned their home kitchen into a business fit for a king… a King Cake that is. The couple have turned their Cajun baking skills into a weekend business that in just one year has become a part-time, full-time job, especially during the season of Mardi Gras. They are open just four hours a day on Saturdays and Sundays and cake-hungry customers flock to their house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to scoop up the delicious homemade baked goods. The future, like their cakes, is rising.
If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave at AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Alaska K-9 Aquatics in Anchorage is just that, a dog pool! Dogs can come in from the cold and play, older dogs can do therapy and dogs rehabbing can mend their boo boos. Heather Priest has been there since the beginning, and she does it all. Training, indoctrination, puppies and seniors… she gets them all, lovingly into the water. And to say it’s a ‘doggone’ good time would be exactly right. Dave has a lot of fun with the dogs and takes a ‘deep dive’ into this canine pool story.
If you have a story idea for The Allgood News, email Dave at: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Aaron Harkely was named the ‘Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Club – Alaska. The 17-year-old has already graduated high school and is now pursing a career in media. Aaron just doesn’t want to move on, he want’s everyone to know that his hometown of Mountain View here in Anchorage is not what it used to be. It’s so much better! And although he has dreams of going to Los Angeles to be a Movie Director, his roots are here in Alaska and the Boys & Girls club where he spent most of his youth and where he learned his craft of shooting and editing video. Aaron will now go on to compete against two other Boys & Girls finalists for the ‘main’ Alaska title. And If he wins that? He goes on to the Pacific region to compete for scholarship money and possibly a new car.
An Anchorage woman built a colorful, lighted igloo with seats inside so neighborhood kids could have a place to wait for the school bus. Amy Cuaresma built the igloo just because she likes to be busy, and it’s something she says she enjoys and does every year. Schoolkids seem to love the lighted oasis in the otherwise dark morning neighborhood streets.
It's a fun and colorful way for kids to wait for the bus on those cold Alaska mornings.
If you have an idea for an Allgood News story, Email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
On Jan. 31, British explorer Louis Alexander ran a marathon in Alaska for the North American leg of his seven marathons on seven continents project at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in his bid to run a marathon on all seven continents in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK. More people have been to space than joined the Seven Continents marathon club, considered by many as the pinnacle of adventure running. The 23-year-old adventurer has completed two marathons of his project thus far, through the Agafay Desert in Africa and the Wadi Rum Desert in Asia, in October 2022 and December 2022, respectively, and now the third leg here in Alaska. Dave interviewed Louis (Looey) before his run and also ran six miles with the young explorer on the icy ground of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, under the watchful eye of moose, muskox, brown bears and wolves to name just a few of the animals at the sanctuary. Louis is running to raise awareness and funds for dementia and Alzheimer’s — a disease which took his proud grandfather’s life. Note: There were 407 members of the 7 Continents marathon club on Jan. 3 2023, comprising 306 men and 101 women.
Allgood News story idea? Email Dave: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Here is the link to follow Louis Alexander on his Adventures and to donate:
Follow @louisalexanderexplorer on Instagram for updates on his endeavor, and visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runningthesevencontinents to donate.
Contact: Website: www.louisalexander.org Email: louis@louisalexander.org Instagram: @louisalexanderexplorer YouTube: @louisalexanderexplorer TikTok: @louisalexanderexplorer Facebook: @louisalexanderultra
This week at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton School, students and staff are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. During the week, they celebrate the parish, community, students, nation, vocations, staff, volunteers, and families. The pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students also made fleece blankets and personal care bags for homeless Alaskans. They will deliver the blankets to Clare House and the care bags to Brother Francis Shelter. The school does community service projects throughout the year to give back to the community, so Dave talked to the principal and the kids on why helping out and giving is so rewarding. Have a story idea? Email allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Willow Crest Elementary basketball players are between the ages of 8 and 12 … but their jerseys? They’re 25 years old! So teacher Pamela Gilden has started a Donors Choose fundraiser to help raise money for some much-needed jerseys for her kids. Dave has some fun conversations with the kids about their jerseys, which will cost $3,000 — but really, they just need $1,500! The rest will be matched by Tony the Tiger of Kellogg’s, and that’s great! If you would like to donate to the Willow Crest Elementary basketball jersey fund, here’s the link: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/basketball-jerseys/7138588/
If you have a story idea for The Allgood News, email Dave at : Allgoodnews@KTUU.com
Melissa Hickman and her husband are remodeling their house in Fairbanks. They were ripping down some old paneling when they discovered some youthful signatures and names on the wall behind the paneling. The name “Katie Ladner ’79,” was written in cursive with a cute little flower along with the names “Chris” (with the ‘S’ missing) and “Mike G.” Melissa put a picture of the names and flower up on the Facebook page, Fairbanks, Alaska, to see if by chance she could find out who the people were 44 years later. And in less than an hour, social media did its thing and Katie was located living in Kingston, Washington. The two have since spoken and made a connection and the home on Birch Hill for Melissa and her family now has a bit of history and a face to go with what was just a name on the wall from long ago. If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, contact Dave at : AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Colleen Puch retired last week after driving a school bus for 50 years (8 years in Ohio and 42 in Kenai). The 80-year-old is spry and looking forward to fun and retirement and says she loved her kids and the biggest thing she learned from them was respect is a two-way street. Her Supervisor, Neal DuPerron, of First Student Bus Company, says it's going to be hard to replace such an amazing person. Last week they threw Puch a surprise retirement party. All her friends and a lot of former students were there to send her off into her next adventure. If you have a story idea for the Allgood News, email Dave at AllgoodNews@KTUU.com / Dallgood@KTUU.com.
Camille Conte, Duke Russell and Judith Mack are homeless advocates and ‘actionists,' meaning, they organize, raise money and feed the homeless. They are all about solutions and meeting the basic needs of the homeless community here in Anchorage. And through a serendipitous encounter with artist Walter Share, who has created a beautiful piece of artwork of the ‘Fourth Avenue Theatre' they were recently able to raise $10,000 to help feed and clothe the homeless currently housed at the Sullivan Arena. Mack tracked down the artist at his home in Seattle and Share generously donated 100 signed and numbered prints of the Theatre to the trio and their homeless cause. The timing of the gift couldn’t have been better for the group who say that the winter months for the homeless are the most harrowing. On this night the group was meeting at the Writer’s Block Bookstore & Café in Spenard, accepting blankets in exchange for copies of the prints. You can reach Camille on Facebook.
Have a story idea? Contact Dave: Email: Dallgood@KTUU.com
Led by music teacher Mrs. Erin Peterson, the Tudor Elementary School choir was scheduled to come sing Christmas carols for the staff back in December, but the weather canceled those plans. But Tuesday, Jan. 17, the 30-member choir not only came to the studios, they got a tour by Alaska's News Source's own historian Mike Valdez and sang some wonderful songs to a captivated crowd. If you have an Allgood News story idea, email Dave at: allgoodnews@ktuu.com
Two Shishmaref High School Volleyball players have been chosen to represent Alaska in the Arctic Winter Games to be held in Wood Buffalo, Canada coming up on Jan. 27. Their coach has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the once-in-a-lifetime trip for these to young athletic villagers. Being in a small village of just 600 people can make being a full-time high school athlete tough —balancing hunting, studying, family obligations with practice times. As a English teacher and coach for 8 years, Shaun Milligan has done everything from help prepare neighbors taxes to filling in as a jailer at the local police station. So seeing his students/players get this chance to move beyond the borders of Alaska is exciting and heartwarming — not just for Shaun, but for the entire small community.
GoFundMe : https://www.gofundme.com/f/frank-and-carter-arctic-winter-games-travel
It’s Dry January, an opportunity for people to take the month to abstain from alcohol. The Recover Alaska Dry January Challenge is inviting ‘ sober curious ‘ people to sign up for encouraging texts and free sober goodies. There is also a ‘pop-up’ Sober Lounge at the Historic Anchorage Hotel Bar going on every Thursday in the month of January. The Bar offers up delicious ‘mock-tails’ in an exclusive non-alcoholic menu that features zero-proof cocktails and a trivia night. Several local breweries and beverage makers have teamed up to provide the alcohol alternatives including Beach Tribe Soda Works, 49th State Brewing, Athletic Brewing, Amalga Distillery and Coc-Cola Bottling of Anchorage. With Proceeds benefiting the ‘Recover Alaska Fund’. TEXT ‘DRYANC’ TO 844-726-2669 - for Freebies and Sober motivation! RecoverAlaska.org
Got a story? Email Dave Allgood - AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
22 year-old Gabriel Monrean has a superpower, it’s called autism. With the help of his grandmother Cynthia, Gabriel has been honing his skills in order the change the world. Gabriel has high hopes for the world and what he can do to help those who can’t help themselves, but the biggest change Gabriel is making is in his world and the people around him. Gabriel started taking boxing lessons with boxing coach Robin Cordova Olivas at the Lake Otis YMCA three months ago. When Gabriel started, he couldn’t jump rope. Now he can jump rope forwards and backwards, and is hitting the punching bag like a champ. But it's Gabriel's smile, his amazing memory for movies and comedies and impersonations that make him a light that attracts everyone around him.
I was at the motor vehicles office the other day when I saw this kid smiling ear to ear. Come to find out he just passed his driver’s permit test. He was so excited, and his smile was ear to ear. He and his mother hugged. It was just such a joyful moment. So, I talked to Byron and his mother Cindy about why they were both excited. I also found out what a nice kid Byron is and why his mom is so proud of him. The single mom and her son reminded me of my mom and the day I got my license. It was pure joy tapping into that forgotten energy, remembering what it was like to finally get the freedom of driving. My mother passed from cancer and never saw me become successful in my industry. This moment really hit home for me. Dave Allgood – The Allgood News Email: AllgoodNews@KTUU.com
Nancy Rudolph lives a very simple life in a trailer park in Anchorage. Due to her health, she doesn’t get out much — but when she does it’s the short trek to the mailbox. One day last year while checking her mailbox she saw a little snowman behind her somebody had made. It just made her day! She's held on to that picture and that moment for over 12 months. Due to her health and all the recent snowfall, laughs and smiles have been a precious commodity for Nancy. So she sent me an email letting me know how much a little snowman made her day and how she was hoping whoever made it last year might do it again. Well, so far no one has come forward to claim they made the little snowman. But we went out to meet her and to find out why that little snowman meant so much to her.
