NOME - The winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has come under the burled arch in this western Alaska outpost, but that's just the beginning for this community, where every musher to finish the race gets a hero's welcome. The town's sirens blare when each of the more than four dozen competitors is about a mile out, and the mushers are all treated like royalty as they cross the finish line under the famed arch on Front Street, and have their pictures taken with fans.

Looking through the toys, clothes and other belongings acquired by her five children, Beth Jansen of Anchor Point suggested they sell what they no longer used.

What do you get when you put 10 ecologists and 10 musicians in one room? No, it is not another bad joke from your Uncle Jerry.

Longtime Soldotna resident Patricia C. Burdick, 77, died peacefully at home Friday, Nov. 18, 2011 after a short battle with cancer.At her request there will be no services. She will be laid to rest at Spruce Grove Memorial Park in Kasilof. Patricia

Kenai alumni top Soldotna

Well, he used to be from the Kenai Peninsula, but Lance Mackey?s win in the Iditarod Trail and Yukon Quest International sled dog races are impressive no matter where he?s from.

An article entitled "Abundance-based fish, game management can benefit all," by Corey Rossi of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), provides an articulate explanation of ADF&G's current approach to conservation, emphasizing abundant big game harvests. But if conservation means looking at both sides of the equation (utilization vs. preservation), then some factors may be missing with respect to wildlife.

As many could attest to Saturday afternoon during the 28th annual Moose River Raft Parade in Sterling, Dave Pooler doesn't quit come hell or as was the case in the parade high water.

The Soldotna Silver Salmon swimming team has four Sterling members. Micah Sterling is new to swimming this year. Kaydi Marckesano, Kaitlyn Groleske and Christian Carrico are more experienced swimmers who have earned the right to compete at The Speedo Alaska Junior Olympic Championships.

Cooper Landing lost one of its own recently.