Alaska’s International Airports Respond to Canadian Cruise Restrictions
Aerial view of Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage. Image-Google Maps
(Anchorage, ALASKA) As vaccination numbers increase and summer nears, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) are expecting an increase in travelers wanting to experience Alaska.
Nonstop destinations offered at ANC are nearly back to pre-COVID-19 levels with scheduled inbound seat capacity forecast to be up more than 750,000 seats, an increase of 117% versus last summer. Fairbanks is forecast to be up 62,500 seats, a 126% increase over 2020. Regardless of the Canadian restrictions, ANC and FAI are determined to safely bring travelers to Alaska this summer and help Alaska’s tourism economy.
GCI donates $20,000 to Alaska Pacific University with Donovan Walsh Scholarship
Alaska Pacific University. Image-Google Maps
ANCHORAGE, Alaska In an academic year wrought with challenges and change, GCI is providing an extra boost to students through a $20,000 donation to Alaska Pacific University in honor of Donovan Walsh, an Alaskan who suddenly passed away in late August 2020. Donovan was the son of Bob Walsh, a longtime GCI employee beloved by all who have worked with him. As GCI’s Director of Rural Affairs, Bob played a key role in delivering connectivity to small, rural communities statewide. Bob retired from GCI in 2019.
APU will use the donation to administer the GCI Donovan Walsh Scholarship. Ten scholarships will be awarded to students based on need. While these scholarships are available for all current and incoming students, preference will be given to students from rural Alaska and Alaska Native and Native American students. The university will oversee the student
One Succumbs to Cold, One Missing, and One Survives in Chignik Lake Capsize Saturday Afternoon
Location of Chignik Lake on Alaska Peninsula. Image-Google Maps
AST revealed that five Chignik Lake residents were rescued while one body was recovered and one remains missing after a tragic Saturday afternoon incident there.
At 3:16 pm on Saturday afternoon, Fairbanks troopers were alerted that a skiff with three aboard had capsized while transporting a snow machine on its bow after encountering a wave as it transited to the north side of the lake.
The small watercraft floated for approximately a half-hour after it capsized with 24-year-old Taylor Lind, 42-year-old Fred Shangin, and 39-year-old Nicholas Garner aboard. After the capsize, Lind was able to reach the ice and self-rescue, but, Shangin, who could not get off the skiff, succumbed to the cold while atop the bottom of the craft. Garner would cling to the side of the skiff until he could no longer hang on and slipped below the