Page 24 - Mark Springer News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Credit Christine Trudeau / KYUK Bethel City Council passed a resolution that pits the city against the state government in a transportation plan. The state and the city both want to ease the strain on local commuters by connecting BIA Road to Ptarmigan Street, but they disagree on the route.  The state’s preferred route would go through Polk Road, a Native allotment owned by the Polk family. The state invoked eminent domain with the Polk family property late last year. The City of Bethel has a problem with the state’s use of eminent domain. The city would prefer that the road go a costl...

The City of Bethel has vacant seats on most of its committees and commissions. Some of them haven’t been able to meet in months, due to lack of a quorum.

Credit Matt Rourke / AP Photo The controversial sugary beverage tax prompted hours of discussion by Bethel residents, advocacy organizations, and city council members in last night’s meeting. The council voted to introduce the ordinance, but tabled the public hearing and final vote until April 2021. If adopted, the ordinance would add a 1-cent-per-ounce excise tax on sugary drinks. That would add $1.44 to the cost of a 12-pack of soda, to be paid by the distributor. Residents who support the tax said that it could reduce the consumption of sugary beverages and the adverse health outcomes th...