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Bristol Bay and Beyond, February 6

Clark Fair, Yvonne Leutwyler

An update on VPSOs firearms training, a conversation with DCSD Superintendent Bill McLeod, and thoughts on accessing Dillingham's backcountry.

Credit JoAnne Knight
This tripod marks the trail from Manokotak to Togiak, which still looks a little bumpy.

Do you have ideas or feedback for us? Maybe you've written a poem, song, essay, taken a photo, or have someone in mind we should interview for Bristol Bay and Beyond.

Send an email with your comments and suggestions to news@kdlg.org, or reach the host at dave@kdlg.org

The KDLG News line # is 907.842.2200.

Credit JoAnne Knight

On Thursday, the Dillingham city council met for its regular February meeting. Missing was Councilman Chris Maines and Mayor Alice Ruby. Presiding was Mayor Pro Tem Tracy Hightower.

Councilman Paul Liedberg joined Bristol Bay and Beyond for a recap of some of the business attended to during the meeting, including passing a uniform tax for fuel sales, non-opposition to the Aleutians maritime sanctuary proposal, and what to do (or not do) about marijuana.

BBB_9_Liedberg.mp3
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Credit Ben Matheson, KYUK
Captain Andrew Merrill, the state’s VPSO commander, speaks with YK Delta VPSOs in regular training.

This week seven of the VPSOs from Northern and Western Alaska who met for regular training in Bethel began a process that may earn them the right to carry a firearm on duty. The new option, allowable under legislation sponsored by Bryce Edgmon and passed last year, is due in large part to the death of VPSO Tom Madole in Manokotak. Ben Matheson reports for KYUK in Bethel, and joined us for more:

BBB_9_Ben_VPSOs.mp3
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If you came to the Sockeye Classic Tournament in Dillingham last week (and many of you did) you might’ve noticed the impressive team from the island of St. Paul. The six players, including one girl, are a tough team … quick, good ball handlers, intense, and good shooters.  

But they are dealt a tough hand too, tougher than most, with few (if any) home games, very expensive away games, a short bench, and only volunteers to scrimmage against. I wanted to know more about the players and the team, so I spoke with Coach Michael Baldwin Friday morning, catching him between classes at St. Paul school where he teaches Kindergarten and 1st grade.

BBB_9_St_Paul_Sea_Parrots.mp3
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Credit KDLG
Bill Mcleod at his desk at Dillingham City Schools. Mcleod announced his resignation from the district in January, citing the need for he and wife Cheri to relocate closer to medical care. Cheri is battling a recurrence of cancer.

For our Friday conversation this week, I sat down with Bill McLeod, who announced his resignation as Dillingham City Schools Superintendent last month. Bill and Cheri will relocate permanently to Seattle where Cheri is undergoing medical care for cancer.

BBB_9_Bill_McCleod_Segment.mp3
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Credit Yvonne Leutwyler
Our essayist and photographer Clark Fair makes his way into "big valley" in between Dillingham and Aleknagik.

We’ll end this week with an essay. Our friends Clark Fair and Yvonne Leutwyler supply KDLG with photos from places around our backyard that often leave me scratching my head wondering how they got there. They hike, climb, bike, and ski when and where I would’ve thought the conditions wouldn’t have allowed.

Yes, most of us will get out on snowmachines when the snow allows, and we'll run the rivers again by skiff next spring. We’re not really a hiking locale, as far as Alaska’s destinations go, with just a few handfuls of trails to get out on. Here, Clark Fair shares some thoughts on the matter.

BBB_9_Clark_Essay.mp3
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Credit Clark Fair, Yvonne Leutwyler

Do you have ideas or feedback for us? Maybe you've written a poem, song, essay, taken a photo, or have someone in mind we should interview for Bristol Bay and Beyond.

Send an email with your comments and suggestions to news@kdlg.org, or reach the host at dave@kdlg.org

The KDLG News line # is 907.842.2200.