Delta Community News

Recall: Hot Pockets Pepperoni Pizza Pockets

2008-08-26T23:56:00.002-08:00

The USDA has issued a recall on Hot Pockets Pepperoni Pizza Pockets.

The snack food has been found in Alaska, and stores have removed them from their shelves.

Check your freezer for any boxes you may have. The recalled boxes have this serial number on them: 8157544614d

If you come across a recalled box in your freezer, you can return it to the store you bought it from. Consumers with questions should call the Nestle Consumer Services Hotline at 1-800-350-5016 .

Photo of the day - August 26

2008-08-26T23:43:00.002-08:00

What a mess. Glad that isn't my house roof. Photo was taken in June while on vacation in Ninilchik. Ninilchik is a fishing community that lives up to it's given name, "peaceful settlement by a river." Photo Courtesy Toni Heasty & Gordon Goodermote

Garden Soup at the Sullivan

2008-08-26T00:10:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, August 27, 2008 from 11:30am to 1:30pm, the Chamber will be holding its annual “Garden Soup at the Sullivan” event celebrating the harvest of the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum’s Mabel Olmstead Memorial Garden and honoring volunteers who have dedicated their time this summer to plant the garden and help with its upkeep.

All are invited to attend and taste a variety of homemade soups prepared with vegetables harvested from the Museum’s garden. There will also be homemade breads, beverages, Carol McNabb’s homemade ice cream (donated), and music. There is no cost to attend, however, donations in support of the Museum are certainly welcome.

Photo of the day - August 25

2008-08-25T23:35:00.002-08:00

Delta vs Monroe. Our team suffered a great loss this past week 46-6. “(The Huskies) get knocked down, but they’ll get right back up,” Wojcik said. “They’re tough.” This Saturday our Huskies will be in Seward. Good luck Huskies! Click on the photo for an enlargement.
Photos Courtesy Michael Martinez.

Delta Junction Brownie Troop 301 Meeting

2008-08-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

Meetings are to start this week!

Welcome back to last years girls and Welcome to Newcomers.

Meetings are Wendsdays after school in the Multi-purpose room from 2:30 to 4:00.

First meeting Aug27th

Questions please email Leader Jeanie at gallagher@wildak.net or call 803-3214

Mystery Photo for Week Aug 18 - 24

2008-08-25T01:11:00.002-08:00

The winner of last week's mystery photo is Gay Bowley. We had 38 correct entries last week.

Gay will receive a gift certificate from the Buffalo Center Diner, Courtesy of Ed and Ann Richards.

Thank you for each one that submitted their entry, along with your mailing address.

Please remember to include your mailing address with each entry.

DNW will not accept entries without mailing addresses. We do not store your address from week to week.

The photo is part of the Delta Medical Supply sign located in beautiful downtown Delta Jct.

Good luck as you look for next week's photo.

Chinook by George Hosier II - Morning Commute

2008-08-25T01:10:00.000-08:00

When my wife finally got around to dumping a glass of cold water on my face, I had less than three minutes to make it to work. I don’t know why she can never take the responsibility of getting me up on time. To make things worse, she tried to make it sound as if I had hit my snooze button 30 times. That forced me to spend most of those precious three minutes attempting to explain to her that my alarm clock must have malfunctioned again.

At length I had to reconcile my mind to the reality that she would never be willing to accept the truth. Allowing anguished martyrdom to paint a glimmer of pathos across my expression, I sighed tragically, turned and trudged toward the shower.

To read the entire story we invite you to browse our Chinook pages.

Chinook by George Hosier II - The Summer Old Limpics

2008-08-25T01:09:00.000-08:00

Around the beginning of the second week of August, 2008, some sort of strange spell began to settle down upon my friends and neighbors. People began to disappear from outdoor areas. Streets and yards and parks became deserted. Boats and recreational vehicles were abandoned. Softball diamonds fell into disuse. Fishing poles hung forgotten on garage walls. As I drove down the deserted streets of Delta Junction, the only movement that could be seen was a weird bluish light flickering through the windows of nearly every house I passed. It was like something out of a Stephen King novel!

I started to become seriously freaked out. In a panic, I flipped open my cell phone and called my neighbor. I wanted to see if he had noticed the same paranormal activity that I had. When he answered, he sounded funny, and I could hear strange noises in the background. He was uncharacteristically terse and uncommunicative. No, he hadn’t noticed anything strange and was there anything else I needed, because he was really busy at the moment. I figured maybe his sewer had backed up again, or they were processing salmon they had dip-netted in Chitina, or he was rebuilding his transmission or something, so I offered to give him a hand. No, thanks! He’d talk to me later, maybe...Click!

To read the entire story we invite you to browse our Chinook pages.

Photo of the day - August 23

2008-08-25T01:02:00.001-08:00

The Water Ouzel, also known as the American Dipper (scientific name: Cinclus Mexicanus), is found in hilly and mountainous regions across North America where there are clear, fast-flowing streams. This one was photographed in Mentasta Creek which flows into Mentasta Lake.
Image by Dwight Phillips

Photo of the day - August 22

2008-08-23T11:30:00.002-08:00

This picture of a bison was taken on a trip thru Alaska and Canada to pick up some horses. This particular bison never lifted his head from feeding, even when the semi's went roaring by.
Photo Courtesy Debra Darland

Zachary Kane Lyon is Born

2008-08-22T00:09:00.001-08:00

Grandparents: Jim and Deborah Snyder and Patsy Lyon and great-Grandmother Martha Snyder are happy to announce the birth of their grandchild Zachary Kane Lyon.

He was born to Larry and Chris at 7:17 pm Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at the Birthing Center in Fairbanks. He weighed 10 lbs. 1 oz. and 22 inches long.

Zachary is also the nephew of Kevin and Patsy Ewing and Ben and Lita Smith all of Delta Junction.

Larry, Chris, Sirsha, and Zachary are home happy, tired, and doing well. Sirsha is quite proud to have a little brother. "He is my little brother!" she tells me very emphatically.

God is so good!!

Photo of the day - August 21

2008-08-21T23:59:00.001-08:00

"Junction Readers book club members pause to smile for the camera during a lively discussion of the August selection "The Island" by Victoria Hislop. The group meets first Mondays at 7:30pm in the Delta Library and the book for September is "Ada Blackjack". Stop by the library for more information. Photo Courtesy Joyce McCombs

Click on the photo for an enlargement.

Classes for Child Adoption from Foster Care

2008-08-21T08:50:00.001-08:00

MARK YOUR TRAINING CALENDARS
Training Dates Have been changed for the following classes!!!
___________________________

ADOPTION THROUGH THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES

August 26, 2008 11:00 am to 1:00 pm (DAYTIME SESSION) with Bobbie Redinius

and

August 26, 2008 6-8:00 pm with Deb Hayes

815 Second Avenue, Suite 101, Fairbanks

This class is for families looking to adopt children from foster care.
_____________________________________

Core Training for Resource Families
Thursday October 2, 2008 6-9:00 pm and
Saturday October 4, 2008 10-5:00 pm
(October 10th is NOT Correct)

Please phone 479-7307 to pre register for classes
Classes held at 815 Second Avenue, Suite 101
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707

Photo of the day - August 20

2008-08-21T08:49:00.002-08:00

Looking over the Delta Range towards the Alaska Range, the moon really looked "cool" that evening hanging out by the mountains. Photo Courtesy Judith Farrow

Deltana Community Human Services Partnership Coalition Meeting Minutes

2008-08-20T01:41:00.002-08:00

The Deltana Community Human Services Partnership (DCHSP) was started by a group of interested citizens, to develop an integrated behavioral health prevention and early intervention services plan related to substance abuse, suicide, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, youth development and resiliency. The system will promote community, family, and individual wellness in our area.

Community members introduced themselves and shared interests. Shannon Shea of BBBS was visiting the community from Anchorage and stated they will be hiring a BBBS worker in Delta. She stated the statewide BBBS has merged into one and she currently supervises all offices outside of Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau.

Several participants shared the need for elder, vocational rehabilitation services and disabled services including meals on wheels programs. One community member stated an elder died in the community due to malnutrition and dehydration. Others discussed frustration of not knowing what agencies from Fairbanks actually serve Delta and stated having a current directory would be useful, especially in pooling resources.

Pastor Bear indicated the faith based leaders in the community are very busy with their congregational needs and, as an example, aside from her congregation, she is the chief of volunteer fire department, chief or rescue squad- all volunteer.

Ted Sponsel discussed the Community Needs and Resource Assessment Workgroup and asked the group about who in the community are important members or groups that should be included. The group agreed that the school system, law enforcement, judicial, and OCS needed to be represented and brought up that there is already a regular meeting of this group. The Deltana Project Coordinator, Ted Sponsel agreed to attend these regular meetings and share information. Other agencies needing to be represented included mental health, employment, homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, family training faith based leaders and infant learning. Alpha Omega staff have been regularly attending and actively participating.

Dr. Sponsel proposed the project oversight team, survey project and need for volunteers for the different groups.

The Project Oversight Team volunteers presented as: Ted Sponsel, Judith Farrow, Deb Hayes, Dan Cooley, Cathie Green, Rochelle Hill (per J. Weller), Elias Barnes, Megan Orena and Mayor Dowling said she would request a volunteer from the City Council.

Volunteers for the Needs and Resources Team; Big Brother Big Sister Delta (staff to be hired), Janice/Rachelle health nurses, Teri Chapman/Jamie/Micki, Vera Gorban.

If others in the community would like to be involved in either team contact Deb Hayes 1 800- 478-7307 or e-mail dhayes@nwresource.org.

Next Meeting September 8, 2008 5-6:30 pm
Delta Junction City Hall Conference Room For more information contact TSponsel@nwresource.org or phone 1 800-478-7807

Click here for the full pdf version.

Fort Wainright Deployment Ceremony Set

2008-08-20T01:38:00.001-08:00

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – The 539th Transportation Company will hold a deployment ceremony Friday at 11 a.m. on Ladd Field to honor soldiers deploying to Iraq.

The group of about 160 soldiers will provide convoy escort in the area of operations. Officials expect the deployment to last about 12 months.

The 539th Transportation Co. was reactivated in March of this year after more than 30 years on inactive status. The soldiers completed individual and group training at Fort Wainwright to prepare for deployment.

Originally constituted as Company C, 1st Battalion, 48th Quartermaster Regiment on May 1, 1936, the unit was activated Aug. 1, 1940. While assigned to a permanent overseas station, it was redesignated the 3523rd Quartermaster Truck Company. On June 20, 1947, it was redesignated as the 539th. The 539th was awarded four unit citations for outstanding performance against the enemy in Korea. The 539th was alerted for service in Vietnam on Jan. 13, 1967, and provided support for 1,100 aircraft while in Vietnam. The unit was inactivated June 30, 1971, at Phu Loi, Vietnam.

The ceremony is open the public. Visitors must stop at the visitors’ center at the main gate and show valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration.

Protect Yourself from Mortgage Fraud and Predatory Lenders

2008-08-20T01:33:00.002-08:00

Horror stories about victims of predatory lending are everywhere in the media these days. Abusive or “predatory” lenders target people who have high equity in their homes, but may not have a great deal of available cash. Predatory lenders usually offer sky-high interest rate loans with high fees.

Predatory lending takes unfair advantage of consumers by providing loans they cannot afford. These loans have deceptive, unclear and high cost terms which could ultimately lead to the loss of their home. Most predatory loans occur in the sub-prime market.

Consumers need to be aware of and educated about predatory lending practices when searching for a loan. BBB urges consumers to be aware of the variety of predatory lending practices that are occurring with some lenders in the industry:

Equity stripping occurs when a loan is made based on the equity in a property rather than on a borrower’s ability to repay the loan. These loans usually result in the lender acquiring the borrower’s home and any equity the borrower had in the home.
Packing is the practice of adding credit insurance or other “extras” to increase the lender’s profit on a loan.
Flipping occurs when a lender induces a borrower to repeatedly refinance a loan, often within a short time frame, charging high points and fees each time.
Traps are terms within the loan that will likely force the borrower to refinance or enter into foreclosure. Traps include balloon payments, negative amortization, prepayment penalties and mandatory arbitration.

How can you tell if a lender is a scammer? Your local BBB offers the following “Dos” and “Don’ts” to help you protect yourself and your home:

Don’t:

Do business with lenders that you haven’t checked out.
Be rushed into signing a loan because it is a “Limited Time” offer. A lender in a hurry to get the loan should serve as a warning sign to take extra care to ensure that the loan is being properly structured.
Sign documents with blank lines. Be sure that every space is filled in on the loan application before you sign it.
Lie on your loan application. When you apply for a mortgage loan, every piece of information that you submit must be accurate and complete. Lying on a mortgage application is fraud and may result in criminal penalties.
Pay upfront fees without an explanation. Do not pay sizeable upfront fees. Reputable brokers and lenders do not charge high upfront fees.

Do:

Check out the reliability of the company with your BBB. Obtain a free reliability report at bbb.org.
Shop around for the best loan for your situation.
Get references and check them on real estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders.
Do your homework. What have other houses in the neighborhood recently sold for? You can also check what the tax assessments for the home and neighborhood are.
Borrow only the amount you need and can afford to pay back.
Review all documents or have someone you trust review them for you.
Know that you generally have three days to cancel loans signed on your home.
File a complaint with your BBB, your state’s Attorney General’s office and your local FBI field office, if you think you are the victim of a predatory loan.

About the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington
Your BBB is a not-for-profit organization funded by BBB accredited businesses. The BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, call 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, 907-562-0704 in Alaska, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.

Delta Water Fowl Volunteers Needed

2008-08-20T01:28:00.001-08:00

Delta Waterfowl, North America’s oldest waterfowl conservation organization, is starting a local chapter in the Delta Junction area.

DWF chapters are being started throughout North America. Chapter members help raise money for waterfowl conservation, initiate programs that benefit wildlife and offer educational and outdoor opportunities to youth. Delta’s biological programs provide a fresh way to help duck populations and duck hunters.

About Delta Waterfowl: Since its inception in 1911, the Delta Waterfowl Foundation has strived to become North America’s leader in waterfowl ecology and waterfowl hunting. The core of Delta’s operation is its student research program, which was initiated in 1938 by “The Father of Wildlife Management”, Aldo Leopold. Delta students conduct high quality, independent research related to waterfowl and wetland ecology with the ultimate goal of maintaining a sustainable North American waterfowl population for the use and enjoyment of future generations.

Delta’s student research has identified and developed waterfowl management activities that are beneficial to waterfowl production: Adopt a Pothole, Predator Management, and Hen Houses, and all function with the dual goal of increasing waterfowl production and engaging sportsmen in conservation activities.

If you would like to volunteer on the local Delta Waterfowl committee please contact Ric or Tina 895-5045 or email us at rtseward@wildak.net.

Photo of the day - August 19

2008-08-20T01:17:00.003-08:00

Eagles are plentiful in the little town of Ninilchik. Ninilchik is far enough from "city life" to give a sample of the flavor of real Alaska, yet close enough to everything to make it convenient. The community itself offers full amenities with beautiful campgrounds, both public and private, lodging and restaurant facilities. Shopping for tourist treasures provides a worthwhile venture in Ninilchik, with several unique shops to choose from.
Photo Courtesy Toni Heasty & Gordon Goodermote

Are the Dividend Checks Going to the Right People

2008-08-18T23:59:00.002-08:00

If you are eligible for a permenant fund dividend, you could see it as early as next month.

Who is qualified?

Quova, Inc., an Internet geolocation data service is being used to make sure only valid Alaskan residents receive the PDF this year. They will compare the IP address locations of where people logged onto the Internet when their applications were submitted.

To read the complete story click here

Photo of the day August 18

2008-08-18T23:34:00.002-08:00

A photo taken of wildflowers from Marie Fett's garden. Photo Courtesy Carol Watkins

Early Distribution for Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends

2008-08-18T21:42:00.002-08:00

The first checks were due out on Oct 2 with direct deposit, but the govenor's office has said they will be out earlier than Oct, even though the exact date has not been set yet.

Even though the amount has not been set yet for the original dividend payout for 2008, residents can expect to see $1200 extra on their checks this year. The extra $1200 is to help offset high energy prices.

Governor Palin wants everyone to have their checks earlier since the winter temperatures are just around the corner.

For the complete story click here

Mystery Photo Winner for Week Aug 11 - 17

2008-08-17T23:51:00.002-08:00

The winner of last week's mystery photo is Flower Cole We had 12 correct entries last week.

Flower will receive a gift certificate from the Buffalo Center Drive In, Courtesy of John and Linda Sloan.

Thank you for each one that submitted their entry, along with your mailing address. Please remember to include your mailing address with each entry. DNW will not accept entries without mailing addresses. We do not store your address from week to week.

The photo is the Crowley Fuel Company sign, (formerly known as Delta Fuel) next to Delta Laundry and Thrift Shop.

Good luck as you look for next week's photo.

Photo of the day - August 16

2008-08-17T23:28:00.001-08:00

This mother yak and her hungry baby, are part of a small herd of yaks that are located at a farm on Chena Hot Springs Road. There are several other yak farms located in the interior of Alaska as their thick woolly coat makes the long cold winters a little more bearable.
Photo by Steve Thomas

Resurface Project Operators Request Assistance from Delta

2008-08-16T17:33:00.004-08:00

Dear Editor,

Please help roadcrew operators - Please post a Public Service Announcement for them:
http://gov.state.ak.us/govmail.php

15 AUG 2008
SUB: Big Thank you Roadcrew

Honorable Governor Palin,

Earlier this evening I had an enlightening conversation with the operators in the road crew who are doing all the hard work to resurface the Richardson Highway between the Tanana bridge in Big D and downtown Delta Jct.

As I relaxed at the end of a long week, I noticed they were still hard at it. I grabbed the thermos of fresh coffee & walked up the driveway. I offered the guys a fresh cup & asked how it was going. I was surprised to find the operators were as frustrated as the locals.

I was astounded to learn during conversation that the project could have been finished weeks ago if the available alternate routes were being used to divert east-west traffic. The operators asked me to do them a favor & contact the Governor's office asking for assistance with communication. I told them I'd be happy to help them in any way I could since they're putting themselves in harms way just to bring us a new road surface. Apparently the hold-up is the message isn't getting to the person making the decisions at the top.

In the stretch of road under re-construction there are 2 alternate routes which will allow the roadcrew to have the conditions they need to do their work safely, effectively, & efficiently......I respectfully request we honor the request of the brave, hard working highwaymen & women who put their lives at stake for the rest of us. Please have a representative from your office call & request that east-west bound traffic be diverted thru the resurfacing project using one of the alternative routes.

The way to earn the respect of your crew is by listening to them. Since they have been doing this work their whole lives their experience is golden. One has a better chance of being hired back if your first project is finished ahead of time & under budget, big bosses love an employee who makes the company look good & is well loved by the crew.

Please honor the request of our hard working operators making a new surface which will carry freight, tourism dollars, & local traffic between the border and Fairbanks by diverting traffic using either or both of these alternate routes. I appreciate your time and assistance in this matter.

Respectfully,

Diana Austin
PO BOX 1714
DELTA JCT