Alaska

Rough seas, hurricane-force winds hammer massive cargo vessel off Alaska’s coast

Published

1 year ago

October 13, 2024

Rough seas, hurricane-force winds hammer massive cargo vessel off Alaska’s coast

UNALASKA, Alaska – The U.S. Coast Guard said it responded to emergency calls by the crew aboard a 738-foot cargo vessel after it faced severe weather conditions off the coast of Aleutian Islands Saturday.

The agency said the bulk carrier, sailing under the flag of Panama, had a crew of 21 aboard when it faced winds greater than 65 mph and seas between 26 and 29 feet.

In addition to the crew members, a significant amount of fuel was reported to be aboard, but so far there have been no impacts on the environment.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter successfully evacuated four people from the vessel named ‘Pan Viva’ and a Coast Guard cutter was on standby to assist with evacuation efforts.

A spokesperson for the agency said initial observations indicated there were no mechanical failures, but first responders were concerned about the ship’s proximity to land.

Autumn Chill, Snow Showers Are In The Fox Weather Forecast

A significant storm system is affecting southern Alaska, bringing seas of at least 30 feet and wind gusts reported by the National Weather Service to have reached 105 mph.

Ahead of the severe conditions, NWS meteorologists issued a High Wind Warning and warned against travel until conditions improved.

The Coast Guard said it is working with its state and local partners to ensure the safety of the mariners and monitor the ship’s potential environmental impacts.

The city of Unalaska is home to the largest commercial fishing port in the United States and is about 500 miles southwest of Prince William Sound.

Helene Kills 11 Members Of The Same Family After Mudslide Destroys Their Community

In 1989, an oil tanker known as the Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Prince William Sound, causing an estimated 11 million gallons of crude oil to contaminate much of the coastline.

The event was considered one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history and caused changes in the maritime industry.

Original article source: Rough seas, hurricane-force winds hammer massive cargo vessel off Alaska’s coast

Source link

Click to comment

Alaska

Polar bear undergoes root canal at Alaska Zoo

Published

4 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Polar bear undergoes root canal at Alaska Zoo

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (InvestigateTV) — Staff at the Alaska Zoo performed a root canal on one of its polar bears after the bear broke a canine tooth.

Kova, 4, shares an enclosure with another polar bear named Cranbeary. The two have toys, treats and a large pool where Kova likes to take her morning swim.

Curator Sam Lavin noticed something was wrong when Kova’s behavior changed.

“Kova is a very interactive and busy bear and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth a little bit,” Lavin said.

Lavin suspected a tooth issue and asked Kova to open her mouth for a closer look.

“We could see that she had broken one of her canines and there’s any number of ways she could have done that,” Lavin said.

An X-ray confirmed the diagnosis. Zoo staff consulted with a veterinary specialist outside Alaska, sent the X-rays and received advice on how to proceed.

“We went with a local doctor to do the work,” Lavin said.

An endodontist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed the root canal on the fully sedated 450-pound bear.

“Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be and it was so well planned out and everybody worked so well together,” Lavin said.

The procedure went smoothly.

“She feels so much better,” Lavin said.

The zoo said Kova quickly recovered and is back with her playmate Cranbeary.

Alaska

Alaska disability advocates praise progress and push for more at state Capitol

Published

16 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

State

Zip Code

Country

Source link

Alaska

West Valley’s Jayden Miranda named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

West Valley’s Jayden Miranda named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year

West Valley Wolfpack junior guard Jayden Miranda looks to pass the ball during a 56-38 loss to the Forest Wildcats from Ocala, Florida during the opening round of the Alaska Airlines Classic at West Anchorage High School on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Junior Jayden Miranda on Friday became the latest player from West Valley High School to be named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

“It feels good and it was definitely one of the goals that I had to check off my checklist,” he said. “I woke up, and I didn’t know. My coach told me, and it was just excitement in my heart. My heart was beating and I was just smiling.”

Miranda led the Wolfpack boys basketball team to a Mid Alaska Conference championship and the No. 1 seed at the 2026 ASAA 4A state tournament.

The 5-foot-11 guard also helped lead West Valley to a 22-4 record, and through 23 games, he averaged 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists as well as shooting 51.8% from the floor and 39.7% from the perimeter.

“Miranda is a great kid on and off the court — gets good grades and never gets in trouble,” North Pole head coach Travis Church said in a statement. “Looking around 4A, I don’t see anyone who would measure up. He’s the best player on the best team in the state. It’s hard for me to imagine going with anyone else.”

Miranda is the second player from the program to receive the award. The first was two-time recipient Stewart Erhart, who was honored in back-to-back years from 2022-23.

The award acknowledges a student-athlete’s athletic achievement, and also recognizes outstanding academic excellence and exceptional character displayed on and off the court.

Miranda maintained a 3.36 GPA and volunteered locally with the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, donated time as a youth basketball coach and is a practiced artist who has also taken multiple cooking classes in high school.

He and the top-seeded Wolfpack fell short of advancing to the finals Friday after losing 59-52 to fifth-seeded South Anchorage.

Source link