Bethel
RSSNews from Bethel, Alaska
For a roadless village, an airport lease is really about the lifeline
For roadless Chefornak, the airport is the only way in or out — so a routine state lease keeping the FAA's weather and navigation gear running matters more than it sounds.

Bethel hauled water and sewer deliveries shift early for Independence Day
Bethel shifted hauled water and sewer deliveries one day early Saturday to beat the Independence Day holiday, affecting all three service routes.

Bethel wants to charge owners who let buildings sit empty and rot
Bethel would charge owners to leave buildings empty, and help demolish burnt-out ones — waiving the cost if the owner rebuilds, or filing a lien if not.

Inside a bootlegging pipeline into dry Alaska
Troopers say they broke up a major bootlegging operation smuggling thousands of pounds of alcohol into the Bethel region — where booze is banned, so smuggling it is big business.

Bethel rewrites its animal code to fight the diseases that actually threaten its dogs
Bethel's animal code was built for rabies — but parvo and distemper are the bigger dog killers in rural Alaska. A draft ordinance would finally cover them.

America's taxi capital is a roadless Alaska town
Bethel, Alaska has more taxis per capita than anywhere in the U.S. — because in a roadless tundra town, cabs are the bus, and this week the city's weighing what a ride should cost.

One Bethel gym burns through $419,000 a year in energy. An audit says it doesn't have to.
A single Bethel fitness center spends $419,000 a year on energy, mostly heating oil at $5.77 a gallon. An audit found it could save $51,000 a year for almost nothing.

Aniak River closed to all king salmon fishing, including catch-and-release
Alaska closed the Aniak River to all king salmon fishing, including catch-and-release, from June 5 to July 25 to protect spawning numbers despite overall Kuskokwim escapement meeting targets.

Troopers investigate domestic assault in Napakiak under attempted murder classification
Alaska State Troopers are investigating a domestic assault in Napakiak as attempted murder after a woman reported being assaulted by her ex-boyfriend Saturday evening.

Donlin Gold targets 2027 investment decision on $10B Alaska mine
One of Alaska's largest-ever mining projects is nearing a final investment decision within 18 months, with construction potentially starting in 2028 for a 27-year operation producing 1 million ounces of gold annually.

Rural Alaska faces fuel crisis as prices surge, shortages loom
Rural Alaska villages face potential fuel shortages and prices that could double to over $6 per gallon for diesel, adding $6,000 per person in annual costs as war in Iran disrupts supplies.
Ice Jam Near Kalskag Threatens Flooding Along Lower Kuskokwim River
An ice jam near Kalskag on the Kuskokwim River has prompted a flood warning through May 7, affecting communities including Bethel after spring breakup caused water to overflow roads and force early school release.
Legislative Council approves $70,200 Bethel office lease renewal
The Alaska Legislative Council unanimously approved a one-year lease renewal for the Bethel Legislative Information Office at $70,200, the first of five renewal options available under the original agreement.
