ALO settled a major case in July. The family of the victim in one of Bethel’s worst homicide cases employed ALO to seek damages against the individuals responsible for the torture-murder that dominated the Bethel news in October of 2010. That case resulted in a murder conviction of two men, and long jail sentences. The civil suit growing out of that case resolved this month, and included a third defendant who was not convicted of any crime. The facts of the case are far too gruesome to repeat here. Suffice it to say, jail is too nice of a place for the men who were convicted.
On a happier note, former ALO employee Jane Imholte brought her boyfriend John for his first visit to Bethel. As always, Jane was entertaining. One story from her trip is an example. While waiting in the Minneapolis air terminal for her flight to Alaska, Jane saw a wine shop inside security where small bottles could be purchased and carried on the flight. Now Jane is a very light drinker, but with a long flight to Anchorage looming, she thought a couple of bottles might hit the spot. During the flight, she broke out her wine and was enjoying it when the flight attendant walked by. “What’s that?” the attendant asked. Thinking the attendant was a wine enthusiast curious about the vintage, Jane eagerly responded “it’s a Chardonnay.” That turned out to be the wrong answer. Jane was informed that she was not allowed to drink her own wine on the airplane, and she had just committed a federal crime. The real crime involved, one suspects, is buying wine from someone other than the airline. ALO rarely provides free legal advice, but this situation requires it. If you purchase wine at an airport, past security, drink it carefully.
On the subject of airlines, Flying Wild Alaska sometimes films in Bethel, and recently included a short segment of their pilots running a couple of small teams from Old Friendly Dog Farm, filmed last spring. Like last month with Taco Bell, the sled dogs, including 11 year old leader Trot, were prominently featured. Unfortunately, there was no mention of the Dog Farm, although there was a quick shot of the kennel’s sign in the background of one shot which also included Henry the Terrier in his TV debut.
ALO has a long history of litigation with one of the companies featured on the show. It is doubtful this particular incident described in a recent ALO complaint against the company and its pilot will make the show anytime soon, but it certainly could be described as flying wild. Incidentally, all pilots flying ALO aircraft are required to keep their pants on. Over the years, a passenger or two has deviated from that standard to salute folks on the ground during a fly-by, but that only happens once in a blue moon.
The poorly devised plan to build a dam in Wood Tikchik State Park was slowed by failure to obtain a permit from the state to conduct studies. The order denying the permit noted that both the dam, and the study were not compatible with the carefully written Park plan. It also noted strong opposition in the form of letters. All of the letters for and against the permit were made public. The very few letters in support were mostly the same words with a different signature. A well thought out plan of action should not have to rely on form letters. A walk over the tundra recently to the dam site confirmed the grandeur of the locale. One wonders how many of the folks proposing the dam have ever been to the actual site. Best guess?? None.
Western Alaska suffered through a cool, damp July while the rest of America sweltered in the hottest July on record. The two are likely linked, because warmer air coming off the ocean carries more moisture, and wet weather in Alaska means cool temps. If July felt hot, read this article. For those who require visual proof of global warming, check this.
Wildlife photos are a favorite of the ALO news editorial staff. Here are the ones that made the cut this month. An Alaska golf course scene,
the mandatory moose photo,
a standoff at a feeding station on the elk farm,
a baby weasel on the road in Bethel,
and a line-up of elk calves.
Scott and Janet Angstman are helping with elk feeding this summer, and have provided the elk farm photos for this month. They also sent this shot of the abundant wild flowers
on the farm.
The purple are bergamot and the yellow are coreopsis. Central Minnesota is one of the few areas to get plenty of rain this year, and flowers are one of the results.
Dolly and David took the girls salmon berry picking near the family fish camp near Bethel. These pictures of the girls and berries are the result.
Berry picking is a major activity in August for rural Alaskans. Blueberries are a valuable trade commodity at ALO, along with salmon strips.
Finally, a cartoon for the Catholic readers of this report.
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