Alaska gubernatorial candidate Matt Heilala visited Wrangell on Thursday, May 14, and stopped by KSTK for a conversation about why he’s running for governor. Here is his conversation with KSTK General Manager, Cindy Sweat.

The post Talk on the Rock: Matt Heilala and Why He’s Running For Governor appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 92: From bird paintings to learning about eagles, Bird Fest has arrived in Wrangell. Park Ranger Claire Froelich and JR Meek with Travel Wrangell have been organizing this year’s festival for months. They talk with KSTK’s Colette Czarnecki and share the scoop on the events for the week.

Activities:

Birding Student Art Walk at the Nolan Center (up through April 26)

Bird Bingo with Parks and Rec (to April 24)

The Explorer Walking Tour with Jonas Crabtree (April 23)

Bird Fest Golf Tournament: April 25 & 26 at 9:30 am each day

Friday

Bird Banding with Gwen Baluss: 9 am – 11 am at City Park

Bird Banding at Evergreen Elementary School

Bird Fest Storytime: 10 am at Irene Ingle Public Library

Nolan Center Open House and Mingle: 5pm-6pm

Key Speaker Presentation: 6pm-7:30pm at Nolan Center

Saturday

Bird Walk with Bonnie Demerjian: 7am-9am at Muskeg Meadows Golf Course

Wrangell Community Market: 10am-1pm at Nolan Center

Critter Craft: Bird House Building: 11am-12pm outside of Nolan Center

Sunday

“Migration” movie at Nolan Center at 1pm

The post Talk on the Rock: National Forest Service’s Claire Froelich and Travel Wrangell’s JR Meek on this year’s Bird Fest appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 91: The U.S. Forest Service is in the process of revising the Tongass National Forest Plan. Wrangell District Ranger Tory Houser talked with KSTK’s Colette Czarnecki about the ins and outs of what revising the plan means and how important community input is. Houser said the fully revised plan should be complete in 2027. The federal agency will hold a community workshop April 21 at the Nolan Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The post Talk on the Rock: Wrangell District Ranger Tory Houser on the Tongass National Forest Plan Revision appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 90: Wrangell’s Police Chief Gene Meek chats with KSTK’s news director Colette Czarnecki on all kinds of fraud, the police department’s staff and the current public safety issues they’re focusing on. Meek says with fraud, it’s always important to take a step back and not act on impulse.

The post Talk on the Rock: Wrangell Police Chief on fraud and law enforcement in a small town appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 89: With a month left until the second annual Milk Run Music Festival, founder Olivia Strano chatted with KSTK’s Colette Czarnecki on what event goers are to expect. Strano said the festival has grown over the year, with more bands, equipment, documentary films and music workshops.

The event kicks off at 3pm on May 1 and begins the next day at 11am at the Nolan Center.

The post Talk on the Rock: Olivia Strano on the second annual Milk Run Music Festival appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 88: Wrangell’s Chamber of Commerce takes on the role to support local business members. They also raise money throughout the year by putting on events. The next event is its annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner on March 28 at 6pm at the Nolan Center. It’s masquerade theme with an Italian cuisine served by the Stikine Inn and Sweet Tides. The Chamber’s Executive Director Lora Lee Mason talked with KSTK’s Colette Czarnecki about what to expect, and a little bit about what else is happening through the year.

The post Talk on the Rock: Lora Lee Mason on the Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner; plus more appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 87: It’s tax season, one thing many people have in common. In Wrangell, Paula Rak and Julie Williams assist with preparing other people’s taxes through the AARP TaxAide Foundation for free. They talked with KSTK’s Colette Czarnecki about what’s involved with tax preparation, their interest in volunteering and what’s challenging about it.

They volunteer on Saturdays at the Harbor Lights Assembly of God Church. Call 907-305-0309 or 907-874-3824 to make an appointment.

The post Talk on the Rock: Paula Rak and Julie Williams on tax season appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 86: The Wrangell Cooperative Association’s new Domestic Violence Prevention Program Manager Naomi Fowler stopped by KSTK’s studio and spoke with News Director Colette Czarnecki about the changes going on with the program, her background and how prevention is a valuable tool for diverting abusive behavior.

The post Talk on the Rock: Naomi Fowler on domestic violence prevention appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 85: Seven years ago middle school teacher Laura Davies brought three of her students in to the studio to speak on this show. They were preparing persuasive speeches back then. Well, these fifth graders have grown and are in their last year of school. And they’re back on the show. Seniors Paige Hoyt, Christina Johnson and Ben Houser reflect over the last seven years and talk about their plans for the future.

The post Talk on the Rock: Three high school seniors reflect back over the last seven years, when they last visited the studio as a group appeared first on KSTK.

Episode 84: Coven Petticrew has been deeply connected with revitalizing cultural dance for decades. He practiced it in the Aleutians and now he’s helping organize a Tlingit dance group in Wrangell, called Ch’xasaan. It acknowledges the first Raven village in the area and it means “waterfall town.” Petticrew talked with KSTK’s Colette Czarnecki on the meaning behind dance revitalization and how it’s a meaningful source for healing.

The post Talk on the Rock: Coven Petticrew on dance revitalization, cultural healing and Tlingit dance group Ch’xasaan appeared first on KSTK.