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Governor Proposes More Funds and Legislation To Benefit Public Safety; Direct Impacts to Western AK

An aerial view of Nome. Photo: David Dodman, KNOM.

According to a statement from the Governor’s office, Walker’s budget adds $34 million for public safety efforts, money that would pay for two new prosecutors in Anchorage to help lead the charge in homicide cases, new prosecutors in Bethel and Kotzebue, a trooper pilot in Nome, and more. An additional $2 million would also allow troopers to travel for community policing efforts in rural communities.

State Troopers Investigate Two Deaths In Pilot Station

An Alaska State Trooper cruiser. Photo: Matthew F. Smith, KNOM file.

According to Troopers, Teddy Heckman passed away sometime in the early morning hours on January 26th due to natural causes. On Friday (Feb 2nd) Troopers also responded to a report that Mary Wassillie had died sometime during the night. Troopers say the cause of death was natural causes.

Golovin Resident Dies in ATV Rollover

According to Alaska State Troopers, 47-year-old Rachel Olson of Golovin was driving an ATV Tuesday, during the early morning hours. Troopers were notified around 1:45am Tuesday that Olson had died when her ATV rolled over. Nome-based State Troopers responded to the incident. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor.

Two Aniak Snowmachiners Killed in Crash with Moose

Snowmachine

Alaska State Troopers determined that 28-year-old Charles Lang, Jr., and 16-year-old Kayden Morgan were the two fatalities. Troopers say Charles and Kayden were riding on a snowmachine when they collided with a moose, causing them to be thrown from the vehicle.

Troopers Arrest Mountain Village Resident After Alleged Assault Against a VPO

A Trooper vehicle parked in Nome. Photo Credit: Davis Hovey, KNOM (2017)

According to an Alaska State Troopers dispatch, Georgianna Hanson of Mountain Village drove an ATV into an oncoming ATV, which was being driven by a VPO. Hanson was arrested and charged with assault in the third degree for the ATV incident, and then assault in the fourth degree for allegedly assaulting a second VPO during her arrest.