Moto-cross Group Creating Track in Delta

What We Are and What We Do

The DJMX Central Racing Lions is a new organization forming in the city of Delta Junction aimed to benefit the community and provide a great opportunity for families to get out and spend some good quality time together. This club is going to mostly deal with the racing and riding of motorbikes, four-wheelers, and bicycles. These activities will take place on an enclosed and controlled environment.

The DJMX Central Racing Lions has become a part of the Lions Clubs International. This group effort has allowed for us to gain the proper insurance needed to cover and allow for these activities we will be participating in to function. In return we will be providing the Delta Junction community with occasional vision tests, city/road clean up days, and scheduled rider safety and training classes to name a few activities. There is also a club fee that will be charged once a year to help cover club fees.

The DJMX Central Racing Lions is a club open to all who would like to participate. The races will be split up by type of machine, age, and skill level. This way everyone will feel like they are getting the most out of their time and are being treated fairly. The track is planned to be up and running for the majority of the summer, as well as have a big showing at the Deltana Fair.

The DJMX Central Racing Lions’ racetrack will be located at the Deltana Fairgrounds. We feel this is a prime location and will allow for easy access for all of the Delta Junction community to come and participate.

The DJMX Central Racing Lions is not only looking for club members. We are also looking for community sponsorships and any volunteers that we can come up with for prepping the track and maintaining it through out the course of the season. We know that this will be one of our largest challenges and would be happy to welcome any help at all.

If you have any questions, would like to become a member, make a donation, or make a sponsorship please call Arron Adams at 907-978-1673 or you can e-mail us at djmxalaska@hotmail.com.

The DJMX Central Racing Lions are looking forward to facing their first, fun filled season of exhilarating action! We hope to see you there.

Gardeners: cold weather alert for early next week: revised

Local weather forecasters suggest there is possibility for more unseasonably cold temperatures early next week. Weather Underground shows predictions of lows near 35 on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Our local contacts suggest the greatest concern for frost is Monday mornings when temperatures could dip into the 20’s in the Delta area. Tuesday morning could also be cold.

Gardeners should monitor the weather forecasts, and be particularly alert during after the weekend.

Photo of the Day - May 30

The Bald Eagle perched on this round bale of hay appeared to just be enjoying the beautiful sunshine and didn't seem to mind that I was taking his photo. Photo courtesy Brenda Peterson

Sports: MAC softball champion Delta playing for state title this weekend in Anchorage

Mid Alaska Conference champion Delta Junction and Southeast Conference champion Juneau earned first-round byes in the small schools state tournament.

That means that Monroe Catholic, runner-up to Delta, will play Northern Lights Conference runner-up Kodiak in an opening-round game at 10:30 a.m., while Eielson, third in the MAC, takes on Northern Lights champion Homer.

Delta Junction begins its quest for a state title at 2 p.m. against the Homer-Eielson winner, while Southeast champion Ketchikan goes up against the Kodiak-Monroe winner, also at 2 p.m.
[more - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]

Alaska State Troopers seek info in theft of GPS worth $10,000

On 5-24-06 an employee of Mullikin Surveys came to AST to report the theft of a GPS unit used for surveying.

The survey equipment was set up in the area of mile 1416 of the Alaska Highway on the evening of 5-23-06 and was stolen within a few hours of being set up.

The GPS unit and electronic equipment is highly specialized and is valued in excess of $10,000.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact State Troopers in Delta Junction. [Alaska State Troopers press release 5/29/06]

Alumni Photos

Please visit our alumni photo pages for additional text.

Ayla Michelle Zernick

Michelle, Travis and Ayla Zernick

Reia and Ayla Zernick

Alumni Photos

Please visit our alumni photo pages for additional text.

Dan and Nevaeh Glass

Teresa and Dan Glass III in Valdez

Dan Glass III at Sea World

Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman Will Not Be a Candidate in 2006

Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman announced today that he will not be running for Governor—nor will he seek reelection to a second term as Lieutenant Governor. He released the following statement:

“Serving as Lieutenant Governor has in many ways been the opportunity of a lifetime. I am thankful for the trust Alaskans have placed in me. Although my decision not to run this year has been in the making over the past several months, our family concluded our discussions over Memorial Day weekend. We believe this is in the best interest of our family.

Carolyn and I appreciate the many Alaskans across our State who urged that I enter the race for Governor. Quite frankly, their support has made our decision more difficult. I know my announcement will disappoint many people—but it likely will bring relief to others.

When I announced for Lieutenant Governor in 2001, I identified my priorities as fiscal discipline, greater accountability and choices in education, economic opportunity, protection of our families, and support for our military. I have worked on each of these areas and am pleased to see progress in some of them, but we need a new resolve to get control of spending, especially during this time of increased revenues from high oil prices.

Bringing Alaskans together, especially from our rural communities, and promoting hope and opportunity have been my focus during the last four years. My work on the Faith-Based & Community Initiatives project, and also serving as the State’s representative on the Denali Commission, have been particularly rewarding. Other challenges we have met with success include changes at the Division of Elections to increase access to voting for people with disabilities, our military and youth; improving efficiencies; and giving voters better access to information. I am grateful for a talented and loyal staff in my office—and a very professional staff at the Division of Elections. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Leman, 55, is also a civil engineer and fisherman. He and his wife Carolyn have been married for 28 years. They have three children—Joseph, a 2nd Lieutenant in pilot training in the Air Force; Rachel, a senior nursing student at UAA; and Nicole, a freshman at Grace Christian School in Anchorage.

For further information, including speeches, weekly reports and media release archives, visit www.ltgov.state.ak.us.

Contact: Loren Leman (907) 243-2000

Photos of the Day - Memorial Day 2006

This is a traveling display entitled "Eyes Wide Open". There is a pair of boots to represent each of the 2,437 American soldiers killed in Iraq. It is a controversial display as they apparently do not permission from all the family members to display names and items.


I thought this was a fitting picture to "memorialize" those who have served our country.
I took it at the Korean War/Conflict Monument in DC on 5/13/06.
Photos Courtesy Tracy Blais

Engine crew from Delta working wildfies in south central Alaska

Firefighting crews continued working Wednesday to extinguish a half-dozen wildland blazes from Talkeetna to Kasilof, including an 80-acre fire on Fort Richardson. [more - Anchorage Daily News]

Sports: Delta girls lose two

Delta's Vonda Powers collected the only hit in Saturday's 10-0 loss to the Lathrop Malemutes. This was a tough second game for the Huskies, following a 13-5 loss to West Valley's Wolfpack Saturday morning. [more - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]

Memorial Day Weekend - Frontier Days 2006

Delta Junction knows how to enjoy it's 3rd annual Frontier Days[photography collage by Ruby Hollembaek, A.K.A. "BuffaloGal"]

May 27, 2006
Happy Memorial Day Weekend from Delta Junction Alaska's Chamber of Commerce Frontier Days 2006

[more - BuffaloGal's blog - Game Ranching in Alaska]

Delta's MAG members vote to seek extension concerning gas pipeline contract

"We don't know many things (right now)--what port pipeline will be coming into, for example," said Pete Hallgren, the city administrator for Delta Junction.

Hallgren and other municipal leaders met with state officials Thursday and Friday in Fairbanks. Delta's representatives are part of Alaska's Municipal Advisory Group (MAG) which is focused on the state's proposed natural gas pipeline contract. [more - Daily News-Miner]

Sports-Huskies's late rally not enough to win MAC baseball game

Using a lineup of nine freshmen, the West Valley Wolfpack downed the Delta Huskies 10-7 in a Mid Alaska Conference high school baseball game on Friday night in Delta Junction.

Kyle Lester and Ealum Howe combined to scatter six hits and record eight strikeouts as the Wolfpack jumped out to an early lead and then held off a late Delta rally. [more - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]

Sports-Delta wraps up softball crown

Saturday, May 27, 2006 - The no-hitter got away from Lana Green, but the Delta Junction High School senior helped make sure that the Mid Alaska Conference softball title didn't escape the Huskies.

The right-handed pitcher threw a two-hitter and generated two hits Friday night in a 6-2 victory over the Monroe Catholic Rams at the Interior Girls Softball Association Fields, giving the Huskies their first conference title and an unbeaten finish in league play.[more - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]

Photo of the Day - May 26

These beaver were seen recently coming out of a pond just as the ice was breaking up. They headed across the snow to cut vegetation before hauling it back to the pond to feed.
Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Sports: Delta's Chad Bunselmeier named to MAC baseball team

Chad Bunselmeier of the Delta Huskies, was voted to the All-Mid Alaska Conference (MAC) baseball team by coaches Tuesday night. Read the full News-Miner article for the names of other MAC selected from Interior teams.

Photo of the Day - May 25

Three cranes flew over our place. They were heading north. Carol J Watkins

Prescribed burn planned this weekend on Fort Greely

Given favorable weather conditions, the BLM Alaska Fire Service (AFS) plans to conduct a prescribed fire on the Fort Greely military reservation this weekend. The burn is planned for Oklahoma Range in the Donnelly training area, which is 25 miles west of Delta Junction.

According the AFS News Release 2006-09 [released May 24, 2006], "The goal of the prescribed fire is to reduce the possibility that an ignition sustained during military training exercises might escape outside the impact area boundary.

Approximately 5,000 acres will be burned through aerial ignition and the expected duration of the project is two days."

It is planned that smoke from the fire will drift away. The news release states the fire will only be ignited, "… when conditions are such that the majority of the smoke will drift away from population centers located near the burn areas. Smoke plumes may be visible for miles and may persist in the area for several days depending on weather conditions."

For more information about the prescribed fire, refer to BLM Alaska Fire Service website (under "Fire Management/Planning").

Public gas line hearing in Delta draws few

Thursday, May 25, 2006 - DELTA JUNCTION--State employees outweighed the public Wednesday at the second in a series of public hearings on the proposed natural gas pipeline contract.

Two Delta residents made comments during the six-hour meeting attended by two commissioners, one deputy commissioner, and two employees of Gov. Frank Murkowski. [more in Fairbanks Daily News-Miner]

1st Relay for Life - Photos

The 1st Relay for Life, and American Cancer Society event was held at the Delta High School track field on May 12 and 13. This was a 24 hour event, and there were over 750 participants.

The Delta News Web will be publishing photos of the event. Thank you to all the folks who have sent in photos. Today's featured photos are courtesy of Michael Kingston/CRTC.

New This Year-Lumberjack Events at the Friendly Frontier Days

The Friends of Delta Agriculture are sponsoring lumberjack events all day during the Friendly Frontier Days.

Crosscut sawing wvents will be held during the morning from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cross-cut events will include Jack and Jack (man vs man) Jack and Jill (man and woman) and Jill and Jill (woman and woman) events.

During the afternoon there will be chainsaw events as well as ax throwing competitions.The age limit for these events is 16. Anyone under the age of 18 must have parental/guardian consent. Consent and insurance liability waiver forms will be available throughout the day.

The entry fee will be $5.00 per person per event. Sausage snack sticks will be the prizes for the events.

Fresh Produce in Delta Junction - 3rd Year

Arriving May 28th to 30th. Look for the BIG ORANGE SEMI TRUCK. We hope to be parked some place in the vicinity around Poor Boy Resturant.

We will have: Giant Red Strawberries, Ripe Bing Cherries, Juicy Sweet Oranges, Red and Golden Delicious Apples, Sweet Onions, Vine Ripe Farm Grown Tomatoes, Sweet White Corn on The Cob, Yummy Cantaloupe, Melons, Sweet Seedless Watermelons, Fresh Washington Asparagus, Potatoes and MORE...

We are also looking for a load to haul back to the lower Northwestern States.
Sample before you buy

Please contact Wayne and Leah at 406-291-0903 farmscv@yahoo.com

Photo of the Day - May 24

Jake and I went for a walk this afternoon and spotted spring in the air. The hares have changed their color as have the snow bunties. It really is spring! Photo Courtesy Ruby Hollembaek

Saturday night frost possible

Temperatures have been fairly warm in recent days, but late spring frosts are always a ptential killer for early plantings.

In fact, Wunderground is predicting lows around 35F. Area forecasters have suggested to the Delta News Web that temperatures could fall as low as 30F in some parts of the area on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

1st Relay for Life - Photos

The 1st Relay for Life, and American Cancer Society event was held at the Delta High School track field on May 12 and 13. This was a 24 hour event, and there were over 750 participants.

The Delta News Web will be publishing photos of the event. Thank you to all the folks who have sent in photos. Today's featured photos are courtesy of Michael Kingston/CRTC.

Live Muzik - L-R Shawn Kindy, Mike Kingston, Jeanette Blalock, Jerry Filla and Dave Jerry

John's Band

The Legends

Karoake

Photo of the Day - May 23

This young bull moose appears to be looking for a pot of gold under this rainbow. For those Deltoids that were fortunate enough to see this rainbow Monday, May 23rd, night, it was truly glorious. Photo Copyright Dwight Phillips

Photo of the Day - May 22

I took this picture of these wild bison from my front window on April 23rd at 5am. There were about 40 in the herd and most of them were bedded down. Photo courtesy Brenda Peterson

1st Relay for Life - Photos

The 1st Relay for Life, and American Cancer Society event was held at the Delta High School track field on May 12 and 13. This was a 24 hour event, and there were over 750 participants.

The Delta News Web will be publishing photos of the event. Thank you to all the folks who have sent in photos. Today's featured photos are courtesy of Sue Fisher

Photo of the Day - May 20

These swans rest and feed in a pond near Summit Lake. The darker swans are immature young of the year. Photo Courtesy Art Lenon

Bowen passes command of Fort Greely Missile Defense Battalion to Hildreth

Last week, Lt. Col. Gregory Bowen passed command of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion to Lt. Col. Ted Hildreth. This story, in Bowen's hometown newspaper, the Grand forks (ND) Herald, focuses on the Colonel's part in the development of the first Army unit designed to protect against ballistic missile attack.

Sports: Delta baseball earns first win of year

Delta Junction Huskies won their first game in at least a couple of years when they knocked off the West Valley Wolfpack to highlight Mid Alaska Conference high school baseball action on Saturday. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Sports: Lana Green pitches Huskie softball team to two wins

With Lana pitching, the Huskies improved to 5-0 in conference play.. Saturday in Delta Junction, the Huskies won a pair of games over the Monroe Catholic Rams. Delta won the opener 7-6 in eight innings and posted a 6-3 nightcap win. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

BOYER: Delta broadcasts its pride

Janet Boyer's News-Miner article describes Friday's joint high school graduations in Delta Junction and the broadcast on KDHS, the high school radio station.

1st Relay for Life - Photos

The 1st Relay for Life, and American Cancer Society event was held at the Delta High School track field on May 12 and 13. This was a 24 hour event, and there were over 750 participants.

The Delta News Web will be publishing photos of the event. Thank you to all the folks who have sent in photos. Today's featured photos are courtesy of Michael Kingston/CRTC.

Chinook by George Hosier II - Graduation Daze

Graduation day is a much anticipated rite of passage. While in the throes of starry-eyed youth, humans establish certain dates as demarcation lines of maturity and good fortune. Graduation isn’t the only one, of course, but it’s one of the last and most significant of the magical dates that lure a youthful imagination with the siren’s call of unprecedented freedom and banished sorrows.

It’s a little difficult for me to remember back that far, but from what I can reconstruct; my first goal was to successfully celebrate my 10th birthday. Nothing was going to be cooler than double digits! I would be transformed from a little kid, to a savvy “tween”. It came as a disappointment to discover that when I awoke on the morning of my 10th birthday, I felt exactly as I had the night before.

To read the entire article see the Delta News Web.

Photo of the Day - May 19

Signs of spring from the top of Shaw creek bluff overlooking the Tanana River.
Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Quartz Lake receiving pan-sized rainbows

As part of the annual Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocking program, Quartz Lake will receive 8,500 rainbow trout. This and other stocking news is detailed in Tim Mowry's article in today's News-Miner.

Birding report includes Tanana Loop Extension, Fort Greely

As Deltoids know, seeing many types of birds is a big part of the enjoyment of living here. The Delta News Web's "Photo of the Day" often features birds in the area. (My personal thanks to all those folks out there looking at Alaska's wildlife with digital cameras.)

In addition to camera people, some Delta folks report bird sightings to the Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO). Nancy DeWitt, ABO Executive Director, says she really appreciates the reports. (Nancy will be passing through Delta tomorrow as she heads south to Tangle Lakes.)

Nancy's most recent ABO Birding Report, published in today's News-Miner, reports sightings along Tanana Loop Extension past Big Delta. South of Delta, Fort Greely's Meadows Road is reported open to birders and waterfowl are being seen at Big Lake.

Please report your bird sightings to the Alaska Bird Observatory (907-451-7159; birds@alaskabird.org) or the Arctic Audubon Society Birding Hotline (907-451-9213).

Graduating Class of 2006 - Congratulations Graduates

Graduation Class of 2006:

Kara Alyssa
BeitoBenjamin
Ray Edward Boutiette
Veronika Ivanova Budnik
Chad William Bunselmeier
Leah Rose Byam
Curtis Stewart Cornelius
Jillian Rachel Cox
Lowen Barrett Ewing
Dodd Michael Fleming
Tara Nicole Gardner
Daniel Leo Green
Lana Beth Green
Michele Alyse Helkenn
Brianna Lee Humphrey
Pavel Viktorovich Ionashku
Melissa Fran Jackson
David Dean Jensen
Zhanna Valintin Kroshko
Vesa Veiko Kulakevich
Roman Kulikovskiy
Lindsey Marie Lintelman
Meghan Tresa McClellan
Caitlin Elizabeth Milligan
Jason Stephen Morgan
Mariah Mae Morris
Aaron Alan Pelto
Kasey Ruchelle Peterson
Ashley Renee' Reuting
Laura Lee Smith
Lindy Kaylin Smith
Brian Robert Stillie
Kenneth Brian Stine
Erin Nicole Trainor
Katherine Elizabeth Valentine
Joel Everette Watson
Kelln Peter Weidner
Alex Dean Whittemore
Chandilyn Roseann Wyckoff

New Horizons High School:
Alyssa M. Erickson
Jacquelyn Theresa Frenzel
Shaina B. Katz
Nina F. MalykEden
Rose Mock
Steffany J. Stine

Delta Correspondence Program:
Bonnie R.E. Gauges
Ekaterina V. Malyk

Elias Grossmann
Hephzibah Home School
(His ceremony is June 3)

Photo of the Day - May 18

Fox On Shemya Island: The Blue Fox (or Russian Fox) there are about 18 of these left on the island, they are very tame and can be a nuisance sometimes as they are always looking for a handout. Shemyans call them "Scruffies". Photo Courtesy Karen Gortmaker

A little history for those who don't know where Shemya Island is: Shemya which you've never heard of unless you've been there or know someone who has been. Shemya is a two mile by four mile island at the end of the Aleutian chain, 200 miles from Russia. The weather can change in a flash.

Correction to DNW article published April 19: "Will Delta soon have more dairies than Point Mackenzie?"

It's taken almost a month to find answers to questions posed in an April 19 Delta News Web article.

Today Delta dairyman Paul Knopp called to say he thought the numbers of dairies in the Anchorage Daily News article was not correct.

Paul said Delta has three operating dairies. Knopp's Dairy is milking about 90 head. The Fellman's Dairy is now milking about 30 head. The third is Lintelman's Northern Lights Dairy.
According to an email from Milan Shipka, a livestock specialist with the UAF Cooperative Extension Service, the Lintelman's are milking about 50 - 60 cows.

Also in his email, sent this afternoon, Mr. Shipka stated, "The number in that report was incorrect. There are 5 dairies in Mat-Su (4 on Pt. Mac and 1 on Bogart Road). Those dairies plus the three you mentioned in Delta makes 8 total."

The email continued, "What Wayne Brost told the reporter was that there were 2 dairy processors in the state, Northern Lights and Mat Maid."

Paul said that two other Delta dairies, Jeffery McNabb's and Neil Schenk's, had ceased milking in the recent past.

Thanks to Paul Knopp and Milan Shipka, the errors in the Anchorage article have been corrected.

Landfill Hours Extended for Clean Up Day

City of Delta Junction Landfill, Mile 257.2 Richardson Highway

Increased hours and reduced fees for Community Clean Up Day

On Saturday, May 20, 2006 the landfill will be open from 10:00 to 6:00PM.

Rates will be cut in half to 2 1/8¢ per pound, with a $5.00 minimum.

Contact City Hall @ 895-4656 or call the Landfill @ 895-1807

Delta Wind May 18 Issue is Now Available

Delta/Greely Schools Graduation - May 19
Community Clean-Up This Saturday
Delta High School Prom 'Unforgetable'
Delta Wind Increasing Sports Coverage

To veiw some of these topics see Delta News Web.
To read the entire paper, please stop by your local merchants in Delta for your copy of the Delta Wind.

On Tour With Ryan Purucker

I hope you are doing fine and I was glad to see some of you while I was home a few months ago. Today I'm heading out on tour with My band, Time Again, for 5 weeks in support of our debut release on Hellcat Records. Our cd was relased in stores on April 25th and I'm not sure if it's available in Alaska yet, but you can find it here . just search for Time Again and if any of you are going to be in the states this summer chek out or website for a list of tour dates. My E-mail is and feel free to send me some mail any time. It would be cool to hear from you. I hope you all are doing great and I'll have some pictures for you soon.

Ryan Purucker

8th Grade Celebration for Fort Greely Students

The FGS Student Council will be sponsoring an 8th grade celebration on Thursday, May 25th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the city park. Cheeseburgers and hot dogs will be provided; family and friends are encouraged to attend. Guests are asked to bring a beverage, side dish, bag of chips, or dessert.

Photo of the Day - May 17

This photo shows Delta Junction’s first “Relay For Life” at 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning, May 13, with the balloon arch and luminaries circling the Delta High School track where the relay took place. What is not seen in the photo are the many people walking around the track in the near dark, the live music keeping them company, and the many teams spending the night. Shortly after this photo was taken, the sky began lightening again. Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Boyer's column: Delta not to sue, Relay for Life a success, Drive-In open

Janet Boyer's weekly Daily News-Miner column details happenings that make Delta a fun place to live.

The biggest event was last weekend's Run for Life. It shows a strong community spirit that's Delta's trademark.

On the other hand, having a buffalo burger at the Buffalo Center Drive-In is a distinction unique to Delta Junction.

Read Janet's News-Miner columns and enjoy her work on the Delta Wind community newspaper.

Son of Fort Greely residents hit by stray bullet in Anchorage

As reported in Wednesday's Anchorage Daily News, Christopher Pryce was wounded Sunday while in his apartment.

Torch Run in Delta Junction is May 20

Each year, law enforcement officers from communities all over Alaska join people from all walks of life in what has become one of the most successful fund-raising events ever — the Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run and Pledge Drive for Special Olympics Alaska.

The fun run is a great way for families and neighbors to get out and stretch their legs, get some fresh air and support training and competition programs for more than one thousand Alaskan athletes with intellectual disabilities.

On May 20, 2006, 5K family fun runs will kick off in 17 communities — Anchorage, Barrow, Delta Junction, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Klawock, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Mat-Su Valley (Palmer/Wasilla), Nome, Seward, Sitka and Valdez.

The pdf file flyer for the event lists Delta Junction Law Enforcement Sgt. Tim Tuckwood (State Troopers), 895-4800, tim_tuckwood@dps.state.ak.us as a contact for the run. The run in Delta will start at the Delta Junction Visitor Center at Mile 266 Richardson Highway.

Sports: Sam Tappen and Interior thinclads to compete in state meet Friday and Saturday

Delta's Sam Tappen will compete in the in the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the Alaska School Activities Association State Track and Field Championships Friday and Saturday at West Valley High School. (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)