September 3rd, 2020 (Whitehorse, YT) – Yukon Quest International Association (Canada) Cancels Race Scheduled for 2021. This past Saturday, the Board of Directors of the Yukon Quest International Association (Canada) made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s 38th running of the Yukon Quest on the Canadian side. The annual race, which was already facing several changes for 2021 due to border restrictions, was scheduled to take place starting in Whitehorse, on February 6th, 2021.

“We did not make this decision lightly”, said Bev Regier, President of the YQIA Board. Citing major impacts to this year’s race such as restrictions to international travel, economic challenges to local sponsors and the potential risk of exposure of the COVID-19 virus to Yukon communities along the race route, the YQIA Board of Directors decided that the best decision for the 38th iteration of the race was to cancel this year’s race. “We have a responsibility to look at all aspects of the organization and an even greater responsibility to keep our community’s health a priority”, said Regier.

The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, which normally runs between Fairbanks, AK and Whitehorse, YT each February, regularly travels through 10 different communities, many of which are First Nations communities. Given the unique challenges of running an event of this magnitude during a pandemic, everything from volunteer availability, to entrance of international mushers into the Territory has been impacted. The decision to cancel the 38th running of the Yukon Quest in Canada was made out of great concern for the health and safety of Yukoners, mushers, and all race supporters.

The Yukon Quest International Association (Canada) Board of Directors would like to express sincere gratitude to its members, mushers, volunteers, participating communities and valued sponsors for continuing to support this uniquely northern event. The YQIA looks forward to returning to full race programming in 2022 with our sister organization in Alaska.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: Bev Regier - President - Yukon Quest International Association (Canada) Board of Directors.

Email: bregier@klondiker.com Phone: 867-667-7626

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EFFECTIVE September 1, 2020: School Board Meeting Access Options During COVID-19 Outbreak: Due to the the District moving to the Operational Red Zone for the COVID-19 pandemic, School Board meetings are now being held by teleconference only for board members, district administration, and the public, as well as, live-streamed from the district’s webpage, and audio-recorded for next-day website posting.

How to testify: To comply with social-distancing and large gathering guidelines and for the safety of the public, district staff, and others, the following procedures are in place to allow citizens to continue listening and participating in meetings by submitting written comments and to testify telephonically.

Community members are strongly encouraged to testify via email to schoolboard@k12northstar.org. Testimony emailed to the School Board for a Public Hearing, Special or Regular Meeting will be read into the public record of the applicable meeting.

To testify by phone, please call the school board office at 452-2000, ext. 11400 to sign-up.

Please see the school board website for additional information for submitting public testimony and viewing meetings.

Testimony should be received by 4:00 pm the day of the meeting.

How to Listen and View School Board Meetings: Teleconference information and a call in number will be provided for each meeting, published with the agenda, for community members who would like to participate by computer and/or listen by telephone. Agendas, supporting documents, and archived meetings, can be accessed through BoardDocs.

How to access School Board Meetings:

Zoom – citizens can listen via Zoom by electronic device by clicking on the provided meeting link or by phone utilizing the provided Zoom meeting phone number
real-time livestream at streaming.k12northstar.org
free NPR app (Regular Meetings Only)
from 7:00 p.m. to adjournment on KUAC-FM, 89.9 radio (Regular Meetings Only)
audio-recorded for next-day website posting
The meeting will also be streamed here on Facebook Live.

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Dancing with the Fairbanks Stars Fundraising Event: Even though the Fair did not happen, the show MUST go on for “Dancing With the Fairbanks Stars”. This is the biggest fundraiser for the Lathrop High School Ballroom Dance Team, and thanks to the “Rona cancelling a slew of other events, it’s more important than ever to support the team and our community! And for the first time ever, you can do it from the comfort of …wherever you are now via your phone or computer! Watch all the phone on the links below-and vote for your favorites in the first ever ‘Virtually Dancing With the Fairbanks Stars”! Who will be crowned the champion of this historic event? Your vote helps decide! Vote Now!!

Here's the link to the FB page. https://www.facebook.com/LHS-Ballroom-Dance-Team-Dancing-With-the-Fairbanks-Stars-204427423752224

Here's the direct link to vote https://lhsballroomdance.square.site/

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Fall Classes at the Children’s Museum. (August 26, 2020) The Children’s Museum has something special in store: Fall Classes in a Museum closed to the public! Each week-long lesson in September and October teaches kids about a different topic through hands-on activities - from art to chemistry, there’s something for every interest! When you register your kids, they get to play, learn and explore with Educators in small groups. The Museum remains closed to the public, is clean and COVID precautions are taken so that everyone stays safe and healthy.

Spots are going fast, so head over to fairbankschildrensmuseum.com/fallclasses to sign up today!

Questions? Call the Museum at 907-374-7060 or email hello@fairbankschildrensmuseum.com.

When: Dates in September and October vary; details on fairbankschildrensmuseum.com/fallclasses

Where: Fairbanks Children’s Museum, 302 Cushman St., Suite 101

Cost: Costs vary depending on class; details on fairbankschildrensmuseum.com/fallclasses

Other: Registration on fairbankschildrensmuseum.com/fallclasses

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Noel Wien Library Youth Services Department is offering virtual and telephone support to local students who are involved in virtual or at-home schooling. The library offers a personalized book selection service for curriculum support and reading enjoyment. Learn how to find and obtain physical and digital library materials to support school work, plus participate in virtual programming, all without needing to step inside the library building. For more information call the Noel Wien Library Youth Services Department at 459 - 1052 or visit fnsblibrary.org

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Calypso Farm & Ecology Center - Southside Market Pre-Ordering (Aug. 21 -.Sept. 18). Get up to 50% OFF when you shop for fresh food from the Southside Market Pre-Order! Place your pre-order each week for locally grown veggies, eggs, bread, honey and more – now through the end of September! Discounts up to 50% OFF are available to anyone in need and Food Stamps, WIC & Senior Farmers Market Coupons are accepted! Pick-ups are Tuesdays from 5-6 PM at the corner of 24th Avenue & Rickert Street. More details and online ordering are available at: calypsofarm.org - or call: 907-451-0691

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UAF chancellor to host press availability Wednesday, Aug. 19 - University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Dan White will host a press availability Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 3 PM via Zoom. White will be available to answer questions about a variety of topics, including the start of the fall 2020 semester, the university’s COVID-19 planning, Alaska Nanooks athletics and any other subjects reporters want to discuss.

The first day of classes at UAF is Monday, Aug. 24 and the first official move-in day for students is Aug. 19. Virtual new student orientation takes place Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Visit the Zoom link to join the media availability. Participants will be placed in a waiting room and will be added to the meeting by the moderator.

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CARES Act Relief Funds Update - August 11, 2020: The City of Fairbanks’ CARES Act Relief Program will be restarting on September 1st in a phase II of the program. As of today, the City of Fairbanks has distributed a total of $2,847,950 to 174 businesses and non-profit organizations, $5,515,678 to three medical facilities that responded to COVID19, and $823,656 to 226 individuals and families in the city. There is $5,636,372 remaining in the program.

Phase II of the program will aim to distribute the remaining funds to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and medical facilities. During phase one, applicants submitted eligible expenses between March 1st and May 31st. Phase two will allow businesses, non-profits, and medical facilities impacted by COVID19 to submit expenses incurred between June 1st and August 31st.

Eligible expenses include rent, utilities, and PPE (personal protective equipment). Businesses must have a valid City of Fairbanks business license to apply. There is no limit to the amount that can be requested, and documentation will be required for all reimbursement requests.

As part of this program, Mayor Matherly would like to encourage business owners to purchase masks for their employees and customers and then submit the expenses for reimbursement when the application period opens on September 1st.

Applications for phase II will be accepted between September 1st and September 30th and will be accepted online at our website, www.fairbanksalaska.us.

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Southside Market Pre-Ordering (August): The Southside Market’s drive-thru pickup is a safe way to access fresh, local food this summer! Pre-Order Fresh Veggies, Eggs, Bread, Honey, and more each week – now through the end of September! Place your pre-order Thursday-Sunday, and pick-up the following Tuesday between 5-6 PM at the corner of 24th Ave. & Rickert St. in South Fairbanks.

Discounts up to 50% OFF are available to anyone in need this summer – and Food Stamps, WIC & Senior Farmers Market Coupons are accepted!

More details and online ordering are available at:calypsofarm.org or call (907) 451 - 0691

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UAF partners with edX to share Arctic courses, research globally: “UAF is excited to join the edX consortium and to more easily share our unique research expertise on climate, the Arctic and its peoples with edX’s global audience,” said UAF Chancellor Dan White. Known as America’s Arctic university, UAF will offer courses and programs that have a focus on the circumpolar North and its diverse peoples.

Five courses will launch this fall:

Arctic Security Fundamentals
One Health: A Ten Thousand Year-Old View Into the Future
Remote Sensing of Wildfires
Salmon, People, and Place
Synthetic Aperture Radar: Hazards

UAF’s courses are four to eight weeks long. All edX courses are available for free, or learners can choose to pay for a certificate that verifies course completion.

edX is a leader among platforms that offer massive open online courses (commonly known as MOOCs). UAF chose to partner with edX because of its consortium model, nonprofit status and commitment to innovation and open education. “I am excited to welcome University of Alaska, a top research institution in the study of the Arctic climate and peoples, to the edX partner community,” said Anant Agarwal, founder and CEO of edX. “We are thrilled that their first courses, ranging from health and safety to environmental studies and earth sciences, will be available to our global community of learners.”

The University of Alaska system and UAF will be known as AlaskaX on the platform.

ON THE WEB:https://www.edx.org/school/alaskax

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UAF Scholarships - Nanook Brotherhood Project. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is launching a new scholarship program for the 2020-21 academic year as part of UAF’s Nanook Brotherhood Project.The program will award 10 scholarships worth $2,000 for the academic year, as well as tuition for UAF’s Honors 101 course in the fall semester. Scholarship recipients will also be invited to join the Nanook Brotherhood Project, a collaboration between UAF Student Affairs and the Honors College to improve educational outcomes and close the equity gap for men of color at UAF.

The Nanook Brotherhood Project, which was launched at UAF in 2018, is designed to offer men of all backgrounds the opportunity to develop leadership skills through scholarship, service, community engagement and professional development. The initiative is co-directed by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Athletics Keith Champagne and Honors College Director Alex Hirsch.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be enrolled full-time as a new or returning bachelor’s degree seeking student; have a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average at UAF or a previously attended school; meet UAF’s satisfactory academic progress policy; and demonstrate commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, caring, community engagement and volunteer service.

The deadline to apply for a Nanook Brotherhood scholarship is Aug. 12. More details about the application process and eligibility requirements are available at https://uaf.edu/honors/brotherhood.php

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Updated PUBLIC NOTICE: BOE Special Meeting Agenda Revision & Work Session Called. The school board has revised its Special Meeting by Video Conference, scheduled for Monday, August 10, at 6:00 PM. The meeting was previously noticed as an Update on Smart Start 2020 August Reopening. The meeting has been revised to:

School Board Special Meeting by Video Conference: Smart Start 2020 August Reopening Update, including information, discussion, and possible action as noted:

·Enrollment;
·Transportation and Yellow-Zone School Schedules;
·Learning Options (additional details);
·Secondary Schools Discussion, including a report on remaining in remote learning for first quarter;
·Considerations for Vulnerable Students Accessing School while in the Red Zone or while in the Current Fully Remote Model, including possible action to specify which students will or won’t attend school; and
·Sports and Extra Curricular Activities, including possible action to determine whether to hold or not hold sports.

The meeting date and time remain unchanged. Zoom information for the August 10, 2020 Special Meeting:

For Devices - Public Zoom Webinar Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87918430179

To Call In (Toll Free) – 1 (877) 853-5247 or 1 (888) 788-0099; Webinar ID: 879 1843 0179

The board has also called a Work Session by Video Conference for Wednesday, August 12 at 5:00 PM.

At the work session, the board and superintendent will be discussing re-opening strategies.

Zoom information for the August 12, 2020 Work Session:

For Devices - Public Zoom Webinar Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88036000671

To Call In (Toll Free) – 1 (877) 853-5247 or 1 (888) 788-0099; Webinar ID: 880 3600 0671

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UAF Cooperative Extension Service to host week of free classes. From cheese making to cowboy ethics, nine free workshops will be offered by distance delivery during August Extension Week, Aug. 10-15.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service agents and staff from around the state will teach Zoom classes at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 10-14 and at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10-13. The length of the classes varies.Extension switched to distance delivery this spring because of coronavirus concerns.

The classes are:

Canning Salmon at Home, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 10
You Can Prevent Diabetes, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10
AgrAbility: Accessible Gardening, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 11
Zumba Fitness, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11
Naturally Running Long (Ultramarathons), 2:30 p.m. Aug. 12
Fromage Facile: The Art and Science of Easy Homemade Cheese, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12
Which Way Do I Ride — Cowboy Ethics, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 13
Fermenting Food, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13
Chalk It Up at Home, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 14

Register by noon the day before the classes are scheduled, at https://bit.ly/augustextensionevents. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at amnorris2@alaska.edu or 907-474-7120. For more information, contact Extension at 877-520-5211.

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State of Alaska Division of Forestry - Hunters heading afield can reduce wildland fire danger. (Fairbanks, AK) –With many hunting seasons in Alaska opening this month, the Alaska Division of Forestry reminds hunters heading into the woods to be careful with any activities that could ignite a wildfire.

While abundant rainfall, shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures have reduced fire danger across most of the state in the last six weeks, it will only take a few hot days to dry the surface fuels that could fuel a wildfire.

The two biggest culprits of “hunter fires” are campfires, and the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). While campfires are important elements for a comfortable hunting camp and support warming, cooking and conversation, they also pose a wildfire threat if not used properly. Here are some tips to ensure a safe campfire:

Situate your campfire in an open area on mineral soil or gravel bar, not near grass or under trees.
Dig a pit for your fire or surround it with a rock ring to help keep it contained.
Have tools and water on hand to control the fire.
Never leave a campfire unattended for any length of time.
Completely extinguish campfires before leaving by drowning the fire repeatedly with water and stirring it until it is cold to the touch.

Hunters using ATVS should check to make sure spark arrestors are working properly before they head into the field. While using ATVs, hunters should watch engines and mufflers for grass buildup that could fall off and ignite a fire in dry vegetation. Likewise, hunters using chainsaws and other motorized equipment should ensure spark arrestors are in good working order. Hunters hauling boats or ATVs on a trailer should check to make sure no trailer chains are dragging on the road that could produce sparks that could ignite grass along the roadway. CONTACT: Division of Forestry Public Information Officer Tim Mowry tim.mowry@alaska.gov

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PRESS RELEASE: July 30, 2020. A free public webinar will be offered on "Safe and Secure Ways to Vote" on Friday, August 7, 2020 at 7:00 PM. Presenters are Division of Elections and Clerks of City of Fairbanks, City of North Pole, and FNSB. This webinar is offered by League of Women Voters of the Tanana Valley, American Association of University Women, Doyon, Fairbanks Native Association, and the NAACP.

Information for joining the webinar can be found at the LWVTV website, lwvalaska.org/fairbanks

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Join Fairbanks Arts for three new exhibitions of artwork in August! Beginning Friday, August 7, stop by the Bear Gallery in Pioneer Park’s Centennial Center between 12-6 PM to see the exquisite work of Charles Simmons, Alida van Almelo, and Jennifer Younger. This exhibition will feature hand-crafted wood furniture, a ceramics installation, and Tlingit jewelry – it is not to be missed! The Bear Gallery is open Monday-Friday, noon- 6 PM, and these shows will be on view through August 28. For more information, visit fairbanksarts.org.

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FNSB’s Central Recycling Facility closure will continue through August 1st, 2020 – Fairbanks North Star Borough’s Public Works Department and Solid Waste Facility announced that the Central Recycling Facility located at 1855 Marika Road will remain closed through August 1st, 2020. On July 17th, 2020, FNSB announced that the CRF made the decision to cease operations due to a member of the recycling center’s contract staff testing positive for the Coronavirus. Borough residents are encouraged to continue to gather their recyclables and hold them for another week to ten days.FNSB will keep the public informed on this matter as the circumstances change and when a date for reopening has been determined. If you have questions or concerns, please call 907-459-1482.

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Public Notice: FNSBSD Board of Education July 2020 Meeting & Event Schedule

School Board President Dominique called for a ZOOM Board Work Session, by teleconference.

Time: Wednesday, July 29, 2020, beginning at 6:00 PM

Topic: School Board Work Session: Smart Start – Learning Labs Discussion

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83269097077

Or dial by phone:

888 788 0099 (Toll Free) or

877 853 5247 (Toll Free)

Webinar ID: 832 6909 7077

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Also, district administration will be hosting a Community Update on the Return to School Plan, by Zoom and Facebook Live.

Time: Wednesday, July 29, from 12:00-1:00 PM

The Zoom information for the update:

Topic: Community Update on Return to School Plan

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82065157902

Or dial by phone:

877 853 5247 (Toll Free) or

888 788 0099 (Toll Free)

Webinar ID: 820 6515 7902

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U. S.Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $3.8 Million for Fairbanks North Star Borough COVID-19 Response in Alaska Friday, July 24, 2020. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a $3.8 million grant award to the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Fairbanks, Alaska, as part of theCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020.

Fairbanks North Star Borough will use the grant funds to support MACS Transit service in the Fairbanks area during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds will provide operating assistance for expenses such as employee salaries, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, protective glass barriers in paratransit vans and buses, and maintaining security at a transit center.

See FTA’s apportionment tables for the totals apportioned to each area. (This funding is based on the agency’s current request and may not represent the full amount the agency will receive.)

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who continue to depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “We know many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling COVID-19,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “These federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”

In addition to the CARES Act funding, FTA issued a Safety Advisory that prompts transit agencies to develop and implement policies and procedures regarding face coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, physical separation, and hand hygiene consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance. CARES Act funding can be used to cover 100 percent of these costs.

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Golden Heart Performing Arts is pleased to welcome the Fairbanks community to their new state-of-the-art facility this Saturday, July 25th from Noon to 7:30 PM at 2815 Horner Court Unit 3 . This Open House includes $5 sampler classes starting every hour, on the hour, demonstrations and a BBQ kicking off at 6 PM.

Classes are divided into two categories: grounded and suspended arts running 45 minutes in length for a wide array of ages from 4 to adult.

Have your little one join the Junior Circus (ages 4-6) or take your own turn at a variety of aerial apparatuses including lyra hoop and silks. Ground focused courses include Buti Yoga, Acrobatics and Flex-Ability. There is something for everyone, no matter what skill sets you have.

Masks are required. If you show any symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell please keep our community safe by not attending this event.

We will provide a hand washing station as well as ample amounts of hand sanitizer.

Register online in advance to save your spot. Download the MindBody App and search for "Golden Heart Performing Arts" in a 10 mile radius of Fairbanks. More information available on the web at www.GoldenHeartAK.com

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GNAC fall season suspension affects 5 UAF sports - July 18, 2020: Today, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference CEO Board announced that it would suspend all intercollegiate athletic competitions through Nov. 30. The decision affects five sports at the University of Alaska Fairbanks: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross-country running, and volleyball.

“This prudent decision prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of our Alaska Nanooks student-athletes and staff, and was not made lightly,” said Keith Champagne, vice chancellor for student affairs and athletics, in a message to Alaska Nanooks staff, student-athletes and supporters. “I also want to make it clear that this is a suspension of fall competition, not a cancellation. The possibility of shifting fall season competition to the spring is still on the table.”

The GNAC will make a decision by Oct. 15 regarding the status of competition after Nov. 30.

Alaska Nanooks student-athletes will retain their scholarships and will begin classes in the fall. Information about training camps will be available once more guidance from the GNAC on each sport’s schedule is available. Currently, the plan is that season tickets and sponsorships for the suspended sports would shift to the new spring schedule.

“We will take the upcoming weeks to evaluate and adjust our fall schedules for the five affected sports while continuing to keep our student-athletes, their families, coaches and supporters as up to date as possible on any new information,” Champagne said.

For more information about the GNAC decision, visit http://www.gnacsports.com/gnac/news/2020-21/13959/gnac-ceo-board-suspends-fall-athletic-competition/

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FNSB’s Central Recycling Facility is Closed Until Further Notice: July 17, 2020

(Fairbanks, AK) – Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s Central Recycling Facility located on 1855 Marika Road is closed until further notice. The facility closed unexpectedly due to a confirmed positive COVID-19 test of a contract worker.

Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) cleaning and quarantine guidelines, the Central Recycling Facility is not expected to re-open sooner than July 25th. Public Health will interview the affected individual and if they identify a close contact that person will be notified.

As a reminder, according to the CDC, “close contact to a confirmed case” is defined as someone who has been within six feet for fifteen minutes or longer.

FNSB strongly encourages all members of our community to take personal responsibility for their well being by wearing a cloth face covering or mask every time they are out in the public, maintain physical distance of 6 feet or more when in a public space such as the grocery store, practice diligent hand and face hygiene, and to extremely limit your exposure to large groups of people outside of your “bubble”.

The following resources are available for additional information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

State of Alaska – Department of Health and Social Services: https://covid19.alaska.gov/

Foundation Health Partners: https://www.foundationhealth.org/fhp_home/covid_19~2

Fairbanks Public Health Center: 452-1776

City of Fairbanks: https://www.fairbanksalaska.us/mayor/page/cares-act-relief-funds

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District: https://www.k12northstar.org/

Borough employees and the public will be kept informed on this matter as the circumstances change.

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Fairbanks City Hall – Public Access Change Effective 7/20/20. Due to the recent increase of COVID19 cases in the Fairbanks area, City Hall will be open to the public on an appointment-only basis beginning Monday, July 20. Masks have been required for employees and visitors of City Hall, and this requirement will stand until further notice.

City employees will continue to be available to assist residents via phone and email Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM. The City will continue to make sure that employees are practicing social-distancing.

Residents are encouraged to use online and over-the-phone options for garbage and citation payments. The Building Department will be operating by appointment-only with regards to issuance of permits and conducting inspections.

To make an appointment with or reach the following departments, please use the phone numbers provided below:

• Clerk’s Office – 459-6702

• Building Department – 459-6720

• Legal Department – 459-6750

• Homeless Housing Coordinator – 459-6794

A department directory can also be found at https://www.fairbanksalaska.us/directory.

We do not expect any disruption to department services with this change. Mayor Matherly encourages residents and businesses to continue to take precautions to stay healthy and to use masks while in public or around those not in your household. We will continue to post any updates on our City of Fairbanks webpage (www.fairbanksalaska.us) and on the City of Fairbanks Facebook page.

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The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will offer a free distance-delivered series that helps individuals manage their diabetes. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will offer the free six-part workshop by Zoom starting July 21 on Tuesdays from 6 - 8:30 PM through Aug. 25.

The Stanford University Patient Education Research Center developed the program. It helps individuals learn how to manage blood sugar levels, communicate effectively with health care professionals, prevent complications, read nutrition labels, exercise safely and plan meals.

For more information or to register, contact Melissa Clampitt at 907-745-3551 or mrclampitt@alaska.edu, or Leslie Shallcross at 907-474-2426 or lashallcross@alaska.edu. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Shallcross using the contact information above.

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Golden Days is almost here! A few announcements as we gear up for the big weekend:

1.Grande Parade Float Registration: The deadline to register your “float” is tomorrow, July 10th. Click here to sign up.

2.Rubber Duckie Tickets: We’re quickly running out of FULL DUCK tickets (a full duck is a pair of pink and yellow tickets with the same number, giving you two chances to win with one winning duck)! Head to the North Pole Food Truck Festival this weekend (Friday & Sat, 5-9pm) to get yours before they’re gone. Or you can get them ONLINE. You can view the amazing PRIZE LIST here.

3.Pins & Stickers: 2020 Commemorative Pins and Stickers are in! Come to the Chamber office during normal business hours or find us at the Food Truck Festival to get yours.

Event Calendar:Add your Golden Days event to our community calendar by filling out this form.

Schedule of Events:

July 18: Annual Golden Days Kiwanis sourdough Pancake Feed All you can eat pancakes with a side of sausage and juice for $10! Breakfast will be from 7am-10am in the Sadler's Parking Lot in downtown Fairbanks.

July 18: Golden Days Grande Parade 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (arrive anytime in that window) at the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds. This year it's a REVERSE PARADE, which means instead of lining the streets of the parade route, you'll get to cruise safely through the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds and greet floats as you pass. As always, we'll have the best of Fairbanks on hand, from the hometown heroes of Ft. Wainwright and Eielson to local bands and entertainers, bringing the Fairbanks flair that makes this town a great place to live and play.

July 18: Street Fair Parade 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM City of Fairbanks - Community Wide. The Street Fair is spread out throughout Fairbanks this year to accommodate safe distancing, but you'll still have plenty of opportunity to shop your favorite vendors, visit info booths, and scarf down the best food the summer has to offer!

July 18 & 19: Golden Days Rodeo & Music Fest Saturday gates open at 3 PM at Tanana Valley Fair Grounds. RAM Championship Rodeo @ 5pm. William Michael Morgan Performing Live @7 PM. Sunday July 19th Gates open at noon. RAM Championship Rodeo starts at 2 PM. Ticket purchase: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4612676

July 19: Golden Days Sled Dog & Musher Exhibit Come meet a musher and his dog team in person! This meet and greet will start at 10 AM.

July 19: Golden Days Rubber Duckie Race Starts at 10 AM. 8,000 rubber ducks will race down the mighty Chena River from the Wendell Street Bridge to the finish line at the Cushman Street Bridge. Each numbered duck has a matching pink ticket and a matching yellow ticket numbered to correspond with the numbers on the ducks. The race duck that crosses the finish line FIRST will earn $10,000 CASH for the winning yellow ticket holder and $5,000 for the winning pink ticket holder! There is over $30,000 in cash and prizes and a total of 83 prizes up for grabs in this years race!

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Fairbanks North Star Borough Closure - Juanita Helms Administration Center (JHAC) Fairbanks Updated July 13. Borough Mayor issues statement on updated Borough Operations as 5th Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19. Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Bryce Ward has announced that a 5th borough employee has tested positive for COVID-19. This weekend, the Juanita Helms Administration Center (JHAC) located at 907 Terminal Street, is currently undergoing a complete deep cleaning/sanitization by the contract cleaning company. They will follow the guidelines as outlined according to federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for the cleaning of commercial buildings.

Mayor Ward said, “We are sad to learn that another borough employee has tested positive for COVID-19. We are keeping all staff informed of the updates and are working with directors on ensuring that the health and well being of our employees are being addressed. Borough business plans for public meetings, daily health checks and the requirement for all employees to wear a cloth face covering or mask upon entering the building and when in their work areas, are all components of our plan-prepare-respond mitigation process.” All public meetings scheduled for the week of July 13th will be conducted via Zoom or by Teleconference.This includes:

• Tuesday, July 14th: Planning Commission at 6:00 P.M.

• Wednesday, July 15th: Early Childhood Development Commission at 12:00 P.M.

• Wednesday, July 15th: Platting Board at 6:00 P.M.

• Thursday, July 16th: Administrative Hearing at 10:30 A.M.

• Thursday, July 16th: Finance Committee Meeting at 5:30 P.M., followed immediately by the Committee of the Whole and then the Reconvened June 18th, 2020 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Check the Borough online calendar for updated information on the public meetings and how to stay connected to the Assembly: http://www.fnsb.us/Pages/Calendar.aspx and http://www.fnsb.us/assembly/Pages/connected.aspx.

JHAC will be open for business on Monday, July 13th with business being conducted by appointment only. All other borough departments are operational with interaction by appointment only. Please call the department directly for questions or further instructions. Department contact information can be found here: http://www.fnsb.us/Pages/Contacts.aspx

If you have questions or concerns regarding property tax payments, residents are encouraged to refer to the information that was included on a yellow card in their tax assessment notice. This information can also be found online at: http://www.fnsb.us/fs/Pages/Pay-Taxes-Online.aspx.

FNSB is working diligently to keep operations going and we appreciate the public’s patience as we work to keep our employees and the public safe. In addition, FNSB communicates daily with the public health nursing team who are working 7 days a week on carrying out the contact tracing research. If a person has been identified as having been in close contact with a borough employee, (being within 6 feet of one another AND for 10 minutes or longer) you will be contacted by a member of the public health nursing team.

FNSB has recently received the federal CARES Act funding. Information on the three grant programs can be found here: https://cares-fnsb.hub.arcgis.com/. FNSB strongly encourages all members of our community to take personal responsibility for their well being by wearing a cloth face covering or mask every time they are out in the public, maintain physical distance of 6 feet or more when in a public space such as the grocery store, practice diligent hand and face hygiene, and to extremely limit your exposure to large groups of people outside of your “bubble”.

The following resources are available for additional information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

State of Alaska – Department of Health and Social Services: https://covid19.alaska.gov/

Foundation Health Partners: https://www.foundationhealth.org/fhp_home/covid_19~2

Fairbanks Public Health Center: 452-1776

City of Fairbanks: https://www.fairbanksalaska.us/mayor/page/cares-act-relief-funds

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District: https://www.k12northstar.org/

Borough employees and the public will be kept informed on this matter as the circumstances change.

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Fairbanks North Star Borough Closure - Juanita Helms Administration Center (JHAC) (Fairbanks, AK) July 9, 2020 – Earlier today, it was announced that a borough employee had tested positive for COVID-19. This afternoon the administration was notified that a second employee in a different duty section had also tested positive for COVID-19.

Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Bryce Ward has ordered the immediate closure of the Juanita Helms Administration Center (JHAC) located at 907 Terminal Street, until Monday, July 13th, 2020. The building is now closed to the public and to all employees. The reason for the closure is to ensure the health and safety of all employees and the public following this afternoons announcement that a second employee had tested positive within the past 24 hours.

Mayor Ward said, “With the goal of minimizing in-person interaction in enclosed spaces, it was necessary to close JHAC. The closure is to ensure that the building would be completely empty so that the cleaning contractor would be able to carry out a full sanitizing of the entire building. That type of deep cleaning needs to be done in a thorough manner with as few extra individuals in and around the building.”

In a Wednesday evening, July 8th communication that was sent out to all borough employees, Mayor Ward stated that borough administration was notified that an employee had tested positive. As a result, these preventative action steps were immediately implemented:

1. The entire JHAC will undergo a deep cleaning/sanitization of all workspaces and all common areas.

2. The deep cleaning will begin on Friday evening, which will allow for a 24-hour wait period from the time of the building closure as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The borough’s cleaning contractor will follow the CDC guidelines for commercial/facility cleaning. Those guidelines can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html Borough residents and employees are reminded to abide by the current health guidelines as outlined by the CDC to protect their health and the health of those around them. Additional information on COVID-19 can also be found on the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website: https://covid19.alaska.gov/.

The closure of JHAC is an inconvenience however it is necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you have questions or concerns regarding property tax payments, residents are encouraged to refer to the information that was included on a yellow card in their tax assessment notice. This information can also be found online at: http://www.fnsb.us/fs/Pages/Pay-Taxes-Online.aspx.

The Borough Assembly will resume meetings next week. The meeting schedule can be found here: http://www.fnsb.us/assembly/Pages/default.aspx.

The Administration is working with State of Alaska’s Public Health Nursing regarding contact tracing efforts. All residents are encouraged to wear a cloth face covering or mask when in public, practice diligent hand and face hygiene, maintain 6 feet of social distancing and to limit their exposure to large crowds for extended periods of time. Borough employees and the public will be kept informed on this matter as the circumstances change. Contact: Lanien Livingston, Public Information Officer at lanien.livingston@fnsb.us

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Calypso Farm & Ecology Center - Southside Market Pre-Ordering (July) Pre-Order Fresh Veggies, Eggs, Bread, Honey, and MORE from the Southside Market in South Fairbanks! Pre-order each week, Thursday-Sunday for pick-up the following Tuesday. Pickups will be between 5 - 6 PM at the Southside Preorder Pickup, located in the parking lot of the South Fairbanks Assembly of God Church on the corner of 24th Ave. & Rickert St. Food Stamps, WIC & Senior Coupons are accepted and discounts up to 50% OFF are available to those in need! The Market is 100% Pre-Order ONLY this year to provide a safe way to access fresh, locally grown food this summer. More details and online ordering are available at: calypsofarm.org

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Fairbanks North Star Borough’s MACS Transit bus system will resume its normal schedule on July 6, 2020. “Resuming public transportation is a critical component of bringing our community back to a sense of normalcy. All eight of MACS routes will resume regular scheduled service,” said Michelle Denton, FNSB Transportation Director.

The restart plans for MACS Transit bus service include having a limited capacity of eight passengers on the bus at a time in order to comply with physical distancing, all patrons must board from the rear and must board wearing a mask or nose and mouth covering. Increased cleaning of the buses will take place throughout the day along the designated route. Due to the various road construction projects taking place in the borough, the bus routes occasionally may be detoured or delayed arriving or departing. In addition, the bus drivers will also wear a mask and gloves.

The Max C. Lyon Jr. Transit Center will continue to remain closed to the public at this time.

MACS Van Tran service will make similar adjustments including the return to service being provided for qualified riders. Van Tran will no longer provide service to the general public. Van Tran is for those riders who meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

These changes to the MACS Transit and Van Tran service are being implemented to fight community spread of COVID-19. If you have any questions regarding the MACS Transit bus service or Van Tran service, please call 459-1011 or visit: http://www.fnsb.us/transportation/Pages/MACS.aspx.

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State of Alaska DNR. Wildfire safety over Fourth of July weekend - July 1 through Sunday, July 5. July 4 is meant for celebrating our nation’s freedom, not fighting wildfires. The Alaska Division of Forestry asks you to be please be careful with any kind of activity that could spark a wildfire this holiday weekend. Keep campfires small and make sure they are completely extinguished before leaving. Use fireworks responsibly and only in areas where it is legal to do so. Properly dispose of barbecue ashes and coals in metal containers. Please help us prevent human-caused wildfires this holiday weekend. Remember, you are responsible for any fire you start. Go to dnr.alaska.gov/burn for information on safe burning.

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Georgeson Botanical Garden open to visitors - July 2 Garden hours are 8 AM. to 8 PM daily. Visitors may enjoy the garden’s flowers, herbs and landscaped space. Because of coronavirus concerns, the University of Alaska Fairbanks garden isn't hosting public events or organized tours this year. Visitors are asked to wear masks and stay 6 feet away from people outside their household. Groups should be limited to 10 people or fewer.

Garden manager Katie DiCristina said many flowers are blooming, including geranium, day lilies and peonies, one of the garden highlights. The garden hosts more than 160 varieties of peonies in many colors, including white, pink, yellow and red. Most were planted as part of research and variety trials undertaken at the garden, beginning in 2001. Garden operations are largely supported by the community. There is no set admission fee, but donations are welcomed, either on-site or at www.georgesonbotanicalgarden.org/donate.

The garden's popular Music in the Garden series is a virtual experience this year. Concerts recorded at the garden air on KUAC-TV, Channel 9.4. (GCI Channel 6) Thursday nights at 7 p.m., except for July 2. Videos are also posted on YouTube and http://www.uaf.edu/summer/events/upcoming.php.

The garden is part of the Fairbanks Experiment Farm and is located at 2180 West Tanana Drive. For more information, call DiCristina at kmdicristina@alaska.edu or 907-474-6921.

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Alaska Housing Relief Funding Deadline is tomorrow June, 26, 2020. AlaskaHousingRelief.org is accepting applications until 11:59 PM Friday, June 26, 2020. Alaskans who lost income can apply for up to $1,200 in mortgage and rent relief - made possible through the federal CARES Act responding to COVID-19 hardship.

Alaskans are eligible for the program if they lost income due to COVID-19 and are at less than 80% of Area Median Income following their layoff or reduction in hours, and they are eligible to receive up to one month of rent or mortgage relief not to exceed $1,200 per household. Mortgage relief includes principal and interest only; rent relief excludes utilities. A total of $10 million was made available by Governor Dunleavy and the legislature for housing relief as a prevention measure to homelessness. The majority of users (69%) to AlaskaHousingRelief.org have submitted applications using their mobile phones based on referrals from social networking sites. It then takes only five minutes to complete an application online or they can do it by calling or texting RELIEF to (833) 440-0420.

Next week Alaska Housing plans to randomize all applicant names who will then be contacted for verification of loss of income and contact information for their mortgage servicer or landlord. Payment will be made directly to the mortgage servicer or landlord on behalf of the recipient in late July and August. The combination of funding available and program criteria will allow AHFC to serve between 8,000-12,000 households.. More Information and To Apply : AlaskaHousingRelief.org or call or text RELIEF to (833) 440-0420.

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UA Museum of the North - July 8 reopening planned. The University of Alaska Museum of the North will reopen to visitors on Wednesday, July 8, following a temporary closure due to COVID-19 restrictions.The museum will be open 10 AM. to 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday. Early entry dates will be available to museum members by reservation from June 29 - July 1.

To protect the health of visitors and staff, face coverings will be required at all times in the museum. Visitation will be limited to 2 hours to maintain a limited capacity, and visitors may be asked to wait before entering the building. There are also plans to build an online scheduling platform for the museum’s website in the future. A complete list of safety measures can be found at bit.ly/uamnhours.

The museum has been closed to the public since March 13, although staff have continued working to protect, study and share its collection. More than 2.5 million objects are in the museum’s collection, which focuses on the natural and cultural history of the North. For more information about the museum, visit www.uaf.edu/museum or call 907-474-7505.

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38th Annual Fairbanks Daily News Miner Midnight Sun 10K Run is happening as a virtual event. Virtual Run - Real Midnight Sun! You've got 4 special days, Friday June 19th through Monday, June 22nd to complete the 10K (6.2 mil) run. Pick your route, register and get your bib at midnightsunrun.net. Wear your costume and upload your costume photos to the website and be sure to upload your results to a link sent to you by the race platform. Happy Summer Solstice!

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2020 Midnight Sun Baseball Game - The game will go on! Starts Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM. The Alliance team will put on a game in place of the Goldpanners annual game, with teams made up of all-star players.

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Celebrate online with the Greater Fairbanks NAACP Unit 1001 - Join us Friday, June 19, from 7 - 8:00 PM for music, poetry, and words of liberation. The celebration continues on Saturday, June 20, from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PMwith mini-workshops on staying healthy during Covid times, organizing ourselves for stronger community, and wisdom from our youth. Register in advance for this meeting on our Facebook page (NAACP of Fairbanks, Alaska) or at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlcOqpqzwoGtTiiO6yVd-IfZjxG-PJ6ZZ5 Email us if you'd like tech assistance ahead of time: fairbanks.juneteenth@gmail.com

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June is Men’s Health Awareness month - Fairbanks Urology is giving away FREE Masks to Fairbanks residents to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will send you a free mask by mail if you live in Interior Alaska. Please note that the quantities are limited and we will be sending masks out on a first- come-first-served basis. For more information visit https://www.fairbanksurology.com/free-mask-2

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Fairbanks Public Health Center - Immunizations save lives. Fairbanks public health nurses, with support from Fairbanks area Fire Departments and the JP Jones Center, are holding a series of outdoor childhood immunization clinics for children ages 2 months to 19 years through the summer. The next clinic is this Thursday, June 4th, at the University Fire Station 12 – 1950 South University Ave.from 11 AM to 3:00 PM. Come dressed for the outdoors, wear a cloth face covering and bring your child’s shot records. For more information call Fairbanks Public Health Center at 452-1776.

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UAF Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning will present about 40 events throughout the summer. The series' events have been held at various UAF venues in previous years. This summer's lectures and concerts will be broadcast and available online at www.uaf.edu/summer/events/ due to campus restrictions.

The Healthy Living lecture series will be at 7 p.m. Tuesdays starting on June 2. It will feature experts and specialists discussing medical issues.
The Discover Alaska lecture series will be at 7 p.m. Wednesdays starting on June 3, providing a view of Alaska through the eyes of experts in their fields.
The Music in the Garden music series will be at 7 p.m. Thursdays starting on June 4. Filmed at UAF’s Georgeson Botanical Gardens, the concerts feature a variety of Alaska musicians.
The Down Memory Lane lecture series will be at 7 p.m. Mondays starting on June 8. Emeriti faculty will share memories and highlights from their careers at UAF. The series will be available only at www.uaf.edu/summer/events/.

For schedule updates and more information, go to www.uaf.edu/summer/events or call 907-474-7021.

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Virtual Summer Reading Program at the Noel Wien Library & North Pole Branch Library - Registration begins Tuesday, May 26 - The Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Libraries invite local children and teens to participate in its 2020 Summer Reading Fun Program: Dig Deeper – Read, Investigate, Discover! The virtual summer reading program includes the fun of reading or listening to books, virtual weekly programs, bingo activities to get you reading, investigating and discovering, virtual displays for search-and-find fun, and a goodie bag of take home activities and crafts. Children who complete the program will earn a free book. Online registration begins on Tuesday, May 26th.

Call the Youth Services Department at the Noel Wien Library at 459-1052, or the North Pole Branch Library at 488-6101, for more information, or visit the library’s web page: fnsblibrary.org.

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UAF plans online commencement ceremony on May 23 - The University of Alaska Fairbanks will host an online commencement ceremony on May 23 at 1 PM to honor the class of 2020. The ceremony will feature remarks by students, faculty and university leaders, along with a video honoring UAF’s newest graduates. The event will be streamed live on Facebook at https://bit.ly/2020UAFcommencement. A previously scheduled in-person ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 2 has been canceled due to concerns about COVID-19 transmission and restrictions on large groups. For more information contact Jeff Richardson, 907-474-6284, jarichardson6@alaska.edu

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PRESS RELEASE – City of Fairbanks. CARES Act Relief Funds. DATE: May 20, 2020

On Monday, May 18th, the Fairbanks City Council voted unanimously to authorize the City of Fairbanks to receive approximately sixteen million dollars in Coronavirus Relief Funds allocated to the City through the Federal CARES Act.

After discussions with the City Finance Committee and the City Council, the City administration is moving forward with a plan to use the funds to cover direct City expenses related to the COVID19 pandemic and to distribute the money in the form of reimbursement grants to local businesses, organizations, and individuals that suffered losses due to COVID19. The City of Fairbanks has incurred direct expenses related to COVID19 that will require only a small portion of the funds that the City receives. The City plans to distribute the remaining funds as reimbursement grants, as well as cover the administrative costs of that distribution.

The City plans to partner with financial institutions and organizations to assist in the distribution of funds to small businesses and individuals. A request for proposal (RFP) for financial institutions and organizations that wish to participate will be issued on May 22nd, and it is expected that the City could receive funds by mid-June.

A committee has been formed to organize and review how funds are applied for and what guidelines need to be met to receive funds. More information on applying for relief funds will be available in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 has had a devastating economic impact on many businesses and individuals across Alaska, and it is a top priority of the City of Fairbanks to help those in Fairbanks that have suffered losses.

MEDIA CONTACT: Teal Soden, Communications Director, 907-687-9221, tsoden@fairbanks.us

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PRESS RELEASE – Governor Announces Phase Two of Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan. Wednesday, May 6, 2020

May 6, 2020 (Anchorage, AK) – Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy today announced plans for Phase Two of the State’s approach to reopening segments of the Alaskan economy in an effort to balance the ongoing need to slow the rate of the COVID-19 infection with the critical need to resume economic activity in a reasonable and safe manner.

Beginning Friday, May 8, 2020, Phase Two of the Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan will take effect, allowing most non-essential businesses to reopen with safeguards. This will allow for the following:

50% capacity for retail, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses outlined in Phase One. Walk-ins permitted.
50% capacity, or up to 20 patrons, for personal care services. Reservations only.
50 person capacity for social and religious gatherings.
25% capacity for fitness centers. Walk-ins permitted.
50% capacity for swimming pools. Walk-ins permitted.
25% capacity for bars, libraries, and museums. Walk-ins permitted.

Additional guidance will be available on May 7, 2020 at https://covid19.alaska.gov/reopen/.

CARES Act Funds

Governor Dunleavy today called upon the Alaska Legislative Budget and Audit (LB&A) Committee to meet as soon as possible and approve the distribution of the pending $870 million CARES Act funds to Alaskan communities and businesses.

“CARES Act funding was approved several weeks ago by Congress. Right now, a large part of it is still waiting for approval from the legislature – the LB&A Committee. We were hoping that today we’d be able to report that LB&A met and approved approximately $568 million for municipal relief, $290 million for small business relief, $100 million for fisheries relief, $10 million for homeless prevention, $49 million for FAA grants to rural airports, and $3 million for transportation operations. Unfortunately, these funds are still awaiting approval by the legislature,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “As we’ve said before, we need this money in the hands of these entities now. We’re asking that the LB&A Committee to join with Senator Giessel and Representative Pruitt, and other members of the Legislature, in their effort to move quickly on this so these entities can begin mitigating the economic impacts of the virus.”

Background

On March 26th, the U.S. Congress passed the CARES Act. President Donald Trump signed the CARES Act on March 27th. On April 21st, upon receiving the funds from the U.S. Treasury, the Dunleavy administration submitted an initial distribution plan to the LB&A Committee for consideration. On May 1st, following meetings with lawmakers, community leaders, and federal partners, the Dunleavy Administration submitted a revised distribution plan to the LB&A Committee, requesting expedited action.

The Governor’s COVID-19 Health Mandates can be found here.

For the latest information on Alaska’s response to COVID-19, please visit https://covid19.alaska.gov/

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NEWS RELEASE: State of Alaska - Dept. of Natural Resources Reminder: Permitted burning now suspended due to COVID-19. Released May 4, 2020. The Alaska Division of Forestry (DOF) reminds Alaskans that burn permits have been suspended as of midnight Thursday throughout most of the state, to reduce risk of human-caused wildfires. Division officials are concerned the global COVID-19 pandemic will limit the number of wildland firefighting crews it could import this summer to help fight Alaska fires, many of which are originally ignited by human action, even permitted activity.

“It just bears repeating that even the smallest fires carry the potential to blow up into big fires, and with the pandemic we just can’t be sure we’ll have anywhere near the help in fighting fires in Alaska that we did last year,” said Division Director Chris Maisch.

The suspension bans the use of burn barrels, the burning of debris piles, and any other outdoor burning activity authorized under previously issued permits. Any person or business found to be violating this burn permit suspension order may be issued a citation to pay a fine or appear in court.

This statewide burn permit suspension will not include cooking, warming or signaling fires that are less than three feet in diameter with flame lengths no more than two feet high. It also will not include commercially manufactured outdoor cooking and heating devices with built-in open flame safety devices. It also does not apply to the city of Cordova and points south, as the generally moist climate in Southeast Alaska puts it at less risk than other parts of the state.

Given the potential effects of COVID-19 on the upcoming fire season, Alaska’s wildland fire suppression agencies need the public’s help more than ever to keep firefighters and communities safe, Maisch said. Alaskans must do everything possible to prevent wildland fires, limit the spread of COVID-19, and protect firefighters and the public. The suspension of burn permits will help firefighting agencies mitigate some of the significant challenges they’re likely to face this summer, including:

An anticipated lack of firefighting resources available from the Lower 48 as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions and quarantine requirements
The risk of exposing firefighters to higher risks of contracting and spreading COVID-19 when responding to human-caused nuisance fires
Limited firefighting resources available to respond to higher-priority wildland fires which may place lives, property and infrastructure in imminent danger

The Division of Forestry will re-evaluate the burn suspension on a regular basis to determine if and when it is safe to rescind it. CONTACT: Tim Mowry, Division of Forestry wildland fire public information officer, (907) 356-5512, tim.mowry@alaska.gov

STAY CONNECTED:

DNR Newsroom: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/dnr_newsroom.htm

DNR on Social Media: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/social_media.htm

DNR Public Information Center: http://dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pic/

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Diabetes Management Series Scheduled - The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will offer a free six-week diabetes self-management program that begins May 5. The distance-delivered classes will meet Tuesdays at two separate times, from 1:30 - 4 PM or 5:30 - 8 PM, through June 9. Topics include controlling blood sugar levels, meal planning, exercise, communicating with health care professionals and other issues faced by individuals managing diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association endorses the program. Participants are asked to preregister to get materials and a Zoom link beforehand. To RSVP, contact Leslie Shallcross at 907-242-6138 or laschallcross@alaska.edu or Melissa Clampitt at 907-745-3551 or mrclampitt@alaska.edu.

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NEWS RELEASE: State of Alaska - Dept. of Natural Resources: Posted 4-23-20. Public asked to avoid travel on State Forest roads during breakup. (Fairbanks, AK) – Due to saturated soils during spring breakup, the Alaska Division of Forestry is asking the public not to drive on select Tanana Valley State Forest roads in the Fairbanks area from April 23 to May 22. Affected logging roads include Cache Creek, Nenana Ridge, Rosie Creek, Skinnys, Bonanza, Standard Creek, Two Rivers and Mosquito Creek. If roads dry out quicker than anticipated or breakup persists longer than expected, the division will adjust the dates accordingly and notify the public. The silt-based roads in the Fairbanks area are extremely soft and muddy at this time of year. Traffic during these conditions creates ruts, which channel runoff and cause roads to wash out, making them impassable and resulting in long-term damage. If roads are severely damaged by traffic and/or runoff, they require costly repair and it takes longer to make them accessible to the public. The division asks for the public’s cooperation to prevent damage and provide access to these roads as soon as possible. For more information about which roads are impacted or for updated information on road conditions, call the Division of Forestry at 451-2602.

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Juneau Cooperative Extension offers FREE distance-delivered food classes - Juneau Cooperative Extension agent Sarah Lewis will offer free distance-delivered food business and food preservation classes this spring. Participants from any location may register at www.uaf.edu/ces/juneau to receive a Zoom link. Upcoming classes will meet on Saturdays. They include:

Starting a Cottage Foods Business in Alaska, 2-3:30 p.m. April 25
Canning Dry Beans, 11 AM - 12:30 PM May 9
All About the Basil: Preserving Herbs, 11 AM - 12:30 PM May 30
Canning Wild Berries, 11 AM - 2 PM June 13

Lewis is a family and community development agent with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service. For more information, Debbie Carter, 907-474-5406 dscarter@alaska.edu Sarah Lewis at sarah.lewis@alaska.edu.

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NEWS RELEASE: BLM Alaska Fire Service - Burning Operations Planned on Donnelly Training Area to Reduce Wildfire Threat Near Delta Junction April 22, 2020. FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Starting as early as Saturday, the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK), will implement prescribed fires in the Donnelly Training Area (DTA) to reduce the likelihood of a large wildfire on military training lands this summer. The areas identified for the prescribed burning are east of the Delta River three to 15 miles south of Delta Junction and west of the Delta River about 15 miles southwest of Delta Junction. The prescribed burning may continue through May 31, as weather conditions allow.

Prescribed burns are fires that are intentionally set under controlled conditions to remove dry and dead grass and lower the risk of wildfires that could impact nearby communities. Removing the hazardous vegetation in the spring under more moderate conditions allows for the greatest degree of control and the lowest risk for negative impacts, such as smoke.

Taking these preventative measures now decreases the fire risk around military training targets used during the summer when conditions are hotter, the surrounding woods are dry and more receptive to burning, and firefighting resources may be limited. Fires will be ignited only when favorable weather conditions are present and forecasted. An approved burn plan is in place that includes authorization from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Division of Air Quality.

Smoke may be visible during burning operations from Delta Junction, the Richardson Highway, the Alaska Highway, and from within the Donnelly Training Area. The BLM AFS and USARAK are working with ADEC and the National Weather Service to monitor smoke conditions and to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal air quality regulations. There are also procedures in place to halt ignitions if conditions become unfavorable. Trained personnel will monitor the prescribed fire areas until the fires are out.

In addressing this priority work, all agencies will limit COVID-19 and other health and safety risks to firefighters and the public using established Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local guidelines, and prescribed fire procedures. This includes potential smoke effects on people.

For more information contact Fire Information at (907) 356-5510 or the Upper Yukon-Tanana Dispatch Center at (907) 356-5554.

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NEW Fairbanks Area Citizens Corps website https://www.fairbanksacc.org/ Learn more about the various ways you can Donate, Volunteer, Make Masks, or Make Requests to Support Health Care Facilities, Organizations, Neighbors and Friends - Working Together to Make a Difference in Our Community. A partnership between the Fairbanks Area Citizens Corps and the Interior Alaska Unified Command for COVID-19. Call center phone number is 459-7474 and is staffed from 9 AM to 5 PM, 7 days a week.

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Calypso Farm & Ecology Center - Annual Plant Sale: Monday, April 13 to Monday May 18th. Pre-orders for Calypso Farm’s annual Plant Sale are now available!! Order your organically-grown vegetable, herb, and flower starts and pick them up at the end of May when they’ll be ready to be transplanted into your home garden! This year’s Plant Sale will be 100% pre-order only and pick-ups will be organized in a way that adheres to social distancing and maximizes safety. Up to a 50% discount on plant starts is available to community members who have been hit hardest by COVID-19. Pre-order your plants today at: CALYPSOFARM.ORG or call 907 - 451-0691

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Nenana Ice Classic has extended Deadline to Midnight, April 10, 2020 to turn in your ice classic guess tickets. Due to the Coronavirus and people not wanting to venture into stores & other establishments, the Nenana Ice Classic is accepting guesses through the mail, and to fill out tickets for anyone wanting to participate in the 2020 event. You can mail your guesses & money ($2.50 per guess) to our office. Log on to Nenana AK Ice Classic for complete details or call 907-832-5446.

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Pesticide training scheduled for April 14-16: The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will offer certified pesticide applicator training April 14-16 by distance delivery. The training is for individuals who wish to become a certified pesticide applicator or to maintain current state certification. It will take place online by Zoom webinar from 9 AM to 5 PM. The fee is $75. Registration at http://bit.ly/PestInvasive is recommended by April 13. Participants are encouraged to become familiar with the online materials and required math beforehand. Post-training exams are not being scheduled at this time due to COVID-19 concerns. For more information, contact Delta Extension agent Phil Kaspari at pnkaspari@alaska.edu or Katie Rubin at cerubin@alaska.edu . CONTACT: Debbie Carter, 907-474-5406, dscarter@alaska.edu

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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to bring awareness to the prevalence of child abuse in our community. According to the current national statistics, 1 in 6 children will experience child abuse before the age of 18. RCPC is encouraging everyone to join us online at https://www.facebook.com/rcpcfairbanks.org/ and participate in our virtual activities to promote child abuse awareness. If you see or suspect child abuse or neglect:call: 1-800-478-4444 or email: ReportChildAbuse@alaska.gov

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RCPC Parenting Hotline: In response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and thanks to the support of Kinross Fort Knox, the Resource Center for Parents & Children wishes to announce the following new service: PARENTING HOTLINE This project was developed by the RCPC staff to serve our community during this time of crisis and uncertainty. The line will be open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM., 7 days a week. Staff operators are available to share resources, information, parenting ideas and help with family problem solving. PARENTING HOTLINE (907) 456-9099

For more information about the Parenting Hotline please contact Scooter Welch at (907) 456-9007 -jwelch@rcpcfairbanks.org, Nadia Riley at (907) 347-2444 – nriley@rcpcfairbanks.org or Lori Markkanenat (907) 374-2850 - lmarkkanen@rcpcfairbanks.org

The Resource Center for Parents & Children (RCPC) is a non-profit organization in Fairbanks, Alaska focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. We help guardians with evidence-based parenting skills in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Our current programs include: WIC, Breastfeeding Peer Counseling, Family Education and Reunification, Counseling Services and a Child Advocacy Center.

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The Out of the Darkness Walk scheduled for April 25th is being transitioned into a virtual/online event. The Fairbanks Walk is still happening virtually, you can continue to raise awareness & funds while asking others to join you as a Virtual Walker. For more information phone 978 -9870 or email sunshine_chick34@hotmail.com or visit the Out of the Darkness Virtual Fairbanks Walk HERE

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reminds you to care for your mental health in the face of uncertainty:

Focus on what is in your control, versus what is not
Do what helps you feel a sense of safety.
Remind yourself to stay in the present.
Stay connected with others.

You can reach the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Be sure to check out the NEW website: Mental Health & Covid-19

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FNSB Transportation Announces Restart of Scheduled VAN TRAN Service - Updated March 25, 2020

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Transportation Department will resume scheduled Van Tran Service, beginning Thursday, March 26, 2020. Borough Transit will provide a modified demand response service to the Fairbanks community. This service will be for medical and grocery trips only and will be available to all members of the public within Van Tran’s normal boundary service area. This service will be provided on a “first come, first serve” basis with preference given to currently eligible Van Tran patrons. The operation hours for this modified demand response service will be Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Please call a minimum of one day in advance to schedule your ride. If you have questions or would like to schedule a ride, confirm location pick up or check on same day ride availability, please call Van Tran Customer Service at 907- 459 -1010. Pick up locations must be within normal Van Tran boundaries which are within ¾ mile of a regular MACS Transit stop.

Contact: Lanien Livingston ~ Borough PIO ~ Phone 907-459-1304 ~ Email: Lanien.livingston@fnsb.us

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Homeless Housing Update - COVID -19

MEMO from Teal Soden - Communications Director - City of Fairbanks

There has been a lot of concern about whether individuals experiencing homelessness in Fairbanks have adequate housing during the Covid -19 outbreak. While some communities in Alaska have had to relocate their homeless shelters, Fairbanks is fortunate to have the largest emergency shelters in the state. All three of our emergency shelters have quarantine and social distancing capabilities. The City of Fairbanks Homeless Housing Coordinator, Mike Sanders, continues to work closely with service providers to make sure that services continue for this vulnerable population. Please see recent agency updates from Fairbanks Rescue Mission - IACNVL - Fairbanks Youth Advocates - TCC Sobering Center - Stone Soup Cafe - No Limits Warming Center - Restore Inc - Salvation Army - Love Inc - and TCC Housing First at https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?u=c89189d9488cfae4211947663&id=eed68b3b7b

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FREE Breakfast & Lunches for ALL children who attend a Fairbanks North Star Borough District School.Meals are available Monday – Friday for children only and distributed out of a yellow school bus.Please bring a bag or box for easy transport. For more information visit:https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/9281 See schools and times below:

BREAKFAST 9 AM to 11 AM at the following schools: Anne Wien Elementary, Arctic Light Elementary, Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High, Barnette Magnet, Denali Elementary, Hunter Elementary, Joy Elementary, Midnight Sun Elementary, Nordale Elementary, North Pole Elementary, North Pole Middle, Pearl Creek Elementary, Salcha Elementary, Star of the North, Tanana Middle, Ticasuk Brown Elementary, Two Rivers K-8, University Park Elementary, Watershed Charter, Weller Elementary West Valley High, Woodriver Elementary,

LUNCH 11:30 AM to 1 PM at the following schools: Boreal Sun Charter, Fox General Store, Ester Post Office, Hilltop Truck Stop, Jennifer Pullout, Jillian Square, Lakeview Terrace Office, Laree’s (10 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road), McPeak’s, Monroe Catholic School, Moose Creek Bus Barn, Pleasant Valley Store, Rosie Creek Pullout, Salcha Store, Sourdough on Farmer’s Loop, Vallata, Yak Estates

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Crowley Fuel Update - As a result of new community directives related to Covid-19 in Alaska and as a precautionary measure for the safety of our employees and customers, Crowley terminal lobbies will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 23. We are happy to continue serving by phone for all payment and service needs. Lobby closures will not impact fuel deliveries to our customers.We will continue to monitor this situation and will provide Crowley Fuels updates as they become available.

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Co-op Market Grocery & Deli - Starting Monday, shopping hour exclusively for 60+ and medically vulnerable community. We are also temporarily shortening our store hours to focus on intensive sanitization, in addition to our already stepped-up cleaning. New hours: Monday - Saturday 8 to 9 AM. – Reserved for seniors and people who are medically vulnerable ~ 9 AM to 1 PM – Open to the general public ~ 1 to 3 PM. – Closed for midday cleaning and restocking ~ 3 to 8 PM – Open to general public. Sunday 10 AM to 7 PM (no change) We will close the store to the public next Tuesday, for one day only, for cleaning and restocking. We hope this is a good schedule, but if necessary, we may change it again, due to customer demand and product supply.

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Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving issues and recommendations related to coronavirus and our community’s mitigation strategies. At this time, we are following the advice given via health mandate from the State of Alaska: Encouraging individuals that are sick with a respiratory illness to stay home ~ Using audio/video conferencing for meetings ~ Practicing physical distancing strategies that include maintaining a 6-foot separation from others and postponing or canceling large gatherings. At this time, the Fairbanks Chamber staff is available through email, phone, and our website. Please call us at 452-1105 or email us at info@fairbankschamber.org if you have any questions. You can also visit our staff directory online to reach any of us directly.

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Supporting Fairbanks & Interior Alaska: COVID-19

About Supporting Fairbanks & Interior Alaska: COVID-19