Cooper Landing

The nonprofit Cooper Landing Emergency Services has a critical lack of volunteers. EMS Chief Clay Adam says it's because Cooper Landing doesn't offer enough affordable housing for young families.

After gathering public input in September, consultants working on a plan for the Cooper Landing-area parcel have drawn up maps of possible developments for the land.

Janet Mitchell is precinct chair of the Cooper Landing polling location. She said the Cooper Landing Community Hall sees between 125 and 150 voters during an average general election.

During the snowfall earlier this week, a three-vehicle crash in Cooper Landing sent six people to the hospital, and required every available volunteer from the nonprofit Cooper Landing Emergency Services.

This year was the fifth annual Cooper Landing Woodpile Contest, where competitors showed off their wood-stacking creativity, and participated in contest-sanctioned bribes. The first place winner impressed judges with a face-shaped woodpile.

Starting this week, the Alaska Department of Transportation said wood can be collected at the end of Langille Road between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The Cooper Landing Safe Trails Committee has been working for years to pass regulations that limit accidental trapping encounters. They expect an uphill battle as they put their proposals to the Board of Game this spring.

The Cooper Landing Walkable Community Project has been working in some form since the '70s. The goal is to create separated paths that allow the town to be navigated by pedestrians and bikers.

The development of Unit 395, a 1,000-acre parcel northwest of Cooper Landing, was up for discussion among community members this week. A consulting firm will put together a report about possible uses for the area, including affordable housing and recreation.

Shurtleff, who as served as Fire Chief for over two years, will return to his hometown of Cayuga County, New York to serve as Emergency Services Director there.