A Wasilla woman arrested Thursday has been charged with several offenses after Alaska State Troopers say she used a credit card taken during a July string of thefts from vehicles.

According to a Friday AST dispatch, 27-year-old Sadie Douglas faces seven felony counts, including two counts of second-degree theft and five counts of access device fraud. She has also been charged with second-degree criminal trespassing.

"Douglas was identified as a suspect in an ongoing theft investigation after AST received numerous reports of vehicle break-ins in the Palmer-Wasilla area on (July 17)," troopers wrote.

In a criminal complaint against Douglas the case officer, Trooper Lance Silva, says troopers were informed by a woman on July 17 that a backpack had been taken from her vehicle, possibly in the early hours of July 16. Her bank reported that the cards were being used in Wasilla, with one racking up $674.73 in charges and being used at least five times before it was canceled.

John Acker II, a manager at a Tesoro store located at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Main Street, initially didn't recognize the woman who made a fraudulent purchase at his store, but remembered she was suspicious. He told her he recalled working with her at the McDonald's restaurant in the Wasilla Walmart, which she confirmed.

"Acker could not remember the name of the female, but knew it was not (the victim's)," Silva wrote. "Several days later Acker called me to report he remembered the female using (the victim's) credit card as Sadie Douglas."

A Carquest Auto Parts clerk in Wasilla contacted by troopers remembered cashing Douglas out, noting that she was driving a white Chevrolet pickup truck. Employees at the Perfect Start Coffee Shop and two other Wasilla gas station convenience stores -- a Tesoro and a Holiday, both near the Parks' intersection with Pittman Road -- also recalled Douglas visiting and acting suspicious, buying Amazon gift cards at the Holiday.

Silva created a photo lineup for Douglas, seen in multiple surveillance videos using the same card, driving the same pickup truck and wearing the same clothes except for some changed hats. All of the clerks from the stores where the card was used were able to recognize Douglas.

During the investigation, Douglas was identified as a suspect in the use of another stolen debit card when a sixth clerk at a Walgreens drugstore in Wasilla also recognized Douglas, who was seen in the same truck in surveillance video from the location. According to Silva, a separate case is being developed against her in that incident.

Troopers caught up with Douglas Thursday, when they visited a property on Porcupine Avenue and found her sleeping in a vehicle there.

"After presenting her with the evidence of the camera, the photo line-up and that she was recognized by one of the witnesses who worked with her at McDonald's, Douglas admitted to using the credit cards," Silva wrote.

Douglas told troopers she had borrowed the truck from a friend, and knew other people seen with her in the surveillance videos.

"Douglas further stated she got the credit cards by breaking into (the) vehicle and could not say where she dumped the (backpack's) contents. She was taught how to break into (vehicles) by friends," Silva wrote. "All the items she bought with the credit cards were stolen and she did not know where they were."

"Douglas (was) using heroin and she had heroin in her purse," Silva wrote. "Douglas refused to give consent to search her purse and it was seized in anticipation of a search warrant."

Troopers arrested Douglas and took her to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility, where she is being held on $3,500 bail. She is expected to be arraigned Friday afternoon.

AST spokesperson Beth Ipsen says troopers can't comment on whether additional charges will be filed against Douglas, but that because the existing charges include felonies her case will come before a grand jury.

"They may decide that all these charges are warranted, they may tack on another charge, or they may come up with other charges," Ipsen said.

Troopers are continuing their investigation of the July thefts.

Contact Chris Klint

The chief of the U.S. Forest Service says his visit to southeast Alaska is giving him an up-close look at some of the challenges faced by residents on the country's largest national forest.

Thomas Tidwell has been touring the Tongass National Forest with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Their itinerary included stops at a lumber yard and tree-thinning site as well as a meeting that included tourism, mining and timber interests. Friday's schedule includes a flyover of the proposed Niblack Mine.

Murkowski told a news conference in Ketchikan she hopes Tidwell leaves with a recognition that in his role, it's not just about management of the trees, it's about management of the economy of a region.

A trail near the Eagle River Nature Center has been closed for the season, effective at noon Friday, due to the presence of bears drawn by spawning salmon.

In a statement from Chugach State Park, officials say other trails in the area, such as the Iditarod/Crow Pass and Dew Mound trails, as well as the Rodak Loop and its viewing platforms, are unaffected by the Albert Loop closure, an annual event dating back to 1997.

"The Albert Loop Trail and vicinity will remain closed until further notice, most likely at freeze-up when the majority of bears go into hibernation," officials wrote. "The trail re-opening will be announced."

In a nearby incident last month, several hikers reported that black bears had cut them off from the center about four miles away from the facility, between Heritage Falls and The Gulch. Anchorage police, as well as Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists, quickly responded after the caller's cellphone died, but everyone involved was able to safely return.

The park encourages anyone walking on Alaska trails to be bear aware and ready to encounter a bear, as well as knowledgeable in bears' behavior and how to respond to them.

Contact Chris Klint

Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan says the city will take over the hiring process for contractors to resume a troubled Port of Anchorage expansion project, blaming its problems on a federal agency.

In a Friday press conference at City Hall, Sullivan said the city has put out requests for proposals on the project. The move follows an audit of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD), which managed the expansion project beginning in 2003, by the department's Office of Inspector General (OIG).

In its audit of the Port of Anchorage expansion and two similar MARAD-managed projects in Guam and Hawaii, OIG says the Anchorage work's cost skyrocketed under MARAD's oversight.

"MARAD did not effectively manage its port project contracts," OIG officials wrote in the audit. "Between 2003 and 2011, the Port of Anchorage project's cost estimate grew over four and a half times from $211 to $1 billion, with scheduled completion slipping 8 years."

According to OIG, MARAD's leadership exhibited several specific deficiencies.

"We found that the Port of Anchorage project also had significant contracting problems stemming from MARAD's inadequate planning, lack of reliable cost estimates, and noncompliance with Federal contracting requirements when awarding and administering the port contracts," OIG officials wrote.

The project has also suffered from structural weaknesses, described in a report from engineering firm CH2M HILL citing poor earthquake survivability, as well as corrosion issues with interlocking steel plates, which affect three of the expansion's four additions.

Sullivan says MARAD's role in the expansion project deflects any blame from the port's previous director, former Gov. Bill Sheffield, who left the job in December 2011 after state lawmakers balked at the project's rising costs. Richard Wilson succeeded Sheffield as port director in May 2012.

In a Friday statement, MARAD called the Anchorage project's management inconsistent with its current policy, which has changed since it initially oversaw the port expansion.

"This Administration has taken action to increase oversight, incorporate appropriate planning, risk mitigation, and budgetary mechanisms, and increase engagement with local partners," MARAD officials wrote. "MARAD no longer conducts port development projects using practices described in the report, and current procedures for Agency involvement with port projects incorporate OIG recommendations."

Channel 2's Adam Pinsker contributed information to this story.

This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.

Contact Chris Klint

A Petersburg man apparently living a lawful life was arrested Thursday, after a traffic issue noticed by Alaska Wildlife Troopers led to the discovery of two Texas warrants for him on drug charges.

According to AST spokesperson Beth Ipsen, troopers took 41-year-old Jason S. Jones into custody on two extraditable Dallas County warrants for possessing more than five pounds of marijuana, as well as possessing illegal narcotics with the intent to distribute. He was first noticed Wednesday on the Mitkof Highway.

"The wildlife trooper initially contacted him on Aug. 7 because he saw Mr. Jones riding an ATV on the highway," Ipsen said. "About an hour later, Petersburg police informed (the trooper) that he had two warrants for his arrest."

Ipsen says Jones hadn't had any previous contacts with local police, although he'd been there for a while.

"Apparently, Mr. Jones had been living in Petersburg for a few years," Ipsen said.

Jones is being extradited to Texas on the warrants, which have a combined bail of $200,000.

Contact Chris Klint

The old, unoccupied former Kodiak police station is targeted for demolition.

The Kodiak City Council unanimously approved a contract of nearly $350,000 to demolish the old Mill Bay Road station.

The Kodiak Daily Mirror says the contract with Golden Alaska also includes the demolition of an abandoned Mission Road home.

The old police station was built in the 1950s as part of a city government complex.

The station has been vacant since it was replaced in 2010 with the new midtown police station.

The son of a Mat-Su Valley state lawmaker entered a guilty plea to a federal drug distribution charge, admitting he was the ringleader of a "bath salts" distribution ring and offered drugs used in a fatal overdose.

According to U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler's office, 20-year-old Robin Gattis -- the son of Rep. Lynn Gattis (R-Wasilla) -- pleaded guilty to a conspiracy count of a sprawling indictment, in which he was accused of importing methylone, a drug similar to ecstasy.

During the conspiracy, prosecutors say a Wasilla man identified only by his initials who took methylone Gattis delivered, 20-year-old MGS, died of an overdose last year.

"In a plea agreement filed with the court, Gattis admitted that he was the leader and organizer of the conspiracy, that he directly imported the drugs from China, and that he repeatedly wired money to China or directed others to do so in order to pay for drugs," federal officials wrote.

Gattis also admitted to making a living as a drug dealer, as well as employing minors in the conspiracy and distribution drugs to minors. According to prosecutors, despite the death of MGS, Gattis continued to deal the drugs that killed him.

"According to the indictment, after MGS died in April 2012, Gattis emailed the supplier in China, advising them of (MGS's) death and asked them for a refund," prosecutors wrote. "However, the indictment alleges that less than a month later, Gattis was ordering more methylone from the same supplier."

Prosecutors have already received guilty pleas from all six of Gattis' co-defendants, on charges ranging from international money laundering to possession of methylone with intention to distribute. They include Anchorage residents Kevin Rupp, 21, and Haylee Hays, 19; Palmer residents Chad Cameron, 18, and Bren Marx, 20; Stephen Kimbrell, 20, of Soldotna; and Shane O'Hare, 23, of Wasilla.

Gattis has been in federal custody since his arrest on July 31, 2012. Both he and the other defendants face up to 20 years in prison on the charges in the case.

U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Beistline has set Gattis's sentencing date for Nov. 6.

Contact Chris Klint

Updated Aug. 9 at 6:15 p.m.

A couple days after a troop of local Boy Scouts learned they would no longer be allowed to use the facilities at Anchorage Baptist Temple, other community and religious leaders are opening their doors.

Pastor Jerry Prevo decided to end the church's relationship with the Boy Scout Troop 1316 and Cub Scout Pack 316 because of a decision by Boy Scouts of America to allow gay members as the reason.

Boy Scouts of America has "'tucked and ran' from continuing to take the stand they have taken from their inception and change back and then we will too," the pastor wrote. "I understand many churches are dropping their support. Maybe this will get their attention."

Prevo did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Churches around the country have made similar moves, but according to local religious and scout leaders, ABT is the first in Alaska.

Several organizations are offering support to Troop 1316, according to Rev. Peter Perry, who is pastor of Saint John United Methodist Church. Perry is also a member of Christians for Equality, a group that promotes inclusion of the LGBT community in churches.

Perry said Congregation Beth Sholom, Jewel Lake (Presbyterian and United Methodist) Parish, Turnagain United Methodist Church and Anchor Park United Methodist Church are offering their facilities. Other organizations have also been in contact, he said.

The usually scheduled meeting of Troop 1316 was used as an opportunity for parents to discuss how to proceed, said Mark Schneider, whose 12-year-old son is a member of the troop.

"We were going to be OK, one way or another, we were going to do what's best for the boys," Schneider said Friday. "But the community has really impressed me."

Schneider said parents are trying to decide whether to join a nearby existing troop or to pursue a partnership with another church or community organization.

Whatever comes next for the group, the reaction to the story has been emotionally-charged.

"It's controversial, it's impacted a lot of churches," Perry said. "But it's not unique to scouting. As we know, it's part of our larger culture, and there's controversy around that in every walk of life. In the Christian community, you're going to have voices on both sides of the issue."

There was an outpouring of comments representing many views after Channel 2 shared the story on Facebook.

"I guess their Jesus only loves certain people," said Pam Jenny of Palmer.

Joy Sullivan of Nikiski, though, said that misses the point. 

"If an organization that uses your facilities teaches against your beliefs, it is only appropriate," she said. "Jesus himself turned the tables over when the temple was used for gambling. God is love, not acceptance."

Schneider, whose 12-year-old son was days away from losing the group he had known for eight years, said the bottom line is that the issue should be settled by adults and kept away from scouts.

"The noise of this issue has overcome what scouting is," he said. "Scouting is a program to help young men become grown men, to focus the energy of young men into leadership abilities."

The Alaska Supreme Court has reversed a Superior Court's dismissal of a lawsuit against an Anchorage bar over a stabbing death nine years ago, sending it back to the lower court for further proceedings.

The Anchorage Daily News reports the high court's 3-2 decision Friday holds that the victim's father, onetime political activist Uwe Kalenka, should be allowed to pursue his lawsuit against Chilkoot Charlie's.

Kalenka had argued that Chilkoot's improperly continued to serve alcohol to the man who killed his son, Eric, after the man was drunk.

The Chilkoot's patron, Jack Elias Morrell, was convicted of second-degree murder for the 2004 stabbing death of Eric Kalenka after a fight at the drive-through lane of a Taco Bell. Morrell is due to be released from a Colorado prison 2038.

From the Lone Star state to the Last Frontier, 69 University of Texas students pedaled more than 4,500 miles in 70-days, completing the 10^th annual Livestrong Texas 4000, the longest charity bike ride in the world.

"We had a lot of wind, 110 degree days, foggy days, we had rainy days, but in the end we all had each other," said rider Kelsey Fall, Anchorage native.  "We got through every day because of the people that we fight for."

Throughout the 70-day journey, participants battled the elements and tired legs, while spreading awareness, prevention and inspiration in the fight against cancer.

"Our goal is to spread hope, knowledge and charity everywhere we go," said Fall.  "We stop and give programs, we meet people, we share their stories everywhere we go."

The ride started back on June 1^st in Austin, Texas, from there, riders broke up into three groups, taking three separate routes up to Alaska, raising more than $470,000 along the way.

Participants started training for the event last fall, meeting throughout the year to organize the trip, fundraise and reach out to communities.

Since 2003, the Livestrong Texas 4000 has raised more than $4-milllion for cancer awareness.

Contact Blake Essig

The driver of a pickup truck suffered serious injuries after allegedly driving in a "reckless manner" and struck two teenage girls who were pronounced dead on scene in South Anchorage Friday evening, according to the Anchorage Police Department.

Around 6:45 p.m., police and firefighters responded to a single vehicle crash near the 1700 block of Abbott Rd. According to APD, a red pick-up truck swerved onto the sidewalk and struck the teenage girls before colliding with a large wooden sign.

Brooke McPheters, 15, and Jordyn Durr, 15, both of Anchorage, were pronounced dead on the scene.

"Witnesses report the truck was traveling in a reckless manner when it appeared to lose control prior to leaving the roadway and striking the two teenagers as they were walking along the bike-path," Dani Myren, APD spokesperson, said in a statement.

The driver was taken to area hospital with serious injuries. Police said the driver appeared to be the only person in the pickup truck.

"The crash is still under investigation with the traffic unit re-creating the scene and at this point no other parties were involved," Myren said.


Editor's Note: Clarifies spelling first name of Dunn to Jordyn, instead of Jordan.

Contact Neil Torquiano

Alaska State Troopers say the number of officers in the state's Village Public Safety Officer program has topped 100 for the first time in decades.
   
Troopers say the 101th VPSO was brought on board July 25 to work in New Stuyahok. The 100th VPSO was hired earlier in July for the village of Kiana.
   
According to troopers, it's the first time the program has topped 100 positions filled since the 1980s, when there were 130 positions filled.
   
The numbers have fluctuated over the years, falling to 45 filled positions at the end of 2007.
   
Currently, all but 20 of the 121 VPSO slots are filled.

A group of Fairbanks paddlers is being credited with saving the life of a teen-ager during a trip down the Gulkana.
   
Doctors, rescuers and family members say if the paddlers hadn't come to the aid of Kraig Hammond he would have died.
   
The Fairbanks News-Miner reports the group was a couple of days into a five-day trip when they encountered 17-year-old Kraig Hammond and his father, Rick.
   
The father asked for their help, explaining that the teen had injured his knee, but it became swollen and inflamed during their trip and he was showing other signs of infection.
   
They made Kraig and Rick part of their group and then signaled for help with an emergency beacon.
   
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson sent a helicopter. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors say he arrived just in time.
   


Contact Neil Torquiano

An effort is underway in Alaska to drum up excitement and support for a planned round-the-world airship race.
   
The World Sky Race is billed as "an historic competition of lighter-than-air skyships" that will race over 30,000 miles.
   
The race would pass over either Alaska or Hawaii. Don Hartsell, commissioner of the World Air League, says he expects a decision on which state it will be in the next 90 days.
   
He says the race is scheduled to begin in September 2015, and would pass over Alaska or Hawaii in February or March of 2016.
   
Organizers want to know the enthusiasm for the race is high in whichever site they settle on. He says talks are occurring with officials in both states.
   
An organizing committee has been formed in Alaska.

A cruise ship set to depart Seward on Friday has been delayed due to an electrical problem for several days, according to Celebrity Cruises, a cruise line that operates three ships that travel to Alaska.

On Friday, the 2,138-passenger Celebrity Millennium reported experiencing an electrical problem with one of two propulsion motors, as it neared the end of a seven-day cruise.

"The intricate repairs required to restore power to the motor will take several days," Celebrity Cruises said in a statement.

The cruise line said the Celebrity Millennium will remain in port in Seward until Tuesday, August 13. The ship had another round of passengers set to start a seven-day cruise from Seward to Vancouver, British Columbia on Friday. The company announced that it offered guests a variety of options for compensation and/or assistance with alternate travel arrangements or "stay onboard during the repair and enjoy all the onboard experiences they have come to expect from a Celebrity Cruises vacation."

According to Seward City Manager Jim Hunt, the community will face an extra strain with the Silver Salmon Derby happening from Aug. 10 to Aug. 18, along with the passengers and crew from the cruise ship. Hunt estimated the community will have an extra 3,700 people in town.

Contact Neil Torquiano

Alaska State Troopers say a woman suffered a gunshot wound after a fight broke out at a party in Fairbanks.
   
Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen says the woman, whose name has not been released, was not involved in the fight, and the wound is not considered life-threatening.
   
Ipsen says the fight started early Saturday at an outdoor area that is popular with young people who have bonfire-type parties.
   
Investigators have yet to charge anyone with the shooting. One man at the party - 22-year-old Aaron Hodges of Fort Wainwright - was charged with misdemeanor weapons misconduct.

A man accused of ramming a police car and crashing into a fence at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson earlier this week was arraigned in Anchorage Jail Court Saturday afternoon.

Court documents say a police officer spotted 28-year-old Matthew Isaac Stough on August 7 inside a stolen 2006 Chevy pick-up truck in Fairview. When the officer told Stough to get out of the truck, he allegedly put it in reverse and sped off, hitting the patrol car and causing some damage.

Later that afternoon, Anchorage police received a call of a man breaking a car window to steal a wallet inside. Police located Stough in the pickup, but he drove away from officers, speeding through traffic near Debarr and Boniface.

Charging documents say Stough drove towards JBER, and then crashed through a fence before trying to run away on foot. Investigators found a handgun and the stolen wallet inside the truck.

30-year-old Ninilchik woman Sarah Lorraine Urdahl allegedly rode as a passenger with Stough and was charged with fifth-degree criminal mischief.

In a yellow jailhouse uniform, Stough waved to TV cameras before the Magistrate read his charges.

According to court papers, Stough was charged with 10 counts, including vehicle theft in the first degree, failure to stop at direction of a peace officer, misconduct involving weapons in the third degree, theft in the second degree, reckless endangerment, resisting or interfering with arrest, two counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, theft in the third degree, and reckless driving.

"I've been pretty much incarnated or in jail in one form or the other for the last five years," said Stough as the Magistrate appointed an attorney.
 
"The potential allegations in this particular case indicate he's a danger to the public," said prosecutors.

Stough's bail was set at $250,000 and he also faces four charges in Kenai court for two counts for failure to stop at a peace officer, reckless driving, and license revocation.



Contact Neil Torquiano

A 31-year-old man has been charged with driving under the influence and killing two 15-year-old girls after crashing his pickup truck Friday evening in South Anchorage, according to the Anchorage Police Department.

APD traffic investigators alleged Stacey Allen Graham of driving his red 2006 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck east on Dimond Blvd, toward Abbott Road, in "a reckless manner and at a high rate of speed," based on witness statements.

"As Graham approached the Dimond/Abbott curve he apparently lost control of his vehicle," Dani Myren, APD spokesperson, said in a Saturday evening statement. "The pick-up truck left the roadway and swerved onto the bike-path located to west side of Abbott Road, just north of 88th Street, where 15-year-old Brooke McPheters and 15-year-old Jordyn Durr were walking."

The truck hit the two girls before crashing with a large business sign and resting on its side. According to police, the girls were reportedly walking home from the Dimond Center after shopping for back-to-school items. Both McPheters and Durr were pronounced dead on the scene.

Emergency responders removed the truck's roof to get Graham, who was transferred to an area hospital for injuries that were initially described as serious.

"While Graham remains in the hospital, his injuries are considered to be of a non-life-threatening nature," Myren said. "Preliminary alcohol tests indicate Graham was approximately three times the legal limit at the time of the crash. He has been charged with Operating Under the Influence and two counts of Murder 2."

Police also said "alcohol, reckless driving behaviors, speed and wet road conditions are all considered factors in the collision."


Contact Neil Torquiano

Beer and bacon - hundreds showed up for the Alaska Brewing Company's first ever festival celebrating "two very important food groups" in Spenard.

On Saturday, the Millennium Hotel hosted the festival, which featured a bacon eating contest, games, prizes and music and of course a frosty cool beverage to wash all that bacon down with.

Organizers say the festival's success means this will likely turn into an annual event.

"We had an idea a couple months ago of putting together a beer and bacon festival and Alaskans love beer and they love bacon," said Carol Fraser, festival organizer. "We sold the tickets in two weeks, and didn't do that much advertising. Did some Facebook promotions and everybody's having a blast so why not, let's do it every year."

According to the Alaska Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development, the coffee and beer industry in the state provided 240 jobs as of February 2013.


Contact Neil Torquiano

The 13th annual "Helping Us Give School Supplies," known as HUGSS, event will take place at a bigger venue - the Sullivan Arena.

On Tuesday, Aug. 13, low-income families will be able to pick up backpacks and school supplies. According to organizers, winter coats will also be available thanks to Fred Meyer stores, which sponsored the Coats for Kids project.

Last year, the event served more than 5,100 kids at Clark Middle School. This year, organizers say they are ready to serve 5,500 kids. HUGSS has helped more than 55,000 kids since it started in 2001.

The one-day only event takes place Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Sullivan Arena, 1600 Gambell St.

For more information, call 64-HUGSS (644-8477) or visit cssalaska.org.


Contact Neil Torquiano