Alaska State Troopers were honored today for extraordinary acts of courage, receiving top awards for life saving rescues carried out earlier this year in icy, life-threatening conditions. The ceremony came amid a busy day of trooper responses to winter crashes, community emergencies, and ongoing investigations, highlighting the daily risks Alaskans face on treacherous roads and the dedication of those sworn to protect them.
Moose Collision on Sterling Highway
Troopers in Soldotna responded to a vehicle collision with a moose on the Sterling Highway near Mile 91.5. The driver, Jacqueline Adelaide Taylor, 42, of Anchorage, was found to have a revoked license and was cited for Driving with a Revoked License. No serious injuries were reported and Taylor was released at the scene.
Hit-and-Run at Amore Mocha Coffee Shop
Later in the day, an older Ford pickup struck the sign at Amore Mocha Coffee Shop at Kalifornsky Beach Road and East Poppy. The truck left the area before troopers arrived. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call AST in Soldotna at 907-262-4453.
A photo provided by the shop shows a festive holiday drink with the now well-known sign in the background, a reminder to stay alert on winter roads.
🚨 Additional Trooper Activity
Palmer: William Ogan, 42, was arrested after allegedly holding his girlfriend against her will and violating conditions of release. He faces charges including Kidnapping and Assault 4 DV.
Palmer: Elizabeth Nayakik, 33, of Wasilla, was arrested on a no-bail warrant for failing to remand on a DUI charge.
Fairbanks: Chad Brett Nanouk, 32, was arrested following a domestic disturbance assault.
🚨 Update on Glennallen Caribou Hotel Fire
Troopers released a missing person notice earlier this month for 86-year-old Mary Jo Evans of Valdez after she was last seen traveling in early November. Investigators later found her vehicle among the remains of the Caribou Hotel in Glennallen.
Troopers and the State Fire Marshal believe Evans likely perished in the November 12 fire, although no human remains have been recovered. The fire is believed to have started in the hotel’s utility and boiler room. The investigation is ongoing.
Troopers Honored for Cold-Water Rescues
Gov. Mike Dunleavy recognized two Alaska State Troopers this afternoon for extraordinary life-saving actions in two separate cold-water rescues.
Trooper Nathan Hollenbeck: Tanana River Rescue
On May 29 in Nenana, Trooper Nathan Hollenbeck rappelled down a seawall and entered the Tanana River to save 37-year-old Jonathan Pitka of Fairbanks, who was in severe hypothermia and unable to keep himself above water. Hollenbeck held Pitka up for roughly 30 minutes until EMS and a local resident arrived with a boat. Both men were treated for cold-water exposure.
Trooper Garrett Stevens: Cloudy Lake Rescue
On June 10 in Meadow Lakes, Trooper Garrett Stevens entered Cloudy Lake to save a child who had fled into the water while escaping an assault. Stevens reached the child within minutes and brought them safely to shore. Charges in the related assault case are pending with the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Gov. Dunleavy praised both troopers for their courage under extreme conditions, noting that their actions exemplify the highest standard of public service.
Winter Safety and Long-Term Planning
As communities navigate the dangers of winter travel, the state is also looking ahead. Alaska’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is developing its Long-Range Transportation Plan 2055, a 30-year roadmap aimed at improving road safety, connectivity, and resilience against harsh conditions. By streamlining project approvals and coordinating with local communities, the plan seeks to make Alaska’s roads safer for residents and travelers alike, reinforcing the same commitment to public safety demonstrated today by the state’s troopers.
🎁 A Holiday Gift From the Past: The Kozloff Books
This holiday season, give the gift of history, resilience, and heart with Henry Kozloff’s stunning photo books of St. Paul Island in the 1950s. Captured by his father, Iliodor “Eddie” Kozloff, these images show a community rebuilding after decades of upheaval—from Russian and U.S. government control of the fur-seal trade to the forced evacuation and internment during World War II.
Families returned to find homes ransacked, possessions gone, and a once-familiar island transformed. Against that backdrop, the Aleut (Unangan) people worked tirelessly to restore their homes, traditions, and way of life. The Kozloff photos capture this remarkable period of renewal: birthdays, weddings, daily chores, subsistence work, seasonal celebrations, and the rhythms of everyday life.
These books are more than a photo collection—they are a living archive, preserving the stories, faces, and spirit of a resilient community. For descendants, history lovers, or anyone who treasures Alaska’s Indigenous heritage, they make a truly meaningful holiday gift.
Available for purchase:
✨ Special Offer: Blurb is offering 30% off your first order when you sign up for email and texts. Perfect timing for holiday shopping! 🎄
