8,600 sign petition citing concerns about Anchorage mask mandate for athletes
A petition against Anchorage’s mandate that athletes wear face masks during practices and competitions has now been signed by nearly 9,000 people who say the order “defies a growing body of scientific data about significant negative health effects of
Palmer mayor welcomes more public comment on controversial mask mandate proposal
If last week’s Palmer City Council meeting is any indication, local residents have strong opinions over a proposed citywide mask mandate. While the in-person public comment period concluded after nearly three hours on Nov. 18, Palmer Mayor Edna DeVries
CORRECTION: Mat-Su Borough Assembly is not seeking to impose a mask mandate
On Nov. 19 the Watchman published an article which suggested that the Mat-Su Borough Assembly was seeking approval from Alaska’s attorney general’s office to impose a borough-wide mask mandate. This was not the case. The article reported on an exchange
Mat-Su asks attorney general to clarify why he thinks 2nd-class boroughs can impose mask mandates
Editor’s note: This article has been changed to remove any suggestion that the Mat-Su Assembly was seeking approval from the State’s Attorney General Office to impose a borough mask mandate. This is not the case and we regret any confusion our
Palmer delays mask mandate vote to next week after hearing massive opposition
Hundreds of Palmer area residents stood in bitter cold weather outside the Palmer City Council chambers on Nov. 18 for a chance to publicly oppose a proposed citywide mask mandate. After hearing nearly three hours of in-person testimony the Palmer City
Seward considers mandatory face masks for indoors
Seward is the next in a series of local Alaska towns weighing or adopting mask mandates in recent dats. The Seward City Council will hold a public hearing on whether to enact an emergency regulation mandating that residents wear face masks inside buildings
Palmer progressives want to wield newfound power to mandate masks
Following victories in the recent October election, progressives on the Palmer City Council now enjoy a narrow 4-3 majority, which they will try and use to reshape the historic farming town. This agenda begins in earnest on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m.
Unelected Anchorage mayor imposes mask mandate, restricts gatherings increases enforcement
Anchorage’s unelected acting mayor, Austin Quinn-Davidson has decided to wield her newly inherited emergency powers to impose city-wide mask mandates and tighter restrictions on gatherings. She announced her new mandates during a Nov. 6 press conference.
Wasilla mayor says voters can’t go to poll site unless they mask up
Alaskans who show up to vote in the joint Mat-Su Borough and statewide election must wear a mask in order to cast a ballot at the Wasilla Public Library polling station. Local resident Mike Hensley walked into the library on Oct. 20, the first day of early
Seward extends COVID restrictions despite zero hospitalizations or deaths
Seward residents will continue to live under an extensive list of COVID-19 mandates. On Monday, July 27, the Seward City Council voted unanimously to extend emergency regulations that restrict campgrounds to 50% capacity, prohibit gatherings of 20 or more