Margaret Adsit, Lands Program Coordinator for the Alaska Farmland Trust, joins host Mike Chmielewski on Valley Edition to discuss the works of the Alaska Farmlands Trust.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, John Schirack, the new Manager of the Palmer Municipal Golf Course, as they discuss the upcoming 2026 golf season.

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, Dr. Guilherme Castro Dabus, MD of the Miami Neuroscience Institute, as they discuss the causes, signs, and what to do during a stroke.

Ed Strable from the Mat-Su Ski Club joins host Mike Chmielewski for this week’s Ski report. The report is current until 7:00 am Saturday, the 2nd of May.

What if the skills students learn in high school could be available to any adult in the Mat-Su Valley? What if someone is ready to work, or ready to start over, but needs some training? Wasilla High School principal Jason Marvel decided to answer these questions.

A $75,000 Catholic Social Services grant created the opportunity in 2024. Its goal was to prepare Ukrainian refugees to enter the workforce. Marvel jumped at the chance. Wasilla High and industry created the nonprofit Warrior Nation Community School with the grant funds.

Marvel drew on two models: The national skilled labor certificates that students in his school were earning and the community schools that were used in the Mat-Su decades ago.

The program expanded into the Wasilla Workforce Development Initiative, or WWDI with help of a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. WWDI serves Mat-Su residents 18 and older with hands-on training that leads to jobs.

Experienced certified career and technical teachers instruct in five areas.

Marvel says WWDI tailors nationally recognized training to the needs of the community. He says the best way to do that is through partnerships with local businesses, the VFW Post 9365, and the City of Wasilla.

Two of those partnerships show up in the classroom: the electrical program and the healthcare pathway.

The pre-apprenticeship electrical program is taught by Northern Industrial Training. It is NC3 certified. It provides a nationally recognized industry credential. And it’s a lead-in to advanced training.

The healthcare pathway partners with the US Career Institute. Students leave certified and job-ready as patient care or pharmacy technicians.

Marvel points to the results. WWDI has enrolled 65 students. Two-thirds have landed jobs. And the healthcare pathway has almost 80 people on its waiting list.

Classes are held in the evening at Wasilla High School through an agreement with the school district. They follow the school calendar.

Tuition is $50 per course. Scholarships can cover the cost of certifications.

Dinner is provided. Free on-site childcare with certified teachers is offered.

WWDI plans to include a permanent home for the program.

“We will grow as much as our community needs us to grow,” Marvel says.

Fall registration is open. Go to wasillaworkforce.org or call 907-373-7878 for course schedules and information.

Monday is Drive Your Tractor to Work Day in Palmer. The tractors will leave the Fairgrounds at 9 a.m. After parading through town, they will park at the Downtown Pavillion.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Emily Forstner and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday, May 1, 2026.

[Photo courtesy of Wasilla Workforce Development Initiative]

Dani Reed with the Mat-Su Health Foundation joins host Mike Chmielewski to discuss the release of the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment on this episode of Community Health Connection.

State Fair President Jason Ortiz introduced us to Blake Allen, the new CEO of the Alaska State Fair. Blake and Jason had just finished coffee at Vagabond Blues.

Welcome Blake!

(left to right: Mike Chmielewski, Blake Allen, Jason Ortiz)

Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper discusses the recent city council meeting for April 28th, on this week’s Mayor’s Minutes with host Mike Chmielewski.

Well, the calendar says May is right around the corner, but the sky says, so what? Bah, there are too many things to do to get bogged down by grey skies. Let’s take a small dip into the pool of fun things happening around the Greater PalmerMetroPlex and beyond this weekend.

The 4th annual American Cancer Society Mat-Su Taste of Hope: A Chef’s Competition is tonight. The taste-off features a competition between six chefs from around the Mat-Su. This benefit for the American Cancer Society is at Everett’s Restaurant. Tickets and information for this 21 and older event are at acstasteofhopematsu.org.

The “Valley Chrome & Wheel” Car Show is at the Palmer Sport Center this weekend. The 49th State Street Rodders host this free three-day event of sweet four-wheeled art. Check statestreetrodders.com for the schedule. The Palmer Sports Center, formerly called the MTA Events Center, is across from the Palmer Junior Middle School Sports fields.

Blackwater Railroad kicks-off the Palmer Alehouse’s Summer Concert Series tomorrow. The show starts at 7 p.m. The Summer Concert Series schedule is available at PalmerAlehouse.com.

Saturday night is full of ABBA! ABBAlaska plays at the Palmer Alehouse. Come enjoy the Swedish pop celebration with funky disco grooves, stunning harmonies, costumes and more. The show starts at 7 p.m.

With summer on its way, Saturday is the Safe Summer Kick Off at the Palmer Depot from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Come join the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation for a family-friendly event all about getting outside, staying active, and being safe. There will be presentations, exhibits and giveaways. More information is available on the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation Facebook page.

The Fishhook Community Council is hosting a community clean-up on Saturday. Meet up at the fire station at 8200 East Turner Road.

at 9 a.m.

Kristin Link will sign copies of her book, Discover the Art of Field Sketching, at Fireside Books on Saturday from 1 to p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Palmer Arts Council presents a performance on the Bailey piano by internationally acclaimed pianist Roman Rudnytsky on Saturday at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer. He will be joined by local performers. Rudnytsky is an American concert pianist of Ukrainian background and a graduate of the Juilliard School. Tickets and show information available at palmerarts.org

The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering is coming to the Palmer Airport on Saturday and Sunday. This free event is expected to draw about 25,000 people to the airport and the State Fairgrounds. The $5 parking fee at the fairgrounds benefits Palmer Moose Hockey. More information at alaskaairmen.org.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Keith Peticola and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday April 30, 2026.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Rita Jo Shoultz from Alaska Perfect Peony and Fritz Creek Gardens in Homer, Alaska, as they discuss all things peonies.