Port MacKenzie Port Director, Dave Griffin, joins host Mike Chmielewski on Valley Edition to discuss the past, present, and future of Mat-Su’s Port MacKenzie.

Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, John Prevost, Palmer’s Fire Chief, as they discuss the Palmer Fire Department and its equipment.

Christine Roderick bought King Mountain Lodge in 2024. Then she bought the King Mountain general store in 2025. She bought more than a bunch of old buildings. She bought stories from old-time Chickaloon as well.

Here’s one: Back in the day, a Fish & Game employee got fired. He thought he was owed back pay. He felt cheated. He took hostages at the lodge. Someone snuck back to the kitchen and called the troopers in Palmer. They came as fast as they could. It was a two hour trip back then.

The lodge is a bar and restaurant. It was built in 1947. Other buildings popped up: a hotel, the general store, the cabins. The property passed through several owners. At some point, the hotel was torn down after a water pipe broke.

Cecile Betts is the most famous owner. She wrote a book about her experiences called “The Reluctant Pioneer.” It’s out of print, but Roderick was lucky enough to snag a copy.

She doesn’t have time to sit and read though. There is too much work to do. Windows were broken. Someone stole the copper pipes and wiring. There were truckloads of trash to haul away. She has the help of her four kids. But still: it’s a daunting task.

She left the work on the lodge building for later. She focused on the general store. She installed new plumbing and wiring. She now offers clean showers and washing machines.

Roderick thought the showers would be useful to tourists during the summer. She was surprised to find that many people in the area don’t have running water. She’s providing a service for them, too.

The store is stocked with both locals and tourists in mind. There are kitchen supplies. There’s a basket with fruit and onions. And there’s local honey and other gifts for the tourists. Antiques add charm and a sense of homeyness to the place.

Roderick plans to open the campground this summer. She already has reservations.

Back in its heyday, the lodge was a popular spot for bikers. There are photos with five to six hundred motorcycles parked out front.

One of the bikers passed away recently. Her family and friends are coming back to remember her on the fourth of July. They’ll have stories to tell. We know Roderick will be busy and we hope she’ll have time to hear them.

The Chickaloon General Store is at mile 76.5 on the Glenn Highway. You can find “King Mountain Lodge & Campground, Chickaloon General Store” on Facebook.

In other news, Hatcher Pass Road remains closed. An avalanche hit the roadway Wednesday night, leaving debris up to 20 feet deep across about 150 feet of road. Crews finished clearing the area yesterday. Conditions will be assessed this morning for a possible opening this afternoon.

Celebrating Education & Sharing Day on Monday at the Palmer Train Depot.

All are welcome to an inspiring and meaningful evening with best-selling author Rabbi Simon Jacobson.

He will share insights from his book Toward a Meaningful Life. The book is based on the timeless teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the most revered Jewish sage of modern history. Enjoy a free dinner buffet. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 5:45 p.m. Learn more and RSVP at matsujewishcenter.org.

Our spring fund drive starts today. If you like Page 2 News, please let us know by making a donation at bigcabbageradio.org. Our goal is $10,000.

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.

This Page Two article was reported by David Cheezem 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 April 24, 2026.

Mike Chmielewski and Scott Blair from My Favorite Realty have their monthly talk about local real estate.

Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper discusses the recent city council meeting for April 21st, on this week’s Mayor’s Minutes with host Mike Chmielewski.

It looks like springtime is trying to make its way to us. Silly weather machine, it might be busted. Let’s all give it a hand and encourage the sun and warmer weather to get here.

Here are a few things going on in the PalmerMetroPlex this weekend:

Who Let the Girls Out takes over Palmer! It starts on Friday with a favorite event: the Who Let the Girls Out Fashion Show at the Palmer Moose Lodge. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a silent auction. The fashion show starts at 7 p.m.

One of the best parts of Who Let the Girls Out? Picking up your stamp pass and visiting participating businesses in Palmer on Saturday! Turn in your pass to a participating business to enter to win all sorts of prizes.

Who Let the Girls Out wraps up on Sunday with the Rebel Beauty Pageant at the Palmer Moose Lodge. Doors open at 3 p.m. The pageant begins at 4 p.m. The pageant celebrates confidence, individuality, creativity, and bold beauty.

Find more information on the “2026 Who Let the Girls Out” Facebook page.

Our Annual Meeting is on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Turkey Red. Morning Show host Mike Chmielewski and Mat-Su Sentinel journalist Amy Bushatz will discuss journalism in the Valley. Updates on the station and election of board members will follow. The fee for nonmembers is $20. Seating is limited.

The Mat-Su Kids Safety & Awareness Festival raises awareness and provides resources to prevent Child Sexual Abuse. This free event brings families together for a fun day. It runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Karma Kafe at 3400 E Cottle Loop just off the Palmer/Wasilla Highway.

Speaking of safety, The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday. Safely dispose of old and unused prescription drugs at Fred Meyer or Carrs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Celebrate the start of the running season at the Valley Thaw Out Races on Saturday. Races include a kids Fun Run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and new this year, a full marathon. This fundraiser for the MatSu Running Club starts and finishes at Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm on Bodenburg Loop. The first race starts at 9 a.m. More information is available on the MatSu Running Club Facebook page.

The Mat-Su Spring Home Show features products and services for new home construction, whole house renovations, DIY and more! The event opens at 10 a.m. at the Menard Sports Center on Saturday and Sunday. Ticket information at matsuhomeshow.com. Free admission on Sunday for first responders and for active and retired military.

Green Sea Creature will bring their sound to Hatcher Pass Lodge on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.

This is a small taste of the happenings this weekend. Get out and have some fun even if the sun is being a ‘fraidy cat.

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.

Our spring fund drive starts tomorrow. If you like Page 2 News, please let us know by making a donation at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Keith Peticolas 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 23, 2026.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Bryan Scoresby, the Director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture, as they discuss living and loving Alaskan Agriculture.

By Amy Bushatz from matsusentinel.com

Even as snow flurries returned to portions of Mat-Su this week, state safety officials said residents should be on guard against wildfires and take time to prepare their homes and yards for this year’s fire season.

Wildland fire season in Mat-Su officially runs from April 1 to August 31, according to state forestry officials. Residents planning anything beyond a small warming campfire must apply for and receive a burn permit.

Applications are available online, at the state forestry office in Palmer, or from any Matanuska-Susitna Borough fire station.

Conditions this year are expected to be typical for wildland fires, officials said, but warmer-than-normal conditions are in the forecast, and residents should still be careful.

“We live in Alaska — whether you’re in Mat-Su and Southcentral, the peninsula or up here in the interior — we are a fire-prone state,” said Sam Harrel, a state forestry information officer. “Folks here in Alaska need to be ready.”

Most early-season fires are caused by humans, not weather events like lightning strikes, Harrel said. Snow-covered ground can quickly turn to dry grass and leaves in the right spring weather, creating a perfect bed for an accidental blaze, he said.

“That snow goes away and that dead vegetation is dry, dry, dry,” he said. “A little breeze and a little sunshine — and just a spark, and off it goes.”

Harrel recommends residents take time to clear vegetation around their homes, removing dry brush and leaves from under porches and in gutters, and trimming back tree branches. Those steps are basics taught through the state’s Firewise program, which can provide free on-site property fire hazard assessments.

“We encourage people to be ready — look at your yard and look at your neighbor’s yard, and help your neighbors,” he said. “In the long run, it’s going to help your community.”

Fire season does not mean a halt to controlled blazes. State forestry and wildfire officials are planning a burn in a 375-acre section of the Moose Range near Sutton next month, they said in a public notice. It is needed to encourage plant growth, the release said.

About 30 firefighters will be on hand during the multiday project, and the operation will only move forward if weather conditions don’t make the plan too dangerous for the surrounding areas, they said.

In other news

Hatcher Pass Road remains closed at the Avalanche Gate at Milepost 14 due to elevated avalanche risk. Closure is projected to last until tomorrow due to an incoming storm according to the Department of Transportation.

The City of Palmer will resume alcohol sales at the golf course under its seasonal liquor license. The license runs from April 15 through October 15. The Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office Board at their meeting last week determined that the City of Palmer’s response to a Notice of Violation requires no further action.

Our three day fund drive starts tomorrow. Please help us make our $10,000 goal. Please donate.

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.

This Page Two article read 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 Wednesday April 22, 2026. Happy Earth Day.