🌱 Patch AM: What investigators still need to know about a death near Basher Trailhead

Good day Anchorage! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What investigators still need to know about a death near Basher Trailhead
• How to spot fake ‘designer deals’ targeting Anchorage holiday shoppers
• How Anchorage-bound passengers stopped a terrifying in-flight door incident

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Mostly sunny and very cold, with a high of 3 and low of -4 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very cold, temps: high: 6, low: -1.
• Wednesday: Very cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 12 and low of 5 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Woman reported missing is found dead near Anchorage's Basher Trailhead (adn.com) — Anchorage police say 28-year-old Kaitlyn Kaganak, reported missing earlier this month, was found dead near the Basher Trailhead off Basher Drive on Friday. Detectives are still investigating and believe some people may have information about her disappearance and death, urging anyone with tips to contact APD or submit them anonymously to Anchorage Crime Stoppers.
   

2. Fake designer goods flood holiday sales: How Alaska shoppers can protect themselves (webcenterfairbanks.com) — Anchorage shoppers are being warned that counterfeit designer goods are surfacing more often during the holiday rush, with at least 15 Alaskans reporting they were duped in the past year. The Better Business Bureau explains how scammers use fake sales and urgency to push knockoffs, and offers concrete steps to verify sellers, dispute bad charges, and report scams to Alaska and federal agencies.
   

3. 'We're all going to die': Alaska Airlines passenger accused of trying to open cabin door midflight (ktvu.com) — Passengers on an Alaska Airlines flight bound for Anchorage helped restrain a man who allegedly tried several times to open a cabin door and shouted that everyone was going to die. The plane landed safely in Anchorage, where the man was taken to Providence Hospital and later federally charged with interfering with flight crew duties.
   

4. Depth delivers again for SWDP boys as they claim second straight state wrestling title (adn.com) — Anchorage readers have a new state champion to cheer: Bettye Davis East Anchorage’s Kenya‑Marie Bruno dominated the 165‑pound girls final just a year after switching from basketball to wrestling. Her win came during the ASAA state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center, where the Student Wrestling Development Program boys repeated as Division I champs and Soldotna’s girls secured their third straight team title.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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📣 Anchorage Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Monday December 22

• Yuletide Festival
  2075 Glenn Hwy , Palmer
  5:00 pm
• AKtive Soles Happy Run
  AKtive Soles Performance Footwear , 642 S. Alaska St. Ste. 100 , Palmer
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• MyHouse "Morning Meeting with the Mayor"
  Gathering Grounds Cafe , 300 N. Willow St. , Wasilla
  9:00 am
• Youth Group
  Sutton Bible Church , 15748 Glenn Hwy , Sutton-Alpine
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Weekly Free Zoo Storytime sponsored by ConocoPhillips Alaska
  Gateway Hall , 4731 O'Malley Rd , Anchorage
  10:30 am

Thursday December 25

• Preschool Storytime
  Sutton Public Library , 11301 Chickaloon Way , Sutton
  11:00 am
• Christmas Dinner
  Eagle River Alaska Lions Club , Eagle River Rd & E Eagle River Loop Rp , Eagle River
  12:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Coffee Canines and Camaraderie
  Band of Brothers AK , 2050 N Merciful Cir , Wasilla
  12:00 pm
• Open Mic Night at Black Birch Books
  Black Birch Books , 2091 E. Bogard Rd. Suite 104 , Wasilla
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Coffee with a Veteran at Black Birch Books
  Black Birch Books , 2901 E. Bogard Rd #104 , Wasilla
  10:00 am

Sunday December 28

• Zoo Lights — The Alaska Zoo
  Alaska Zoo , 4731 O'Malley Rd , Anchorage
  5:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Weirdo Wednesdays with Misfits
  Shell , 3950 S Knik Goose Bay Rd , Wasilla
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hello neighbors, I need help.
  My husband stayed in the hospital for more than a week and I stayed by his side until he passed away. Now I came home and I am without water. My… (Nextdoor Abbott Loop South)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
  Mamacita was LOST on November 22, 2025 in Anchorage, AK 99504 near Penn Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the owner,… (Nextdoor Upper Northeast)

• McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for MC DONALD'S restaurant Crew Starts at $16/hr openers, dayside, closers, overnights Anchorage, Kodiak, ER, Palmer, Wasilla in Wasilla. Apply here.
• Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anchorage here.

Ok Anchorage! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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