🌱 Patch AM: Why Anchorage is facing unusually high fire danger in December

Good morning Anchorage! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Anchorage is facing unusually high fire danger in December
• Could Anchorage schools really move to a four-day week next year?
• Why did the state slash $19M from Anchorage road safety plans?

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny and very cold, with a high of 8 and low of -1 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and very cold, temps: high: 6, low: -6.
• Monday: Partly sunny and very cold, with a high of 5 and low of -4 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Officials warn of high fire danger for Southcentral and more wind for Mat-Su (adn.com) — Anchorage is under a high fire danger advisory this weekend due to strong winds and little snow, with officials urging extra caution around any outdoor flames. The alert also covers Mat-Su, Kenai and Kodiak, where downed power lines have already sparked fires. Forecasters say powerful winds could cause more damage and outages, especially in the Matanuska Valley.
   

2. Anchorage School Board members float 4-day school week, school closures and consolidations in face of massive deficit (adn.com) — Anchorage School Board members are weighing major cost-cutting ideas, including a four-day school week, closing school buildings, and consolidating special programs to address an $83 million deficit. Officials say painful cuts are likely after savings were exhausted and state funding increases fell short, with larger class sizes, staff reductions, and possible school closures all on the table.
   

3. State opts to give Anchorage $19M less than expected for road safety next year (adn.com) — Anchorage will receive about $19 million less than expected for key road safety projects next year, delaying improvements on some of the city’s most dangerous corridors. State officials say Anchorage projects weren’t “shovel ready,” while city leaders and residents warn the cuts worsen an ongoing pedestrian safety crisis and strip out long-planned fixes across multiple high-crash streets.
   

4. Winter Solstice celebration takes over Cuddy Park (alaskasnewssource.com) — Anchorage families packed Cuddy Park on this solstice Saturday for the city’s annual winter festival, complete with ice skating, reindeer, and free hot chocolate. Newcomers and longtime residents alike praised Anchorage’s strong sense of community as kids met Santa and Mrs. Claus, rode in horse-drawn carriages, and warmed up together despite the frigid temperatures.
   

5. Operation Santa comes to Anchorage, spreads holiday cheer (statenews.net) — Operation Santa came to Anchorage this year, bringing a special holiday celebration for Western Alaska families displaced by Typhoon Halong. Hosted at the Alaska Native Heritage Center with support from the Alaska National Guard and local partners, the event offered gifts, community connection, and cultural care to evacuees now living in Anchorage.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• Coffee with a Veteran at Black Birch Books
  Black Birch Books , 2901 E. Bogard Rd #104 , Wasilla
  10:00 am
• Community Hikes in Palmer — Revel Treks & Tours
  2955 Mountain Trail Cir , Palmer
  6:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Recycle Sutton
  Sutton Transfer Site , 15625 North Glenn Highway , Sutton-Alpine
  2:00 pm

Monday December 22

• 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

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

Sunday December 28

• Zoo Lights — The Alaska Zoo
  Alaska Zoo , 4731 O'Malley Rd , Anchorage
  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

• In October of last year, we adopted this beautiful boy from Anchorage Animal Control.
  He had been there since the end of August. All they could tell us was that he was 7 years old and the people who surrendered him weren't able to keep… (Nextdoor Abbott Loop North)
• A relatively small thing that made my day.
  Was taking some boxes of food items out of the freezer at Carrs on east N lights this morning & a bunch of boxes landed on the floor. They were just… (Nextdoor Lower Northeast)

• Walmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Food/Consumables Team Supervisor in Wasilla. Apply here.
• McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for Mc Donald's Crew Restaurant Team Starts $16/hr, dayside, openers, closers 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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