Russell Stigall

Synthetic fuel typically is produced in a heat and chemical reaction called Fischer-Tropsch. The product is a liquid hydrocarbon, like crude or diesel, which is cleaner burning than traditional fossil fuels; it causes less wear and tear on parts, saving money and commanding a premium on the market. Synthetic fuel is predictable and can make high-quality petro-chemicals and plastics.

Turning coal into a liquid fuel may sound like an innocuous process, something akin to melting blocks of ice. However, it is a highly energy intensive and carbon dioxide laden process.

The first step in converting coal to liquid fuel is to gasify the coal producing a methane-like syngas that can be used like natural gas in power generation, heating, and feed stock for chemical manufacturers like Agrium in Nikiski. Agrium had plans in 2008 to start a coal gasifier, called Blue Sky, to replace the dwindling Cook Inlet NG feedstock.

Traditional coal liquefaction comes with all the inherent drawbacks of traditional coal energy — namely, mining, transportation and carbon and toxic pollution. Underground Coal Gasification (where the Fischer-Tropsch process is done completely underground in the coal seam) could alleviate some of these concerns. However, there are still many questions concerning this technique.

While coal liquefaction can take several forms natural gas liquefaction typically uses the Fischer-Tropsch process. Fischer–Tropsch is operated in the temperature range of 150–300 °C (302–572 °F). The process converts the coal to gas and uses a catalyst to convert the gas into liquid. The catalyst is often a metal, like cobalt, however much research is going into finding new and more efficient catalyst materials.

Using Usibelli coal from Healy Alaska would technically be called Brown Coal to Liquids BCTL. Since Usibelli’s coal is sub-bituminus or Lignite, would need an extra drying process to remove water. This research was done by Japan in early 1990s. The process fell out of favor due to cheap oil.

Though liquefied gas is traditionally thought of as compressed and refrigerated gas shipped in large quantities over long distances, traditional LNG is far too unwieldy to use as an everyday fuel source. Instead, to make liquid fuel you can handle at room temperature and atmospheric pressures, one that can burn clean in existing transportation fleets, it needs to be liquefied through Fischer-Tropsch.

Though natural gas is a source of carbon dioxide pollution and its exploration and extraction have an impact on Alaska’s invaluable environment, natural gas is the best option to bridge between our current heavy reliance on fossil fuels to 2025 when at least half of our energy can come from renewable energy systems.

Alaska Legislators have introduced a bill to incentivize the development of a synthetic fuels market in Alaska. SB228 Tax Incentive for Gas-to-Liquids an Act providing for an industrial incentive investment tax credit and including a gas-to-liquids facility as an eligible investment; and providing for a production tax limit on gas used as a raw material for producing liquids or petrochemicals from gas in the state

While the bill language does include natural gas liquefaction, the gas in Gas-to-Liquids can come from coal, biomass or other feedstock.

The bill is sponsored by Senators Lesil McGuire, Bill Wielechowski and Johnny Ellis. It was referred to (S) Resources then (S) Finance.

The Department of Defense plans to use synthetic fuels 50 percent of its aviation fuel use. Coal liquefaction was the initial favorite technology. However, new procurement rules require that the synfuel be less carbon-intensive than traditional fossil fuel refinement processes. Even including carbon capture and sequestration or biomass blending (feeding CO2 to algae etc.), coal liquefaction may have trouble meeting this mark. Natural Gas liquefaction could meet the requirements of the Dept. of Defense while at the same time incentivizing in-state natural gas development.

Synthetic fuel manufacture is not a new technology. Coal liquefaction was used by Germany in WWII and by South Africa due to sanctions related to apartheid. The patent for the Fischer Tropsch process was published in 1930. However, there have been recent advances in direct liquefaction processes and advances in catalyst technology, which might include carbon nano-tubes to increase the surface area for reactions.

The newest Direct to Liquids technology can be found in China. Invented in 1990 or 1991, the Chinese perfected the process from 2002 to 2009 for around $2 billion.

COMPASS: Other points of view
By CAITLIN HIGGINS (Ghost-written by Russell Stigall)
Published: November 24th, 2009 07:05 PM
Last Modified: November 24th, 2009 07:06 PM
Affordable energy and a healthy environment are the backbone of Alaska’s economy. However, with unpredictable fuel prices and the threat of winter gas shortages, it’s small wonder that Alaskans have consistently ranked energy issues second only to the economy in terms of the most important issue facing their local communities. Alaskans across the state are wondering not only if the energy they need will be available, but if they will be able to afford it.

We need a plan. The energy sources we have relied on for generations are not the energy sources of our future. It’s time to ask where we are going, how we want to get there and what Alaska’s energy future should be. We need a road map like those being written right now by members of the state House and Senate energy and resources committees.

There are many possible energy solutions being put forward in the policy and plan now being drafted. But the best solutions in terms of results are energy efficiency and renewable energy development. Quite simply, investments in these technologies will pay the greatest dividends in the form of reduced costs to consumers and clean, stably-priced energy and jobs for Alaskans.

The quickest and most effective of these clean energy solutions is improving the energy efficiency of our homes, offices and public buildings. Energy efficiency upgrades and weatherization stretch our dollars and our supply of natural gas and diesel fuels. Extending home weatherization programs and pay-as-you-save retrofitting for public buildings are just some of the money-saving options available to us. And energy saved (either by us or by the state) leaves more money to be spent on education, public safety, vacations and groceries.

The clean energy infrastructure we create today with our geothermal, solar, ocean, wind and advanced hydroelectric resources will give our youths well-paying, skilled jobs and a reason to work and live here in Alaska. However, the jobs and prosperity promised by clean technology are not just reserved for the future. From the hydroelectric of Southeast Alaska to Bradley Lake and the winds of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, many Alaskans are already enjoying the benefits of clean, renewable energy today.

Chena Hot Springs Resort, for example, currently powers much of its business through the lowest temperature geothermal project in the world, including a 16-ton absorption chiller that creates temperatures cold enough to maintain an ice museum year-round.

Kodiak Electrical Association installed three wind turbines at Pillar Mountain in 2009. When combined with a previously existing hydro project, it lets island businesses, homes, schools and public buildings on the utility’s grid now at times get 100 percent of their power from renewable energy.

If we as a state pursue this in a timely and vigorous manner, Alaska can be a leader in renewable energy technology as we are now in oil and gas development, and this technology and expertise can be exported to other countries and regions. Through research and development, construction and maintenance, clean energy will create high-tech, clean jobs for Alaskans and keep young minds in the state.

To assure our high quality of life in Alaska now and for our children’s  future, we must ask our legislators to work together now to embrace the cleanest and most stably priced of our Alaska-sized energy opportunities.

http://www.adn.com/2009/11/24/1027346/efficiency-renewable-energy-our.html

For the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, February, 2008

Victor Kohring has beat back his day of sentencing with an appeal to disqualify the judge who found him guilty.

Like a man pursued in an action movie, Kohring has scattered before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John Sedwick a path of obstacles in the form of appeals.

Before Kohring’s October trial, Sedick denied appeals by the ex-legislator and his wily attorney, John Henry Browne to move the trial to Seattle, Wash. and to disregard certain evidence.

Now Kohring has accused Sedwick of being biased as a result of a previous political struggle between Kohring and Sedwick’s wife.

Judge Sedwick referred Kohring’s appeal to Honorable H. Russell Holland. Holland reinterpreted Kohring’s appeal and placed the decision back with Sedwick.

Sedwick has until February 25 to recuse himself or not and Kohring has until March 10 react.

Kohring, a seven-term Republican representative from Wasilla, was convicted of three counts of conspiracy, attempted extortion and bribery in a Federal political corruption case late last year.

Kohring benefited from and contributed to the cash and influence former Veco oil services company executives Bill Allen and Rick Smith meted out to at least a dozen state legislators for over a decade. Kohring was found guilty of selling his influence and vote for multiple cash payments equaling an estimated $2,600.

Allen and Smith held council dispensed take-out food and bribes with Kohring and other legislators in room 604 of the Baranof Hotel in Juneau. The Federal Bureau of Investigation bugged the room in 2005 and recorded thousands of hours of audio and video from inside the room. Kohring, and former House Speaker Pete Kott were convicted of bribery, conspiracy largely due the damning evidence on these recordings.

Federal prosecutors Joseph Bottini and Edward Sullivan have asked Judge Sedwick for a sentence of 60 months.

Kohring said before his trial last fall that he could face up to 50 years in prison. While this turned out to be quite high, he did originally face a sentence longer than the 60 months sought by the feds. His jury found him not guilty of the feds’ extortion charge, but upheld a lesser charge of attempted extortion.

The Federal Government is also asking for a fine of $24,244.

Bottini and Sullivan wrote in their Sentencing Memorandum that Judge Sedwick should take into account Kohring’s repeat offenses - the legislator accepted multiple bribes from Allen and Smith and conspired with the executives on multiple occasions.

Kohring was unable to answer questions at the time of this writing.

For the Seward City News,  February, 2008

Long-time local and life-long salty dog, Kari Anderson is Seward’s new Harbormaster.

Anderson will fill the position once held by Scott Ransom. Ransom retired earlier this month but will provide support through the completion of the North Harbor project in the spring. Ransom worked with the Harbor Master’s office for 25 years.

Deputy Harbormaster Jim Lewis will be the interim harbormaster until Anderson takes the reigns, February 25.

Anderson lived a whole of 14 days on earth before she was first introduced to maritime life. She spent her first four years of life on a tug boat with her parents, Sharon Anderson and John “Andy” Anderson before the family settled in Seward. The Andersons built the successful tug business that carries their name. One of the company’s tugs, the Kari A, is named after our new Harbor Master.

A Seward high school graduate, Anderson attended Duke University in the late 1990s where she earned a Bachelors degree in biology with a minor in economics.

Anderson advanced her career as a professional mariner when she attended AVTEC’s Master/Mate in 2001. She has captained boats ever since.

Anderson sailed for two winters on a schooner from Newport, Rhode Island to Key West, Florida, captained a tugboat for half a year in Anchorage, worked on boats in Hawaii and worked on a private yacht in Costa Rica and the Galapagos.

During these years, no matter which of the seven seas Anderson may have found herself sailing, she said she always returned to Seward in the summer to run tour boats into the Kenai Fjords National Park.

Seward became Anderson’s full-time home for the first time in nearly a decade when she returned in 2005. She then began working in the Maritime Department at AVTEC, initially as an instructional aid and eventually as an instructor for marine classes.

The following text is an email interview of Kari Anderson by this reporter.

Reporter: What are some of your first tasks, or goals for the Seward Small Boat harbor?

Anderson: My priorities would be as follows:

Maintain established safety standards, and continue to follow best management practices concerning environmental operations within the harbor. Encourage fire and port security training. Continue and update port operation manuals and procedures. Practice efficient management techniques, follow agendas and adhere to deadlines. Attain the highest level of organization, and regularly consult priority lists.

Represent and listen to the needs of our community and industry. Develop harbor policy with these needs in mind, and seek advice from those who have encountered similar problems or opportunities. Receive, research, and respond to public inquiries in a polite and timely manner.

Facilitate and encourage communication between Seward and other ports within Alaska and around the world. Maintain our premier port status, and seek opportunities for growth. Recognize the port of Seward is part of international commercial, shipping, and tourism industries and maintain positive relationships with each of these entities.

Reporter: What do you expect to happen during the transition from Scott Ransom’s administration to yours?

Anderson: My goal is to create a smooth transition and foster the positive environment that exists in the harbor right now. I’m excited about this new challenge, and I look forward to being an integral part of the growth and change in Seward.

My goal as Harbormaster is to lead by example while working to make the port of Seward the best it can be. I want our Harbor to be a place where other city and marina planners come to get ideas, and model their own communities after. I want designers to come to Seward to specifically see an example of a ‘great harbor,’ and I want the community to be proud of it.

Reporter: Your family has a long history in Seward. How will your many years as a Seward resident affect your decision-making and project planning as Seward’s new Harbormaster? As a long-time resident, what do you think the Seward Small Boat Harbor means to the residents of Seward?

Anderson: I’m pleased that this city decided to hire a ‘local’ for this position. I think an important part of stepping into a position like this to understand existing relationships between professional entities in town. And I feel that I have a big advantage in this area because have worked in the harbor for over 10 years now. I have recently served on the Port and Commerce board which has helped me to stay current on city policies and issues.

Anderson said she can also tap into local expertise and wisdom. “In addition to the two previous Harbormasters [who still] reside in Seward, I can draw on the experience from local business owners and harbor users to seek advice or suggestions,” Anderson said.

Reporter: What are some hurdles you see for the harbor in the coming months and years, out to 15 years. What exciting new things?

Anderson: I want to make sure the current projects are finished in a timely manner and according to engineering specifications and the city’s wishes. The demand for slips within the Harbor is only going to grow in the coming years, and this will continue to be a challenge to accommodate everyone. I am looking forward to assisting with the development of the ‘new southern uplands’ area (I’m not sure what is the official term for this area), and re-evaluating current land use around the Small Boat Harbor.

Reporter: Why did you want to devote you time and talents to being Seward’s harbormaster.

Anderson: I look forward to the variety in this job, outdoor physical work combined with mentally stimulating components; communication, planning and becoming further involved in the community, all things I like. I honestly don’t have further political or career aspirations, quality of life is very important to me and enjoying my occupation is a priority.

Contact Russell Stigall at russellstigall@gmail.com. See more of Russell’s work at www.russellstigall.com.

For Seward City News, December, 2007

KENAI PENINSULA – Tsunamis are a hoot. Actually they’re one long, steady hoot followed by a man’s voice giving the facts and actions one should follow to avoid the great oblivion.

By way of Kenai Peninsula Borough resolution and funding, Chicago-based Federal Signal has installed six new disaster-warning signals within the municipal boundaries of Seward. Homer and Seldovia also received Federal Signal warning systems.

To see the system around town, look for a a stack of plastic doughnuts on a telephone pole. The unique shape allows for an efficient 360-degree sound cone that is audible at least 5 miles away.

Signals are located in the areas of Nash Road, William H. Seward high school, Seward’s fire hall, small boat harbor, Seward Marine Industrial Complex and Lowell Point.

They system has a battery backup kept charged by a small wind turbine.

Over the upcoming years, during weekly tests and natural disasters, Sewardites may hear up to seven different warning or test messages. Tsunami, Amber Alert, high winds, volcano, test and others. And a new feature, chimes, like those that precede cruise ship announcement.

Seward Fire Chief David Squires said the sound is reminiscent of the tones in “Close Encounters” used to contact aliens.

In case of a real emergency a long steady 30-second tone will announce each message. This process will repeat three times.

With its wind turbine and battery backup, the system’s internet-based communications is its main weakness.

However, Federal Signal added a NOAA radio receiver antenna. This offers an alternate way to activate the system’s warning signals.

Also, warning signals can be activated by Seward Police Dispatch, city of Seward, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Homer.

The web-based system has advantages to the 1990’s-era radio-activated warning system it replaced, said Philip Oates, Seward city Manager.

“[The system] allows us to be more selective with out warning for specific regions of the city,” Oates said.

Oates said the system has a few kinks to work out. The seven-message signal from Wednesday, Dec. 12 was a protracted example.

“I think it is a significant advance, but it is new and we are still working to make it effective, Oates said.

The system is designed to do weekly, audible tests. Possibly in a pleasing chime, like those that precede cruise ship announcements.

Federal Signal manufactures and installs a turn-key system. The company employed local contractors to assist with the install.

The system will not be set off for just any temblor or pyroclastic flow, Oates said.

If NOAA or the city get a message that, say, within the next 90 minutes Seward might get a tsunami.

“Then we will act,” the city Manager said. “That’s when we want people to move, to start thinking that something is wrong.”

For the Seward City News, November, 2007

SEWARD – It’s a dusty road ahead for Jim Pruitt’s Resurrection Bay shipyard.

Seward Ships Drydock recently earned an Environmental Protection Agency violation for fugitive dust, its third.

Department of Environmental Conservation Air Quality division issued Seward Ships a violation earlier this month in response to contaminated dust that sometimes blows off site when the dry dock sandblasts paint off 100-foot long vessels. Seward Ships gets much of its business from Coast Guard, Alaska Marine Highway and Foss Marine.

“Many, many barges go through there,” said Russ Maddox, of Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance and Communities for Democracy in Alaska.

Maddox said the former Navy submarine tent, open at both ends, which Seward Ships uses to shelter its workers and its clients’ ships can not contain the dry dock’s dust.

As long as it is allowed to hit the ground it will continue to wash away,” Maddox said.

“Until containment is created there will continue to be a source of pollution that will continue to migrate off site,” Maddox said.

Maddox said the EPA’s report shed light on an important issue for Resurrection Bay area residents.

“We are hopeful and optimistic that we will be moving forward now that we know contamination is there,” Maddox said.

Seward Ships has contaminated its site with tributyltin, copper and other pollutants.

Senator Loren, R-Anchorage sponsored a successful bill that outlawed TBT in Alaska in 2000.

“TBT-based marine anti-fouling paints are used on the hulls of ships to prevent the attachment of barnacles and algae. Unfortunately, research has shown that TBT paints are very poisonous to certain forms of sealife, especially shellfish. Over time TBT paint leaches off vessels and damages shellfish, even at very low levels of exposure,” said Leman.

TBT has also been found to damage the reproductive and nervous systems, endocrine glands, skeletal structure and gastrointestinal tract of mammals.

A global moratorium outlawing TBT takes effects in six weeks. The U.S. has yet to sign.

Seward Ships has a $1 million pollution bond in its lease with the city.

The bond can be used for clean up and to assure Seward Ships meets best management practices.

“There’s enough money in bond to do what has to be done,” Corbridge said.

Corbridge said the city and the council would first need to get familiar with the issue.

“Get ourselves to an educated stage, scientifically,” Corbridge said.

Corbridge said the city has an attorney working on a spectrum of options.

“From do nothing, to the shut them down option,” Corbridge said. “Probably pick something in between those two extremes.”

The city will know more in a week, Corbridge said.

The city of Seward owns the ground underneath Seward Ships.

“We lease it to Jim Pruitt,” Corbridge said. “This adds layers of legal.”

Corbridge said the lease has environmental requirements,. But the lease has very general language.

Corbridge said the city will have to feed the EPA report through the city’s contract with Jim Pruitt’s company.

“We don’t want to shut down a business,” Corbridge said.

The city will work with “EPA and ADEC to make sure [Pruitt} is doing what he has promised to do,” Corbridge said.

Only after we have that information in hand can we actually go   remediation or whatever is appropriate.

Best Management Practices are “actions required, by law, to keep soil and other pollutants out of streams and lakes,” according to the Idaho Forest Products Commission.

Absent from the EPA report was the agency’s designation of the polluted Seward Ships site as a Superfund site. Seward may have benefited from access to federal cleanup money is the dry dock had qualified.

Demographics and population density kept Seward Ships off the Superfund list, Maddox said.

“3,077 souls within four miles was not enough,” Maddox said.

Though the Environmental Protection Agency did not list the dry dock site as a superfund Maddox said the ADEC and EPA investigate Seward Ships still.

“This report raised many new concerns,” Maddox said.

Alaska Assistant Attorney General Steve Ross and Bob Morgan of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation came to Seward to meet with city officials and concerned locals about the dry dock, Tuesday.

The EPA said it will work with ADEC on Best Management Practices for the dry dock.

Russ Maddox of the Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance and Communities for Democracy in Alaska has been the prime motivator of the ship lift issue since august 2004. That summer, Maddox’s home and land was ruined with lead ash from a

All the parts per million of Tributyltin and copper on Pruitt’s ship lift property may not stay all winter.

“The beaches on the site change with each new tide,” Maddox said.

Weather and tides as high as 28 feet disperse the pollutants into Resurrection Bay, Maddox said.

Petroleum, copper and TBT tributyltin are main pollutant concerns in Seward.

This is a perfect example of corporate privilege usurping citizens’ rights,” Maddox said. “Resulting in environmental degradation and unnecessary risks to human health.”

DJ Whitman, Seward Ships Drydock manager said he was nonplused by EPA’s report.

“There is no future action required, there is nothing there,” Whitman said.

WhitmanFound elevated levels of some items above the base line.

However, Whitman said, he does have to adapt to the regulatory environment.

“Compliance is an ongoing thing,” Whitman said. “Regulation changes regularly.”

Whitman said EPA compliance is a black and white issue.

 “You either have complied or you haven’t. I’ve complied with what they asked me,” Whitman said.

Test results indicate the grit was spread in an even layer around the 6-acre site as a type of fill.

Clean-up of the dry dock site could cost well over $1 million.

For the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, April 2007

MAT-SU – What has Wasilla lost in losing to Willow the Iditarod restart?

Wasilla city council member Marty Metiva said his city, the official home of the Iditarod, Irondog and Jr. Iditarod, will lose, at worst, the headache of finding parking for the throngs of restart participants and spectators.

Cheryl Metiva, Executive Director of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce and Marty Metiva’s wife, said that though the restart moves to Willow one day a year, her organization likes to use the catch-phrase Iditarod 365.

Wasilla enjoys its status as home to the Iditarod to the tune of $2.1 million a year, the Metivas said. And an average of five bus-loads of visitors a day are drawn to Wasilla’s Iditarod heritage.

Though Wasilla is the consumer Mecca of the Mat-Su Valley, it sees little tourism.

“Wasilla’s Iditarod heritage] is the backbone of the tourism we have in Wasilla,” Cheryl Metiva said.

Council member Metiva said he understands the desire to host the restart in Wasilla.

“You want the pride, it is the emotional part. But [Willow] is only 20 miles away. At least it is in the Mat-Su Valley,” Metiva said. “Even if the start is in Willow, they are going to stay in Wasilla, gas up in Wasilla, buy food in Wasilla.”

Worse off than Wasilla is the city of Seward. Selected as Mile 0 of the Iditarod trail when it was first commissioned in 1908, Seward is now over 100 miles away from the race’s ceremonial start in Anchorage. Shortly after the trail was finished in 1912 mushers abandoned the first stretch of trail out of Seward and instead took the railroad train as far out of town as possible to avoid the area’s slushy marine environment.

Metiva said the Iditarod organization’s biggest responsibility is safety.

“You want a safe start and a safe race, whether for the two or four legged athletes,” Metiva said. And to achieve that, he said, the restart had to happen in Willow this year.

Alaskans will celebrate the Historic Iditarod Trail’s 100^th anniversary over the next four years. Over the next 100 years, Cheryl Metiva said, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will continue to grow.

She said that the race is becoming more popular in the world market place - a movie about the race recently won an Emmy Award.

The race will also help educate people about dog mushing.

“People come to understand that dog mushing isn’t an inhumane sport, it is a celebration of man’s best friend,” Metiva said.

The Iditarod National Historic Trail will play host to the increasing number of people looking for a wilderness experience, Metiva said, and will help to continue the celebration of the cultural diversity of the communities along the trail.

The Iditarod is scheduled to begin with a ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage on March 1, followed by the official restart March 2 at 2 p.m. on Willow Lake.

Oct 2007

Arctic Cross cyclocross

Here’s mud in your eye. And ears and teeth and brand new bike jersey. That is the call of Cyclocross bike racing and in Anchorage that call can be answered at the Bicycle Shop 2007 Alaska Cyclocross series.

Part Lance Armstrong part Missy “The Missile” Giove, cyclocross blends the quad-cranking speed of road racing with the off road technical skills of mountain biking. Toss in slippery roots, mud and foot-high barriers and let the mayhem ensue.

Nick Enos and Jim Peot fired up the first Arctic Cross cyclocross race four years ago with half a dozen racers. This season, races typically turn out 30 to 45 racers.

Unlike most feats of speed and skill, cyclocross racing isn’t just about the fastest time. The sport’s elite riders don’t spend a whole lot less time on the course than the more mortal among us. No matter their speed racers have to spend a minimum amount of time, usually 45 to 60 minutes, on the course looping around a one and a half to two mile course. After 50 minutes a bell lets riders know they have only one lap left.

Compared with other forms of cycle racing, tactics are fairly straightforward, and the emphasis is on the rider’s aerobic endurance and bike-handling skills, according to Wikipedia.

Cyclocross season starts in the fall and in milder climes, extends through the winter.

While mud, wet grass, puddles, off-camber S curves are difficult enough obstacles on a bicycle that is not much more than a ten-speed with knobby tires – much like running Bird Ridge on a pair of serrated ice skates – the clever course directors erect foot-high wooden barriers to piss off riders a bit more.

While most mountain bike racers pride themselves on staying on their mounts regardless of how technical the course, skilled cross racers perfect the sketchy art of dismounting, carrying and remounting their lightweight cycles. After hurdling as many as four barriers in a row cross riders drop their bikes back to the ground and, ever so gently, leap back onto their fist-sized saddles. Spectators new to the sport are easy to spot by their reflexive flinch.

Riders can also bunny hop the barriers, three in a row, spaced several feet apart, on mud and wet grass. So good luck with that.

It comes as no surprise that fun like this may have been born on the front lines of World War One.

Arctic Cross volunteer Bruce Ross said that cyclocross found its humble beginnings in the trips professional road bikers took as they shuttled messages from the troops in the trenches along the front lines to the command positions situated in less bullet-prone positions to the rear. The riders had to jump hedges and ride cross country out of places like Flanders Field.

After the war remaining pro racers staged races in city parks that simulated the conditions of these message runs, sans canons.

Other accounts say the sport began a decade before world war one as a way for road bikers to cross train and extend their racing season.

The fourth ArcticCross race of this season slogged through the deep wet grass, swift paved trails around the Cartee Complex at the corner of Debarr and Pine Street.

Matt Novakovich and Josh Yeaton broke away from the pack early on and stayed out front the entire race. The two cyclists made it look easy, talking the whole race.

Yeaton held on to first place in series standings with Novakovich and James Stull tied for second.

Amber Stull crushed the women’s competition with a four minute lead over second place Tiffanie Novakovich.

Rebecca Mamrol, 16, won the Junior division. She said the course was good.

“It was pretty flat and had lots of pavement so it was really fast,” Mamrol said.

Sixth place Allison Ross, helped her father lay out the Cartee Complex course. She said she personally picked out a deep section of muddy water.

“But after going through it a couple of times, it lost its fun,” Ross said.

The next race will take place Sept. 29, noon at Quianna Park with the series championships at the Alaska Pacific University stadium, Oct. 6 at noon.

Find more information at www.arcticcross.org.

–Russell Freeman Stigall

By Russell Stigall

For the Frontiersman

MAT-SU — Senate President Lyda Green was one of VECO Corp.’s favorite legislators.

During the corruption trial of Vic Kohring Allen testified that he had convinced former Wasilla representative to not run against Green for her Wasilla Senate seat. This revelation was used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal prosecutors to make a case against Kohring that the Wasilla Republican was beholden to the wishes of VECO executives. Kohring was convicted on three counts of bribery, attempted extortion and conspiracy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recorded secret video and audio of Kohring accepting cash from former VECO CEO Bill Allen. (more…)

By Russell Stigall

For the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman

Anchorage – The Jury brought down three guilty verdicts in the trial of Victor H. Kohring. The former Wasilla representative called the trial his David and Goliath battle against the formidable resources of the United States of America.

“I just hope my aim is accurate and I find a smooth stone,” Kohring said.

Kohring’s attorney John Henry Browne looked like he just might be that smooth stone Kohring desired. But Browne defeated only one of Kohring’s four goliath charges.

The jury diffused into the courtroom dressed formal, some in suits others collard shirts. They appeared (more…)

By Russell Stigall

For the Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE – The jury for USA vs. Kohring left their seats in courtroom three with a list of deliberation rules written by U.S. District Court Judge John Sedwick.

Victor H. Kohring, former Wasilla representative faces time in prison for four counts of bribery, extortion and conspiracy under the color of official right.

Kohring said he is up beat and optimistic, but that the situation is obviously stressful.

Defernse and prosecution finished their closing arguments and Judge Sedwick read the jury their rules.

Kohring, in a familiar blue suit and red tie, kept mostly quiet during closing arguments, leaning over once or twice to talk with his attorney. (more…)

By Russell Stigall

For the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE – Defense called only two witnesses today at the Vic Kohring public corruption trial. Kohring did not testify.

In an interview after leaving the courtroom before noon today John Henry Browne, Kohring’s attorney, said Kohring made the decision to stay off the witness stand. Browne said U.S. District Court Judge John Sedwick will instruct the jury that they should ignore that Kohring passed on presenting his side.

Browne said he called only two witnesses today because he said he believed the Government failed to make a case for Kohring’s guilt. Browne had one answer to questions from reporters about the assumptions the Government made from a recording of witness Bill Allen handing Kohring a wad of Easter egg money and other undeniable evidence presented during the trial. (more…)

By Russell Stigall

For the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE – Vic Kohring takes a back seat in his own trail as Allen fingers Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young.

In a deal gone bad in 2005, Bill Allen, former CEO of VECO Corp. said an Australian company decided to not buy his company because, he thought at the time, VECO President, Pete Lethard, had made an intoxicated slip and revealed to the Australian’s his company’s practice of bribery. Allen specifically mentioned Stevens and Young as politicians he bribed. (more…)

By Russell Stigall

For the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE – Former VECO executive Rick Smith Kohring took the money. No one, not even John Henry Browne, Kohring’s attorney, denies that former VECO CEO Bill Allen and VECO VP Rick Smith passed hundred dollar bills to the former Wasilla representative.

The question, which Browne tried half the day today to wring out of Smith, on the witness stand, is whether the money given to Kohring in was in exchange for favors or just gifts between old friends. (more…)

By Russell Stigall

For the Frontiersman

ALASKA – Kohring comes out swinging in the trial of his life.

Former Wasilla representative Victor H. Kohring and his attorney John Henry Browne take the offensive in Kohring’s Defendant’s Status Report. Browne argues that the government should throw Kohring’s case out, that Kohring will contest evidence and that the federal government should get a sense of humor.

Kohring’s attorney John Henry Browne “intends to file a motion to dismiss the case, based on the government interfering with his right to legal counsel and trial through the use of Sen. Dyson as an undercover FBI informant,” Kohring said. (more…)