On Jan. 30, 2024, Gov. Dunleavy delivered his annual State of the State Address, during which he recognized three Alaskans with direct ties to UAA with standing ovations: alums Kristen Benge and Sheila Sweetsir, and former staff member Patty Gilbert.
State of the State guests to include educators, Wrangell mayor and corn farmer alaskasnewssource.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from alaskasnewssource.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Man set fire to Northwest Alaska home after assaulting 2 people, charges say
Print article A Shishmaref man intentionally set fire to his girlfriend’s home after beating her and her brother this week, according to a charging document filed in the case. Just after midnight Sunday, 35-year-old Ward Kakoona was drinking at a friend’s house with his girlfriend and became angry, according to a sworn affidavit signed by Alaska State Trooper Kristen Benge. His girlfriend brought him to her home “in hopes he would go to sleep,” the affidavit said. Kakoona instead became more agitated and eventually beat and choked her, according to the affidavit. When she broke free, the woman went to a neighbor’s home and called troopers for help, Benge wrote.