The best and most impactful Mat-Su stories of 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, now seems like a good time to look back at the updates and news stories that had the biggest impact — and the most readers. The Mat-Su Sentinel launched in June, and since then we've published about three news stories a week about important local updates, elections and changes — most of which you couldn't read anywhere else.

So what happened in 2024, and what did you miss? Here are five categories of stories that are still worth checking out.

Roads, roads, roads

If there's one thing we know, it's that you care about roads — construction, updates, changes and maintenance. Since almost all of these are ongoing projects, it's worth taking a second to make sure you haven't missed anything.

Knik River Bridge overhauls set to begin next year

Plans to revamp the aging Knik River Bridge on the Glenn Highway will begin next summer after a contractor brings in a special "zipper machine" to help crews reroute traffic. The project will involve completely closing one span of the bridge, with all traffic being funneled into three lanes on the other span. Which direction gets the most lanes will depend on the time of day. Read more now.

State revisits Knik Arm Tunnel with new study

The long-discussed idea of a tunnel under the Knik Arm is back on the table with a new study commissioned by the state. The $1 million study will examine the feasibility of the project, including updated technology, construction costs and environmental impacts. Read more.

Bogard-Seldon access plan could reshape corridor traffic

A long-term road plan under development for the Bogard-Seldon corridor could reroute some roads, close some existing access points and prevent some future developments from having direct access. A draft of the plan includes dozens of current driveway and road closures that would divert traffic to newly constructed connector and frontage roads. Read more now.

Borough gets new snowplow live tracking

Many Mat-Su Borough residents can now track snowplows in real time with the borough's new snowplow tracker. Currently available for about half of the road service areas, full coverage is expected by next winter. The tool allows users to see which streets have been cleared and report any problems. Read more now. (Best use we've found so far: confirming that, yes, the plow came through the rest of the neighborhood, but no, it didn't come down our street).

Voters approve major road work and bond sale

Borough voters approved a $33.3 million bond package to fund seven major road projects, including extending Engstrom Road and improvements to Settlers Bay Drive. It's part of a larger strategy to ask voters to cycle in new debt and work as old debt is retired and work is completed. Read more about the strategy.

Borough government changes with big impact

The Sentinel's primary role is to keep track of updates and changes in the borough and clearly explain them to you so you have the information you need. These are things that not only affect most residents but without the Sentinel's coverage could happen without most people noticing.

Glass recycling coming to Mat-Su

Starting in June, Mat-Su residents will again be able to recycle glass, thanks to a new program at the Valley Community for Recycling Solutions near Palmer and a machine purchased by the landfill. The recycled glass will be processed into fine sand that can be used for landscaping and road traction. This is the first glass recycling initiative in the area since 2008. Read more.

Borough repeals pet licensing requirement

In a move that affects pet owners throughout the borough, the Assembly voted unanimously to eliminate the requirement for dog and cat licenses. The requirement, which was rarely enforced and largely unknown to residents, is no longer in effect. However, licensing requirements for kennels and catteries remain in effect, as do existing pet ordinances in the cities of Houston, Wasilla and Palmer. Read more now.

Assembly member Rob Yundt abruptly resigns; new member appointed

Assembly member Rob Yundt abruptly resigned after moving out of his district. Borough law requires assembly members to live in the district they represent. Yundt said he didn't know about the residency requirement. Read more about that. The Assembly appointed local developer Maxwell Sumner to fill the seat. Sumner, co-owner of a development company and a Matanuska Electric Association board member, will serve until the 2025 election. Read more here.

Ban on new mobile home parks

The Assembly enacted a full moratorium on the development of new mobile home parks with promises to come back later to create a path for development. Read more.

Big Lake Recreation Center to close if borough doesn't buy it

The Big Lake Lions Recreation Center, a cornerstone of community activity in Big Lake, is in danger of closing next year unless the borough agrees to buy it. The volunteer-run facility's main caretaker is moving away. The Lions Club has offered to sell the property to the borough for $400,000 - a fraction of its appraised value - in hopes of maintaining public access to the center. Read more.

Public testimony made more accessible

The Mat-Su Borough Assembly has revamped its meeting structure to prioritize public input. A new early time slot for public testimony during regular assembly meetings means citizens won't have to wait as long to speak. The change is intended to encourage greater civic engagement by making participation more convenient. Read more now.

The saga — and fallout — of Palmer City Manager Stephen Jellie

Since early October, the Mat-Su Sentinel has reported extensively on the unfolding events surrounding Stephen Jellie's brief tenure as Palmer's city manager. We didn't cover it because it was dramatic or interesting, although it was. We covered it because it's a matter of accountability in city government, because elected officials made the decisions and because community funds were and continue to be spent on the issues.

Appointment, resignation and investigation

Stephen Jellie took over as Palmer's city manager in August, bringing with him a history of resignations from similar positions in Ogdensburg, New York, and Teton County, Wyoming. He said the challenges that led to those resignations would not be a problem here.

But after 53 days on the job, Jellie resigned amid controversy and accusations, including his decision to place the police chief on administrative leave, concerns that he was putting the city at risk of employee lawsuits and a rumor that he planned to make significant cuts to the city's public safety budget. He was paid $75,000 to leave as part of a severance agreement.

Impact on city governance

Even as the council voted to appoint an interim manager, restore public safety funding and bring back the police chief, the controversy over Jellie's resignation continued. A number of council meetings were derailed by infighting as discussions about Jellie dominated the proceedings. A recall petition for Palmer Mayor Steve Carrington was approved. And the city attorney was directed to draft a series of potential updates to the city code, including one that would allow council members to vote the mayor or each other out of office.

Election coverage that matters

The Mat-Su Sentinel was founded to fill a gap in local news and information coverage, and few topics are more important than civic education and election coverage.

First-ever interactive voter guides for city and borough elections.

The Mat-Su Sentinel produced the first-ever interactive voter guides for city and borough elections using questions and issues submitted by you, the reader. Answers from candidates were delivered to you in their own words with no editing.

The result? You had more information than ever before about candidates for borough assembly, school board, borough mayor and city councils in Wasilla, Houston and Palmer. The Sentinel is nonpartisan – you won't find us telling you who to vote for. But we do know that more civic education helps us all. You should have every opportunity to read about the candidates and hear what they think about the issues you care about.

Ballot initiatives, election results and follow-up

We also provided clear explanations of ballot initiatives, election changes, removed candidates, ballot updates and what it all means to you as a Mat-Su resident. Then, after the election, we were the only place you could find complete election results for every city and borough race. This is a basic function of a news source, and we were proud to fill that need.

We also were proud to cover election integrity issues after the votes were tallied, thoroughly explaining problems in Houston, the investigation and the conclusion.

Civic engagement and education

Covering elections as they happen is important, but so is community connection and civic education that make it easier to be an active member of our community.

During the election season, the Sentinel provided information on how to run for office as a candidate on the ballot or a write-in candidate, how to volunteer as a poll worker or voter counter on Election Day, registration deadlines, and how to know if you can vote in one of the city's elections.

Since then, we've also provided information about volunteering for borough boards and commissions — a great way to get involved in local civics — and a fun Community Connection Bingo sheet. This engaging winter-themed activity is not only a great way to find ideas for things to do in the Mat-Su, it can also get you involved in the community in a new way.

Mat-Su Sentinel needs your support

All of the stories we reported and delivered to you this year were the direct result of your financial support for this publication. The Sentinel is free to read. But as a community-supported nonprofit, we rely on you to chip in to keep it going. The best way to do that is with a recurring monthly donation. Want to be a part of making news great again in Mat-Su? Give today.