WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.
WACO meetings are the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Willow Community Center.
WACO Meetings
WACO Community Meeting
The first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Willow Community Center
Latest News
We have another free COVID testing opportunity for folks near Talkeetna on August 6th, this coming Thursday. Watch those symptoms and if anything comes up that looks like it could be COVID, you will need to get tested. What are the symptoms? Follow this link: dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/symptoms.aspx
COVID-19 Press Conference- Aug 7
COVID-19 Press Conference- Aug 7
www.matsugov.us
-More people than ever are enjoying the outdoors. Several young rider ATV accidents have taken place in the Mat-Su, making ATV safety a topic of concern.
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has committed $13 million to support eligible Mat-Su based small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. The Borough will begin accepting applications for the first round of grants of up to $10,000 on August 10. Grants will be given out on a first come, first-serve basis.
Applications to receive grants will be accepted through the MSB CARES website from August 10 - 16.
For more details and to sign up for additional notifications, go to: msbcares.matsugov.us
Wetland Mitigation Ordinance coming before the Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission and Assembly this fall. Check out this website to learn more:
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ea7c88c5a82d43efaba346ecd27700f1?fbclid=IwAR2hx15e5MQRNeU-jFPJLcSf3H...
Willow and Caswell Lakes Area
MEA’s in-house Clearing crew will be clearing rights of way from the Caswell Lakes area (Sheep Creek, Caswell Lakes, Willow Creek) over through Willow Fishhook Road. They will also be responding to Danger Tree reports made my members in these areas. MEA Clearing Contractor Carlos Tree Service will be clearing rights of way along the Willow area starting out of MEA’s Douglas Substation, along Willow Station Rd, Deshka Landing Rd, and the Nancy Lake area. Their anticipated start date is July and completion time is weather dependent. Most of the rights of way are 30-foot easements (highlighted in yellow) while smaller sections are 20 feet (highlighted in red). Members will receive an auto-call ahead of clearing activity in their neighborhood and a door hanger within four days of clearing activity near their property. Our goal is to cause the least amount of disruption in your area and we appreciate you keeping easements clear of debris, fences, and animals.
Spruce Bark Beetle Danger Tree Removal
MEA is proactively working to remove danger Spruce Bark Beetle killed trees throughout our service territory. Last year, crews removed more than 8,100 hazardous spruce bark beetle killed trees. Much of the clearing work this summer will include removal of infested spruce bark beetle killed trees inside of the easements, especially in the highly infested areas throughout Willow and along Willow Fishhook Road. Members can have their Spruce Bark Beetle killed trees that are threatening power lines and equipment removed from their property by MEA free of charge by filing a Danger Tree Report.
Report a Danger Tree on Your Property
MEA defines danger trees as structurally unsound trees, located on or off the right-of-way, that could come into contact with power lines by growing, falling or swaying into energized lines. To report a Danger Tree on your property, please complete and email the Danger Tree Report form found on our website at www.mea.coop to our clearing department. For assistance with the Danger Tree Report form, please call the MEA Clearing Department at 907-761-9269.
For more information visit: www.mea.coop/member-services/right-of-way-clearing/
Photos from Mat-Su Borough Recreation and Library Services's post
Maybe it's just that we here at the Alaska Division of Forestry take our job of preventing human-caused wildfires seriously, but we have never quite understood what the attraction is for lighting off fireworks in the summer in Alaska.
Not only do they pose a risk of starting wildfires but you can barely see them, given the fact that we currently have more than 21 hours of daylight and it never really gets dark.
If you ask us, it makes a lot more sense to save your fireworks for the winter months, when it's cold and dark and you can actually see the fireworks. On top of that, the ground is frozen and covered with snow so there is no chance of starting a wildfire. As an added bonus, you don't have to worry about mosquitoes, either.
Just some food for thought as we head into the Independence Day Weekend.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July.
#PreventWildfires #WaitUntilWinter
Comment on Facebook Maybe it's just that...
It is so hot and dry today! MY UPPER DECK SAID 85 DEGREES...
I thought fireworks were illegal In Alaska. Where did I get that idea? (Have always wondered why there are those stands on the Parks Hwy.)
Willow & COVID 19
Cases of Covid 19 are increasing in our Willow community, some confirmed and some assumed based upon symptoms. Please help keep yourself and your family’s safe by following published public health guidelines. Basically, stay home as much as you can, wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer, keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth, wear a mask of any kind when you need to be around non-family members and keep a 6 foot distance between yourselves and others whenever possible. As of now, there are no known, substantiated treatments so care is supportive only. Knowledge about the disease & possible treatments is growing but all is not yet known and new information is being published frequently.
It has become clear that the virus can be passed several ways but the predominant mechanism is person to person via respiratory droplets. The spread from respiratory droplets is from people talking, laughing, shouting singing, etc. Droplets can hang in the air for periods of time several feet away from the original person, particularly indoors where air movement is often limited. While anyone can catch this disease, the most vulnerable populations for severe disease include those who are older than 65, are obese, and/or have underlying lung disease, diabetes, hypertension, compromised immune system from various diseases (like cancer). It seems that pregnant women are also at risk.
Factors in favor of our health safety include the fact that our homes are fairly spread out, being active outdoors is a main way of life and our main businesses are all practicing thorough disinfection. New information can be found via any number of websites, but one of the best is: COVID-19 (dhss.alaska.gov).
Linda Oxley
Chair, WACO
Comment on Facebook 115240552455398_594286974550751
Traci Forni Donahue
Thank you.
Thank you
Can you please provide some official numbers? And the resource? Thank you. I appreciate it.
Children are also at risk. www.facebook.com/214832449817/posts/10157945998479818/?vh=e&d=n
I personally feel like The Willow community is like a family. We need to stay strong please protect each other .
Thanks for the info!
Hi Linda do you have a Willow Community Messenger private site ?
Mail in ballot application www.matsugov.us/component/cck/?task=download&file=file_upload&id=20450
Community Assistance Grant (formerly Revenue Share) Applications are available here: www.waco-ak.org/CAP-grants/ Total amount available is $15,789. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2020.
Community Assistance Program Grant | WACO
www.waco-ak.org
Apply for a Community Assistance Program Grant now (formerly called Revenue Share Grant). The application deadline is July 31st, 2020. The total revenue share funds available are $15,789. Projects must be for Willow public and community benefit. Submissions must include a description, budget, ex ...Borough signs on to share in information on West Susitna Access Project
Borough signs on to share in information on West Susitna Access Project
www.frontiersman.com
A resolution allowing the Matanuska Susitna Borough to participate in studies of a possible 100-mile resource access road opening up western part of the borough passed the assembly 6-1 JuneMat-Su Assembly considers two ballot measures - KTNA 88.9 FM
Mat-Su Assembly considers two ballot measures - KTNA 88.9 FM
ktna.org
This November, Mat-Su Borough residents may have the opportunity to vote on two important ballot measures. The Mat-Su Borough Assembly is considering placing two ordinances on the ballot that would substantially change how business is conducted in the Borough. The first proposed ordinance is to ch...5 years ago today the Sockeye Wildfire changed our lives.
We have not forgotten.
Willow Strong.
To the Willow Community:
At the June 3, 2020 WACO meeting we decided to cancel this July 4th's activities. The risk of exposure to COVID-19 seemed too great given the numbers of people who usually attend either the parade or the picnic or both events, and the numbers of people who join us from other communities. We sincerely hope that you and your family's will celebrate and enjoy the July 4th holiday in a different way this year.
Linda Oxley
Chair