WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.
Your local forum for discussion, participation and comment in matters of concern to the community. WACO promotes the social, cultural and economic welfare of the Willow area.
WACO EventsVolunteer
This website is a service for the community of Willow, Alaska. Find WACO meeting minutes and agendas as well as information about committees, the community center and, local groups. Committee and group news or announcements are also posted as received. View the calendar for the schedule of local activities/events.
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
ArcGIS Hub
problem-reporter-msb.hub.arcgis.com
Discover, analyze and download data from ArcGIS Hub. Download in CSV, KML, Zip, GeoJSON, GeoTIFF or PNG. Find API links for GeoServices, WMS, and WFS. Analyze with charts and thematic maps. Take the next step and create StoryMaps and Web Maps.
2021Transportation System Package
2021Transportation System Package
transportation-system-package-21-msb.hub.arcgis.com
Mat-Su Borough staff has developed a list of necessary road, trail, and public transit infrastructure projects that, if implemented, will help to increase safety, connectivity and transportation choices in your community.
Join FEMA Region 10 for a preparedness webinar series
for older adults, June 22nd and June 24th.
The first session will focus on preparedness at home. The second will focus on ways to sustain and strengthen social support networks. Each webinar will include a preparedness presentation and an engaging panel discussion.
There is no need to register ahead of time, participants can just click the Zoom links below at 11am Alaska time on both days and they will be let into the webinar room. Both sessions will be recorded and available for those who are unable to attend or want to re-watch.
June 22nd at 11:AM - Preparedness at Home: zoom.us/j/96227184454?pwd=bHRseWlOdnc4TlY1elgxaWpoaVozZz09#success
June 24th at 11:AM - Social Support Networks: zoom.us/j/94439611620?pwd=Y3QxU3JpOWdqbHpQN21pVDdubDRGdz09
for older adults, June 22nd and June 24th.
The first session will focus on preparedness at home. The second will focus on ways to sustain and strengthen social support networks. Each webinar will include a preparedness presentation and an engaging panel discussion.
There is no need to register ahead of time, participants can just click the Zoom links below at 11am Alaska time on both days and they will be let into the webinar room. Both sessions will be recorded and available for those who are unable to attend or want to re-watch.
June 22nd at 11:AM - Preparedness at Home: zoom.us/j/96227184454?pwd=bHRseWlOdnc4TlY1elgxaWpoaVozZz09#success
June 24th at 11:AM - Social Support Networks: zoom.us/j/94439611620?pwd=Y3QxU3JpOWdqbHpQN21pVDdubDRGdz09
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
zoom.us
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...
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UPDATE: LAST ALARM SERVICE AND BELL CEREMONY FOR WILLOW FIREFIGHTER LORI WIERTSEMA:
Following the ceremony- there will be a community potluck at the park pavilion. Please bring a dish or two to share. Ice and coolers will be available to keep your dish cold, a limited number of electrical outlets will be available for hot dishes. Food may be dropped off after 9am. Paper plates, napkins, and silverware will be provided.
ALSO: Please note that there will be no parking in the lot by the pavilion. Please park in the gravel parking lot just outside the park, shuttle service will be available.
Following the ceremony- there will be a community potluck at the park pavilion. Please bring a dish or two to share. Ice and coolers will be available to keep your dish cold, a limited number of electrical outlets will be available for hot dishes. Food may be dropped off after 9am. Paper plates, napkins, and silverware will be provided.
ALSO: Please note that there will be no parking in the lot by the pavilion. Please park in the gravel parking lot just outside the park, shuttle service will be available.
WACO Meeting tonight- June 2nd at 7pm.
Newman Memorial Park Pavilion
Please bring your own chair.
Newman Memorial Park Pavilion
Please bring your own chair.
... and maybe some bug dope. 😁
For friends and family of Lori Wiertsema-
Please join us on Saturday, June 5th at 2pm at Newman Memorial Park for The Last Alarm Service and Bell Ceremony.
PLEASE NOTE- THERE WILL BE INCREASED TRAFFIC AND PARKING ALONG WILLOW CREEK PARKWAY FROM 9AM-6PM ON SATURDAY, JUNE 5TH. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF GUESTS. THANK YOU.
WILLOW, Alaska – Update May 29th 2021
The Last Alarm Service and Bell Ceremony for Willow firefighter Lori Wiertsema will be held at the Pat Newman Memorial Park off the Willow Creek Parkway in Willow, Alaska, Saturday June 5th at 2:00 pm. Lori passed on May 16th 2021 following a courageous four and a half year battle with cancer. The service will include traditional Fire Department honors recognizing Lori for her almost 30 years of dedicated service to our community.
A procession of emergency vehicles will transport Lori and family to the memorial. The line of Fire Apparatus, as a tribute to her service, will begin in Wasilla and travel on the George Parks Highway ending in Willow. Further details shall be released later this week.
Lori was a selfless and dedicated public servant who spent many years providing emergency services as a firefighter with the Matanuska Susitna Borough Department of Emergency Services and the State of Alaska Division of Forestry. She served the Willow Fire Department as a firefighter, former Fire Chief and performed public fire education activities. With the Division of Forestry she excelled in wildland fire suppression, heli-tack operations and Fire Prevention.
Lori’s strong commitment to her community will be a significant loss and we sincerely thank her for many years of dedicated service exemplifying our core values of Integrity, Selflessness and Excellence.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a children’s charity of the donor’s choice.
Contact: Brian Davis, Deputy Director- Fire
907-982-2004
Please join us on Saturday, June 5th at 2pm at Newman Memorial Park for The Last Alarm Service and Bell Ceremony.
PLEASE NOTE- THERE WILL BE INCREASED TRAFFIC AND PARKING ALONG WILLOW CREEK PARKWAY FROM 9AM-6PM ON SATURDAY, JUNE 5TH. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF GUESTS. THANK YOU.
WILLOW, Alaska – Update May 29th 2021
The Last Alarm Service and Bell Ceremony for Willow firefighter Lori Wiertsema will be held at the Pat Newman Memorial Park off the Willow Creek Parkway in Willow, Alaska, Saturday June 5th at 2:00 pm. Lori passed on May 16th 2021 following a courageous four and a half year battle with cancer. The service will include traditional Fire Department honors recognizing Lori for her almost 30 years of dedicated service to our community.
A procession of emergency vehicles will transport Lori and family to the memorial. The line of Fire Apparatus, as a tribute to her service, will begin in Wasilla and travel on the George Parks Highway ending in Willow. Further details shall be released later this week.
Lori was a selfless and dedicated public servant who spent many years providing emergency services as a firefighter with the Matanuska Susitna Borough Department of Emergency Services and the State of Alaska Division of Forestry. She served the Willow Fire Department as a firefighter, former Fire Chief and performed public fire education activities. With the Division of Forestry she excelled in wildland fire suppression, heli-tack operations and Fire Prevention.
Lori’s strong commitment to her community will be a significant loss and we sincerely thank her for many years of dedicated service exemplifying our core values of Integrity, Selflessness and Excellence.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a children’s charity of the donor’s choice.
Contact: Brian Davis, Deputy Director- Fire
907-982-2004
I also believe she was the first female fire chief in the MSB and for sure Willow
DES Reminding People of Water Safety
DES Reminding People of Water Safety
www.matsugov.us
The Matanuska Susitna Borough Department of Emergency Services (DES) reminds all residents and visitors to exercise safe water and boating practices during outdoor activities. The ice is gone from most of our waterways, and as warm weather arrives, the public is anxious to get out and enjoy the outd...
******WACO General Meeting Agenda************
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday June 2nd at 7 PM at:
Newman Park 25202 W Willow Creek Parkway
View agenda here: www.waco-ak.org/download/9/agendas/52374/agenda_06_2021.pdf
Meeting scheduled for Wednesday June 2nd at 7 PM at:
Newman Park 25202 W Willow Creek Parkway
View agenda here: www.waco-ak.org/download/9/agendas/52374/agenda_06_2021.pdf
BURN PERMITS SUSPENDED ON KENAI PENINSULA AND IN MAT-SU
Warming temperatures and increasingly dry conditions have increased wildland fire danger on the Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna valleys, prompting the Division of Forestry to halt permitted burning effective today, Monday, May 24.
The division is suspending burn permits for all areas of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough, where the combination of hot, dry and windy weather will quickly outweigh the fire-dampening effects of recent rain and increase the chances of expanding, wind-driven surface fires.
Both small- and large-scale burn permits are suspended in both regions until conditions moderate. Debris/brush burning and the use of burn barrels is prohibited during a burn suspension. Fires used for property clean-up are considered burn piles and are likewise prohibited. Failure to comply with emergency burn suspensions could result in monetary fines.
Small campfires less than three feet in diameter with flame lengths no higher than two feet are still allowed during a burn suspension. Commercially manufactured burning devices such as such as grills, smokers, turkey friers, etc. with an on-off switch are also allowed during a burn permit suspension. However, those conducting such burns are encouraged to exercise vigilance and caution.
The division encourages the public to check previously burned debris piles to ensure those fires are completely extinguished and no heat remains. Fire can continue to burn underground through duff layers and roots systems for months, only to resurface and spark a wildfire.
For more information about burn permits, go to forestry.alaska.gov/burn
#TakeTimeToLearnBeforeYouBurn #BurnSuspension
Warming temperatures and increasingly dry conditions have increased wildland fire danger on the Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna valleys, prompting the Division of Forestry to halt permitted burning effective today, Monday, May 24.
The division is suspending burn permits for all areas of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough, where the combination of hot, dry and windy weather will quickly outweigh the fire-dampening effects of recent rain and increase the chances of expanding, wind-driven surface fires.
Both small- and large-scale burn permits are suspended in both regions until conditions moderate. Debris/brush burning and the use of burn barrels is prohibited during a burn suspension. Fires used for property clean-up are considered burn piles and are likewise prohibited. Failure to comply with emergency burn suspensions could result in monetary fines.
Small campfires less than three feet in diameter with flame lengths no higher than two feet are still allowed during a burn suspension. Commercially manufactured burning devices such as such as grills, smokers, turkey friers, etc. with an on-off switch are also allowed during a burn permit suspension. However, those conducting such burns are encouraged to exercise vigilance and caution.
The division encourages the public to check previously burned debris piles to ensure those fires are completely extinguished and no heat remains. Fire can continue to burn underground through duff layers and roots systems for months, only to resurface and spark a wildfire.
For more information about burn permits, go to forestry.alaska.gov/burn
#TakeTimeToLearnBeforeYouBurn #BurnSuspension
Within the next couple of weeks, construction will happen on the front parking lot of the Community Center/Library organizing that parking and adding trees, etc. It will be beautiful. The lot itself will be closed for the construction so parking to use the library will be in front of the old log cabin, with a walkway flagged from there to the library door. Construction completion is still expected by fall 2021!! Please leave concerns or questions on 907-495-6633 and I will get info for you.
Linda Oxley
WACO Chair
Linda Oxley
WACO Chair