A blizzard warning has been issued for the Kuskokwim Delta. Beginning around 6:00 a.m. on Nov. 19, winds of 35 to 45 miles per hour are expected, with gusts as high as 60 miles per hour. 

The state’s Marijuana Control Board is currently in a holding pattern, waiting to see what the City of Bethel does with two marijuana stores. 

Nov. 14 marks one month since registration opened for the 2020 Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race. Eighteen mushers have currently signed up. As usual, the list includes champions from some of Alaska’s toughest races, including Bethel musher, four-time K300 champion, and reigning Iditarod champion, Pete Kaiser.

The council approved adding $10,000 to the budget for recruiting for the positions of City Manager and City Attorney. The money will go toward additional advertising and travel.

The City of Bethel received $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to improve safety in Bethel schools. The bulk of the funding will be used to install a secure entrance at Bethel Regional High School. Staff will be able to use cameras to monitor who is entering, and “buzz” people in when they are deemed safe.

The Bethel City Council has backtracked on previous decisions to block two marijuana stores from opening. On Nov. 12, council changed its protests of licenses for both Kusko Kush and Alaskan Grown Cannabis to conditional protests. Now, if the marijuana stores can follow city and state fire marshal codes, they will be allowed to open.