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🌱 Patch AM: Why Anchorage topped Alaska’s list for July scam reports

Coming up on the Anchorage Patch calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More

Thursday August 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good day Anchorage! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Anchorage topped Alaska's list for July scam reports
  • Which East Anchorage trails are now off-limits due to bear encounters?
  • Why Anchorage officials say playful-looking otters now warrant serious caution

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Rain, with a high of 59 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy, temps: high: 63, low: 53.
  • Saturday: Cloudy with showers, with a high of 59 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Anchorage had 9 scam reports in July, most among Alaska cities (scalaskanews.com) — Anchorage logged nine Better Business Bureau scam reports in July, the most of any Alaska city but down from June's total. Most were phishing attempts, with modest reported dollar losses, underscoring that local residents are still being targeted and should stay cautious when shopping online or responding to unsolicited messages.
   

2. Several Anchorage trails closed due to increase in bear activity (alaskapublic.org) — Several popular trails in East Anchorage's Far North Bicentennial Park and the Campbell Tract are temporarily closed after increased brown bear activity and a recent attack on Wolverine Bowl trail. Officials say the closures give bears space to forage and urge residents to respect signs, stay alert, and practice strong bear awareness around the Hillside.
   

3. Fish and Game issues river otter alert after 2 attacks along Anchorage waterways (adn.com) — Wildlife officials are warning Anchorage residents to steer clear of river otters after two recent attacks, including one near Campbell Creek by Taku Park and another at Sand Lake. Fish and Game urges people to keep pets away, secure water gear, carry bear spray or make loud noise if threatened, and report any aggressive encounters online.
   

4. Anchorage schools welcome back most students in staggered first day of classes (adn.com) — Most Anchorage public school students are back in class this week, with the district using a staggered start that brings elementary grades and high school freshmen in first. Williwaw Elementary families navigated first-day jitters while South Anchorage High gave freshmen extra time to learn the building, a program the school board recently restored in the budget.
   

5. 'She was a sweet, kind person': Adelaide apartment resident describes woman killed by police this week (alaskasnewssource.com) — Downtown Anchorage residents are mourning a woman killed Tuesday when an Anchorage police officer shot her during a standoff at the Adelaide apartments across from Denali Montessori School. Police say staff reported she was suicidal and armed; the incident, the city's seventh officer-involved shooting this year, remains under investigation as neighbors seek answers and support resources are shared.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Anchorage

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Friday August 21
  • ALL Paperwork/Payments DUE for XC Running, Boys Basketball, and B
    Hanshew Middle School Anchorage, AK 99507
    8:15 am
  • Swim South @ West
    West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
    6:00 pm
  • Saturday August 22
  • Football JV @ Dimond
    West High School Dimond High School, 2909 W 88th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99502, USA
    4:00 pm
  • Football Varsity @ Dimond
    West High School Dimond High School, 2909 W 88th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99502, USA
    7:00 pm
  • Monday August 24
  • House Leadership Academy 4th & 5th Gr.
    Aquarian Charter School Anchorage, AK 99517
    8:35 am
  • Boys Basketball Starts
    Hanshew Middle School Anchorage, AK 99507
    4:15 pm
  • Baseball Starts
    Hanshew Middle School Anchorage, AK 99507
    4:15 pm
  • XC Running Starts
    Hanshew Middle School Anchorage, AK 99507
    4:15 pm
  • Saturday September 5
  • Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More →
    49th State Brewing - Anchorage, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage
    5:30 pm
  • Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons →
    49th State Brewing - Anchorage, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage
    7:45 pm

📣 Anchorage Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday August 20
  • TKE School Opens, PK & KG
    Talkeetna Elementary Palmer, AK 99645
    8:20 am
  • Friday August 21
  • Alaska State Fair →
    Alaska State Fair, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer
    10:00 am
  • Coed JV Football @ Chugiak HS
    Wasilla High School Po Box 770218, Eagle River Alaska 99577-0218
    4:00 pm
  • Girls JV Flag Football vs Palmer High School
    Wasilla High School 701 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla AK 99654-7193
    5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Potter Marsh .
    Juvenile eagle fishing, ducks didn't like him above. (Nextdoor Huffman/O'Malley)
  • Alaskan Family YouTube Vloggers
    Is it just me or is family vlogging using your kids for content super off-putting? Some states are passing laws that protect minors rights regarding… (Nextdoor Shady Birch)
  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Wasilla. Apply here.
  • State of Alaska posted a job opening for Correctional Officer 2 (Wasilla, AK) in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anchorage here.

Ok Anchorage! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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