🌱 Patch AM: Anchorage tax preparer sent to prison over nearly $1M COVID fraud

Good morning Anchorage! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Anchorage tax preparer sent to prison over nearly $1M COVID fraud
• Why Anchorage police are probing the fifth deadly pedestrian crash this year
• Anchorage arrest leads to extradition in disturbing Massachusetts child sex case

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

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Laura W.!

Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 63 and low of 47 degrees.
• Thursday: Sun followed by clouds, temps: high: 62, low: 52.
• Friday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 57 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Anchorage tax preparer sentenced in $970K COVID relief fraud, identity theft case (alaskasnewssource.com) — An Anchorage tax preparer has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for using stolen identities and fake documents to obtain about $970,000 in COVID relief funds. Prosecutors say she diverted money meant for struggling small businesses into real estate and personal restitution, and federal officials stress they'll keep pursuing similar pandemic fraud cases impacting Anchorage and the rest of Alaska.
   

• KNBA WEBCAST: Monday, August 24, 2026 (knba.org) — Anchorage readers should know police are investigating the city's fifth fatal pedestrian crash of the year, underscoring ongoing safety concerns on local streets. The KNBA webcast also highlights statewide stories, from Tok schools reopening after wildfire damage to a deadly plane crash investigation and climate research funding changes.
   

• Massachusetts fugitive arrested in Alaska on child rape charges (wwlp.com) — A Massachusetts fugitive accused of serious child sex crimes was arrested earlier this month at his home in Anchorage, following a U.S. Marshals investigation. Authorities say he's being held in Alaska while arrangements are made to return him to Massachusetts to face multiple charges tied to an alleged 2024 incident.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Anchorage

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday August 27
• Design Awards & Industry Partner Appreciation Event →
  King Street Brewing Company, 9050 King St, Anchorage
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday August 28
• West Volleyball vs Dimond C JV 6:15, V 7:30
  West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
  5:00 pm
• Open House Ice Cream Social
  Aquarian Charter School Anchorage, AK 99517
  5:00 pm
• Tennis Varsity vs Chugiak
  West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
  6:00 pm
• Tennis Open @ Chugiak
  West High School Chugiak High School, 16525 S Birchwood Loop Rd, Chugiak, AK 995
  6:00 pm
• Swim West @ Chugiak
  West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
  6:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
• Texas Roadhouse Dine to Donate Night đĽł
  Trailside Elementary Texas Roadhouse, 9001 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99515, USA
  4:30 pm
• West Volleyball @ Bartlett C JV 6:15, V 7:30
  West High School Bartlett High School, 1101 Golden Bear Dr, Anchorage, AK 99504\
  5:00 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

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday August 26
• Girls Freshman Volleyball vs Bettye Davis East Anchorage High Schoo
  Wasilla High School 701 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla AK 99654-7193
  4:00 pm
• Coed Varsity Tennis @ Chugiak HS
  Wasilla High School Po Box 770218, Eagle River Alaska 99577-0218
  5:00 pm
• Girls JV Volleyball vs Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School
  Wasilla High School 701 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla AK 99654-7193
  5:30 pm
• Girls JV Flag Football vs Service 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.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• We had a beautiful sunrise this morning on the eastside!!
  Was glad to sit and watch it for a few minutes!! (Nextdoor Lower Northeast)
• Perseverance is a good trait.
  Paid off today. Was about to quit for the day and ended up catching and releasing this big beauty (Largemouth Bass)! (Nextdoor Lower Northeast)

• Southcentral Foundation posted a job opening for Courier BNPCC - INTERMITTENT in Wasilla. Apply here.
• Wendy's posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anchorage here.

🗞 Nearby News

Palmer

• Mat-Su road officials want tougher penalties for illegal motorized vehicle use on pathways (matsusentinel.com)
• 'Help out and make the world clean': Recycling at the Alaska State Fair becoming a family affair (alaskasnewssource.com)
• Patricia Chesbro Pledges to Support Congressional Term Limits (termlimits.com)

Wasilla

• The Rewind: West football steamrolls Dimond, UAA volleyball breaks even in Alaska/Hawaii Challenge (adn.com)

Seward

• Tripadvisor : Basic Search (marketscreener.com)

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: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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