Milita Trial – Prosecution Rests & Motions Heard
My plan was to just play catch up with the notes and testimony I’ve already heard, but today was just too exciting not to want to get this out to you in a timely way. So that means I have a couple witnesses for the prosecution still waiting to be reported on, but they will have to find a comfortable place somewhere in the series of tubes to hang out for a while. Today, court started half an hour early. I, alas, did not. Motions are being heard as I walk into the courtroom. Nelson Traverso for Schaeffer Cox, and…
FBI Tapes Reveal Hatching of 2-4-1 Militia Strategy
First of all, if you are reading this in real time, you need to know I’m terribly behind. But my purpose in this coverage is not to be first, but to be able to provide details that you won’t be able to find elsewhere, so please forgive my lag time if you are reading this as the trial is happening. We rejoin FBI informant JR Olson on the stand. He is telling of the day that he and defendant Lonnie Vernon got back to Fairbanks from attending a militia conference in Anchorage. Olson and Vernon were sent by Alaska Peacemakers…
The EPA Answers Alaska’s Mayday
This time of year I tend to get nostalgic about commercial fishing. I miss the nocturnal calm of wheel watch and still feel lucky to be alive when recalling some of the more harrowing moments. We were always eager to get into port after a stormy trip across the Gulf. Once again we’d survived to hear the most amazing voice ever on the radio. Peggy Dyson of Kodiak would come on the radio twice a day. “Hello all mariners, hello all mariners, this is WBH-Two-Nine Kodiak.” Peggy was our lifeline to land life. She’d give baseball scores, announcements of babies…
In My Alaska Garden – Memorial Weekend Planting and Hoop House Lessons
I’ve been a very busy girl in the hoop house, though not as busy as I would like. Life has interefered but I plan on spending the rest of the evening and most of tomorrow getting things together. This is my Memorial Day tradition, as it is for most gardeners. I can take you on a little tour… First, we look left to the “herb garden,” as yet incomplete… Missing from the photo (on the far left) is the bin containing Sage and Dill. The Basil is the “Aromatic Trio” from Renee’s Garden…I believe this one is the “Red Rubin”…
Militia Trial: The Tale Of The Tape
After having been in court for a couple weeks, I’ve had the occasion to meet many people associated with the trial, and they have been kind enough to share their observations with me regarding times I’ve missed. I learned several things I’m going to share, but first off, guess how militia leader Schaeffer Cox first met FBI informant JR Olson? You’ll never guess, so I’ll tell you. It was at a political fundraiser for… wait for it… Rep. Tammie Wilson of North Pole. Small state. I am in court for the second day that JR Olson is on the stand…
Open Thread – Redecorating!
Hello, Mudflatters! It’s been a while since we decorated around here, and we thought that this seemed to be as good a time as any for a shiny new coat of paint. I’ve been monitoring the redesign, and I think you will love it! We don’t have an exact day and time yet, but this is your official preliminary heads up that some time soon you’ll log in and get a nice surprise!
Open Thread – Bear!
Heading out of the house this morning, I ran into this beautiful shiny bear! I watched him/her from the safety of my car for a little while. S/he seemed fairly nonplussed by my presence, and eventually toddled off into the brush to do whatever bears do.
Election Recertified, Muni Clerk Resigns
I know I’ve been silent regarding my participation one of the “Ten Qualified Voters” who triggered the Election (Hand) Recount of 15 precincts. I hope all of you understand that I was writing constantly “for the cause” and wasn’t able to write it on Mudflats. AKM has been doing a magnificent job. My commentary on this post will be short but you can read the letter that we (through Hal Gazaway) submitted to Chairman Hall and the Assembly before yesterday’s meeting. The letter regards our findings as we went through days of the hand count process. When you read it, you will find it unsurprising that the…
Militia Trial: FBI Informant Testifies
What an interesting day in court, in which we find out that one Mr. Bill Fulton, (now disappeared, and formerly of the Drop Zone military surplus store) has one giant potty mouth. I’m guessing his mother wasn’t an “open up, here’s the bar of soap” kinda gal. Monday’s only witness for the afternoon session was JR Olson, one of two FBI informants in the case, and someone whose testimony I’ve been eagerly awaiting. He is “an unsavory character with a checkered past” as my grandmother would say. You might even call him a “ne’er do well.” And in exchange for…
Militia Trial: Armed Guards & Being Followed
Witness Victoria Thompson enters the court room wearing a long bright red cable-knit cardigan sweater. She is the News director for KJNP radio/TV in North Pole and she says she lives “on the KJNP compound.” KJNP stands for ‘King Jesus North Pole.’ The radio station has a gospel music format. She seems unhappy to be here. She doesn’t turn her head to face the prosecutor, but looks sideways while facing straight ahead. She is 72 years old and has been “in the news business” since she was 15. The prosecutor asks her if her allergies are bothering her. She says…