Larry Dirks with Director Sunderland / Photo Credit: Pipa Escalante

Larry Dirks, Jr., the longest serving Department of Public Safety employee, retired this month after 24 years of dedicated service.  

On Monday, September 28, 2015, family and friends joined the DPS Staff for a potluck BBQ lunch at the Station, which was well attended and quite delicious.

At the celebration, DPS Director Jamie Sunderland presented Larry with an appreciation plaque, memorializing his caliber as employee, friend, and citizen. It was apparent that Larry was quite touched, and that Jamie will truly miss having him on the job. (Click here for more)

Start line Boys Race / Photo credit: Jacob Sevilla

Cross country running teams from all over Southwest Alaska met the Unalaska Raiders on Saturday for the Region 1 Southwest championships.  This was the first time Unalaska has ever hosted a regional cross country race.

On Saturday, community members gathered at Kelty Field to support both the local and visiting runners.  Spectators were scattered around the course, but most of them settled near the start and finish line. (click here to read more)

Winning Entry: Jan's Blueberry Coffee Crumble Cake / Photo credit: Cathy Jordan

The 2015 Blueberry Bash was held on September 27 at the high school small gym. Unalaska/Port of Dutch Harbor Convention and Visitors Bureau host the scrumptuous affair and they were happy to pull it off on the heels of the large cruise ship event.

The prizes for this year were baking related, like a stoneware bar pan and pizza pan, stackable cooling racks, a spring-form pan. Youth winner Corynn Lekanoff received a fun cookie press with a blueberry-themed apron and adjustable measuring spoons. Each youth entry received a small-batch cookie jar for participating.  The grand prize winner, Jan Newkirk, received a deep covered baker, with a cookbook and salad cutters. (Click here to read more)