Jheyson Jimenez was arraigned today on assault and gun charges after an armed standoff in East Anchorage Thursday left a police officer injured and forced the evacuation of more than 30 homes.

Jimenez,28, faces two felony counts of assault in the third degree and two misdemeanor counts of misconduct involving weapons, according to court papers filed by Assistant District Attorney Aaron D. Jabaay. 

Police responded at 2:27 a.m. Thursday to an apartment on the 8000 block of Peck Avenue where a man was heard saying he wanted to die, according to a police report.

An APD Officer -- identified by his last name, Cusack -- arrived in the area and was turning his car around when he heard a gunshot. Cusack heard a second gunshot and noticed a bullet pierced the windshield on the driver’s side, striking the interior of the patrol. His lower body sustained non-life threatening injuries from broken glass and bullet fragments.

"Anchorage almost lost an officer today," Anchorage Police Chief Chris Tolley told reporters Thursday afternoon.

Police dispatchers fielded numerous 9-1-1 calls from people in the area. One caller said a woman had left the apartment, got into a small sedan and drove away. That turned out to be Jamika Ludvig.

Police pulled the vehicle over for a traffic stop. Ludwig told officers that she’s roommates with Jimenez. She said she was asleep in her room when she heard Jimenez causing a disturbance. He entered her room with a pistol in his hand and waved it around.

“Ludvig said he was talking about murdering everybody in the house and he was going to start killing people and he pointed a gun at her which Ludwig said scared her,” according to the police report.

More police arrived and they found Jimenez had barricaded himself into an apartment. SWAT team members arrived at about 4 a.m., and troopers helped to evacuate surrounding homes.

More than 30 homes were evacuated.

Police say Jimenez surrendered peacefully just before 10:30 a.m. -- nearly 8 hours after the initial 911 call.

If convicted on all counts, he could receive a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison and $120,000 in fines, Judge Jennifer S. Henderson said at the arraignment. 

A security consultant company is training bouncers working at Anchorage nightclubs on how to create a safe environment to protect guests, staff and property.

Since early 2000, there have been several high profile incidents involving bouncers in Anchorage, including an altercation in 2004 at Chilkoot Charlie's that left one man dead.

Topics covered in the course were tailored to the job of a bouncer, including powers to arrest, citizen's detention, legal guest searches, conflict resolution, legal use of force, fake identification, best practices for the alcohol industry and terrorism and active shooter awareness.

"Anchorage is not unique capsule of it's own, it's got the same foot print as every other city in our country and bouncers or people, if left unchecked, will make mistakes," said Robert Smith, CEO of Nightclub Security Consultants. "Alcohol causes people to do dumb things, and in-house guards, security hosts are tasked with handling these people."

Following the two day, 12-hour course, each individual who completed the course received national certification.

In Alaska, there's no specific training needed for a person to become a bouncer at a bar or restaurant.

In recent years California, Oregon, Hawaii and several other states have created laws requiring all bouncers and in-house security guards to complete an approved training course and get licensed in order to work. 

Anchorage police have investigated 550 reports of stolen vehicles so far this year, the department announced Friday.

According to APD, more than 70 arrests have been made with charges of first degree vehicle theft and about 85 percent of stolen vehicles have been recovered.

“Over the past few months, the Anchorage Police Department has been investigating an increase in property crimes, including vehicle thefts and burglaries,” police wrote in a Friday statement. “Detectives in APD’s Burglary and Property Crimes Unit have been working around the clock to investigate these property crimes and hold the people responsible that are committing them.”

APD provided the following list of some of the arrests made so far:

-- March 26, 2016 Arthur Reekie, 38, charged with Vehicle Theft 1, Robbery 2, 2 counts of Assault 3, Driving with a Revoked License, and Reckless Driving.

-- March 27, 2016 Jonathan Walker, 36, charged with Burglary 2 and Vehicle Theft 1.

-- March 28, 2016 Joel Gould, 21, charged with two counts of Vehicle Theft 1, Criminal Mischief 3, DUI, and Driving with a Revoked License

-- March 28, 2016 Jason Nunooruk, 37, charged with Vehicle Theft 1, DUI, Theft 4

-- March 29, 2016 Bethany McKeel, 28, charged with Vehicle Theft 1, DUI

-- April 1, 2016 Cassandra Uiese, 24, was charged with Vehicle Theft 1 and arrested. On April 13, 2016 Uiese was also charged with MICS IV and MIW III.

-- April 2, 2016, Christopher Pedzewick, 37, charged with Vehicle Theft 1, Escape 2, False Info/Report, and Resisting/Interference with Arrest.

-- April 4, 2016 Ceaser Harrison, 18, charged with Vehicle Theft 1, Resisting/Interference with Arrest

-- April 5, 2016 Brittani Shawanokasic, 25, was charged with Theft 2 and Vehicle Theft 1

-- April 8, 2016 Loi Taupa Olomua, 30, was arrested on charges of Vehicle Theft I and MICS IV.

-- April 8, 2016 Wesley Ezell, 39 was arrested and charged with Vehicle Theft 1, Driving with a Revoked License, Failure to Stop at the Direction of an Officer, Reckless Endangerment and Leaving an Accident w/o providing information.

-- April 8, 2016 Usugafono Palauni, 23, was arrested and charged with Vehicle Theft 1, and Failure to Stop at the Direction of an Officer.

-- April 11, 2016 Joe Nickalaskey, 25, charged with Vehicle Theft 1, False Info/Report, MIW 3

-- April 12, 2016 15-year-old juvenile was arrested and remanded to MYC. Charges for Vehicle Theft 1 and Criminal Mischief 5 were referred to the AKDJJ.

-- April 13, 2016 A 14-year-old was remanded to MYC on charges of Vehicle Theft 1, Criminal Mischief 3, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Resisting/Interference with Arrest and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.

-- April 15, 2016 Falesiva Sialoga, 47, was arrested for Vehicle Theft 1, Felony Eluding and Driving with a Revoked/Suspended License.

-- April 18, 2016 Faasoosoo Soifua, 34, was arrested for Vehicle Theft 1.

-- April 19, 2016 Christina Dau, 34, was arrested and charged for Vehicle Theft 1.

The 9:45 showing of "A Smile as Big as the Moon," at the Alaska Experience Theater started late. One of the elevators in the building wasn't working, and because almost everyone who came to see the show was in a wheelchair they had to use the second elevator farther down the hall.

No one cared. Instead everyone was excited by the bags of popcorn and juice for sale. Someone started chanting, "We're going to see a movie!"

Teri Nickels, who works at the Arc of Anchorage and her client Sally Lewis both got a snack. This was second time they've gone to a movie here, which is now possible because the theater recently started showing sensory-friendly films.

The Autism Society describes the movies as "a more accepting and comfortable setting for individuals on the autism spectrum, the movie auditorium keeps their lights turned slightly up (dim lights will remain on) and the sound turned slightly down."

Graduate student Yulia Grishina came up with the idea while working on her MBA. She learned about the concept, which is popular in the Lower 48) while doing research for school.

"It's a shame that we have such a great population of people with disabilities and they can't fully enjoy movies and going to the theater."

She says she sent an email to the Arc of Anchorage and quickly got an email back saying the clients at the Arc would be willing to participate.

Nickels whispered to Lewis during the movie to explain some of the plot lines.

"It's a great opportunity to be able to all come (to the movies) and not to be disruptive to other people who don't like people making noises or getting up," Nickels said, "so its a great opportunity for us."

A Fairbanks man is facing a slew of felony charges after allegedly threatening several people in Northway with an explosive smoke device Friday morning, Alaska State Troopers say.

According to troopers, 35-year-old Justin J. Nelson forced entry to a building on Northway Road and damaged the driver’s side door of a maintenance vehicle parked nearby.

“Nelson was in possession of an explosive smoke device that he deployed,” troopers wrote in a dispatch posted online. “Nelson threatened several community members with the device.”

Troopers in Tok were notified of the incident at around 9:35 a.m. and travelled to Northway where they later arrested Nelson.

Nelson is charged with first degree burglary, criminal possession of explosives, three counts of third degree assault, second degree terroristic threatening, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. He is currently housed at the Fairbanks Correctional Center.

Northway is a community in Eastern Alaska with a population of about 200, according to a 2015 Department of Labor Estimate.

Armed with a 15 mm pyrotechnic launcher, USDA Wildlife Biologist Spencer Nelson spots an eagle circling near the departure end of runway 33 of the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

“It would take him five seconds to go out over the runway,” said Nelson as he took aim and fired two shots into the air. The eagle flies over the runway but keeps moving.

“That was real typical of what we do all day here at the airport we patrol the airfield looking for wildlife including those eagles,” said Nelson.

The risk of planes hitting birds exists year round. Nelson says because of the lack of snow this winter four owls were hit at the airport between December and January.

As recently as April 19th a Nippon Air Cargo jet hit several birds on final approach. Nelson says a wing was cracked.

“We’re defiantly concerned about human safety and there have been fatalities in Alaska from wildlife strikes in the past. We work hard at avoiding that so it’s not just an economic impact it’s one of safety too,” he said.

Nelson says a “bird strike” can be catastrophic for smaller planes too. He says geese have mostly pushed through but Alaska has yet to see ducks return in large numbers.  

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Two Juneau shop owners accused of selling fake Alaska Native artwork appeared in court this week, with one accepting a plea agreement and another setting a date for trial.

The Juneau Empire reports that Vinod "Vinny" Sippy, who owned Diamond Island, Icy Strait, and Gemstone Heaven pleaded guilty to selling bone carvings to an undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent in August and falsely presenting them as "Inuit Indian" work.

As part of the plea agreement, Sippy was sentenced to probation and agreed to pay a $3,500 fine and make a $3,500 donation to the Indian Arts and Crafts board.

Norma Carandang of Northstar Gift Shop is scheduled to go to trial June 27.

Three other shop owners in Ketchikan and Skagway have been charged with violating the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

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Information from: Juneau (Alaska) Empire, http://www.juneauempire.com

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office is considering a heavy mineral prospect in Southeast Alaska.

The Alaska Journal of Commerce reports that the prospect would be at Icy Cape, a beach near Yakutat that the trust owns and that appears to hold deposits of heavy minerals including garnet, epidote and zircon.

Trust Land Office Executive Director John Morrison says there are enough heavy minerals at Icy Cape to run a major mine operation for a century. He said since the minerals are literally rains in the beach sand, the 30 miles of coastline is a rich area for mineral mining.

Trust officials say preliminary resource evaluations show the beach has ore — or sand — with up to 40 percent heavy minerals.

UPDATE 9:35 p.m.:

Alaska State Troopers on scene now say two people were killed in a multi-vehicle collision on the Seward Highway Friday evening.

According to emergency responders on scene, a black Subaru Forester was driving northbound near mile 99 of the highway when the vehicle crossed over into the southbound lane. Rodelo Susa, 61, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Express van southbound and swerved to avoid the Subaru before coming to a rest at the side of the road several yards away.

Joshua Brandon Lacy,  29, was driving a Jeep Libertybehind the van and then impacted the Subaru head-on. Both occupants of the Subaru, a male and a female, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the jeep was uninjured but passenger Wendal T Booth Jr., 48, was transported to the Alaska Native Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Tow trucks have arrived at the site of the crash and are beginning to clear the roadway of wreckage. Officials say the highway could be reopened within the hour.

UPDATE 9:10 p.m.:

One person was killed and another was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a head-on collision between two vehicles near mile 99 of the Seward Highway, according to AFD Senior Captain Tony Schwamm.

Seven AFD units and four Girdwood Fire units responded to the crash. A LifeMed helicopter was requested from Soldotna but the helicopter was turned around when the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, Schwamm said.

The highway will remain closed for several hours as authorities investigate the collision, Schwamm said. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A vehicle accident on the Seward Highway is blocking traffic near milepost 99, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation.

Drivers in the area should expect long delays and should be prepared to stop. Emergency vehicles are at the scene, DOT said.

An Anchorage Fire Department spokesperson said the crash was reported just after 7 p.m.

Both the Anchorage and Girdwood fire departments are responding to the crash.

...

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska aquarium says it has replaced 98 percent of its fossil-fuel heating requirements with a system that draws heat from seawater.

The Alaska SeaLife Center's second seawater system has been operating since January.

The center is in Seward on Resurrection Bay, which absorbs solar heat over summer months and retains much of it throughout winter.

Seawater from the bay warms a loop of water and glycol, which then heats a loop of liquid carbon dioxide, causing the liquid CO2 to boil into a vapor.

When the CO2 vapor is compressed, the vapor temperature rises dramatically and heats water that circulates through conventional baseboard heaters.

The center has cut its heating bill by more than half and estimates it has reduced annual carbon emissions by 1.24 million pounds.

If you guessed today was the day the tripod would tip in the Nenana Ice Classic, then you might be a jackpot winner.

According to the Nenana Ice Classic Facebook, page the clock stopped at 3:39 p.m. Saturday, Alaska Standard Time.

The tripod gave everyone a false alarm by floating out of the shot of the live webcams, but it was still standing 30 minutes before the line broke.

The jackpot was set at $300,000. Organizers say they do not yet have a list of the winners, which may not be available for about two weeks.

"We are still compiling the guesses and entering them into our database," the Ice Classic website says.

The game dates back to 1917, the first attempt for people to predict when winter ice would break up on the Tanana River in Nenana. People now pay $2.50 per ticket to guess the correct time the river pushes the wooden tripod downstream and stops a connected clock on shore.

Anyone who correctly guessed the moment the ice would move will split the pot.

Last year, 28 winners split a $330,000 jackpot.

April 20 is the earliest the tripod has moved. May 20 is the latest date.

-- KTUU staff & Associated Press

A Wasilla pilot was unhurt when his plane lost power on takeoff, just as the aircraft lifted off the runway Saturday afternoon, Alaska State Troopers say.

The incident was reported to wildlife troopers at 2:52 p.m. at an air strip near the intersection of Johnsons Road and Schulz Road between Wasilla and Big Lake.

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Troopers say the plane “settled back onto the runway before running of the end of the runway.” The aircraft came to a stop in heavy brush and debris, sustaining damage, according troopers.

Pilot James Riggs reported no injuries.

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — Residents of the community of Whale Pass on northern Prince of Wales Island are hoping to become Alaska's newest city.

The Ketchikan Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/1qJat4i ) that the state Local Boundary Commission of Friday released its review of the petition to make Whale Pass a second-class city. The commission recommended the petition be approved and cheduled for a local election.

Whale Pass has 65 permanent residents and the petition says the community is growing in both population and visitors.

If approved by voters in the area, the City of Whale Pass would cover 14 square miles of land and 12 square miles of water. The city would have no taxes and would be led by a seven-member council and a mayor.

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Information from: Ketchikan (Alaska) Daily News, http://www.ketchikandailynews.com

A four-car collision in East Anchorage is delaying traffic in the area of DeBarr Road and Norman Street.

The crash was reported at about 1:30 p.m. No one was hospitalized, a patrolman said.

Officer Eric Nowak said a bus was coming to a stop and another vehicle was attempting to change lanes at the time of the collision.

It's more than a competition for the thousands of Alaska students who participate in Native Youth Olympics each year.

According to survey results from athletes who participated last year, NYO is proving to be a positive influence for keeping students engaged in school.

More than 400 athletes from grades 7-12 completed the survey.

Seventy-five percent said they see NYO as an incentive to stay in school and nearly the same number said it motivated them to improve or maintain good grades to continue participation.

Hunter York, a senior from Kodiak who competed in the Eskimo stick pull this year, said he agrees.

"It's really helped me focused on school and gotta keep my grades up to travel and attendance and everything.

Another cool thing was learning about all the events, the history behind em," York said.

Nearly 70 percent of the surveyed students indicated NYO has helped improve their self-confidence levels.

More than 90 percent indicated they've developed new friendships with other athletes, teachers and coaches.

Almost the same number reported they learned more about Alaska native culture and values through the event.

Chantal Snyder, a freshman who specializes in the one-arm reach, said she's enjoying the camaraderie among different teams.

"I'm usually a quiet person, but since this is my first year I'm starting to meet a lot of people," Snyder said.

Eighty-seven percent of those who completed the survey said they see themselves as role models for future NYO participants.

Amanda Magnusen, a senior from Kodiak who competed in the seal hop, said besides learning to focus, it is a chance for her to help other athletes as they get started.

"This was my first year in Kodiak and they haven't had NYO for a few years and we were just getting back in the zone there," Magnusen said. "I was helping them learn the rules and the different events and I was a complete role model for my peers, not just younger kids, but you know other seniors that are on the team."

When it comes to risky behaviors, almost 15 percent of those surveyed said they did use tobacco products, but have stopped.

Seven percent said they stopped using illegal substances and more than 5 percent said they stopped using alcohol because of NYO.

Nicole Johnston, a co-head official for NYO, said part of why the games are so influential has to do with the number of options of events.

"One of the greatest things about NYO is there's a game for everybody. No matter what size, what age group you are, there's an event that every person can find and be successful in," Johnston said.

The appeal is also, in large part, due to the friendly competition nature of the event.

"You're not gonna see anybody saying I'm gonna kick your you-know-what," Johnston said. "You're saying 'go ... go higher, go farther, beat me, do your best."

It's an event that's proving that it's building determination from the classroom to the podium.

Volunteers found the body today of a long-missing hiker in Southeast Alaska.

Justin Nathan, 22, disappeared five months ago on Deer Mountain, near Ketchikan, troopers say. Searchers faced heavy snow and bad weather at the time, and were unable to find the Ketchikan resident.  

Troopers say the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad reported the discovery of Nathan’s remains at 12:22 p.m. at an elevation of 3,200 feet on Deer Mountain.

The body will be sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for examination. Nathan’s family were at the rescue group’s base camp at the time of the discovery, according to an Alaska State Troopers dispatch posted online.

JUNEAU -- A full week beyond the voter-approved limit to the regular legislative session, lawmakers on Sunday said they are inching closer to compromise on the biggest proposals taking aim at the state government financial crisis, but progress is slow enough they are preparing for a lengthy stay in the capital city.

Following a technical House floor session that lasted just a little over three minutes, House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, said he is holding out hope that a deal will soon be reached on the oil and gas tax credit reform bill, H.B. 247, which for weeks has been slowing progress on other key proposals: plans to use Permanent Fund earnings to pay for government, tax hikes, and capital and operating budgets.

"That'll kind of unlock the door to allow other issues that are out there, so we'll be able to finish up and go home," Chenault said of the reform, which has bitterly divided the majority caucus.

Gov. Bill Walker's preferred reform, largely supported by the Democratic minority, would put the state $500 million closer to a balanced budget during the next fiscal year; some Republicans see increasing production tax from 4 percent to 5 percent and immediately cutting some payouts as too big of a hit on the struggling industry.

With the state set to pay out $775 million credits compared to $1 billion in overall petroleum revenue, Walker has said he would consider calling a special session if no reform passes, or vetoing spending on credits if he sees the eventual Legislature-approved plan as excessive.

Although he expresses some hope, Chenault said the Legislature is actively looking at Centennial Hall and other locations around Juneau as possible places for work to continue if attempts at lawmaking continue beyond May 2, when a Capitol renovation is scheduled to intensify. Even with the added distraction of construction noise, the chambers -- which are equipped with microphones and video needed to broadcast big decisions, and with electronic voting capabilities -- may be usable for floor sessions, the speaker said, adding that he does not expect a formal break this week during the Republican state convention in Fairbanks. Chenault declined to say whether or not options to take overtime to another city like Anchorage had been ruled out.

While gridlock continues over issues with the biggest potential financial impact on state government, another contentious bill is poised to be re-written by the House Finance Committee and to get a floor vote this week.

The committee, led by GOP Reps. Mark Neuman of Big Lake and Steve Thompson of Fairbanks, on Monday is expected to vote on a series of proposed amendments to S.B. 91, an omnibus crime reform bill that cleared the senate 16-2 a couple weeks ago.

At the core of the proposal that has been touted by Pew Charitable Trust is a shift away from lengthy prison sentences in favor of reinvestment in rehabilitation programs and other attempts to reduce the rate of repeat offenders.

The Office of Victims' Rights and others have spoken against the changes, saying they would make Alaska too soft on crime.

Already, S.B. 91 has been heavily amended since moving into the House, and dozens of proposed changes are expected to be unveiled Monday, possibly along with a committee overhauled version of the bill.

If the bill moves through its final committee quickly, a floor vote is possible this week, with the Senate also needing to affirm changes.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is predicting a higher king salmon run this year than in previous years that will meet escapement and subsistence harvest demands.

KYUK-AM reports that wildlife managers discussed the expectations and management strategies with fishery representatives along the Kuskokwim River last week in Bethel. Officials predict 2016 chinook numbers to range between 125,000 and 219,000 kings. The drainage-wide escapement goal remains 65,000 to 120,000.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Biologist Zach Liller says the total run size last year marked the eighth smallest on record but the largest reported since 2010.

In 2015, an estimated 150,000 king salmons escaped into their spawning grounds, exceeding the drainage-wide escapement goal by 30,000.

River watchers are reporting record-early breakup on portions of two of Alaska’s largest rivers this year.  

On Saturday, the Yukon River ice broke at Dawson City, Yukon, at 11:15 a.m.

That's the earliest breakup date (April 23) in 121 years of record-keeping, said hydrologist Crane Johnson, of the Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center. It beats the previous record set in 1940, April 28, by several days.

...

“It just sort of matches with record warm temperatures this winter and above-average temperatures this spring,” Johnson said.

The likelihood of flooding on the Yukon is low to moderate, based on the ice melting in place, he said.

Some Kuskokwim River communities are seeing breakup records as well, including Bethel, where the April 21 breakup eclipses the previous record of April 25, also set in 1940, Johnson said.

Dawson is the first community where the Yukon has broken, he said.

On the Kuskokwim, the first community break-up was recorded in Nikolai on April 11, which was not a record. It was one day later than the record set in 1998. However, in addition to Bethel, break-up records were set this year in Sleetmute (April 18) and Red Devil (April 19), Johnson said.

Each day the extended regular session continues means lawmakers are collecting $213 in per diem from the state, which totals more than $12,000 daily.

The pay is based on federal per diem rates, which go up in the summer to account for tourist season. Legislators will receive an extra $34 a day starting next Saturday. 

READ THIS:Legislature may soon need new venue for overtime lawmaking, speaker says

One state employee told Channel 2 it's important to remember that legislators are still paying for housing expenses, both in Juneau and at home as they grapple with solutions to plummeting state revenue.

Given the emphasis on taking action at the beginning of the 90-day session, some Alaskans don't agree the state should pay anything beyond the regular session.

Here's what some Alaskans outside of a local grocery store said on Sunday:

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If you'd like to join the conversation, head to the Channel 2 Facebook page and tell us what you think of the lawmakers' work so far.