It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Monday, December 1, 2025.
Mat-Su residents are invited to help shape the future of transportation in the core area. Your feedback will help steer millions in federal transportation funds over the next 20 years.
The Mat-Su Sentinel reported that a new long-range transportation plan is open for public input. The plan will guide which roads, safety projects, and infrastructure upgrades in the core area qualify for federal dollars.
The Borough is gathering public input through the end of December. An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, at 4:30 p.m. at the Borough Administration Building in Palmer. A brief project presentation is set for 5 p.m until 6:30 p.m.
The big deal? This plan carries weight. And has funding.
The Mat-Su core area became a federally designated metropolitan planning organization, or MPO, when the 2020 census showed the core area surpassed 50,000 residents. That designation triggered new federal transportation planning rules. The local MPO is called Mat-Su Valley Planning for Transportation, or MVP. It joins Anchorage and Fairbanks as one of three MPOs in the state.
Planning Manager Anjie Goulding told the Mat-Su Sentinel this MPO plan is different from other local efforts that can be set aside. This one has legal force. Without it, the Mat-Su cannot receive federal transportation funding.
Planners say public involvement is vital.
Local governments and community councils must use a formal project nomination process. This requires engineering details, technical data, and possible funding matches.
Residents have a simpler path. They can highlight problems such as unsafe crossings, missing sidewalks, congestion, or growth that has outpaced the road network. Comments don’t require technical backup, but they can still help shape which projects move forward.
Submit your input online at mvpmpo.com. You can also attend the open house to learn more and suggest projects.
Planners will work with the policy committee to develop the final plan after project nominations close in December. This committee includes city, borough, and Knik and Chickaloon tribal officials. That process will take several months and the meetings will be open to the public. Schedules are posted on the MVP website.
Nelson Crone gives the monthly update on the UAF Farm and Extension Service along with his sage advice tomorrow at 8 a.m., repeating at 5 p.m. on Big Cabbage Radio. If you miss it, it will be on our website and podcast channels by the end of the week.
It’s a week for government meetings. The Borough Assembly and the City of Palmer both meet on Tues. at 6 pm. The School Board meets on Wednesday at 6 pm. All three meetings will be streamed from our website at bigcabbageradio.org.
There is a free clinic on how to release your dog from a trap on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Wasilla VFW, 301 Lake St. in Wasilla. Learn how to determine if a trail is also a trap line, how to avoid accidental pet catches, and how to safely release a pet that has been caught.
Black Birch Books celebrates owner Taylor’s birthday on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. All rare and collectible books will be 20% off. All other books are five dollars.
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Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner, Lee Henrikson and David Cheezem. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Monday, December 1, 2025.