Cordova

Air National Guard searchers found a missing plane with two people aboard Tuesday morning safely landed but inoperable about 185 miles southeast of Anchorage. According to ANG spokesperson Kalei Rupp, the Maule M-4 aircraft was reported overdue to the 11th Rescue Coordination Center by the Federal Aviation Administration shortly after 10 p.m. Monday. No emergency locator transmitter signal was picked up, and the FAA conducted ramp checks at airports along the aircraft’s flight plan from Yakutat to Anchorage via Cordova to see if it had landed.

A plane crash in Cordova Friday morning ended up with minor injuries and what the National Guard says is an example of everything going right after a crash. Troopers say the Supercub had been traveling with a Taylorcraft sightseeing when the Supercub tried to land on the beach at Okalee Spit, about 50 miles southeast of Cordova when the wing clipped the beach, and the plane crashed. The National Guard says two people were aboard the plane, the pilot, 27-year-old William Bredin and 21-year-old Lisa Yates, both of Anchorage.

In Cordova, fences are sometimes made of driftwood and orange fishing buoys, and homeowners decorate their garages with twinkling Christmas lights shaped in the form of fish. Tree branches drip with rain, and moss somehow grows on pickup trucks. Cordovans wear sweatshirts that say NO ROAD -- a celebration of the fact that this eastern Prince William Sound town is accessible only by boat or plane. And Cordova really is a place apart. This community of 2,200 is shaped by its location near the mouth of the massive Copper River, surrounded by forest, mountains, glaciers and the sea. Most people visit Cordova in the summertime, either to work in the abundant fisheries or to hike, kayak, mountain bike and otherwise explore the wilderness that surrounds the town.

Research by the Muscular Dystrophy Association has come a long way to improve the lifespan and quality of life for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy -- but one young man from Cordova lost his battle  before he could be helped. There's comfort year after year in the things that stay the same at MDA Summer Camp: the majestic spruce, the rustic cabins, the smooth waters of Birchwood Lake. Even the rain is comforting. Even though so much has stayed the same, there is one difference this year that is causing an emotional ripple throughout the camp: longtime camper Colter Papelka isn’t here.

by The Associated Press Thursday, July 1, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska Marine Highway System officials say the state ferry Chenega is set to return to service. The Thursday return of the 235-foot fast ferry follows an extensive engine overhaul in Washington state. The first sailing is scheduled to depart from Cordova at 8:30 a.m., with an 11:45 a.m. arrival in Whittier.

by Jason Lamb Thursday, May 13, 2010 CORDOVA, Alaska -- This year's first catch of Alaska Salmon is heading to the processing plants after the fishery opener in Cordova Thursday morning at 7:00.  By all accounts, it was a mediocre day of fishing. Several boats were back in their docks early without a whole lot of fish to show for their day's work. Behind the rain you'll find Nathan Doll. "We're gillnetting the Copper River Flats I guess," he said with a laugh.

by Jason Lamb Wednesday, May 12, 2010 CORDOVA, Alaska -- A salmon fishing frenzy began Thursday in the Copper River Delta as the first salmon of the season return to Alaska's waters. The opener draws hundreds of fishermen to the town of Cordova every year. Fishermen spent all day Wednesday getting ready. On all of their minds is the dismal salmon season from last year. They're hoping for better results this time around. Thursday, Pip Fillingham will get to do what he loves.

by Ted Land Sunday, March 22, 2009 CORDOVA, Alaska -- There are two types of fishermen in Cordova: Those who appreciate the attention and want the world to hear their story and the challenges they still face, and those who would rather forget. "Angry, hurt, visually distressed -- a lot of people just can't even talk about it now," said Rochelle Van Den Broeck, executive director of Cordova District Fishermen United. Twenty years after the Exxon Valdez run aground on Bligh reef, this mining settlement turned fishing town is in some ways still trying to recover.

by Angela Blanchard Wednesday, June 25, 2008 CORDOVA, Alaska -- It may have been over 19 years ago that the Exxon Valdez dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound but the people of Cordova say they haven't stopped talking about it since. Locals here say although it never actually washed up in Cordova harbor it didn't stop the oil from ruining their livelihood -- fishing. And after Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling many here say it's like being "dumped on" all over again.