🌱 How a former Wasilla star is reshaping UAA women’s basketball frontcourt

Hi there, Wasilla! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a former Wasilla star is reshaping UAA women’s basketball frontcourt
• Wasilla man dies in Sterling Highway crash; investigation continues

Also on today's calendar: State of the City of Wasilla Luncheon and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: A mix of snow and rain, with a high of 40 and low of 30 degrees.
• Saturday: Showers of rain and snow, temps: high: 44, low: 31.
• Sunday: Rain; mixed with snow early, with a high of 40 and low of 28 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Hays and Hamey will transfer to UAA for Alaska homecoming (alaskasportsreport.com) — Wasilla basketball standout Bella Hays is heading back to Alaska, transferring to UAA after three seasons at Eastern Washington and bringing her 6-foot-4 post presence to the Seawolves. The former Wasilla High star joins Anchorage’s Evan Hamey, giving UAA two tall Alaskan additions alongside returning Wasilla guard Mylee Anderson for the 2026-27 season.
   

• Wasilla man killed in two-vehicle crash near Sterling (ktuu.com) — A 43-year-old Wasilla man, John Acker, died Thursday in a two-vehicle collision on the Sterling Highway near Sterling, according to Alaska State Troopers. Emergency crews attempted lifesaving measures but he was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators are still working to determine what caused the crash and whether others were injured.
   

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📸 Around Wasilla

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wasilla

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday April 18

• Bubbles & Bloom - 2nd Annual Ladies Night
  Everett's, 1850 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Saturday April 18

• Coffee with a Veteran at Black Birch Books
  Black Birch Books , 2901 E. Bogard Rd #104 , Wasilla
  10:00 am

Monday April 20

• AKtive Soles Happy Run
  AKtive Soles Performance Footwear , 642 S. Alaska St. Ste. 100 , Palmer
  6:00 pm

Tuesday April 21

• MyHouse "Morning Meeting with the Mayor"
  Gathering Grounds Cafe , 300 N. Willow St. , Wasilla
  9:00 am
• State of the City of Wasilla Luncheon
  Evangelo's Restaurant , 2530 E Parks Hwy , Wasilla
  11:30 am
• Organic Gardening: Your Soil's Health Care Plan
  Mat-Su College , 8295 East College Dr. , Palmer
  12:00 pm
• April – Diabetes Class
  3331 E Meridian Park Loop , Wasilla
  6:00 pm

Wednesday April 22

• Mat-Su College Spring Open House
  Mat-Su College , 8295 E College Drive , Palmer
  2:00 pm

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📣 Wasilla Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday April 17

• 2026 Mat-Su Commercial Investment & Development Forum
  Chop House at Lake Lucille , 1300 W Lake Lucille Dr , Wasilla
  11:30 am
• Girls Varsity Soccer vs West Valley High School
  Wasilla High School , 701 E Bogard Rd , Wasilla
  5:00 pm
• Boys Varsity Baseball @ Kodiak High School
  Wasilla High School , 722 Mill Bay Rd , Kodiak
  5:00 pm
• Gabrielle Martin
  Everett's , 1850 E Bogard Rd , Wasilla
  6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Panda Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Shift Leader (P1-1361335-0) in Wasilla. Apply here.
• McDonald's posted a job opening for McDonald's restaurant starts Crew AT $16/hr dayside, openers, closers, overnights Anchorage, Palmer, Eagle River, Wasilla, Kodiak in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wasilla here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Palmer

• What to do this weekend in Mat-Su (April 16-19): Outdoorsman, films, fiddling and fun (matsusentinel.com)
• Palmer sales tax hike could cost Alaska State Fair $100K (adn.com)
• Donald Trump's doctor debacle just got even worse (palmerreport.com)

Big Lake

• The Only State With No Medicare Advantage: Inside Alaska's Health Care Defiance (kiplinger.com)
• Alaska Forest Service facility slated for closure amid federal restructuring (adn.com)
• Authorities seize 50,000 dried shark fins at US ports, valued at more than $1 million (azfamily.com)

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Ok Wasilla! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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