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Happy weekend, Fairbanks! In today’s edition: A cutting-edge flight monitoring rollout, Ivory Quest 2026, a STEAM charter revival, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Cutting-edge flight monitoring rollout: Alaska’s Montis Weather Observation System, first installed in Rampart near Fairbanks, aids pilots with panoramic cameras and real-time reports. Fifteen sites are live, and FAA backup use is under consideration — read about features and rollout.

Unsung advocates in the spotlight: Three local leaders were honored at the Fairbanks Vet Center for veteran service, including retired Col Stephen Phillips, key to realizing the UAF Veterans Memorial after more than 12 years — see how to nominate.

Prospects brighten for students: Hope returns for Fairbanks’ Pearl Creek families as the state education department approved a STEAM charter application after district denial, and the State Board of Education will review it next — find out what happens next.

New momentum for downtown renewal: Fairbanks has relaunched the Storefront Improvement Program with expanded support to brighten downtown. The initiative offers matching grants up to $50,000 and prioritizes reactivating empty spaces. First round applications are due April 1. Reviews aim to be supportive, with potential added funding available through Explore Fairbanks. Get grant details and deadline.

Protect local waterways this winter: Fairbanks North Star Borough and city officials are urging residents to keep storm drains clear of shoveled snow this winter. Blocked drains can cause flooding and send pollutants into the Chena River. The city says snow can be shoveled into the roadway so crews can pick it up. Learn proper snow placement.

Ivory Quest 2026: Long Strange Trip @ Ivory Jacks | Saturday (2/28) at 11:30 AM – Goldstream’s classic shuffle is back, saluting Dick and Joni’s 45-year Ivory Jacks chapter, the Dead’s long strange trip, and every non-motorized way to move, dogs welcome, three legs optional. Two loops with a bar layover, costumes embraced, bragging rights until the Pink Lantern rolls in — see the event listing.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Got debt? See if you qualify to pay up to 45% less
• This is the best home warranty (and it’s $150 off right now)
• This free tool makes it easy to find a financial advisor
• Over 62? Learn how to turn home equity into tax-free cash
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• Open a GoldCo account & get up to 10% in free gold/silver

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🕒 FQC Open Hours @ Lavender Lounge | Tuesday (3/3) at 4:00 PM – Need a cozy third place that is not your couch? Pop into the Lavender Lounge in McKinley, facing Breadline, for low-pressure community time. Read the lil queer library, craft, use the WiFi no latte required, browse the free closet, and tap mutual aid.

🎺 MIOSM Band Concert @ Hering Auditorium | Tuesday (3/3) at 7:00 PM – Hering Auditorium turns into a bragging rights zone as middle and high school bands from across Fairbanks, plus North Pole, team up for a MIOSM blowout. Free to attend, donations welcome, and full of the sweet mix of school pride, cymbals, and happy-cry parents.

👶 Baby Mingle @ Fairbanks Children’s Museum | Wednesday (3/4) at 9:00 AM – Craving adult conversation that still covers nap schedules? Fairbanks Children’s Museum’s Baby Mingle brings new and seasoned caregivers together before opening for low-stress play, milestone bragging, and take-home resources on early learning. Free for you and littles under 3, older siblings can hit regular playtimes.

📚 Book-ish Trivia @ Lat 65 Brewing Co. | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:30 PM – Book-ish trivia is taking over Books and Brews for Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America week, so your dusty English minor finally has a purpose. Free to play, expect curveballs past green eggs and ham, bring friends, chase bragging rights, and score prizes.

📚 Preschool Storytime @ Noel Wien Public Library | Thursday (3/5) at 10:30 AM – The library rug is calling: Preschool Storytime is a sweet chaos cocktail of stories, fingerplays, puppets, songs, or games, plus a craft. Perfect for 3 to 7 year-olds, siblings welcome, and your chance to sit nearby pretending this counts as “me time.”

👣 Winter Trails Challenge 2025-2026 @ Big Dipper Ice Arena | Friday (3/6) at 8:00 AM – Winter got you pacing grocery aisles for steps? Trade it for the Winter Trails Challenge, a scavenger hunt across Birch Hill, Tanana Lakes, and Creamer’s Field to find secret signs. Register under purple Events, bring your dog for Pawblazer, finish the checklist for prizes.

💎 Collaborative Jewelry Show @ 2 Street Gallery | Friday (3/6) at 5:00 PM – Swing by Two Street Gallery in Fairbanks this March for a jewelry show Mary Kaye began, then Alaska Metal Arts Guild members and UAF students finished. Buy something sparkly, support AMAG’s scholarship, and toast a witty teacher who taught this town to saw and solder.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Fairbanks report

Weather forecast

Today – High: -13°F – Low: -38°F – Precip: 13%

Patchy ice fog before 9am, then patchy freezing fog between 9am and 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near -13. Wind chill values as low as -40. East wind around 0 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around -38. North wind around 0 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: -9°F – Low: -34°F – Precip: 0%

Patchy freezing fog before 3pm. Sunny, with a high near -9. East wind around 0 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around -34.

Most popular house this week

Minutes from Fort Wainwright, this upgraded home runs on natural gas and highlights a brand new heated two car garage with a radiant slab. A fenced yard, sunny deck, and perennial garden set the scene for Alaskan summers, while ample parking fits trucks and toys. Inside, updates include a new gas range and dishwasher hookups, plus a nearby bus stop.

Take a peek inside →