Thank you District 34 for Turning Out! We won the Primary with 52.99%!!
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Career Day with the Children's Museum
If Cottle pulls this upset off in November (and I really hope she does)
In Fairbanks, nonpartisan candidate Joy Cottle led Republican candidate Harmony Tomaszewski
Three crowded races for Alaska's governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House races narrowed considerably
A strong community begins with a strong educational system
Cottle has raised nearly $47,000 since February on top of the more than $5,000 she had on hand from
Sen. Robb Myers announced his retirement hours before the filing deadline closed
Sen. Robb Myers announced his retirement hours before the filing deadline closed
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"Luckily, Frank and Harmony both have opponents."
Sen. Robb Myers announced his retirement hours before the filing deadline closed
"Luckily, Frank and Harmony both have opponents. I encourage everyone in their districts to vote for anyone but them to send a strong message that this kind of corrupt behavior will not be tolerated. "
Robb Myers kept retirement secret in scheme to put Tomaszewski in state Senate
Robb Myers kept retirement secret in scheme to put Tomaszewski in state Senate
Unless another candidate files for State Senate Seat Q today, now held by Robb Myers, the seat will go to Rep. Frank Tomaszewski as the two men enacted a secret plan to have Myers retire and Tomaszewski file for the Legislature in his place.
Robb Myers kept retirement secret in scheme to put Tomaszewski in state Senate
For first time, all-woman crew ready at University Fire Station
For first time, all-woman crew ready at University Fire Station
When firefighters from the University Fire Department were toned out on an emergency call Sunday morning, it was the first time an all-woman crew responded.
Battalion Chief Promotion June 2020
For first time, all-woman crew ready at University Fire Station
We are happy to announce that Joy Beth Cottle has been promoted to Battalion Chief!
Letters to the Editor
Make a difference
Terry Chapin, Fairbanks
To the editor: The upcoming primary election on August 18 is one of the most important elections in decades because the consequences are monumental and primary elections are frequently overlooked by Alaskan residents. Only the people who actually vote determine who will be on the November ballot to represent Alaska in federal and Alaska elections. This is your chance to make a difference.
At the federal level, the major accomplishments of the incumbents — Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Begich — have been to rubber-stamp Trump policies without considering their disastrous impacts on Alaska, the U.S. and the future of American democracy. Luckily, there are very strong candidates — Mary Peltola for U.S. Senate and Bill Hill for the U.S. House of Representatives — who are committed to reducing costs of food, health, and housing, improving the lives of Alaskans and strengthening democracy. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins is running for governor and is committed to similar goals.
This is also the time to vote for your preferred candidates for Alaska Senate and Alaska House. In the Fairbanks area, state house candidates who support similar goals include Maxine Dibert, District 31; Will Stapp, District 32; Pepper McFarland, District 33; Joy Cottle, District 34; Ashley Carrick, District 35; and Crystal Jones, District 36. William Hunt is the state senate candidate for District Q.
Read each candidate’s explanation of their own specific goals in the 2026 Alaska Voters Guide. Then you can decide for yourself who you want to vote for. Equally important, remind your friends and neighbors to vote — especially young people who are one of the largest blocks of potential voters — but often don’t vote. Ask them to contact their friends through social media to spread the word about the importance of voting.
Terry Chapin
Fairbanks
Letters to the Editor
To the editor: I have known Joy Beth Cottle for more than 30 years. We worked together at the Fairbanks Fire Department, and over the years I watched her grow as a firefighter, paramedic and leader.
Joy Beth was the first woman ever hired as a firefighter by the Fairbanks Fire Department. I remember watching her work hard to earn her place. She had to prove herself in an environment where all of the people around her were men, many of them older and more experienced. She earned her place and then went on to lead many of those same people.
Today, she leads student firefighters who are often much younger than she is. Through all of those changes, she has remained someone I trust.
Joy Beth and I have spent plenty of time talking while riding motorcycles, enjoying the Alaska roads and the wind. I have gotten to know her well over the years, both as a coworker and as a friend. I have watched her make difficult decisions, listen to people and become a strong leader.
I trust Joy Beth to do the right thing. I also trust her to keep an open mind and listen to the people she represents.
I am proud to support Joy Beth Cottle for the Alaska State House. I believe she will bring the same honesty, hard work and leadership to Juneau that she has built in the fire service.
Dave Van Arsdall
North Pole
Letters to the Editor
To the editor: The election will be on us before you know it, and I wanted to endorse the District 34 candidate for all my friends and neighbors in the district. We are really quite fortunate to have this competent woman with so much public service experience and achievement to vote for. That is exactly what we need in our legislature, someone who knows the meaning of service and has shown her ability to give of herself in that service.
Perhaps most impressive is the fact that she is a dedicated fire service professional and was the first woman to be chosen and serve in the Fairbanks fire department. That example is a huge message for all of us, in showing what this feisty and hard-working woman can do.
She has been working for the past several years in preparing for a legislative position and she is ready. And she wants to serve! We couldn’t ask for a better attitude, or candidate.
And more, she is a very committed advocate of education and will do a much better job at supporting what is necessary and Constitutionally mandated funding and capital requirements for maintenance. Our past legislator was woefully negative on education, an incomprehensible factor in the past two years. You won’t have any of that from Joy Beth.
Joy Beth Cottle has other unique aspects in her life experience. She grew up in a farming community in Delta Junction, the oldest child in her family. She’s even done her time in a dry cabin in the Two Rivers area, so she knows the struggles of just making a life and a living in Fairbanks
I have never endorsed anyone in print like this in my life. That is how much I trust this gal to do the right things for us in these difficult and challenging times. Please get to know her. She has a website, and I can vouch that none of it is puffery or bragging. She is the real thing, and deserves your vote.
Rich Seifert
Video and TV Clips
Detail your services
"The battle to represent a state House district that covers a fairly red patch east of Fairbanks is attracting the big bucks, compared to neighboring legislative races."
Detail your services
Uploaded: Jun 9, 2026
Following Sen. Robert Myers’s announcement that he will retire from the legislature, some candidates have called the actions that followed “political maneuvering.”