City of Whittier, AK

09/02/2026

🚧 Whittier Falls Park Project Update 🚧

The Whittier Falls Park project is moving forward!

This is a project the City has been working on for some time, and we’re excited to see the next phase begin. Clearing work starts today and will continue over approximately the next week and a half, along with the mobilization and demobilization of equipment and materials.

During this work, the project area off Glacier Avenue will be closed to the public. Please use caution around the area, watch for construction equipment and crews, and respect all posted closures and signage.

Clearing now… playground equipment coming soon!

We’re looking forward to seeing this space take shape and become another place for our community to enjoy.

08/27/2026

PRESS RELEASE: The future USS Ted Stevens to be Commissioned in October


U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sophie A. Pinkham

https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9687042/uss-ted-stevens-ddg-128-arrives-norfolk

The future USS Ted Stevens to be Commissioned in October

By Ensign Dylan Barron, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

WHITTIER, Alaska (Aug. 27, 2026) - The U.S. Navy will commission the future Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) on Oct. 3, 2026, in Whittier, Alaska.

The ship and its commissioning location honor the legacy of the late Senator Ted Stevens, a decorated World War II Army Air Corps pilot and a lifelong champion for the state of Alaska and the nation's armed forces. The selection of Whittier also recognizes Alaska's vital maritime tradition and the enduring partnership between the U.S. Navy and the state.

“Equipped with cutting-edge systems and capabilities, USS Ted Stevens is ready to answer our Nation’s call to counter aggression and safeguard our interests by providing a powerful advantage at sea,” said Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. “As we welcome another formidable Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to America’s Fleet, this warship will carry forward the ideals that its namesake spent his entire life defending from the cockpit to the Senate floor.”

Senator Stevens was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his flying missions including transport over "The Hump" in the China-Burma-India theater. Returning to his home state of Alaska following World War II, he became a champion of Alaska statehood. Stevens later served in the U. S. Senate from December 1968 until January 2009, where he served as the president pro tempore in the 108th and 109th Congresses and was the third U.S Senator to hold the title of president pro tempore emeritus. In the Senate, Stevens promoted national security, worked to strengthen our military with modern weapons, new facilities, and improved pay and benefits.

“USS Ted Stevens represents the combat-ready, lethal force our Navy needs to deter aggression and defend our nation,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations. “With her advanced sensors, weapons, and air and missile defense capabilities, this ship will give our Fleet greater capacity to find, track, and defeat threats across the maritime domain. Most importantly, the Sailors who bring her to life will strengthen our ability to fight and win wherever and whenever our nation calls.”

The ship’s sponsors are Mrs. Catherine Ann Stevens, Senator Stevens’ wife, and his daughters, Mrs. Susan Stevens Covich and Mrs. Lily Stevens Becker. As sponsors, they will represent the ship's enduring connection to the Stevens family throughout the vessel's operational lifetime.

"USS Ted Stevens is built for the fight, carrying the legacy of service, courage, and determination of a warrior who flew combat missions in World War II and devoted his life to serving his country,” said Vice Adm. Joe Cahill, commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “That legacy now passes to the Sailors who will bring this ship to life, turn her advanced integrated air and missile defense into combat power, and carry Senator Stevens’ standard forward. Their readiness will ensure Ted Stevens remains the ultimate deterrent to those who would mistake our preference for peace as a deficit of resolve."

From the North Pacific campaigns of World War II to current Arctic operations, the Navy and Alaska have maintained a shared commitment to defending the nation’s northernmost sea lanes. Today, the Navy maintains a persistent operational presence in Alaska by conducting high-latitude maritime security patrols, cold-weather warfare training, and joint-force exercises designed to project decisive naval power, secure critical sea lanes, and defend the homeland.

Following its commissioning, the future USS Ted Stevens will be homeported Norfolk, Virginia. Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers feature the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and incorporate upgrades to electrical power and cooling capacity plus additional associated changes to provide enhanced warfighting capability to the Fleet.

Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet ensures fleet commanders are equipped with personnel, materiel, and training required to project credible naval power at sea, ashore, at home and abroad. For more news from the Naval Surface Force, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/ and https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/COMNAVSURFPAC

08/19/2026

🚨 Whittier Natural Gas Outage: Help Us Understand Community Impacts 🚨

The City of Whittier is asking residents, businesses, housing providers, organizations, and other affected parties to complete a Community Impact Survey related to the ongoing natural gas outage.

We know this outage is affecting people in different ways. Some are facing challenges at home, while others are working to keep businesses, lodging, food service, employee housing, and other operations running. Current information indicates that restoration of temporary natural gas service is being targeted for September 5, while efforts continue to restore service sooner if possible.

In the meantime, this survey will help the City:

✅ Understand how the outage is affecting the community
✅ Identify businesses, households, and organizations that are impacted
✅ Connect with affected parties directly
✅ Identify urgent needs and potential assistance opportunities
✅ Ensure community members have an opportunity to participate in future discussions regarding outage response and recovery

If you or your organization are affected, we want to hear from you. Our goal is to make sure everyone has a seat at the table.

📝 Take the survey here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/5s9q48MFuz

Please submit one response for each affected business, organization, property, facility, or household.

Thank you for helping us better understand community needs as we work through this situation together.

08/17/2026

Since the initial report on August 9th, ENSTAR has been closely monitoring a section of an 8” natural gas pipeline serving Whitter. The portion of the pipeline that crosses the Twentymile River further deteriorated this evening around 8 pm, requiring immediate action to shut off the flow of gas.

ENSTAR service technicians are enroute to Whittier to begin turning off meters tonight (August 16). This is a standard procedure in response to this type of situation.

ENSTAR continues to work to secure emergency gas for Whittier until the pipeline is fully repaired. At this point, they expect the outage to last until September 5. Whittier customers should be prepared to be without natural gas-fueled appliances until that time.

We will continue to update customers as more information becomes available.

Check https://www.enstarnaturalgas.com/whittier-area-gas-service-update/ for the current status.

Whittier customers may call ENSTAR at 907-334-7770 with questions.

Whittier-Area Gas Service UpdateAugust 16, 2026, 8:30 PM Update NOTICE OF PIPELINE SHUT-OFF AFFECTING WHITTIER CUSTOMERS Since the initial report on August 9th, ENSTAR has been closely monitoring a section of an 8” natural gas pipeline serving Whitter. The portion of the pipeline that crosses the ...

08/15/2026

The Whittier City Council meets for a rescheduled regular meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 beginning at 7:00pm.

Please find the agenda packet at www.whittieralaska.gov/meetings.

All regular and special meetings of the City Council are streamed live on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/.

A public meeting, providing an update on the Whittier Brownfields Program, will be held immediately prior (beginning at 6:00pm). All are welcome.

08/14/2026

🚧 Heads Up: Nighttime Truck Hauling for the Shotgun Cove Road Project

Beginning the evening of August 17, residents may notice increased truck traffic as construction crews haul materials for the Shotgun Cove Road Improvement Project. Hauling is expected to take place overnight, generally between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., through August 26.

The work is being done at night to reduce impacts on daytime traffic, businesses, visitors, cruise ship operations, and freight movement.

We understand overnight activity can be disruptive and appreciate the community's patience while these road improvements are completed.

08/14/2026

The next regular City of Whittier Election is on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The candidate filing period IS NOW OPEN and closes on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

Forms will are now available at the Public Safety Building, Office of the City Clerk, or online at www.whittieralaska.gov/elections.

Offices up for election are:
1️⃣ City Council Seat E (3-year term ending in October 2029)
2️⃣ City Council Seat F (3-year term ending in October 2029)

Candidate Qualifications
To be eligible to run for office, the person must meet the following requirements (WMC 2.04.030):
(1) Must be a registered and qualified voter of the City of Whittier.
(2) Must be domiciled in the City of Whittier for one year immediately prior to filing a nomination petition.
(3) Must intend to remain in the City for a period of at least one year.

When and Where to File for Office
⚠️ Candidate Filing Period CLOSES at 12 p.m. (noon) on Monday, August 17.

File at the Public Safety Building, 2nd Floor, Office of the City Clerk, 660 Whittier Street.

08/11/2026

⚠️ ENSTAR NATURAL GAS SERVICE UPDATE – WHITTIER

The City of Whittier has been notified by ENSTAR that they are currently monitoring a pipeline break serving the Whittier area.

A temporary natural gas outage is possible. At this time, an outage has NOT been confirmed.

ENSTAR is monitoring the situation and will continue to provide the City with updates as information is confirmed.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to be aware of the situation and prepare for the possibility of a temporary interruption in natural gas service.

For the latest information directly from ENSTAR, please visit:

https://www.enstarnaturalgas.com/whittier-area-gas-service-update/

The City will continue to share updates as we receive confirmed information from ENSTAR.

Please share this information with Whittier residents and businesses.

08/04/2026

The Buckner Building didn't get this way overnight. It won't be solved overnight, either.

Come learn what we've discovered so far, what's next for the Buckner Building and other project sites, and how you can help shape future Brownfields efforts in Whittier.

📅 August 19 at 6 PM
📍 In person or on Zoom

https://www.whittieralaska.gov/administration/page/brownfields-program-public-meeting

07/31/2026

The Whittier City Council meets for a special meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

The meeting will begin at 6:00pm. Please find the agenda packet at www.whittieralaska.gov/meetings.

All regular and special meetings of the City Council are streamed live on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/.