Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A statue of Secretary William Henry Seward is just days away from being installed in downtown Juneau.

The Juneau Empire reports the statue commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Cession that made Alaska a U.S. territory. The statue arrived in Juneau a few weeks ago after traveling from Seward’s longtime home in New York, through Nebraska and up to Juneau.

As Secretary of State in 1867, Steward signed and helped negotiate the Treaty of Cession with Russia.

The statue cost $250,000. Two grants from the Alaska Historical Commission contributed $28,000, while the City and Borough of Juneau and the Rasmuson Foundation gave $25,000 each. There were also numerous other corporate donations and private donations from citizens in town who wanted to see the statue go up.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A new children’s dental clinic has opened in Alaska’s capital city.

The Juneau Empire reports Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium had a grand opening for the clinic earlier this week. The group renovated the lower level of its building in Juneau, adding the pediatric clinic that includes eight beds and an array of bright artwork.

Director of Dental Services Matthew West says the project has been in the works for three or four years, with an emphasis on making children feel comfortable.

It is called the Children’s Dental Clinic. The group’s regular dental clinic, which has 12 beds, is also still running.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A popular wilderness race in Alaska has been suspended for a year following two deadly attacks by black bears this week, including one at a mountain race.

University of Alaska Anchorage officials say the move will allow them to add more communication resources and medical support to the 24-mile (39-kilometer) Crow Pass Crossing race. This year’s even was scheduled for July 22.

In one of this week’s bear attacks, 16-year-old Patrick “Jack” Cooper of Anchorage was killed Sunday after he got lost and veered off a trail during a mountain race south of Anchorage.

On Monday, 27-year-old Pogo Mine contract worker Erin Johnson of Anchorage died and her 38-year-old co-worker Ellen Trainor of Fairbanks received minor injuries in a mauling about 275 miles northeast of Anchorage.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska officials say they are still investigating a fatal mauling by a black bear near a gold mine to definitively determine if the attack was predatory in nature as initial reports indicate.

State Fish and Game officials said Friday an analysis is pending after an autopsy was performed on the bear.

Twenty-seven-year-old mine contract worker Erin Johnson of Anchorage died and her 38-year-old co-worker Ellen Trainor of Fairbanks sustained minor injuries in the attack Monday about 5 miles from the Pogo Mine. The bear was killed later that day.

The attack was the second fatal black bear mauling this week.

On Sunday, 16-year-old Patrick “Jack” Cooper was killed after he got lost and veered off a trail during a mountain race south of Anchorage.

Officials killed that bear Tuesday.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Fish and Game officials are reminding Copper River dipnetters to be aware that there are brown bears in the area around the O’Brien Creek Campground.

Officials say a female bear and two yearling cubs have been seen around the campground recently.

The warning issued Friday follows two fatal maulings by black bears elsewhere in the state this week.

On Monday, Erin Johnson of Anchorage died and 38-year-old Ellen Trainor of Fairbanks sustained minor injuries in the attack Monday near the Pogo Mine. The bear was later killed the same day.

On Sunday, 16-year-old Patrick “Jack” Cooper was killed after he got lost and veered off a trail during a mountain race south of Anchorage.

Officials killed that bear Tuesday.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — An Alaska man who set a car on fire as people were inside will serve seven years in prison.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports 28-year-old Dexter Reedy reached a plea deal with the state Wednesday. He pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree arson. He received a nine-year sentence with two years suspended and three years of probation.

Reedy is also required to get anger management counseling and stay away from alcohol and illegal drugs during his probation period.

According to charging documents, Reedy was suspected of threatening to kill one man and starting a fire on a truck as a couple was inside last year. The people were able to escape the vehicle unharmed.