🌱 Patch AM: Why did Anchorage overhaul its official city seal this week?

Hey there, Anchorage! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why did Anchorage overhaul its official city seal this week?
• What Anchorage’s new short-term rental rules mean for hosts and renters.
• What Mat-Su’s vote means for Eagle River’s future with Anchorage

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Very cold with plenty of sun, with a high of 12 and low of 0 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Very cold with clouds and sun, temps: high: 6, low: 0.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and very cold, with a high of 8 and low of -2 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Anchorage has a new municipal seal (alaskapublic.org) — Anchorage’s Assembly has narrowly approved a new municipal seal, updating the city’s official symbol for the first time in decades. The design keeps the familiar anchor and sun but removes the Cook-era ship and plane, adding a Dena’ina-inspired braided circle created with input from Eklutna and local artist Sebastian Garber. Officials say the new seal will roll out gradually on documents, vehicles, and the city website.
   

2. Anchorage Assembly votes down 5% tax on vacation rental stays, approves registration tracking (adn.com) — Anchorage Assembly members have rejected a proposed 5% tax on vacation rental stays but approved a new registration requirement so the city can finally track short-term rentals. The failed tax would have funded housing projects, while the new registry aims to gather data as leaders debate how STRs affect home prices and neighborhoods in Anchorage, Girdwood, and surrounding areas.
   

3. Mat-Su Assembly indefinitely delays talks on annexing Eagle River, Chugiak (matsusentinel.com) — Mat-Su’s Assembly has shelved talks about annexing Chugiak and Eagle River, leaving those communities’ future relationship with Anchorage in limbo. The move effectively kills the Annex Now proposal for now, while the state boundary commission weighs whether the Eaglexit plan to break from Anchorage can advance to a ballot.
   

4. Anchorage jury convicts man in 2022 killing involving body discovered in plastic tote box (adn.com) — An Anchorage jury has convicted a 43-year-old man of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the 2022 killing of Keenan Wegener, whose body was found in a plastic tote in an East Anchorage garage. The case, overseen by Anchorage Superior Court, follows an earlier conviction and lengthy sentence for a co-defendant in the same homicide.
   

5. Tony Ray Porcelli (April 29, 1963 – September 14, 2025) (sweetwaternow.com) — Anchorage residents are mourning the unexpected passing of longtime community member Tony Ray Porcelli, a Wyoming native who made his home here for many years. Remembered for his kindness, loyalty, and love for family and friends, he is survived by close relatives and many friends, with his life to be honored at a private gathering.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Anchorage

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• Winter Solstice Festival
  Cuddy Family Midtown Park, 201 E 40th Ave, Anchorage
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Friday Contra — The Dancing Bears
  Spenard Community Recreation Center Skate Park , 2020 W 48th Ave , Anchorage
  7:15 pm

Saturday December 20

• Last Chance Holiday
  Sullivan Arena , 1600 Gambell St , Anchorage
  10:00 am

Sunday December 21

• Annual Family Holiday Pops
  Atwood Concert Hall , 621 W 6th Ave Suite ACH , Anchorage
  4:00 pm
• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  49th State Brewing - Anchorage 717 West 3rd Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501
  6:30 pm

📣 Anchorage Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Preschool Storytime
  Sutton Public Library , 11301 Chickaloon Way , Sutton
  11:00 am
• ABC123 Storytime
  Valdez Consortium Library , 212 Fairbanks PO Box 609 , Valdez
  11:15 am
• Game Night at Gerrish
  Anchorage Public Library (Scott & Wesley Gerrish Library) , 250 Egloff Dr , Girdwood
  4:00 pm
• Songwriters In The Round
  Four Corners Lounge LLC , 8000 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy , Palmer
  7:00 pm
• Colony High School Boys Basketball vs Wasilla High School
  Colony High School , 9550 E Bogard Rd , Palmer
  7:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Preschool Storytime
  Valdez Consortium Library , 212 Fairbanks PO Box 609 , Valdez
  11:15 am
• ERNC | Guided Hike "Snow Much to See!"
  Eagle River Nature Center , 32750 Eagle River Rd , Eagle River
  2:00 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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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
  Nini was LOST on December 14, 2025 in Anchorage, AK 99501 near Between Depot and the fire department Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest… (Nextdoor Upper Northeast)
• I live near the old Lake Hood Elementary School.
  This is the 2nd night I have fed a fluffy black cat. S/he might be staying under my back deck. Don't know if it has a collar, just saw it for a few… (Nextdoor Turnagain South)

• Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Wasilla. Apply here.
• McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for McDonald's STARTS AT $16/hr openers, closers, dayside, overnights Anchorage, Kodiak, ER, Airport, Palmer, Wasilla in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anchorage here.

Ok Anchorage! 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: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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