Tom Hewitt
@tomhewittnews.bsky.social
Special assistant to the mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough. email: tom.hewitt@fnsb.gov. 💛 Fairbanks. Policy: Uninterrupted progress. Politics: Anti-graft. Nationality: Arctic Brotherhood.
It’s gross out there. Wistfully remembering the below-zero trick-or-treating of my youth.
Fairbanks 530-730pm Halloween, prime trick or treat hours, and it’s straight up raining and above freezing. I can find no prior occurrence of such wretchedness. Halloween 1970 closest, with temps in the upper 30s but the rain came after 9pm. #akwx @leahwrenn.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 3:28 AM
It’s gross out there. Wistfully remembering the below-zero trick-or-treating of my youth.
Damn. Stay safe, northwest Alaska. Yet another reason why Congress rescinding public radio funds was a terrible, short-sighted action that will endanger Alaskans’ lives. These stations and the disaster updates they broadcast are an essential lifeline.
kotzebue, alaska declared a mandatory evacuation order
October 8, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Damn. Stay safe, northwest Alaska. Yet another reason why Congress rescinding public radio funds was a terrible, short-sighted action that will endanger Alaskans’ lives. These stations and the disaster updates they broadcast are an essential lifeline.
If Alaska could have levied a production tax/royalty on sales of ranch dressing like we did Prudhoe Bay oil, we wouldn’t have the fiscal problems we do now 🤔
October 8, 2025 at 7:01 PM
If Alaska could have levied a production tax/royalty on sales of ranch dressing like we did Prudhoe Bay oil, we wouldn’t have the fiscal problems we do now 🤔
Reposted by Tom Hewitt
Municipal elections day in Alaska!
October 7, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Municipal elections day in Alaska!
Reposted by Tom Hewitt
Thank you @adn.com for publishing my obituary for perhaps the most beloved bear in the world: the late, great, king 480 Otis.
Fat Bear Week has arrived, featuring some of the biggest and brawniest bears of Brooks River. But longtime fans will note that there are several beloved bears missing from this year’s bracket.
Remembering 480 Otis, the ‘Buddha of Brooks Falls’ and Fat Bear Week’s greatest champion
With four Fat Bear Week titles and a Zen master approach, the bear had garnered plenty of fans since it was first sighted in 2001.
www.adn.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Thank you @adn.com for publishing my obituary for perhaps the most beloved bear in the world: the late, great, king 480 Otis.
Reposted by Tom Hewitt
This looks bad: Monday afternoon report of rock slides and building collapses at Elfin Cove, on Chichagof Island in northern Southeast Alaska. #akwx #ExtremeWeather @spiraledu.bsky.social @alaska.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 9:59 PM
This looks bad: Monday afternoon report of rock slides and building collapses at Elfin Cove, on Chichagof Island in northern Southeast Alaska. #akwx #ExtremeWeather @spiraledu.bsky.social @alaska.bsky.social
Always great to see @deephi11.bsky.social out on the Equinox course! Also grateful her house is only a few miles in, because this would be more of a painful hobble at mile 20 😂
Hundreds of brave souls just ran or walked through my backyard during the 2025 Equinox Marathon. Loved seeing long-time friends. @tomhewittnews.bsky.social
September 21, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Always great to see @deephi11.bsky.social out on the Equinox course! Also grateful her house is only a few miles in, because this would be more of a painful hobble at mile 20 😂
I know that I will one day be old, but I hope I’m never “leaves my phone camera shutter noise on” old.
August 28, 2025 at 1:12 AM
I know that I will one day be old, but I hope I’m never “leaves my phone camera shutter noise on” old.
Reposted by Tom Hewitt
August 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM
The other day I saw a black convertible Corvette rolling around Fairbanks with the vanity plate TAX FRD, which is a… *bold* choice.
August 21, 2025 at 5:32 AM
The other day I saw a black convertible Corvette rolling around Fairbanks with the vanity plate TAX FRD, which is a… *bold* choice.
That was a weak but pretty long one. Usually means a larger one further away, but not seeing a high-magnitude quake at the AEIC website.
1236pm AKDT Fairbanks earthquake. One good jolt, longer roll
August 20, 2025 at 8:39 PM
That was a weak but pretty long one. Usually means a larger one further away, but not seeing a high-magnitude quake at the AEIC website.
Hey @matthewkaminski.bsky.social, give me a hint on “War Pigs” for Schwarber; I’m not getting it.
June 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Hey @matthewkaminski.bsky.social, give me a hint on “War Pigs” for Schwarber; I’m not getting it.
I recognize exceptions exist, but as a general rule: Anchorage bad drivers tend to go too fast; Fairbanks bad drivers tend to go too slow. Agree or disagree?
June 26, 2025 at 3:52 AM
I recognize exceptions exist, but as a general rule: Anchorage bad drivers tend to go too fast; Fairbanks bad drivers tend to go too slow. Agree or disagree?
Six of these 11 have been during my lifetime. I’m totally OK with not adding a seventh. #akwx
Here’s the top ten hottest weeks in Fairbanks since 1930. Based on the actual temperatures Sunday & Monday and NWS forecast thru Friday, there’s virtually no chance this heatwave will make the top 10. #akwx #Climate #Summer2025 @carrieinfbx.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social @bs.mivox.net
June 17, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Six of these 11 have been during my lifetime. I’m totally OK with not adding a seventh. #akwx
Been getting questions about this; thanks, Rick!
Can confirm: high level smoke haze over Fairbanks, Alaska Wednesday morning from northern Alberta/Saskatchewan wildfires. Graphic from NWS HRRR smoke model. #akwx #Wildfire2025 @leahwrenn.bsky.social @amanda-in-ak.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social
June 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Been getting questions about this; thanks, Rick!
Funny, because some days we feel closer to 1950 than 2000.
In one month, we will be closer to 2050 than 2000.
June 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Funny, because some days we feel closer to 1950 than 2000.
Lucha wrestling on a Friday night, must be a Fairbanks summer
May 31, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Lucha wrestling on a Friday night, must be a Fairbanks summer
Presenting what might be my new favorite photo sequence on Wikipedia, on the feeding habits of the mallard duck (click to expand, I don't think the whole thing will display by default):
May 30, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Presenting what might be my new favorite photo sequence on Wikipedia, on the feeding habits of the mallard duck (click to expand, I don't think the whole thing will display by default):
Another reason why Alaska is great: We have an official state Mushroom Hunter GIS Dashboard. Other states wish they were on this level. 🍄 hub.arcgis.com/apps/SOA-DNR...
hub.arcgis.com
May 29, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Another reason why Alaska is great: We have an official state Mushroom Hunter GIS Dashboard. Other states wish they were on this level. 🍄 hub.arcgis.com/apps/SOA-DNR...
Fairbanks: It’s Worth the Drive!™️
Seriously though, Fairbanks summers are rad. Anchorage folks, come on up and I’m happy to be your concierge/outdoor adventure valet.
Seriously though, Fairbanks summers are rad. Anchorage folks, come on up and I’m happy to be your concierge/outdoor adventure valet.
I stg, thank to recommendations from the Fairbanks contingent of #AlaskaSky, my kids & I could do a whole ad campaign for the Fairbanks tourism group, an “It’s worth the drive!” campaign for Anchorage residents with kids. We ❤️ it here. There’s so much to do! And the hot weather was a treat!
May 25, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Fairbanks: It’s Worth the Drive!™️
Seriously though, Fairbanks summers are rad. Anchorage folks, come on up and I’m happy to be your concierge/outdoor adventure valet.
Seriously though, Fairbanks summers are rad. Anchorage folks, come on up and I’m happy to be your concierge/outdoor adventure valet.
If you've done much biking in your adult life, you get this intuitively. The amount of effort you expend vs. the speed you travel feels like cheating.
It doesn't get reiterated enough that "human on a bicycle" is not only the most efficient way that a person can move, it's the most efficient form of motion ***ever observed in land animals***.
May 23, 2025 at 8:34 PM
If you've done much biking in your adult life, you get this intuitively. The amount of effort you expend vs. the speed you travel feels like cheating.
Out helping with FAST Planning’s annual bike/pedestrian count, with Bella serving as my trusty assistant. She is very attentive because she imagines all people have treats. So far none have had treats.
May 22, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Out helping with FAST Planning’s annual bike/pedestrian count, with Bella serving as my trusty assistant. She is very attentive because she imagines all people have treats. So far none have had treats.
These are sneezy times in Interior Alaska.
May 18. The few drops of rain have not stopped the relentless march of birch pollen
May 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
These are sneezy times in Interior Alaska.
Reposted by Tom Hewitt
Here we go. The Crooked Fire at 15 acres west of Central, Alaska (northeast of Fairbanks). Cause is undetermined. #AKWildfire #Spring2025 #akwx #wildfire
@carrieinfbx.bsky.social @bs.mivox.net
akfireinfo.com/2025/05/17/b...
@carrieinfbx.bsky.social @bs.mivox.net
akfireinfo.com/2025/05/17/b...
BLM AFS Smokejumpers make season’s first jump on wildfire near Central
The Crooked Fire is threatening campers and heavy equipment near this Steese Highway area wildfire. As of this afternoon, firefighters were making good progress calming the fire.
akfireinfo.com
May 17, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Here we go. The Crooked Fire at 15 acres west of Central, Alaska (northeast of Fairbanks). Cause is undetermined. #AKWildfire #Spring2025 #akwx #wildfire
@carrieinfbx.bsky.social @bs.mivox.net
akfireinfo.com/2025/05/17/b...
@carrieinfbx.bsky.social @bs.mivox.net
akfireinfo.com/2025/05/17/b...
Reposted by Tom Hewitt
Fairbanks Airport up to 65F for the first time this year as of 6pm AKDT Saturday. This is nine days later than average date of the "first 65" over the past 50 years. #akwx #weather #Spring2025 @carrieinfbx.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social
May 18, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Fairbanks Airport up to 65F for the first time this year as of 6pm AKDT Saturday. This is nine days later than average date of the "first 65" over the past 50 years. #akwx #weather #Spring2025 @carrieinfbx.bsky.social @tomhewittnews.bsky.social