Photo courtesy of Victim-Witness Paralegal Nick Martinez.Photo courtesy of Victim-Witness Paralegal Nick Martinez.
Bethel, located in Southwestern Alaska, has been the homelands of Yup'ik people for thousands of years. It is the largest community on the Kuskokwim River, the largest city in western Alaska, and the eighth-largest city in the state with a current population of just over 6,300 residents. Bethel is a thriving community with a State-owned airport, with jet service from Anchorage and other smaller operators that allow you to explore the area. Goods come to the community though air cargo or via marine barges in the summer . There are 16 miles of road in Bethel but the community itself is not connected to the rest of the state via a road system. Ice roads are used in the winter depending on conditions. Bethel is home to the Kuskokwim 300, a dogsled race held every January. Other sporting activities include snow machining, skiing, bicycling, kayaking, hunting and fishing. Bethel has a subarctic climate with long, somewhat snowy, and moderately cold winters, and short, mild summers.
Photo courtesy of Victim-Witness Paralegal Nick Martinez.
Bethel can be a tough place to live but there is a great sense of community. A passerby recently took the time to educate me on my car’s electrical problem, saving me from the chore of unplugging my battery every time I pulled up. The people here are amazing and one of the main reasons why I am still here. I have been fortunate enough to build a community that supports me in what I want to do in life and if I ever need help with anything I can make one call and a group of people would show up to help, whether they know me or not.
Nick Martinez, Victim-Witness Paralegal
