Anchorage can’t clear homeless camps without shelter, ruling reaffirms

Plus: Anchorage police investigate fire at elementary school playground as ‘intentionally set’ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Friday, July 7. In today's newsletter: - A federal appeals court this week declined to reconsider a pivotal case out of Oregon that has major implications on local homelessness policy across the Western U.S., [including in Anchorage](. - Anchorage police and fire departments are investigating a [fire that damaged a large piece of playground equipment]( at Mountain View Elementary School and that authorities believe was intentionally set. - A search is ongoing for a 70-year-old Utqiagvik man who was reported [missing after his raft overturned]( Wednesday on the Chulitna River near Cantwell. One of the best parts of owning a home is the chance to make it our own, right? Then why do homeowners tend to forego bold paint colors and unique design in favor of bland, conforming decoration choices that appeal to the masses rather than their own happiness? According to a pair of professors, HGTV (and other similar home renovation media) is [making our homes boring]( and us sad. Anchorage weather It's overcast today with rain showers and a high near 62 degrees. Saturday will start out with a slight chance of isolated showers before becoming partly sunny, and skies should be partly sunny on Sunday as well. Daytime temperatures will hover in the mid-60s through the weekend. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [9th Circuit court decision ‘reaffirms’ Anchorage can’t dismantle homeless camps without indoor shelter →]( In Anchorage, where there are currently no indoor shelter beds available, the ruling means that the city will continue to be barred from dismantling homeless camps on public land without risking legal challenges. • Related: [9th Circuit conservatives blast homelessness ruling, say issue is ‘paralyzing’ U.S. West]( ADVERTISEMENT [Anchorage police investigate fire at elementary school playground as ‘intentionally set’ →]( The Anchorage School District is still assessing the extent of the damage from the July 4 fire at Mountain View Elementary, which could total around $150,000 to $200,000. [Search ongoing for Utqiagvik man missing after raft overturns near Cantwell →]( John "Craig" George of Utqiagvik was swept under a logjam when the raft he had been on with one other person overturned, troopers said. George is a retired senior wildlife biologist who is known as a local expert on bowhead whales. [This weekend in Anchorage: Festival season hits peak with Summer Blast, Forest Fair and chamber music →]( Festival season is in full swing, and options this weekend include the Alaska Summer Blast Festival and the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival. Plus, the Girdwood Forest Fair promises to draw large crowds with local food, crafts and music. [Brothers in arms: Quincy and Marty Gellerman are 2 of the top youth shotgun shooters in Alaska →]( Brothers Quincy and Marty Gellerman of Anchorage were more or less raised in the world of competitive shotgun shooting. At a state championship tournament recently, they proved that they’re two of the best youth shooters in their respective divisions. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [How Twitter lost its place as the global town square →]( [U.S. will provide controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine in new military aid package →]( [Why a sudden surge of broken heat records is scaring scientists →]( [More than 100 migrants have died from heat near U.S.-Mexico border this year, Border Patrol says →]( [‘Teaming With Microbes’ gardening podcast: How to turn your lawn into a ‘maintained meadow’ →]( The ADN relies on readers like you. [Get digital access to the ADN for as low as $1.99 for the first month]( and help us cover the news that matters most here in Alaska. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States