So.. I'm from Nome *May, may not, contain spoilers* Hi. So I'm from Nome.
I, and most people I know from here, have avoided this movie like the plague just because of how inherently retarded this piece of BS was going to be.
So, to clear things up, since I've seen lots of discussion about how the movie, even if a hoax, leaves things "unexplained" concerning disappearances, here you go..
Nome has a high rate of alcohol and substance abuse (less than .75 square miles, with 7+ bars and 5+ liquor stores). During the winter (when most of these "disappearances" occur) snowmobiling is a main form of transportation for many in town. Nome is also a "village hub" for many surrounding communities (which have a population of 100 or less, generally).
What happens often is people like to go out, get drunk, hop on their snowmachine (snowmobile to those in the lower 48), and will wreck or break down somewhere out on the tundra, miles from town, in dangerous weather. Naturally, these people perish, and it may take days before someone sends out S&R (Search and Rescue), unless they've filed something with the State Troopers giving them their travel plans, and when they plan to return (in which case S&R is sent out when they haven't arrived).
They also go "disappearing" when they travel across Norton Sound (part of the Bering Sea) pack ice, to fast travel to the other side of the peninsula. In break up conditions (when the ice is moving out, and there is "rotten ice"), they sometimes break through the ice, into the Bering Sea, and again.. they are gone.
Nome (not just Nome, but the Bering Sea coast in general) has a high rate of suicide, which also explains some disappearances. Nome used to have a jetti for boats to pass through, and distraught people would jump into it. Its almost impossible to get out of, even if you're a strong swimmer. That is the reason it was graveled in/over between 2004-2006.
There is no amount of UFO BS anywhere in Nome, among any citizens (you may find quite a few Big Brother government conspiracy theorists though).
Trivial topics of note - Nome does not have trees (except for 60 miles inland, along Council Road); there is no owl population to speak of (except again, many miles outside of town, along Council Road or Teller Road); we have a police department and State Troopers Post, not sheriffs or deputies; probably 1 in 30 houses in Nome would be as "nice" as those portrayed in the movie.
Etc.
This is a major irritation. And the movie was not even good (as has been said, poor dialogue/acting, misinformation, distracting camera/special effects work).
Want an idea of what Nome is actually like? See www.nomenugget.net Thank you.