Ben Boettger

Cannabis proposition pro- and con- take different approaches

Editor's note: This story has been changed to remove an incorrect statistic about the outcome of the 2014 statewide vote to legalize marijuana in the Kenai… Continue reading

Assembly candidates discuss Soldotna annexation

Two Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly candidates — incumbent Brett Hibbert and challenger Dan Castimore, both running to represent District 1, the Kalifornsky Beach area —… Continue reading

The loon

You’ve probably seen it already: a solitary yellow leaf on the sidewalk or the surface of a pond, or stuck to your car’s damp windshield… Continue reading

Leading a group of berry seekers, Janice Chumley of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service contrasts the tasty lingonberry (also known as lowbush cranberries) with the “edible but insipid” specimen of bunchberry dogwood in her right hand during an instructional walk on Monday, August 28, 2017 at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna, Alaska. The event was part of the fifth annual Harvest Moon Local Food Festival, which concluded Monday.

A tasty walk in the woods

Leading a group of berry seekers, Janice Chumley of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service contrasts the tasty lingonberry (also known as lowbush… Continue reading

Leading a group of berry seekers, Janice Chumley of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service contrasts the tasty lingonberry (also known as lowbush cranberries) with the “edible but insipid” specimen of bunchberry dogwood in her right hand during an instructional walk on Monday, August 28, 2017 at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna, Alaska. The event was part of the fifth annual Harvest Moon Local Food Festival, which concluded Monday.

Candidate withdraws from borough assembly race

The three-way race to fill the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s District 1 seat — representing the Kalifornsky area — in the Oct. 3 election will… Continue reading

ENSTAR contracts with AIX energy for supply until 2021

A deal between the regional gas utility ENSTAR and the Texas-based independent producer AIX may cover a small slice of the region’s demand for heat… Continue reading

Four hands of fury

Four hands of fury

During a stop on her Listen Hear Alaska tour, classical pianist Miki Sawada (left) played a four-hand piece -- "Slavonic Dances" by Antonin Dvorak --… Continue reading

Four hands of fury

Oiling the financial gears

Alaska’s economic dependence on oil and gas extraction is quantified in a report that the McDowell Group, an Anchorage-based economic consulting firm, does every three… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula United Way to close June 2018

The Kenai Peninsula United Way — a nonprofit that has supported local charities, senior centers and youth activity groups by fundraising on their behalf —… Continue reading

Soup’s on for Kenai Peninsula Food Bank fundraiser

On Saturday the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank will be hosting the 21st installment of its annual Soup Supper and Auction, a dinner event that food… Continue reading

With Central Emergency Services’ Shawn Killian playing catcher, Soldotna Police Department disapatcher Tammy Goggia swings at an oncoming ball during a charity softball game for the Nikiski Children’s Fund between local law enforcers and firefighters on Thursday, August 18 at Kenai’s Oiler’s Field. Law enforcement won the game 17-7, but made no arrests for stolen bases. The Nikiski Children’s Fund, founded last year by Carlee Rizzo, makes money available to to teachers and other community members to fill needs they see for local children. Rizzo said the group has more fundraisers planned for the future, such as a show in September by the rock trio No Small Children.

Police put out firefighters

Putting out the fire With Central Emergency Services’ Shawn Killian playing catcher, Soldotna Police Department disapatcher Tammy Goggia swings at an oncoming ball during a… Continue reading

With Central Emergency Services’ Shawn Killian playing catcher, Soldotna Police Department disapatcher Tammy Goggia swings at an oncoming ball during a charity softball game for the Nikiski Children’s Fund between local law enforcers and firefighters on Thursday, August 18 at Kenai’s Oiler’s Field. Law enforcement won the game 17-7, but made no arrests for stolen bases. The Nikiski Children’s Fund, founded last year by Carlee Rizzo, makes money available to to teachers and other community members to fill needs they see for local children. Rizzo said the group has more fundraisers planned for the future, such as a show in September by the rock trio No Small Children.

AGDC to answer long-running questions

Long lingering questions about Alaska’s North Slope gasline project should be answered eventually. The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) has committed to providing more information… Continue reading

Classical pianist Miki Sawada poses with a piano in an undated portrait. Sawada will be traveling with a piano to perform free shows at several Kenai Peninsula venues during the coming week.

Pianist invites you to gather, hear

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct the length of Sawada's Alaska tour. Anyone who wants to hear classical piano music played live… Continue reading

Classical pianist Miki Sawada poses with a piano in an undated portrait. Sawada will be traveling with a piano to perform free shows at several Kenai Peninsula venues during the coming week.

Feds reconsidering lease rates for hydropower operators

Federal administrators of land beneath six of Alaska’s hydroelectricity plants — including the Kenai Peninsula’s Bradley Lake plant — are considering claims by hydropower operators… Continue reading

Three candidates for two Kenai council seats

Two incumbents and one challenger will be running in the October 3 election for two open seats on the seven-member Kenai City Council. Incumbents Henry… Continue reading

Kasilof man arrested after Saturday chase

After a chase along Kalifornsky Beach Road, Alaska State Troopers arrested Clayton Nelson, 23, of Kasilof on Saturday after a Friday incident in which he’d… Continue reading

Drilling fluid released from Hilcorp platform

Two gallons of oil-based drilling fluid spilled into Cook Inlet during a drilling operation aboard Hilcorp’s Steelhead Platform on Monday after a burst hose on… Continue reading

Footing Alaska’s bill: Legislators talk about state budget

The Kenai Peninsula’s three legislators spoke Wednesday to an audience of Kenai and Soldotna Chamber of Commerce members about the legislative session that concluded last… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Orchestra to play weekend concert

When Tammy Vollom-Matturro leads the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra through their Summer Gala Concert this weekend, she’ll be standing in front of the largest string section… Continue reading

Assembly introduces ordinance for community assistance funds

Unincorporated communities on the Kenai Peninsula will get a little more than $15,000 each for community purposes this year. Through the Community Assistance Program, formerly… Continue reading