Peninsula Clarion Contributor

Former Alaska legislator and gubernatorial candidate Les Gara is seen in this undated photo. (courtesy photo)

Alaska Voices: I’m Running To Build A Better Future

We need a real PFD you can bank on with revenue to pay for it, not endless fights and false promises.

Former Alaska legislator and gubernatorial candidate Les Gara is seen in this undated photo. (courtesy photo)
Alaska felt artist Ruthie Ost Towner is pictured in this undated photo. Towner’s work is on display at the Soldotna Visitor Center through September. (Photo courtesy Naomi Gaede-Penner)
Alaska felt artist Ruthie Ost Towner is pictured in this undated photo. Towner’s work is on display at the Soldotna Visitor Center through September. (Photo courtesy Naomi Gaede-Penner)

Preserving the past with felt: Ruth Ost Towner

Ruthie untwists her thread, straightens her shoulders, reaches for a cup of coffee, and calculates her felt-making outcome.

Alaska felt artist Ruthie Ost Towner is pictured in this undated photo. Towner’s work is on display at the Soldotna Visitor Center through September. (Photo courtesy Naomi Gaede-Penner)
Alaska felt artist Ruthie Ost Towner is pictured in this undated photo. Towner’s work is on display at the Soldotna Visitor Center through September. (Photo courtesy Naomi Gaede-Penner)
In this Sept. 1, 2021 file photo, women protest against the six-week abortion ban at the Capitol in Austin, Texas. Even before a strict abortion ban took effect in Texas this week, clinics in neighboring states were fielding more and more calls from women desperate for options. The Texas law, allowed to stand in a decision Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 by the U.S. Supreme Court, bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, typically around six weeks. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP File)

Voices of the Peninsula: I believe in the right to choose

We all deserve the right to choose for ourselves, and our body, what is right for us.

In this Sept. 1, 2021 file photo, women protest against the six-week abortion ban at the Capitol in Austin, Texas. Even before a strict abortion ban took effect in Texas this week, clinics in neighboring states were fielding more and more calls from women desperate for options. The Texas law, allowed to stand in a decision Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 by the U.S. Supreme Court, bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, typically around six weeks. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP File)
Kenai’s James Sparks runs for a gain after a catch during a loss to Houston on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Houston, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)

Houston football stifles Kenai

By Jeremiah Bartz Frontiersman.com HOUSTON — On a night Houston High School celebrated the 25th anniversary of its football program, the Hawks notched their first… Continue reading

Kenai’s James Sparks runs for a gain after a catch during a loss to Houston on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Houston, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)
A Student Conservation Association team builds traditions around a game of Catan in a tent by Funny River. (Photo by US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Refuge Notebook: Settlers of Catan in the backcountry

By SANJA ZELEN Kenai National Wildlife Refuge It was 10 miles out in the backcountry, just off the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s Hansen Horse Trail,… Continue reading

A Student Conservation Association team builds traditions around a game of Catan in a tent by Funny River. (Photo by US Fish and Wildlife Service)
Kim Lofstedt casts her vote early in Alaska’s Primary Election at Kenai City Hall on Aug. 17, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Letter to the Editor: For the People Act would strengthen democracy

For the People Act addresses voting rights, fair elections and campaign processes.

Kim Lofstedt casts her vote early in Alaska’s Primary Election at Kenai City Hall on Aug. 17, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Letter to the Editor: Do the right thing for the community

The anti-vaccine sign holders are not advocating for conditions that meet the collective needs of our community.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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Minister’s Message: Taking in the water of the Spirit

Jesus pointed out the well water satisfies thirst for a while, but “whosoever drinks of the water I shall give shall never thirst.”

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A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Voices of the Peninsula: There’s more than one way to vote

Remember, every vote counts and every voice matters!

A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Fireweed blooms along the Skyline Trail on Aug. 13, 2021, on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge Notebook: Alaska ‘Super Bloom’: The beauty of regrowth

By SANJA ZELEN Kenai National Wildlife Refuge It was March 16 of 2019 when I first heard of the ecological phenomenon known as a “super… Continue reading

Fireweed blooms along the Skyline Trail on Aug. 13, 2021, on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Horse ivermectin paste is for sale at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Voices: Misinformation is dangerous!

Mr. Pierce owes our hospital staff and our communities an apology for his blatant disregard of the current circumstances.

Horse ivermectin paste is for sale at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
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Minister’s Message: Be slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to listen

More than ever, everyone seems to have an opinion on every subject and to be quite animated that their side is the only one that is right.

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A mountain hemlock burned in the 2019 Swan Lake Fire, pictured June 29, 2021. (Photo by Matt Bowser/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: When hemlocks burn

By MATT BOWSER For the Clarion When the weather deteriorates in the mountains, I head for those deepest green patches of forest at tree line.… Continue reading

A mountain hemlock burned in the 2019 Swan Lake Fire, pictured June 29, 2021. (Photo by Matt Bowser/USFWS)
A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

How to cast your ballot in the municipal elections

This week we will focus on absentee voting.

A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Legislative solutions can revive Alaska’s economy

The Legislature could take steps that will launch Alaska on a stable and prosperous fiscal future.

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska State Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage) (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Voices: A new hope For young Alaska families

Being a young Alaskan parent, finding affordable childcare was extremely difficult.

Alaska State Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson (D-Anchorage) (Courtesy photo)
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink, M.D., left, meets Homer Mayor Ken Castner, right, at a meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at the Homer Public Health Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Opinion: Alaskans must work together to support in-person learning

We now have effective tools to slow the spread of COVID-19, or at least to reduce its impact on an infected person.

Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink, M.D., left, meets Homer Mayor Ken Castner, right, at a meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at the Homer Public Health Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlines new measures the state will undertake to tackle sexual assault during a press conference streamed live from the Alaska Department of Public Safety Crime Lab in Anchorage on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Screenshot)

A much-needed step forward on accountability, justice

Sweeping changes will undoubtedly result in increased offender accountability and community safety.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy outlines new measures the state will undertake to tackle sexual assault during a press conference streamed live from the Alaska Department of Public Safety Crime Lab in Anchorage on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Screenshot)
A group photo of the campers after a digital scavenger hunt in Get Out and Get Dirty Camp. (Photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Refuge Notebook: And just like that, I was in full camp mode

Meredith Baker Kenai National Wildlife Refuge As a child, being outdoors was a huge part of my life. Some of my favorite memories are those… Continue reading

A group photo of the campers after a digital scavenger hunt in Get Out and Get Dirty Camp. (Photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
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Minister’s Message: A living faith produces Integrity

Most people are tempted at one time or another to compromise their integrity.

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