Victoria Petersen

The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough approves resolution in favor of Funny River boat launch

A majority of the speakers were in support of the initiative, which came from Mayor Charlie Pierce.

The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his budget vetoes at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska Friday, June 28, 2019. The university system, health and social service programs and public broadcasting were among the areas affected by vetoes. The budget agreed to by the House and Senate cut state support for the university system by a fraction of what Dunleavy proposed. Lawmakers have the ability to override budget vetoes if they can muster sufficient support. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Budget vetoes fallout may hit close to home

Dunleavy’s vetoes will affect everything from schools to local radio

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his budget vetoes at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska Friday, June 28, 2019. The university system, health and social service programs and public broadcasting were among the areas affected by vetoes. The budget agreed to by the House and Senate cut state support for the university system by a fraction of what Dunleavy proposed. Lawmakers have the ability to override budget vetoes if they can muster sufficient support. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

4.7 magnitude earthquake near Kasilof

A preliminary mangitude 4.7 earthquake was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, 3 miles southwest of Kasilof, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Ordinance removing voter approval on sale tax cap increase withdrawn

The cap has been $500 since 1964 when the borough was established.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchoarge, as seen on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Everything is on the table’

Facing $135M budget cut, university contemplates drastic action

Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchoarge, as seen on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at the Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor vetoes bed tax

Pierce said he did not support a dedicated or targeted tax on specific activities or services.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at the Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, speaks with the Kobuk Valley Type 2 Hand Crew along the East Fork Moose River on Monday. (Courtesy photo)

Dunleavy tours fire scene as blaze grows

Swan Lake Fire surpasses 70,000 acres

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, speaks with the Kobuk Valley Type 2 Hand Crew along the East Fork Moose River on Monday. (Courtesy photo)

Emergency fire order issued for Chugach National Forest

Restrictions apply to building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire

Kenai Joe’s Taphouse serves their first patrons under new ownership on Monday, July 1, 2019, in Old Town Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Joe’s Taphouse opens in Old Town

Right now the bar is open and offering small appetizers, beer on tap and specialty cocktails.

Kenai Joe’s Taphouse serves their first patrons under new ownership on Monday, July 1, 2019, in Old Town Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to consider shifting chief administrator duties to manager

The mayor would still be elected area wide, but would no longer be the chief administrator.

Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The glow from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen on the horizon from the east entrance of Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Swan Lake Fire, located just north of Sterling, Alaska, grew to 32,300 acres over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Several Skilak campgrounds reopened

Fire danger is still high and visitors need to be cautious.

The glow from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen on the horizon from the east entrance of Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Swan Lake Fire, located just north of Sterling, Alaska, grew to 32,300 acres over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai River in Cooper Landing, Alaska, is photographed on Sunday, June 23, 2019. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

High river conditions expected on Kenai and Sixmile River

The warning includes Kenai, Soldotna, Homer, Cooper Landing, Whittier, Seward and Moose Pass.

The Kenai River in Cooper Landing, Alaska, is photographed on Sunday, June 23, 2019. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly looks to raise sales tax cap, remove voter approval

The borough’s sales tax is only applied to a maximum of $500 per sale, rent or service transaction.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough resident and member of the Satanic Temple, Iris Fontana, offers an invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, which prompted borough official and attendee walkouts and a protest on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough considers abolishing invocations at assembly

The move comes after a member of the Satanic Temple provided an invocation

Kenai Peninsula Borough resident and member of the Satanic Temple, Iris Fontana, offers an invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, which prompted borough official and attendee walkouts and a protest on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Residents line the Sterling Highway in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office to oppose Pebble Mine project on Wednesday, in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Pebble never. Bristol Bay forever’

Community members rally against mining project

Residents line the Sterling Highway in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office to oppose Pebble Mine project on Wednesday, in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Panel will discuss how food influences climate change

Attendees are invited to bring a dish featuring local ingredients to share

Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission Chairman Blair Martin, Vice Chairman Robert Ruffner and Parliamentarian Rick Foster facilitate discussions on Emmitt Trimble’s Beachcomber LLC gravel pit permit application on Monday, June 24, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Controversial Beachcomber gravel pit permit approved

‘If ever a gravel pit should be denied, it would have been this one’

Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission Chairman Blair Martin, Vice Chairman Robert Ruffner and Parliamentarian Rick Foster facilitate discussions on Emmitt Trimble’s Beachcomber LLC gravel pit permit application on Monday, June 24, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
After construction workers removed siding from the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska.(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai airport to receive $1.2 million federal grant

The FAA is awarding $495 million in airport infrastructure grants

After construction workers removed siding from the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska.(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Bunches of fresh greens are displayed at the first Farmers Fresh Market of the season on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska. The market is open every 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday until Sept. 11. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank hosts Food For Thought lecture series

The series aims to engage residents in learning more about food and nutrition

Bunches of fresh greens are displayed at the first Farmers Fresh Market of the season on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska. The market is open every 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday until Sept. 11. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign for trail closures can be seen on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Kenai Wildlife Refuge closed recreation areas, including Bottenintnin Lake, Watson Lake Campground, Egumen Lake Trail, Petersen Lake Campground, Kelly Campground, Seven Lakes Trail, Skyline Trail and Jean Lake Campground over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Swan Lake Fire prompts recreation area shutdowns

The fire grew to 32,000 acres over the weekend

A sign for trail closures can be seen on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Kenai Wildlife Refuge closed recreation areas, including Bottenintnin Lake, Watson Lake Campground, Egumen Lake Trail, Petersen Lake Campground, Kelly Campground, Seven Lakes Trail, Skyline Trail and Jean Lake Campground over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)