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Sterling Highway closed as Swan Lake Fire grows

UPDATE, 7:30 p.m. The Swan Lake Fire was 5 miles to the west and northwest of Cooper Landing, according to the latest update provided by… Continue reading

 

Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Effort to vacate Homer easement fails at planning commission

Country musician Zac Brown was one of a handful of people seeking to remove the easement.

 

A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, 2019, near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Swan Lake fire flares up, again

The 102,906-acre fire has experienced substantial growth over the last few days.

 

DAN JOLING/ASSOCIATED PRESS Junar Lim takes photos of Ziah Lim, left, and Arsenia Lim, all of Cavite, the Philippines, at gardens in Town Square in Anchorage Thursday. Alaska recorded its warmest month ever in July and hot, dry weather has continued in Anchorage and much of the region south of the Alaska Range.

Alaska records its warmest month ever; future records likely

The effects were felt from the Arctic Ocean to Alaska’s Panhandle.

  • Aug 17, 2019
DAN JOLING/ASSOCIATED PRESS Junar Lim takes photos of Ziah Lim, left, and Arsenia Lim, all of Cavite, the Philippines, at gardens in Town Square in Anchorage Thursday. Alaska recorded its warmest month ever in July and hot, dry weather has continued in Anchorage and much of the region south of the Alaska Range.
A young volunteer chases three piglets named Mary Hamkins, Petunia and Sir Oinks-a-lot through the race Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds during the pig races on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Spectators place bets on their favorite swine to win and the proceeds go to support the fair. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Living the fair life

Residents enjoy weekend of pig races, fish throwing, and livestock auctions in Ninilchik

A young volunteer chases three piglets named Mary Hamkins, Petunia and Sir Oinks-a-lot through the race Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds during the pig races on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Spectators place bets on their favorite swine to win and the proceeds go to support the fair. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Hurricane Dave From left, Meg Anderson, Tom Torvie, Michael Faubion and Hurricane Dave are seen here in this undated photo.

Music to melt your feet

Crabshoot to take the stage at the Kenai Peninsula Fair

Hurricane Dave From left, Meg Anderson, Tom Torvie, Michael Faubion and Hurricane Dave are seen here in this undated photo.
Recall Dunleavy organizers Ann Keffer, right, in hat, and Pat Cue, behind Keffer, take signatures at a Recall Dunleavy rally held on Aug. 1 at WKFL Park in Homer. At left, former Homer Rep. Paul Seaton, NP-Homer, signs a form. Seaton lost to Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, in the general election. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)

Recall Dunleavy hits, surpasses signature target

Organizers needed 28,000 signatures to apply with the state to advance the recall effort.

Recall Dunleavy organizers Ann Keffer, right, in hat, and Pat Cue, behind Keffer, take signatures at a Recall Dunleavy rally held on Aug. 1 at WKFL Park in Homer. At left, former Homer Rep. Paul Seaton, NP-Homer, signs a form. Seaton lost to Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, in the general election. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs SB 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)

‘Disappointing’, but not devastating

Dunleavy-signed capital budget includes vetoes, partial funding for local programs

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs SB 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)

14th annual Jr. Classic invites kids to catch salmon on the Kenai

The event ames to teach kids about all that Alaska has to offer.

Smoke can be seen on the horizon at sunset on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, from Cooper Landing, Alaska. High temperatures and dry conditions have caused the 102,548-acre Swan Lake Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge east of Sterling and north of the Sterling Highway to flare up. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Dry conditions bolster Swan Lake Fire

Smoke from the fire is visible from the Sterling Highway between Mileposts 65 and 75.

Smoke can be seen on the horizon at sunset on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, from Cooper Landing, Alaska. High temperatures and dry conditions have caused the 102,548-acre Swan Lake Fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge east of Sterling and north of the Sterling Highway to flare up. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Clarion reporters Brian Mazurek, left, and Victoria Petersen interview Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, at the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. Murkowski discussed issues such as the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, the Pebble Mine project and Alaska-related legislation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

A conversation with the senator

Lisa Murkowski talks PFD, Pebble and what’s happening in the Senate.

Clarion reporters Brian Mazurek, left, and Victoria Petersen interview Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, at the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. Murkowski discussed issues such as the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, the Pebble Mine project and Alaska-related legislation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

No deal reached in district contract negotiations

Negotiations between school district and associations have snagged on rising cost of health care.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Pigs run through a circular course, chased by a young volunteer, during the pig races at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, on Aug. 18, 2018 at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Kenai Peninsula Fair returns with family fun

Our peninsula fair is a great peninsula fair.

Pigs run through a circular course, chased by a young volunteer, during the pig races at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, on Aug. 18, 2018 at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, 2019, near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Kenai Peninsula suffering moderate drought

Kenai has seen a nearly 40% decrease in the average rainfall for the area from June to August.

A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, 2019, near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A construction crew excavates along the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska on June 4, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Summer road projects nearing completion

Beaver Loop Road, Sterling Highway undergoing construction.

A construction crew excavates along the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska on June 4, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds

Dunleavy says he won’t veto Head Start, Pre-K from HB 2001

Dunleavy signs ‘step-down’ compact with University of Alaska

Plan will introduce cuts over three years rather than one

Courtesy photo Soldotna Realtor Febra Hensley

Soldotna Realtor Febra Hensley named Realtor of the Year

Hensley has been a realtor for nearly two decades.

Courtesy photo Soldotna Realtor Febra Hensley

Filing ends Thursday for potential candidates

Those interested in running can contact their local city clerk to file for candidacy.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water in September 2017. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered.

Researchers receive federal funds to study Cook Inlet belugas

The grant program supports management, research and outreach campaigns for conservation of wildlife.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water in September 2017. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered.

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