Home

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion From left, Terry Carter, Dave Unruh, and Dan Gregory smile for the camera at Fire Station #2 during the Nikiski Fire Department’s 50th anniversary celebration Monday in Nikiski. Carter has been the front desk receptionist for the department for 30 years. Unruh is a retired captain and was the second person employed by the department, and Gregory was fire chief from 2000 to 2005.

‘Always ready, proud to serve’

Nikiski Fire Department celebrates 50 years

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion From left, Terry Carter, Dave Unruh, and Dan Gregory smile for the camera at Fire Station #2 during the Nikiski Fire Department’s 50th anniversary celebration Monday in Nikiski. Carter has been the front desk receptionist for the department for 30 years. Unruh is a retired captain and was the second person employed by the department, and Gregory was fire chief from 2000 to 2005.
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen over the Kenai River valley from Cecil Rhode mountain in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)

Cooper Landing businesses feel impacts from fire, smoke

Winds have blown the fire’s smoke into its valley, affecting the community’s local tourism industry.

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen over the Kenai River valley from Cecil Rhode mountain in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)
People draped in black hold signs on July 9, 2019, by Sean Derry’s public art sculpture in Homer, Alaska, as part of a statewide art intervention to protest Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a $2.8 million state appropriation to the Alaska State Council on the Arts. They also supported a general override of Dunleavy’s vetoes that will affect funding for the University of Alaska, public radio and other programs. Derry’s sculpture was commissioned as a 1% for art project associated with the remodeling of Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska. The protest was not sanctioned by the college. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Alaska State Arts Council shuts down after funding loss

‘This is going to leave a huge vacuum.’

  • Jul 16, 2019
  • By Associated Press
People draped in black hold signs on July 9, 2019, by Sean Derry’s public art sculpture in Homer, Alaska, as part of a statewide art intervention to protest Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a $2.8 million state appropriation to the Alaska State Council on the Arts. They also supported a general override of Dunleavy’s vetoes that will affect funding for the University of Alaska, public radio and other programs. Derry’s sculpture was commissioned as a 1% for art project associated with the remodeling of Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska. The protest was not sanctioned by the college. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Borough to test emergency alert system in Cooper Landing

Borough to test emergency alert system in Cooper Landing

The test is being conducted to evaluate the system and encourage folks to register their cellphones.

Borough to test emergency alert system in Cooper Landing
Localz owner Angel Stanton, right, shows Heidi Vann, left, and Denali Jackson, center, some of the products featured in her store on July 11, 2019 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Shop Talk: Localz of Nikiski

Nikiski boutique features products by peninsula artisans

Localz owner Angel Stanton, right, shows Heidi Vann, left, and Denali Jackson, center, some of the products featured in her store on July 11, 2019 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen over the Kenai River valley from Cecil Rhode mountain in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)

New team takes over in fire fight

Fire lines, natural features curtail Swan Lake Fire growth

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen over the Kenai River valley from Cecil Rhode mountain in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire University of Alaska Southeast administrators and staff applaud a speech by Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, as they watch an online meeting being held Monday at UA campuses around the state on Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget cuts.

Financial exigency delayed, but drastic changes ahead for University of Alaska

The University of Alaska of the future will not look like it does now.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire University of Alaska Southeast administrators and staff applaud a speech by Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, as they watch an online meeting being held Monday at UA campuses around the state on Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget cuts.
Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion Dr. Peter Hansen stands in front of crane operators who are in the process of lifting an antique steam donkey engine Monday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, where it will be relocated on the lawn to make room for a cabin that will act as a Kenai Bush doctors museum.

Kenai’s pioneering Bush doctors earn a spot in history

Historic cabin to be featured near visitor’s center

Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion Dr. Peter Hansen stands in front of crane operators who are in the process of lifting an antique steam donkey engine Monday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, where it will be relocated on the lawn to make room for a cabin that will act as a Kenai Bush doctors museum.
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen over the Kenai River valley from Cecil Rhode mountain in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)

Swan Lake Fire growth slows

The latest measurement of the Swan Lake Fire puts it at 100,516 total acres.

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen over the Kenai River valley from Cecil Rhode mountain in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)
Storage Condominiums of Alaska units are being planned around the state, with the first being set up in Kenai, near the airport, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Pete Kineen/Storage Condominiums of Alaska)

Storage, without an expiration date

Business to offer storage units for sale

Storage Condominiums of Alaska units are being planned around the state, with the first being set up in Kenai, near the airport, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Pete Kineen/Storage Condominiums of Alaska)
Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire Lawmakers talk among themselves during a break of a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday in Juneau.

Efforts to override vetoes quashed

Without enough lawmakers in Juneau, session adjourns until Wednesday

Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire Lawmakers talk among themselves during a break of a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday in Juneau.
Over hundrend people attend a rally starting at the Capitol to protest budget vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Shame on you, 22’: Protesters march to Governor’s Mansion

Protesters rally in Juneau.

Over hundrend people attend a rally starting at the Capitol to protest budget vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A pickup truck involved in a fatal car crash on July 7, 2019, rests on the side of the road near Mile 142 Sterling Highway, Happy Valley, Alaska. The pickup truck driver survived, but the driver of a second car involved in the crash, Michael Franklin, 18, of Homer, Alaska, died of his injuries. (Photo by Jon Marsh/Anchor Point Fire and EMS)

Man killed in two-vehicle collision near Happy Valley

EMTs and firefighters arrived at about 4:20 p.m. to find the Subaru engulfed in flames.

A pickup truck involved in a fatal car crash on July 7, 2019, rests on the side of the road near Mile 142 Sterling Highway, Happy Valley, Alaska. The pickup truck driver survived, but the driver of a second car involved in the crash, Michael Franklin, 18, of Homer, Alaska, died of his injuries. (Photo by Jon Marsh/Anchor Point Fire and EMS)
Holiday DUIs down from last year

Holiday DUIs down from last year

2018 saw 21 misdemeanor and three felony arrests occurring during the same period.

Holiday DUIs down from last year
A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Thursday. (Courtesy Northwest 13 Incident Management Team)

Firefighters complete containment line near Sterling as Swan Lake Fire slows

As of the latest update Thursday, the fire is 100,027 acres and is 24% contained.

A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Thursday. (Courtesy Northwest 13 Incident Management Team)
In this July 10, 2019, photo provided by Rochelle Adams, the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Bert Cottle, center left in the orange shirt, is seen grabbing the arm of Alaska Native activist Haliehana Stepetin, who was trying to take part in a sit-in of legislators meeting in Wasilla. Stepetin filed an assault complaint with the Wasilla Police Department on Thursday, naming Cottle and Zachary Freeman, the spokesman for the Republican House Minority, seen next to Cottle in the white dress shirt. (Rochelle Adams via AP)

Alaska Native activist alleges assault by Wasilla mayor

“I felt like I was in a vulnerable place … And I still feel like I’m in a really vulnerable place.”

  • Jul 11, 2019
  • By Rachel D’Oro Associated Press
In this July 10, 2019, photo provided by Rochelle Adams, the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Bert Cottle, center left in the orange shirt, is seen grabbing the arm of Alaska Native activist Haliehana Stepetin, who was trying to take part in a sit-in of legislators meeting in Wasilla. Stepetin filed an assault complaint with the Wasilla Police Department on Thursday, naming Cottle and Zachary Freeman, the spokesman for the Republican House Minority, seen next to Cottle in the white dress shirt. (Rochelle Adams via AP)
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, (left) leans in to listen to Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, during a Joint Session of Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday to debate and vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes. The vote didn’t take place.

Veto override still short on votes

Lawmakers give impassioned speeches, but don’t have the votes to override vetoes.

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, (left) leans in to listen to Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, during a Joint Session of Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday to debate and vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes. The vote didn’t take place.
Trooper recruits hit the streets

Trooper recruits hit the streets

Three recruits will be in Soldotna for their field training.

Trooper recruits hit the streets
Erin Thompson / Peninsula Clarion file A rescued dog is pictured at the Kenai Animal Shelter on May 17, 2018.

Both Kenai and Soldotna approve shelter agreement

The city of Soldotna will pay $42,000 to Kenai for the care of 150 animals.

Erin Thompson / Peninsula Clarion file A rescued dog is pictured at the Kenai Animal Shelter on May 17, 2018.
State Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat, speaks in favor of lawmakers overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes Wednesday, Juneau. Nearly a third of lawmakers were absent from the session at the Capitol, opting to meet in Wasilla instead, leaving only 38 members meeting in Juneau. It would take 45 votes to override the vetoes. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire via AP)

Local lawmakers split on session location

Gov. Mike Dunleavy last month called a special session in Wasilla

State Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat, speaks in favor of lawmakers overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes Wednesday, Juneau. Nearly a third of lawmakers were absent from the session at the Capitol, opting to meet in Wasilla instead, leaving only 38 members meeting in Juneau. It would take 45 votes to override the vetoes. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire via AP)

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in