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This June 14, 2019, photo shows a Wasilla sign on the outskirts of Wasilla, Alaska. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Agency estimates $1.3M 30-day Wasilla special session cost

Dunleavy called lawmakers into a special session July 8 in Wasilla to finalize this year’s PFD payout

  • Jun 22, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
This June 14, 2019, photo shows a Wasilla sign on the outskirts of Wasilla, Alaska. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
From left, George Van Lone, Max Carpenter and Ed Seaward monitor the airwaves inside the Moose Horn Amateur Radio Club’s mobile operation center in Kenai, Alaska during the Amateur Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day on June 22, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Hamming it up

Amateur radio operators gather for annual field day

From left, George Van Lone, Max Carpenter and Ed Seaward monitor the airwaves inside the Moose Horn Amateur Radio Club’s mobile operation center in Kenai, Alaska during the Amateur Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day on June 22, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
This June 14, 2019, photo shows Jeremy Price, a deputy chief of staff to Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, showing reporters the cafeteria at Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, that would be available to lawmakers. Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy pitches hometown Wasilla for special session. Here’s why some are concerned.

It would be the first time an Alaska special session has convened outside the capital.

  • Jun 20, 2019
  • By MARK THIESSEN and BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
This June 14, 2019, photo shows Jeremy Price, a deputy chief of staff to Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, showing reporters the cafeteria at Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, that would be available to lawmakers. Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Visitor guides await travelers at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Thursday, June 20, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough defunds tourism marketing council

Pierce vetoed the $100,000 in funding for the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council

Visitor guides await travelers at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Thursday, June 20, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Resurrection Bay is photographed from Seward, Alaska, in March, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward launches birding festival

The event includes art and food vendors, kid activities, birding competitions, talks and boat tours

Resurrection Bay is photographed from Seward, Alaska, in March, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A construction crew excavates along the Kenai Spur Highway on Tuesday, June 4. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Roadwork continues on schedule

Projects ongoing on Sterling Highway, Kenai Spur and Beaver Loop

A construction crew excavates along the Kenai Spur Highway on Tuesday, June 4. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen speaks last Friday, June 14, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

New UAA chancellor sees university as benefitting many

Chancellor Cathy Sandeen took a working vacation to attend the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen speaks last Friday, June 14, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
From left, Theresa Peterson, Jan Mabrey and Zoey Polacek smile for the camera during the 2018 Longest Day Golf Tournament at the Bird Homestead Golf Course in Soldotna on June 16, 2018. (Photo courtesy Cindy Harris)

Making the longest day count

Community organizations to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s

From left, Theresa Peterson, Jan Mabrey and Zoey Polacek smile for the camera during the 2018 Longest Day Golf Tournament at the Bird Homestead Golf Course in Soldotna on June 16, 2018. (Photo courtesy Cindy Harris)
Central Peninsula Health Foundation Director Kathy Gensel, left, updates former Heritage Place Resident Council President MaryNell Larson about the Evening by the River Fundraiser in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Aud Walaszek/Heritage Place)

Heritage Place gets a new set of wheels

Destination Dignity Bus will be able to accommodate six wheelchairs and fit 10.

Central Peninsula Health Foundation Director Kathy Gensel, left, updates former Heritage Place Resident Council President MaryNell Larson about the Evening by the River Fundraiser in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Aud Walaszek/Heritage Place)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Bed tax passes assembly

The tax will be on the ballot Oct. 1, and if approved, would go into effect April 1, 2020.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The recipients of the annual Kenai Community Awards pose for a photo during the Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center on June 19, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai celebrates its community spirit

Kenai chamber honored those who have made a positive impact on the peninsula community.

The recipients of the annual Kenai Community Awards pose for a photo during the Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center on June 19, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)

Lower 48 crews to assist with Swan Lake Fire

The fire continues to spread primarily to the north and east, away from the Sterling Highway.

A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)
Dr. Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, center, listens to Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, left and Mike Barnhill, policy director for the OMB, as their continue to present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

With state government shutdown looming, university preparing for late, reduced budget

The fiscal year starts in less than two weeks.

Dr. Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, center, listens to Donna Arduin, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, left and Mike Barnhill, policy director for the OMB, as their continue to present Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget to the Senate Finance Committee at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Shelby Harris shows off a sockeye caught on the Upper Kenai River on Saturday, June 15, 2019. (Photo submitted by Shelby Harris)

Russian River and Upper Kenai limits increased

As of June 17, 50,641 sockeye have been counted at the Russian River weir for the early sockeye run.

Shelby Harris shows off a sockeye caught on the Upper Kenai River on Saturday, June 15, 2019. (Photo submitted by Shelby Harris)
Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Legislators will collect pay despite not finishing budget on time

They’re reinterpreting a law from last year.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, chairs the House Finance Committee with Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, right, as they work on House Bill 14 at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Demonstrators hold signs outside the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in protest of an invocation by a member of the Satanic Temple on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. The invocation was the first given by the Satanic Temple since the borough changed its invocation policy following an Alaska Superior Court decision finding the policy unconstitutional and in violation of the state’s constitution’s establishment clause. (Photo courtesy Aud Walaszek)

Satanic Temple invocation prompts protest, walkouts at assembly meeting

The borough lost a lawsuit against plaintiffs represented by the ACLU of Alaska

Demonstrators hold signs outside the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in protest of an invocation by a member of the Satanic Temple on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. The invocation was the first given by the Satanic Temple since the borough changed its invocation policy following an Alaska Superior Court decision finding the policy unconstitutional and in violation of the state’s constitution’s establishment clause. (Photo courtesy Aud Walaszek)
A boy tries his hand at the Compass Dunk Tank during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska on June 15, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski turns out for a day of family fun

The annual Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival included games, food and live music

A boy tries his hand at the Compass Dunk Tank during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska on June 15, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward, Homer receive federal shipyard grants

The funding is aimed at fostering efficiency and economic growth

The Derek Poppins Trio performs at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Louisiana country singer to play concert in the park

Meghan Linsey will appear at the Wednesday evening music series

The Derek Poppins Trio performs at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The Swan Lake Fire, as seen from the Mystery Hills, burns Wednesday, June 12, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Cool, wet conditions allow progress on Swan Lake Fire

Fire lines near the community of Sterling were strengthened over the weekend by fire crews.

The Swan Lake Fire, as seen from the Mystery Hills, burns Wednesday, June 12, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

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