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2022 Alaska State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock hands out candy during the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Babcock leads local candidates in fundraising for state office, reports show

Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek are running to represent Kenai and Soldotna in Alaska State Senate District D

2022 Alaska State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock hands out candy during the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Abriella Werner leaps as she approaches the end of the diving board, Derrick Jones watches during a dive practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

From springboard to diving board

SoHi junior takes gymnastic experience to pool and breaks 17-year dive record

Abriella Werner leaps as she approaches the end of the diving board, Derrick Jones watches during a dive practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Hospitalizations see uptick; COVID cases still declining

498 new COVID-19 cases were reported statewide

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Constitutional convention debate comes to Kenai

Alaskans will be asked on the Nov. 8 general election ballot: “Shall there be a constitutional convention?”

Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship swears in newly reelected assembly members Tyson Cox, Brent Johnson and Jesse Bjorkman during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election results are certified as new assembly members sworn in

Incumbents took home easy victories on both the assembly and school board

From left: Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship swears in newly reelected assembly members Tyson Cox, Brent Johnson and Jesse Bjorkman during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre, right, and his chief of staff, Max Best, participate in an assembly meeting on Tuesday in Soldotna. The meeting was Navarre’s first as mayor since being appointed last month.

Navarre attends 1st assembly meeting as mayor

Navarre took time during his first mayor’s report to address concerns voiced surrounding his appointment

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre, right, and his chief of staff, Max Best, participate in an assembly meeting on Tuesday in Soldotna. The meeting was Navarre’s first as mayor since being appointed last month.
The Soldotna Seniors Center is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna seniors to raise money for meals

The center provides meals in-house and delivers between 70 to 90 a day

The Soldotna Seniors Center is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy leads in fundraising, latest campaign filing shows

Dunleavy, along with running mate Nancy Dahlstrom, raised more than $600,000 during the most recent filing period

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska House candidates trade views at forum

The forum was hosted by The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM in partnership with the Central Peninsula League of Women Voters

From left: Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy Photo / Gregory Chaney A 60-foot fishing vessel was grounded on Favorite Reef on Thursday evening into Friday morning when three passengers were safely rescued off the boat by JPD Chief Ed Mercer. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the ship while crews work to safely defuel it.

Juneau police chief rescues crew from grounded ship

Coast Guard continues to monitor ship.

Courtesy Photo / Gregory Chaney A 60-foot fishing vessel was grounded on Favorite Reef on Thursday evening into Friday morning when three passengers were safely rescued off the boat by JPD Chief Ed Mercer. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the ship while crews work to safely defuel it.
AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades Rep. Mary Peltola is interviewed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 12, a day before being sworn in after winning the Aug. 16 special election to fill the rest of the late Don Young’s term. The Democrat from Bethel is seeking reelection to a full two-year term in the general election against the same two Republicans she defeated in the special election.

Peltola seeks full House term in a political storm

The Alaska Native Democrat, facing likely GOP majority, says she’s ready to follow Young’s path to success

AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades Rep. Mary Peltola is interviewed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 12, a day before being sworn in after winning the Aug. 16 special election to fill the rest of the late Don Young’s term. The Democrat from Bethel is seeking reelection to a full two-year term in the general election against the same two Republicans she defeated in the special election.
Fat Bear Champion 747 photographed on Sept. 6 by L. Law. (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park)

Fattest bear crowned in annual competition

The final matchup brought Bear 747 and Bear 901 head-to-head

Fat Bear Champion 747 photographed on Sept. 6 by L. Law. (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park)
More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X̱aad Kíl, and Smʼalgya̱x. (Screenshot / Clarise Larson)

Celebrating learning on Indigenous Peoples Day

Community leaders talk future of Indigenous Southeast Alaska languages

More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X̱aad Kíl, and Smʼalgya̱x. (Screenshot / Clarise Larson)
“Evening Jam with Chuck” by Susan Biggs, hangs with its second place ribbon during the opening reception of the Kenai Art Center Biennial Juried Show on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A community reflected in art

Kenai Art Center unveils winners in biennial juried show

“Evening Jam with Chuck” by Susan Biggs, hangs with its second place ribbon during the opening reception of the Kenai Art Center Biennial Juried Show on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election night results on track for certification

Inclusion of absentee and questioned ballots have not changed the outcome of boroughwide races

Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Roy and Ozella Williams chat with attendees at their 70th Wedding Anniversary celebration on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We just keep loving each other’

Senior center celebrates couple’s seven decades of marriage

Roy and Ozella Williams chat with attendees at their 70th Wedding Anniversary celebration on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander, left, speaks during a “State of the City” address while Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, right, looks on at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai moves forward with city manager recruitment

The city’s current city manager job description has not been updated since 2016

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander, left, speaks during a “State of the City” address while Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, right, looks on at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government.

Walker hopes voters willing to accept hard truths

Former independent governor seeking office again: “I threw myself on the permanent fund grenade.”

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government.
Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition Workers replace a failed log culvert with a small foot bridge over Switzer Creek in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with some materials provided by the Alaskan Brewing Company. The federal government on Thursday announced an additional $1 billion in grants is being made available during the next five years for culvert repairs in areas where fish passage is blocked.

Cash flow: $1B in fed funds for freer fish

Grants to replace culverts impeding streams available to tribal, local and state governments

Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition Workers replace a failed log culvert with a small foot bridge over Switzer Creek in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with some materials provided by the Alaskan Brewing Company. The federal government on Thursday announced an additional $1 billion in grants is being made available during the next five years for culvert repairs in areas where fish passage is blocked.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Les Gara is photographed outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.

Gara sticks to steady message on rocky campaign trail

Former Anchorage lawmaker seeking to become first Democrat elected governor since 1998.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Les Gara is photographed outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.