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Chester LeRoy Oughton was in his mid-60s and still serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in Alaska when these photos were taken at McNeil Island federal penitentiary in Washington in 1972. (Image courtesy of the National Archives in San Francisco)

The Seward jailbreak of 1952 — Part 2

Prisoners Frank Charles Oliver and Chester LeRoy Oughton had been foiled in their attempt to reach the central Kenai Peninsula

Chester LeRoy Oughton was in his mid-60s and still serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in Alaska when these photos were taken at McNeil Island federal penitentiary in Washington in 1972. (Image courtesy of the National Archives in San Francisco)
Skiers take off for the men’s 40K freestyle race at Sunday’s Tour of Tsalteshi event just outside of Soldotna on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Back in rhythm

At the beginning of February, I began reading “If Beale Street Could Talk” by James Baldwin. The first 100 pages were slow but worthwhile as… Continue reading

Skiers take off for the men’s 40K freestyle race at Sunday’s Tour of Tsalteshi event just outside of Soldotna on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The author unloading helicopter H551 on Mt. Hoffman, Yosemite National Park. (Photo by NPS)

Learning the ropes on the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program

It’s a sunny day in May 2020 at the Crane Flat Helibase. Myself and four other “rookie” (new) rappelers have undergone days’ worth of ground… Continue reading

The author unloading helicopter H551 on Mt. Hoffman, Yosemite National Park. (Photo by NPS)
A photo by Lisa Williams of Peter Anahanok Sr., part of her show at the Pratt Museum & Park in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided/Pratt Museum & Park))

New photo exhibits at the Pratt celebrate community

Pratt Museum & Park photo exhibits feature works by three photographers

A photo by Lisa Williams of Peter Anahanok Sr., part of her show at the Pratt Museum & Park in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided/Pratt Museum & Park))
A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Voices of the Peninsula: Sockeyes and voting

As sure as there are jumpers on the Kenai, candidate signs will be popping up. So, get ready!

A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Curried lentils are served with basmati rice and garnished with cilantro. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

An introduction to Indian-style curry

This red lentil curry is mild and accessible

Curried lentils are served with basmati rice and garnished with cilantro. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, is seen in this 2021 Empire file photo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Alaska Voices: Project American leadership and resources to defend global democracy

We need to end our reliance on foreign fossil fuels TODAY.

U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, is seen in this 2021 Empire file photo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

If the shoe fits

Alaska is a footwear-intensive place to live

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Chester LeRoy Oughton’s entry photos at the Alcatraz Island federal penitentiary in 1953. Oughton was convicted of first-degree murder in Alaska. (Image courtesy of the National Archives in San Francisco)

The Seward Jailbreak of 1952 — Part 1

The fugitives were Franklin Charles Oliver and Chester LeRoy Oughton.

Chester LeRoy Oughton’s entry photos at the Alcatraz Island federal penitentiary in 1953. Oughton was convicted of first-degree murder in Alaska. (Image courtesy of the National Archives in San Francisco)
Mt. Chiginagak on Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge 30 miles southeast of Ugashik. (Photo by B. Wishnek/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Protecting Alaska from invasive species: A common goal near and far

Many regard Alaska for its wild and free landscapes and its importance to fish, wildlife, plants and people. However, while most Alaska landscapes are wild… Continue reading

Mt. Chiginagak on Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge 30 miles southeast of Ugashik. (Photo by B. Wishnek/USFWS)
My mom Alex Botello, my aunt Melissa Botello, myself, and my aunt Kim Davis take a photo in Talkeetna on Friday Feb. 25, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Chasing the lights

My mom loves looking up at the night sky. When we were kids, she’d wake my sister and me up and make us watch a… Continue reading

My mom Alex Botello, my aunt Melissa Botello, myself, and my aunt Kim Davis take a photo in Talkeetna on Friday Feb. 25, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
photos by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion 
Alex Rydlinski, executive director of the Kenai Art Center, sets up the “Small to Biggs” photography show at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday,

A space for photos, big and small

Kenai Art Center features work by amateurs and professionals in show curated by local photographer

photos by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion 
Alex Rydlinski, executive director of the Kenai Art Center, sets up the “Small to Biggs” photography show at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday,
A copy of Don’t Cry For Me is displayed on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: ‘Don’t Cry for Me’ a raw reflection on masculinity, black fatherhood

A central motif is the idea of masculinity and how that idea is or is not upheld by characters

A copy of Don’t Cry For Me is displayed on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rice noodles, tofu, lemon grass, cilantro, shrimp and bean sprouts top this homemade pho. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

On the strawberry patch: Pho, abbreviated

Make this satisfying broth and noodle dish at home

Rice noodles, tofu, lemon grass, cilantro, shrimp and bean sprouts top this homemade pho. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
The industrial area of Nikiski is seen from above. The area is the potential site of an LNG pipeline. (Photo/File/AJOC)

Alaska Voices: Unlocking national strategic, economic and climate achievements with Alaska LNG

Alaska is well positioned to remain a reliable provider of strategic clean energy for the next hundred years

The industrial area of Nikiski is seen from above. The area is the potential site of an LNG pipeline. (Photo/File/AJOC)
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Opinion: The dead end of ‘my way or the highway’

There’s a need to build bridges.

  • Feb 28, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
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From left: Carley Rose Kelley; First Lady of Alaska Rose Dunleavy; Department of Corrections officer Sergeant Ken Noland and Alaska’s first Miss America pageant winner Emma Boyles, applaud Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: Annual award pays tribute to Alaska’s volunteers

Please join me in recognizing deserving Alaskans by submitting a nomination for the the First Lady’s Volunteer Awards

From left: Carley Rose Kelley; First Lady of Alaska Rose Dunleavy; Department of Corrections officer Sergeant Ken Noland and Alaska’s first Miss America pageant winner Emma Boyles, applaud Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Not quite the Olympics … but

This unhinged winter and its obnoxious attitude has been an eye-opener

Nick Varney
A poll worker helps a voter with his ballot at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Poll workers ensure election integrity

As a recent retiree, I was invited by a friend to work as an election worker in the November 2020 election

A poll worker helps a voter with his ballot at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mt. Redoubt can be seen across Cook Inlet from Diamond Ridge on the Marathon Ski Trail on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: Falling in love with Diamond Ridge and winter

Since winter lasts from October to May on Diamond Ridge, you’d better love winter.

Mt. Redoubt can be seen across Cook Inlet from Diamond Ridge on the Marathon Ski Trail on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)