News

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Weekend ski race to raise funds for food bank

Food Cache Ski Dash will be a 7K, in a freestyle format

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Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion file Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai.

Kenai ordinance would allow chickens in some city zones

The legislation comes as Alaska, like other states, is experiencing an egg shortage

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion file Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: 2nd week of statewide case increase; hospitalizations drop

In the Gulf Coast region one patient was reported hospitalized with COVID-19

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Acting Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Michele Turner helps newly sworn-in assembly member Peter Ribbens set up assembly materials on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly names Ribbens to fill Bjorkman’s seat

He is a senior environmental professional and a former emergency response coordinator with Tesoro Alaska

Acting Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Michele Turner helps newly sworn-in assembly member Peter Ribbens set up assembly materials on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dakota Butler hangs from a wooden pole by only his wrist as he performs the wrist carry during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula NYO Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. Butler held on for more than 200 feet, claiming the gold medal in the event. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Camaraderie wins at youth competition

More than 100 athletes from around the region gathered to participate

Dakota Butler hangs from a wooden pole by only his wrist as he performs the wrist carry during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula NYO Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. Butler held on for more than 200 feet, claiming the gold medal in the event. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Bump to borough mayor salary proposed

The legislation would increase and inflation-proof the mayor’s salary

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
A person walks up the steps of the Alaska Capitol on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. The new legislative session begins on Tuesday, Jan. 17. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Alaska Legislature to face familiar challenges this year

The Alaska Legislature convenes for a new session Tuesday

A person walks up the steps of the Alaska Capitol on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. The new legislative session begins on Tuesday, Jan. 17. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More public notice, clearer city policy among proposed changes to Soldotna park use

City officials presented the changes during a work session on Jan. 5

Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Bjorkman, right, participates in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Bjorkman, who last month was elected to represent the northern Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska Senate, is vacating his seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. His last assembly meeting will be Jan. 3. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Applications now being accepted for assembly vacancy

Current assembly member Jesse Bjorkman was elected to represent the northern Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska Senate

Jesse Bjorkman, right, participates in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Bjorkman, who last month was elected to represent the northern Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska Senate, is vacating his seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. His last assembly meeting will be Jan. 3. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Alaska court: Anchorage Democrat qualified for House seat

A brief order from the state Supreme Court affirmed the superior court’s conclusion

  • Jan 13, 2023
  • Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A home that was knocked off its foundation floats down Snake River during a severe storm in Nome, Alaska, is caught under a bridge on, Sept. 17, 2022. After the remnants of a rare typhoon caused extensive damage along Alaska’s western coast last fall, the U.S. government stepped in to help residents, largely Alaska Natives, recovery financially. (AP Photo/Peggy Fagerstrom, File)

FEMA fires group for nonsensical Alaska Native translations

Residents expecting to find instructions on how to file for aid in Alaska Native languages instead were reading bizarre phrases

  • Jan 13, 2023
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
A home that was knocked off its foundation floats down Snake River during a severe storm in Nome, Alaska, is caught under a bridge on, Sept. 17, 2022. After the remnants of a rare typhoon caused extensive damage along Alaska’s western coast last fall, the U.S. government stepped in to help residents, largely Alaska Natives, recovery financially. (AP Photo/Peggy Fagerstrom, File)
Attendees examine concept boards on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Open House at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna leaders, community weigh in on future of riverfront

‘The sky’s the limit’

Attendees examine concept boards on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Open House at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Motorists travel through the Swan Lake fire burn on the Sterling Highway on Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Prescribed fires along Sterling Highway to start this month

Areas most likely areas to experience smoke include Sterling Highway Mileposts 43, 45 and 53

Motorists travel through the Swan Lake fire burn on the Sterling Highway on Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school district calendars OK’d

School start and end dates were moved by one week

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Bjorkman, left, and Justin Ruffridge take part in forums organized by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL ahead of the November 2022 election. Bjorkman and Ruffridge won seats in the Alaska State Senate and Alaska State House of Representatives, respectively, and are slated to begin work in Juneau on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Composite photo)

Bjorkman, Ruffridge prepare for 1st legislative session

They will officially get to work on Jan. 17 — the first day of the 33rd Alaska Legislature’s first regular session

Jesse Bjorkman, left, and Justin Ruffridge take part in forums organized by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL ahead of the November 2022 election. Bjorkman and Ruffridge won seats in the Alaska State Senate and Alaska State House of Representatives, respectively, and are slated to begin work in Juneau on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Composite photo)
Exxon Mobil Billings Refinery sits in Billings, Mont. Exxon Mobil’s scientists were remarkably accurate in their predictions about global warming, even as the company made public statements that contradicted its own scientists’ conclusions, a new study says. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Study: Exxon Mobil accurately predicted warming since 1970s

The Exxon-funded science was “actually astonishing” in its precision and accuracy, the study found

  • Jan 12, 2023
  • By Seth Borenstein and Cathy Bussewitz Associated Press
  • State News
Exxon Mobil Billings Refinery sits in Billings, Mont. Exxon Mobil’s scientists were remarkably accurate in their predictions about global warming, even as the company made public statements that contradicted its own scientists’ conclusions, a new study says. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference at the state Capitol, April 28, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy outlined proposed legislation Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, for Alaska to capitalize on carbon markets, seeking to diversify state revenues long heavily reliant on proceeds from oil. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Dunleavy pitches plan to capitalize on carbon markets

The Republican governor and members of his administration outlined the proposal at a news conference in Anchorage.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a news conference at the state Capitol, April 28, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. Dunleavy outlined proposed legislation Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, for Alaska to capitalize on carbon markets, seeking to diversify state revenues long heavily reliant on proceeds from oil. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Newly appointed Soldotna City Council member Chera Wackler (center) participates in her first council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council appoints Wackler to vacancy

In all, four people threw their hat in the ring for consideration for the term

Newly appointed Soldotna City Council member Chera Wackler (center) participates in her first council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. April Walgenbach stands in one of the examination rooms at Peninsula Community Health Services Eye Clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi grad leads eye clinic at PCHS

Throughout her education, Dr. April Walgenbach said she always intended to return to her hometown

Dr. April Walgenbach stands in one of the examination rooms at Peninsula Community Health Services Eye Clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Bjorkman speaks at a borough work session on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. Bjorkman, who has held the seat since 2019, was elected to the Alaska Senate last year. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to choose Bjorkman successor Tuesday

Bjorkman was elected to the Alaska Senate last year

Jesse Bjorkman speaks at a borough work session on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. Bjorkman, who has held the seat since 2019, was elected to the Alaska Senate last year. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)