News

Report: Toxic chemical found in water of many Alaska towns

The toxin has not been found at unsafe levels in Kenai.

Public safety briefs for Sept. 29, 2019

Read the latest reports.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the nomination of state Rep. Josh Revak to an open state Senate seat during a news conference Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy’s first choice for the seat, Rep. Laddie Shaw, was rejected by Senate Republicans, who now will consider Revak’s nomination. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Nearly every Alaskan will get $1,606 oil check

Dunleavy reminded people that it could have been much bigger.

  • Sep 28, 2019
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the nomination of state Rep. Josh Revak to an open state Senate seat during a news conference Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy’s first choice for the seat, Rep. Laddie Shaw, was rejected by Senate Republicans, who now will consider Revak’s nomination. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Stand-up comedy brings laughs for worthy cause

“Comedy at The Catch” raised money for the Special Olympics.

Court reports for Sept. 29, 2019

Read the latest reports.

Schools briefs for the week of Sept. 30, 2019

What’s happening this week.

  • Sep 28, 2019

Drought downgraded, more rain needed

Between June 1 and Aug. 31, the city of Kenai received 1.73 inches of rainfall.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File In this Empire file photo, Rep. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, listens to Kathryn Monfreda, bureau chief of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services, as she presents the Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Report to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Feb. 5.

Breaking: Gov wants third special session once Senate seat is filled

The session would be to allocate the remainder of the PFD.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File In this Empire file photo, Rep. Josh Revak, R-Anchorage, listens to Kathryn Monfreda, bureau chief of the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Statewide Services, as she presents the Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Report to House members during an informational meeting at the Capitol on Feb. 5.
Participants in the 2019 Stomp Out Stigma Color Run make their way through a haze of pink chalk at Soldotna Creek Park on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Putting addiction on the run

Community turns out for Stomp Out Stigma Color Run.

Participants in the 2019 Stomp Out Stigma Color Run make their way through a haze of pink chalk at Soldotna Creek Park on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The line outside of the Moose is Loose Bakery can be seen here on their last day of business in Soldotna, Alaska on Sept. 28, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Moose Is Loose serves up its final pastries

The Soldotna bakery shuttered Saturday after 18 years.

The line outside of the Moose is Loose Bakery can be seen here on their last day of business in Soldotna, Alaska on Sept. 28, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A young firefighter-in-training practices knocking down a water jug with a fire hose during the Central Emergency Services Open House at Fire Station 1 in Soldotna, Alaska on Sept. 28, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Emergency services hosts open house

Community members met the new fire marshal, got safety tips and enjoyed a meal.

A young firefighter-in-training practices knocking down a water jug with a fire hose during the Central Emergency Services Open House at Fire Station 1 in Soldotna, Alaska on Sept. 28, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Vendors sell their fiber-made products at the Fireweed Fiberfest on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Fireweed FiberFest returns to Soldotna

‘It’s about the love of creating something beautiful with your hands and learning from each other’

Vendors sell their fiber-made products at the Fireweed Fiberfest on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Educators rally in front of Kenai Central High School ahead of a strike slated to begin Tuesday, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Educators approve contract

The results were overwhelmingly in favor of the contract.

Educators rally in front of Kenai Central High School ahead of a strike slated to begin Tuesday, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion Damage from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen from Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday.

Trails begin to reopen as Swan Lake Fire winds down

Windy conditions on Wednesday tested the containment lines around the perimeter.

Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion Damage from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen from Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday.
Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion Borough Residents Against Annexation President Matthew Lay on Thursday encourages the Soldotna City Council to postpone a vote to move forward with annexation efforts until after the city has elected new council members and a new mayor.

Soldotna moves ahead with annexation, exempts K-Beach

The city council approved a substitute resolution, which removes two areas along K-Beach Road.

Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion Borough Residents Against Annexation President Matthew Lay on Thursday encourages the Soldotna City Council to postpone a vote to move forward with annexation efforts until after the city has elected new council members and a new mayor.
In this Empire File photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor Dunleavy announces executive order regarding union employee dues

Employess must opt in.

In this Empire File photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, listens as Attorney General Kevin Clarkson describes three constitutional amendments that would be a foundation of his administration’s fiscal plan during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby winner Jason Schuler, left, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, poses with his 224.2-pound fish on July 12, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. To the right of the fish is Captain Daniel Donich of Daniel’s Personalized Guide Service. Schuler caught the fish on Donich’s boat, the Optimist. (Photo provided)

Homer Chamber of Commerce ends halibut derby

2019 winner will be the last in a long history.

Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby winner Jason Schuler, left, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, poses with his 224.2-pound fish on July 12, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. To the right of the fish is Captain Daniel Donich of Daniel’s Personalized Guide Service. Schuler caught the fish on Donich’s boat, the Optimist. (Photo provided)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly hold a religious invocation during the Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska. The invocation was held only hours after the Alaska Superior Court ruled the ritual violated the Alaska Constitution. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough accepting invocation applications

Residents approved to provide invocations will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly hold a religious invocation during the Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska. The invocation was held only hours after the Alaska Superior Court ruled the ritual violated the Alaska Constitution. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Poet and writer Diane Ackerman delivers the keynote address on June 14, 2019, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. Ackerman spoke about the historical background for her book, “The Zookeeper’s Wife.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Dunleavy budget cuts prompt Kacheamak Bay Writers’ Conference to take 1-year hiatus

The hiatus comes in the midst of budget cuts to the University of Alaska imposed by Gov. Dunleavy.

Poet and writer Diane Ackerman delivers the keynote address on June 14, 2019, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. Ackerman spoke about the historical background for her book, “The Zookeeper’s Wife.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

State minimum wage increasing to $10.19

Change to take place January 2020.