A sign indicates the turn for Jims’ Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Input on environmental impact of Jims’ Landing improvements due Saturday

The boat launch is located in the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, near Milepost 58 of the Sterling Highway.

A sign indicates the turn for Jims’ Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Personal-use setnetting opening Tuesday on Kasilof

The hours for fishing in the restricted area of the Kasilof River on Tuesday are from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
This photo taken at 11:30 a.m. today, Monday, June 14, reveals little smoke rising from the Loon Lake Fire following Sunday’s aerial attack by water and retardant bombing aircraft. The fire denoted by the burned area at the edge of the lake. (Jason Jordet/Division of Forestry Air Attack)

Flight restriction issued over Loon Lake Fire, now 15% contained

The fire was first reported on Saturday evening.

This photo taken at 11:30 a.m. today, Monday, June 14, reveals little smoke rising from the Loon Lake Fire following Sunday’s aerial attack by water and retardant bombing aircraft. The fire denoted by the burned area at the edge of the lake. (Jason Jordet/Division of Forestry Air Attack)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Juneau residents place hundreds of pairs of children’s shoes in front of the statue at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday as they mourned for the 215 dead children uncovered at a residential school in Canada.

Juneau community holds vigil for residential school victims

Many of the residential schools in Alaska ran until the late 20th century.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Juneau residents place hundreds of pairs of children’s shoes in front of the statue at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday as they mourned for the 215 dead children uncovered at a residential school in Canada.
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion
A participant in the Soldotna Pride March celebrates on Saturday. A group spanning five blocks marched from the Soldonta Regional Sports Complex through downtown Soldotna and gathered at Soldotna Creek Park. <strong>See story Page 2</strong>

‘A celebration of love and community’

Pride March makes its way through Soldotna

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion
A participant in the Soldotna Pride March celebrates on Saturday. A group spanning five blocks marched from the Soldonta Regional Sports Complex through downtown Soldotna and gathered at Soldotna Creek Park. <strong>See story Page 2</strong>
Krista Schooley (left) testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education on Monday, June 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

A ‘groundswell’: Conservative coalition seeks to expand influence on school policy

The vision of KPCCC is to “restructure and build the foundation of the 7 Mountains of Influence in our society through conservative action.”

Krista Schooley (left) testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education on Monday, June 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
In this July 31, 2013, file photo, tourists visiting the Mendenhall Glacier in the Tongass National Forest are reflected in a pool of water as they make their way to Nugget Falls in Juneau. The federal government has announced plans to repeal or replace a decision by the Trump administration to lift restrictions on logging and road building in a southeast Alaska rainforest that provides habitat for wolves, bears and salmon. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plans for the Tongass National Forest were described as consistent with a January 2021 executive order from President Joe Biden that called for reviewing agency actions during the Trump administration that could be at odds with Biden’s environmental priorities. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

US will revisit Trump-era decision on Tongass

Conservationists cheered the announcement as a positive step.

  • Jun 13, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
In this July 31, 2013, file photo, tourists visiting the Mendenhall Glacier in the Tongass National Forest are reflected in a pool of water as they make their way to Nugget Falls in Juneau. The federal government has announced plans to repeal or replace a decision by the Trump administration to lift restrictions on logging and road building in a southeast Alaska rainforest that provides habitat for wolves, bears and salmon. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plans for the Tongass National Forest were described as consistent with a January 2021 executive order from President Joe Biden that called for reviewing agency actions during the Trump administration that could be at odds with Biden’s environmental priorities. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
One of two baby seal pups rescued and transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward is seen in June 2021. (Photo provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center)

Baby seals abandoned, transported to SeaLife Center

Both the pups were in relatively stable condition.

One of two baby seal pups rescued and transported to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward is seen in June 2021. (Photo provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves biennial budget

The council voted to fund wireless internet access at the sports complex and at Soldotna Creek Park.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, talks during an interview in the Empire’s offices. During the conversation, Young discussed ongoing infrastructure bill negotiations, the Arctic’s strategic importance to the U.S. and why he’s seeking a 26th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Sitting down with Rep. Young

Congressman shares thoughts on infrastructure, the Arctic and reelection.

Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, talks during an interview in the Empire’s offices. During the conversation, Young discussed ongoing infrastructure bill negotiations, the Arctic’s strategic importance to the U.S. and why he’s seeking a 26th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Anchorage man Joe Tate lifts a moose calf over the railing on the Sterling Highway near Clam Gulch on Sunday, June 6, 2021. (Photo by Andie Bock/courtesy)

Troopers don’t plan to cite man who helped baby moose

Associated Press ANCHORAGE — Alaska Wildlife Troopers do not intend to issue a citation to a man who was seen lifting a baby moose over… Continue reading

Anchorage man Joe Tate lifts a moose calf over the railing on the Sterling Highway near Clam Gulch on Sunday, June 6, 2021. (Photo by Andie Bock/courtesy)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

‘A lot of work to do’: Officials hope for summer bounce in vaccinations

Zink said just six months ago she didn’t think the state would have as much vaccine stock as it does now.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Data show vaccinated people less than 1% likely to get COVID

As of April 30, approximately 101 million people in the U.S. were considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna stands near the intersection of the Sterling Highway and Kenai River on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna ends disaster declaration, utility penalty suspension

As part of the declaration, the city temporarily suspended the accrual of all penalties on past due balances and water shutoffs.

A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna stands near the intersection of the Sterling Highway and Kenai River on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Hugarte appointed to Soldotna City Council

He has served on Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke from the Kalsin Creek Fire on Kodiak Island is seen from this aerial photo taken Saturday, June 5, 2021. The Alaska Division of Forestry responded to slew of fires in the Kenai-Kodiak region over the weekend. (Duane Morris/Division of Forestry courtesy photo)

Firefighters stop 2 Homer-area wildland fires

Large green lawn around one home kept fire from spreading on Saturday.

Smoke from the Kalsin Creek Fire on Kodiak Island is seen from this aerial photo taken Saturday, June 5, 2021. The Alaska Division of Forestry responded to slew of fires in the Kenai-Kodiak region over the weekend. (Duane Morris/Division of Forestry courtesy photo)
Smoke can be seen rising from areas scarred by the Swan Lake Fire on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at Mile 10 of Skilak Loop Road, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Study finds scientific evidence of “zombie fires” in Alaska, Arctic

Zombie fires in boreal forests are associated with hot summers and deep burning into organic soil.

Smoke can be seen rising from areas scarred by the Swan Lake Fire on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at Mile 10 of Skilak Loop Road, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Sockeye salmon. (Photo via Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

Sockeye fishing opens Friday

The run might be a little slow the first week.

Sockeye salmon. (Photo via Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the strip mall at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

One shot at a time

Soldotna walk-in clinic offers vaccines on demand.

Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the strip mall at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
University officials are hoping that increased collaboration between the University of Alaska’s three schools of education will result in more Alaskans becoming teachers. The Univerity of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, offers teacher training and retention programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Help wanted: Alaskans to teach Alaska’s students

New consortium and marketing campaign aims to retain and recruit teachers

University officials are hoping that increased collaboration between the University of Alaska’s three schools of education will result in more Alaskans becoming teachers. The Univerity of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, offers teacher training and retention programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)