Furie Operating Alaska’s Julius R Platform, installed in 2015 in Cook Inlet, is seen in this courtesy photo. (Furie Operating Alaska/courtesy)

State sells oil and gas leases covering 21,000 acres of Cook Inlet

Furie Operating Alaska, LLC, HEX, LLC and Strong Energy Resources, LLC were all identified as bidders.

Furie Operating Alaska’s Julius R Platform, installed in 2015 in Cook Inlet, is seen in this courtesy photo. (Furie Operating Alaska/courtesy)
Connections Homeschool Principal Rich Bartolowits speaks to graduates during their graduation ceremony at Soldotna High School on Thursday, May 20, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Connections Homeschool Principal Rich Bartolowits speaks to graduates during their graduation ceremony at Soldotna High School on Thursday, May 20, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
People participate in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s BARK ranger program on June 5, 2021 for National Trails Day in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo provided by Michelle Ostrowski)

Refuge celebrates National Trails Day with visitor center reopening

The refuge’s visitor center has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

People participate in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s BARK ranger program on June 5, 2021 for National Trails Day in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo provided by Michelle Ostrowski)
Triumvirate Theatre is seen on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. The building burned in a fire on Feb. 20. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to consider donating land for new Triumvirate playhouse

The theater’s building burned down in February.

Triumvirate Theatre is seen on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. The building burned in a fire on Feb. 20. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to launch another shop local program

The program would provide vouchers for tourism, travel or hospitality services.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kathy Sarns, Ruth Dickerson and Lyn Maslow work together to rebuild the trail tread at South Eldred Trail during National Trails Day. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Kachemak trails prepped for summer

Almost 40 volunteers helped clean up Kachemak Bay State Park in honor of National Trails Day

Kathy Sarns, Ruth Dickerson and Lyn Maslow work together to rebuild the trail tread at South Eldred Trail during National Trails Day. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Members of the Seward City Council take part in a work session on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Seward council member apologizes for antisemitic remark

Sharyl Seese made the comment during a council work session.

Members of the Seward City Council take part in a work session on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Screenshot)
In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Proposed conservation plans could affect Pebble project

Terms of the deal would bar the execution of any right-of-way agreements with the mine project.

In this July 13, 2007, file photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
Then-candidates for Soldotna City Council Lisa Parker, Pamela Parker (center) and Dave Carey speak to members of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at the Soldotna Sports Complex on Sept. 11, 2019. Parker resigned her seat effective May 27. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Sweeney, Hugarte apply for Soldotna council vacancy

Pamela Parker’s successor will be selected during the council’s Wednesday meeting.

Then-candidates for Soldotna City Council Lisa Parker, Pamela Parker (center) and Dave Carey speak to members of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at the Soldotna Sports Complex on Sept. 11, 2019. Parker resigned her seat effective May 27. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives an interview in the state Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The governor urged legislative action on his proposal for the dividend paid to residents from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy urges lawmakers to take action on dividend plan

“Every time we come up with a thing to move this along, it’s not enough for some people …”

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives an interview in the state Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The governor urged legislative action on his proposal for the dividend paid to residents from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Without a budget to vote on, many lawmakers were absent from the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, as negotiations continue in committee. But even the conference committee isn't scheduled until later in the week as deep divisions among lawmakers remain. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Without a budget to vote on, many lawmakers were absent from the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, June 7, 2021, as negotiations continue in committee. But even the conference committee isn't scheduled until later in the week as deep divisions among lawmakers remain. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Central Emergency Services staff wait to receive doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly debates, approves inclusion of emergency personnel in budget

Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman proposed removing the positions from the budget.

Central Emergency Services staff wait to receive doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Visitors interact with the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Rocky Coast Discovery Pool on May 28 in Seward. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center reports increase in visitors

The center is encouraging people to buy tickets online

Visitors interact with the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Rocky Coast Discovery Pool on May 28 in Seward. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)
The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, AK as seen on February 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Court reports for the week of June 6, 2021

Read the latest.

  • Jun 5, 2021
The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, AK as seen on February 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions up and running. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Shaping up, shipping in: Southeast tour companies eagerly readying for shortened season

Even if it’s a short season, it’ll set them up for success in 2022, companies say.

With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions up and running. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Shawn Dick of Talkneetna carries a fresh catch out of the water while dipnetting on the Kenai Beach on July 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Online reporting required for personal use fishing

Harvest and participation reporting must be done online by no later than Aug. 15, 2021.

Shawn Dick of Talkneetna carries a fresh catch out of the water while dipnetting on the Kenai Beach on July 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Eroding bluffs can be seen on Kenai North Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on June 3, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai City Council contracts HDR Engineering for bluff stabilization project

The project aims to install large boulder-armored barriers at the base to absorb the impact from the waves.

Eroding bluffs can be seen on Kenai North Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on June 3, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage, Alaska. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

CDC: Florida lawsuit imperils summer cruises to Alaska

Alaska estimates that cruising contributes $3 billion a year to the state economy.

The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage, Alaska. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Vendors sell locally grown and crafted products at the Soldotna Saturday Farmers Market during the 2019 season. (Photo provided)

Soldotna farmers market opens Saturday

Vendors are required to grow and produce all their products locally.

Vendors sell locally grown and crafted products at the Soldotna Saturday Farmers Market during the 2019 season. (Photo provided)
A graph from the Department of Health and Social Service shows how each census region did in the “Sleeves Up for Summer” campaign, which sought to increase COVID-19 vaccinations by 25% in May 2021. (Photo provided)

State falls short of 25% vaccination goal

East Aluetians Borough only region to increase vaccinations by 25%

A graph from the Department of Health and Social Service shows how each census region did in the “Sleeves Up for Summer” campaign, which sought to increase COVID-19 vaccinations by 25% in May 2021. (Photo provided)