File

Schools briefs for the week of March 1-7

What’s happening this week

  • Feb 29, 2020
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Dr. Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Johnsen gives optimistic State of the University address

“It wasn’t the best deal ever, but it was a lifesaver.”

Dr. Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 photo, Stephan Patterson poses for a photo in Anchorage, Alaska. Patterson and other U.S. Census takers are reporting problems when conducting first-in-the-nation counts in rural parts of Alaska, including lack of communication about assignments, frustration with a smartphone app for filing time sheets and disappointment when they find out they are not being reimbursed for purchasing cold-weather gear. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Census hiccups in Alaska may offer preview for rest of US

Starting in May, hundreds of thousands of census takers will be sent to homes nationwide.

  • Feb 29, 2020
  • By MIKE SCHNEIDER and MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
In this Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 photo, Stephan Patterson poses for a photo in Anchorage, Alaska. Patterson and other U.S. Census takers are reporting problems when conducting first-in-the-nation counts in rural parts of Alaska, including lack of communication about assignments, frustration with a smartphone app for filing time sheets and disappointment when they find out they are not being reimbursed for purchasing cold-weather gear. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Soldotna’s Megan Youngren competes in the California International Marathon in Sacramento on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (Photo provided by Megan Youngren)

Soldotna’s Youngren set for U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials

A race that Soldotna’s Megan Youngren, 28, once described as a victory lap now is being viewed as a chance for the race of her… Continue reading

Soldotna’s Megan Youngren competes in the California International Marathon in Sacramento on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. (Photo provided by Megan Youngren)
Photo courtesy of Christina Whiting                                Tins with blue ribbons were placed on Feb. 26, 2020, around Homer, Alaska, for people to wear as part of an awareness campaign for a missing Homer woman, Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019.

Blue ribbons put out for missing Homer woman

Anesha “Duffy” Murnane has been missing since Oct. 17.

Photo courtesy of Christina Whiting                                Tins with blue ribbons were placed on Feb. 26, 2020, around Homer, Alaska, for people to wear as part of an awareness campaign for a missing Homer woman, Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019.
New report shows felony sex offenses on the rise in Alaska

New report shows felony sex offenses on the rise in Alaska

The report indicates an increase in number of incidents and victims from 2017 to 2018.

New report shows felony sex offenses on the rise in Alaska
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meets on Tuesdays inside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula

Assembly modifies residency rules for candidates

The ordinance also provides clarification on what the borough can do if residency is challenged.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meets on Tuesdays inside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry Malaspina heads up Lynn Canal towards Haines and Skagway from Juneau in 2008. (Juneau Empire File)

Ferry reshaping group has first meeting

First meeting was brief.

The Alaska Marine Highway ferry Malaspina heads up Lynn Canal towards Haines and Skagway from Juneau in 2008. (Juneau Empire File)
The Tatsuda’s IGA building in Ketchikan, Alaska was condemned Feb. 27, 2020 after it was struck early Thursday morning by a rockslide. The main portion of the slide hit the northeast corner of the building which collapsed part of the roof and ruptured a water main causing extensive damage to both the interior and exterior. (Dustin Safranek/Ketchikan Daily News via AP)

Landslide demolishes Ketchikan grocery store; no one injured

“Trees, rocks, overburden came down, went right in the store.”

  • Feb 27, 2020
  • Associated Press
The Tatsuda’s IGA building in Ketchikan, Alaska was condemned Feb. 27, 2020 after it was struck early Thursday morning by a rockslide. The main portion of the slide hit the northeast corner of the building which collapsed part of the roof and ruptured a water main causing extensive damage to both the interior and exterior. (Dustin Safranek/Ketchikan Daily News via AP)
Fair Share Act interests, riles up lawmakers
Fair Share Act interests, riles up lawmakers
Bryan Schroder, center, U.S. attorney for Alaska, speaks at a press conference announcing the seizure of 82 illegally possessed guns in Anchorage and surrounding communities on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. U.S Marshal Rob Heun, left, and Darek Pleasants of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, right, look on. The investigation resulted in federal charges against 16 people for firearm or drug trafficking counts. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

Guns, drugs seized in Alaska multi-agency investigation

About one-third of the seized guns had been stolen.

  • Feb 26, 2020
  • By DAN JOLING Associated Press
Bryan Schroder, center, U.S. attorney for Alaska, speaks at a press conference announcing the seizure of 82 illegally possessed guns in Anchorage and surrounding communities on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. U.S Marshal Rob Heun, left, and Darek Pleasants of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, right, look on. The investigation resulted in federal charges against 16 people for firearm or drug trafficking counts. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)
Riley Little, left, and Jessica Hyatt, right, give a presentation on Guardian Flight Alaska to the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at the Soldotna Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Little is the Membership Sales Manager and Hyatt is the Business Development Specialist for Guardian Flight Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Private medevac company stations new hangar on peninsula

Guardian Flight Alaska offers medevac and air ambulance services.

Riley Little, left, and Jessica Hyatt, right, give a presentation on Guardian Flight Alaska to the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at the Soldotna Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Little is the Membership Sales Manager and Hyatt is the Business Development Specialist for Guardian Flight Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
House passes supplemental budget, after several disruptions

House passes supplemental budget, after several disruptions

After disruption, bill sailed through.

House passes supplemental budget, after several disruptions
Tammie Willis, a Soldotna activist, shares her story with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly at their Tuesday meeting on Feb. 25, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Hate crime resolution discussion gets heated

Resolution in support of state House Bill 198 passes 5-4 at Tuesday’s assembly meeting.

Tammie Willis, a Soldotna activist, shares her story with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly at their Tuesday meeting on Feb. 25, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A member of the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Team holds the newest addition to the SeaLife Center, a male otter pup, in this undated photo. (Courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center welcomes rescued otter pup

The 2-week-old otter pup was found on a beach surrounded by birds with snowballs embedded in his fur

A member of the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Team holds the newest addition to the SeaLife Center, a male otter pup, in this undated photo. (Courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)
A group of mostly Republican lawmakers gather on the steps of the Capitol for an anti-abortion rally Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
A group of mostly Republican lawmakers gather on the steps of the Capitol for an anti-abortion rally Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
A Kenai Peninsula College sign can be seen in this undated photo. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

University releases proposal for program cuts

The proposal does not recommend the suspension or deletion of any KPC programs.

A Kenai Peninsula College sign can be seen in this undated photo. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Starting on a journey through recovery

Starting on a journey through recovery

Nonprofit visits Kenai to discuss strategies for tackling addiction.

Starting on a journey through recovery
Pebble mine opponents say process is being rushed

Pebble mine opponents say process is being rushed

Opposition groups to hold town hall.

Pebble mine opponents say process is being rushed
In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 agreed to allow a group seeking to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy to begin a second signature-gathering phase. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Recall Dunleavy group gathering signatures for next phase of campaign

The recall group must gather 71,252 signatures.

In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 agreed to allow a group seeking to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy to begin a second signature-gathering phase. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)