Devon and Brian Gonzalez smile with their check for $4,000 after being declared the winners of the Spark Soldotna competition at the Catch Restaurant in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Local entrepreneurs enter the ‘Shark Tank’

A kombucha-brewing couple from Kenai walked away with an extra $4,000 for their business Friday night after being declared the winners of the first Spark… Continue reading

Devon and Brian Gonzalez smile with their check for $4,000 after being declared the winners of the Spark Soldotna competition at the Catch Restaurant in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A map released Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, shows Alaska drought conditions. (Image via United State Drought Monitor)

Peninsula emerges from drought

The Kenai Peninsula was first categorized by the U.S. Drought Monitor as abnormally dry on July 9.

A map released Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, shows Alaska drought conditions. (Image via United State Drought Monitor)
Local business owners Aaron Swanson, Darcy Swanson and Alex Douthit discuss their experiences as entrepreneurs in the community during the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce Luncheon at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Nov. 20, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Starting on the path to success

Local entrepreneurs offer insight on running a business during Alaska Startup Week.

Local business owners Aaron Swanson, Darcy Swanson and Alex Douthit discuss their experiences as entrepreneurs in the community during the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce Luncheon at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Nov. 20, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Agency to consider expanded drilling in reserve

Agency to consider expanded drilling in reserve

The reserve is home to two caribou herds and provides ecologically significant wetlands.

  • Nov 21, 2019
  • By DAN JOLING Associated Press
Agency to consider expanded drilling in reserve
Alaska case on campaign finance laws could go national

Alaska case on campaign finance laws could go national

Department of Law has until Monday to appeal.

Alaska case on campaign finance laws could go national
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, left, and Central Peninsula Hospital CEO Rick Davis, right, cut the ribbon leading to the new wing of the hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on Nov. 20, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital celebrates new wing, expanded services

New wing features a new cardiac catheterization lab, expands respiratory care and obstetrics areas.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, left, and Central Peninsula Hospital CEO Rick Davis, right, cut the ribbon leading to the new wing of the hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on Nov. 20, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Areas burned by the Swan Lake Fire can be seen from Vista Trail at Upper Skilak Campground on Oct. 6, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Trails, campgrounds, cabins and a road still remain closed in wake of fire

The Swan Lake Fire burned more than 160,000 acres of forest before it was contained this fall.

Areas burned by the Swan Lake Fire can be seen from Vista Trail at Upper Skilak Campground on Oct. 6, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Police, FBI did aerial search for missing Homer woman

Police, FBI did aerial search for missing Homer woman

A candlelight vigil will be held at WKFL Park for Murnane from noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday.

Police, FBI did aerial search for missing Homer woman
This May 29, 2019 photo shows Larry Persily, the publisher of The Skagway News, in the newspaper office in Skagway, Alaska. If you’ve ever wanted to own a small bi-weekly newspaper in Alaska but didn’t have the money, this could be your chance. The publisher of The Skagway News is willing to give the paper away to the right person, if they are willing to move to the southeast Alaska community and be a part of the community. Persily says he’s willing to help out the new owners by giving away the paper because the advertising will afford them a living wage, but not on top of a mortgage. (Molly McCammon via AP)

Free to a good home: Newspaper in Alaska

Larry Persily is willing to give away The Skagway News to the right person.

  • Nov 20, 2019
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
This May 29, 2019 photo shows Larry Persily, the publisher of The Skagway News, in the newspaper office in Skagway, Alaska. If you’ve ever wanted to own a small bi-weekly newspaper in Alaska but didn’t have the money, this could be your chance. The publisher of The Skagway News is willing to give the paper away to the right person, if they are willing to move to the southeast Alaska community and be a part of the community. Persily says he’s willing to help out the new owners by giving away the paper because the advertising will afford them a living wage, but not on top of a mortgage. (Molly McCammon via AP)
Public safety briefs for Nov. 20, 2019
Public safety briefs for Nov. 20, 2019
Court reports for Nov. 20, 2019
Court reports for Nov. 20, 2019
Members of a shelter development work group meet at the Independent Living Center in Soldotna, Alaska, to discuss the establishment of an emergency cold-weather shelter on the peninsula on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We want to see this shelter yesterday’

As winter approaches, work group looks to train emergency homeless shelter volunteers

Members of a shelter development work group meet at the Independent Living Center in Soldotna, Alaska, to discuss the establishment of an emergency cold-weather shelter on the peninsula on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
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ACLU: State prisons are overcrowded

Wildwood Correctional Center in Kenai was over maximum capacity for more than 200 days.

(File)
In this Nov. 14, 2019, photo provided by John Guillote and taken from an aerial drone shows the U.S. research vessel Sikuliaq as it makes its way through sea ice in the Beaufort Sea off Alaska’s north coast. University of Washington scientists onboard the research vessel are studying the changes and how less sea ice will affect coastlines, which already are vulnerable to erosion because increased waves delivered by storms. More erosion would increase the chance of winter flooding in villages and danger to hunters in small boats. (John Guillote via AP)

Warm oceans delay sea ice

Sea ice in the Chukchi Sea every day since mid-October has been the lowest on record.

  • Nov 19, 2019
  • By Dan Joling Associated Press
In this Nov. 14, 2019, photo provided by John Guillote and taken from an aerial drone shows the U.S. research vessel Sikuliaq as it makes its way through sea ice in the Beaufort Sea off Alaska’s north coast. University of Washington scientists onboard the research vessel are studying the changes and how less sea ice will affect coastlines, which already are vulnerable to erosion because increased waves delivered by storms. More erosion would increase the chance of winter flooding in villages and danger to hunters in small boats. (John Guillote via AP)
Cities back online sales tax initiative

Cities back online sales tax initiative

Sales tax revenues help support government services in both Kenai and Soldotna.

Cities back online sales tax initiative
Kelly Cooper (Photo provided)

Cooper files for House District 31 race

Cooper filed her letter of intent to run for the seat now held by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer.

Kelly Cooper (Photo provided)
The Juneau Pioneers’ Home on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau Pioneers’ Home on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Iraq War veteran Robert “R.J.” Carlough stands with a Quilt of Valor presented to him at the Veterans Day lunch held at the Elks Lodge on Nov. 11, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Carlough served in the U.S. Army First Division, 16th Infantry — the Big Red One — from 2002-10, and in Iraq from 2003-04. To his right is Karrie Youngblood, who quilted the work. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Quilters honor those who served on Veterans Day

More than 235,000 quilts have been presented nationally.

Iraq War veteran Robert “R.J.” Carlough stands with a Quilt of Valor presented to him at the Veterans Day lunch held at the Elks Lodge on Nov. 11, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Carlough served in the U.S. Army First Division, 16th Infantry — the Big Red One — from 2002-10, and in Iraq from 2003-04. To his right is Karrie Youngblood, who quilted the work. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A new sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Two candidates file for Soldotna mayoral election

John Nels Anderson died in September while serving as mayor.

A new sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission Chairman Blair Martin, Vice Chairman Robert Ruffner and Parliamentarian Rick Foster facilitate discussions on Monday, June 24, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai, Soldotna accepting applications for planning and zoning commission vacancies

Commissioners deliberate land use development requests and make recommendations.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission Chairman Blair Martin, Vice Chairman Robert Ruffner and Parliamentarian Rick Foster facilitate discussions on Monday, June 24, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)