News

A disaster declaration for the borough was extended and an emergency ordinance to fund disaster response was passed in a special assembly meeting at the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly extends fire disaster declaration

The declaration includes $200,00 for emergency response.

A disaster declaration for the borough was extended and an emergency ordinance to fund disaster response was passed in a special assembly meeting at the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
This map shows the combined emergency area closure for the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Church National Forest effective Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (U.S. Forest Service)

Public lands around fire closed

The closures are due to concern for public health and safety related to the Swan Lake Fire.

This map shows the combined emergency area closure for the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Church National Forest effective Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (U.S. Forest Service)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

Crews continue to battle Swan Lake Fire

As of Thursday morning, the fire measured 161,921 acres.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Voter registration deadline Sunday

Voter registration deadline Sunday

Absentee ballots can be submitted in person from Sept. 16 through Election Day.

Voter registration deadline Sunday
Nancy Yeaton of Nanwalek speaks at a Hilcorp meeting on lower Cook Inlet seismic testing on Aug. 23, 2019, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Hilcorp holds Homer meeting on seismic testing; questions and comments get heated

Some people asked pointed questions and someone blew an air horn.

Nancy Yeaton of Nanwalek speaks at a Hilcorp meeting on lower Cook Inlet seismic testing on Aug. 23, 2019, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Borough issues disaster declaration as Nanwalek, Seldovia run out of water

Borough issues disaster declaration as Nanwalek, Seldovia run out of water

Seldovia’s water source nearly depleted; Nanwalek will be out by Friday.

Borough issues disaster declaration as Nanwalek, Seldovia run out of water
Traffic is backed up along the Sterling Highway after the proximity of the Swan Lake Fire caused a road closure on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Swan Lake Fire delays deliveries across peninsula

The Swan Lake Fire has been growing for over a week now, causing delays and closures on the Sterling Highway between Cooper Landing and Sterling.… Continue reading

Traffic is backed up along the Sterling Highway after the proximity of the Swan Lake Fire caused a road closure on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Tight Lines: Weekly fishing report

Tight Lines: Weekly fishing report

As fishing season winds down, fire shuts down some Kenai River access

Tight Lines: Weekly fishing report
BP’s departure could leave a big hole for Alaska nonprofits

BP’s departure could leave a big hole for Alaska nonprofits

Alaska — with its small population — has a ‘pretty thin philanthropic layer’, says social service provider.

  • Aug 28, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
BP’s departure could leave a big hole for Alaska nonprofits
Erin Thompson / Peninsula Clarion Haze from Swan Lake Fire smoke can be seen over Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near the corner of the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road on Wednesday in Soldotna.

Smoke prompts air quality advisory for peninsula

Dense smoke from the Swan Lake Fire moved into the western peninsula Wednesday

Erin Thompson / Peninsula Clarion Haze from Swan Lake Fire smoke can be seen over Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near the corner of the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road on Wednesday in Soldotna.
Kara Moriarty, President and CEO of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, gives a presentation to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Visitors Center in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Oil and Gas Association president predicts decades of increased oil production

By 2040 there could be rates of production as high as 1 million barrels a day in ANWR alone.

Kara Moriarty, President and CEO of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, gives a presentation to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Visitors Center in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The distillery of the Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen in April 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Clarified alcohol regs could curb fundraisers, community events in local breweries

The proposed regulations wouldn’t allow the Brewery to Bathroom 0.5K Relay for Life benefit run.

The distillery of the Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen in April 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
About 75 educators and employees from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District listen as two employee associations and the district negotiate for a new contract, on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Educators set date for potential strike

The announcement is not a notification that a strike will happen.

About 75 educators and employees from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District listen as two employee associations and the district negotiate for a new contract, on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A duplex that caught fire in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen here on Aug. 28, 2019. (Photo courtesy Central Emergency Services)

Soldotna duplex catches fire

No injuries were reported.

A duplex that caught fire in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen here on Aug. 28, 2019. (Photo courtesy Central Emergency Services)
A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Aug. 28, 2019. (Courtesy Great Basin Incident Management Team)

Changing wind patterns move smoke into western part of the peninsula

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire is expected to move west as fire crews continue containment efforts

A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Aug. 28, 2019. (Courtesy Great Basin Incident Management Team)
Alaska marijuana grower Dane Wyrick poses for photos at his Danish Gardens cultivation and retail location in Anchorage, Alaska, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Wyrick said the future of his business is hazy, in part because of the tax the state of Alaska places on cultivators, which bear the burden of the taxation in the market. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Alaska’s licensed marijuana growers cite tax concerns

Statewide total amount of late taxes due, with accruing penalties and interest, is about $1 million.

  • Aug 27, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Alaska marijuana grower Dane Wyrick poses for photos at his Danish Gardens cultivation and retail location in Anchorage, Alaska, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Wyrick said the future of his business is hazy, in part because of the tax the state of Alaska places on cultivators, which bear the burden of the taxation in the market. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
In this undated file photo showing the 800-mile Trans-Alaska pipeline that feeds 950,000 barrels of oil a day to the West Coast snakes it way across the tundra north of Fairbanks, Alaska. BP, a major player on Alaska’s North Slope for decades, is selling all of its assets in the state, the company announced Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. Hilcorp Alaska is purchasing BP interests in both the Prudhoe Bay oil field and the trans-Alaska pipeline for $5.6 billion, BP announced in a release. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)

BP to shed Alaska assets, sell to Hilcorp Alaska for $5.6B

The sale comes as BP attempts to divest $10 billion in assets by 2020.

  • Aug 27, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
In this undated file photo showing the 800-mile Trans-Alaska pipeline that feeds 950,000 barrels of oil a day to the West Coast snakes it way across the tundra north of Fairbanks, Alaska. BP, a major player on Alaska’s North Slope for decades, is selling all of its assets in the state, the company announced Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. Hilcorp Alaska is purchasing BP interests in both the Prudhoe Bay oil field and the trans-Alaska pipeline for $5.6 billion, BP announced in a release. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)

‘We’re going to fight them all the way’: Alaska union plans to fight legal ruling over dues

The attorney general is calling for stricter rules for union dues.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court, Wednesday, June 27, 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. (AP Photo | Andrew Harnik)
Veterinary Technician Sarah McMillen returns with the sea otter pup in Homer, Alaska, pilot, Duke Marolfs, plane. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

Rescued sea otter pup gets airlift from Homer

The Homer Vet Clinic cared for the pup overnight before she was transported by air to Seward.

Veterinary Technician Sarah McMillen returns with the sea otter pup in Homer, Alaska, pilot, Duke Marolfs, plane. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)
Trinity Hotshots battling the Swan Lake Fire hold the line during burnout operations along the Sterling Highway in Alaska on Aug. 26, 2019. (Photo courtesy Great Basin Incident Management Team)

Cooper Landing remains in “SET” status, Sterling Highway delays likely

The Swan Lake Fire has grown by about 8,000 acres since Monday

Trinity Hotshots battling the Swan Lake Fire hold the line during burnout operations along the Sterling Highway in Alaska on Aug. 26, 2019. (Photo courtesy Great Basin Incident Management Team)