Candidates finalized for city elections

Candidates finalized for city elections

Many elections unopposed; voters will weigh in on propositions

Candidates finalized for city elections
The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Flood advisories for Cooper Landing area may be extended

The Kenai River is not expected to crest until Sunday.

The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Officials brief community on Caribou Lake, North Fork fires

Fire officials delivered some positive news about two lower Kenai Peninsula wildfires.

Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kenai shows love to local industries

Kenai shows love to local industries

The event is organized by the Economic Development District and the Alaska Oil and Gas Association.

Kenai shows love to local industries
The updated Swan Lake Fire Map for Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Progress made on fires, Diamond Ridge evacuation notice lifted

Update 3:26 p.m.: Both lanes of the Sterling Highway, between milepost 75 and 53, are closed due to helicopter operations. This is anticipated to be… Continue reading

The updated Swan Lake Fire Map for Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)
This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)

Peninsula experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions

The peninsula has received little to no rain this August.

Police seized more than 2,700 marijuana plants from a Mission home last week. / Black Press File Photo

Dunleavy bringing back member of marijuana board

Bruce Schulte was booted in 2016 by then-Gov. Bill Walker.

  • Aug 22, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Police seized more than 2,700 marijuana plants from a Mission home last week. / Black Press File Photo
Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                 A helicopter flies over the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road.

Caribou Lake Fire outside Homer continues to threaten

Swan Lake Fire team will take over fire administration

Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                 A helicopter flies over the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road.
Haze from the Swan Lake Fire smoke can be seen from the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Winds pushed smoke from the fire toward the central peninsula Thursday. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Haze from the Swan Lake Fire smoke can be seen from the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Winds pushed smoke from the fire toward the central peninsula Thursday. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Residents attend a community meeting to discuss the Swan Lake Fire in Sterling, on Thursday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire officials address community concerns

The latest infrared mapping puts the fire at 142,542 acres.

Residents attend a community meeting to discuss the Swan Lake Fire in Sterling, on Thursday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
This map shows the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska as of Aug. 22, 2019. (Photo courtesy Great Basin Incident Management Team 1)

Swan Lake Fire shows little growth on Thursday

The latest infrared mapping puts the fire at 142,542 acres.

This map shows the Swan Lake Fire on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska as of Aug. 22, 2019. (Photo courtesy Great Basin Incident Management Team 1)
Wildfires cancel prep sports, Lost Lake Run

Wildfires cancel prep sports, Lost Lake Run

All outdoor athletic activities and events at or hosted by Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools have been canceled until further notice, according to a… Continue reading

Wildfires cancel prep sports, Lost Lake Run
Candidates announced for Oct. 1 municipal elections

Candidates announced for Oct. 1 municipal elections

There are a number of open seats on the Borough Assembly, the School Board and Service Area boards.

Candidates announced for Oct. 1 municipal elections
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor declares emergency disaster

Declaration cites Swan Lake Fire near Sterling as threatening severe damage to life and property.

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, in Cooper Landing . (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Flood advisory issued for Kenai Lake, Upper Kenai River

The advisory is in effect until Friday.

The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, in Cooper Landing . (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Michelle Murray, of Eagle River, and her two children show off the 2019 Seward Silver Salmon Derby winning fish caught at the head of Resurrection Bay on the F/V Joe Legacy. Murray took home a $10,000 prize for largest fish. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)

Salmon Derby won by fractions of a pound

First place, and $10,000, was earned for a silver weighing 15.99 pounds.

Michelle Murray, of Eagle River, and her two children show off the 2019 Seward Silver Salmon Derby winning fish caught at the head of Resurrection Bay on the F/V Joe Legacy. Murray took home a $10,000 prize for largest fish. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

School starts without a new contract

If no agreement can be made the employee associations said they will be ready to strike in September

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding

One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding

The organization will no longer receive Title X funds.

One-two punch: Planned Parenthood in Alaska loses state and federal funding
Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

Both fires threaten homes and cabins in areas north and east of Homer.

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less