News

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)

North Fork Fire nears containment; Ready alert canceled

Caribou Lake Fire continues to grow slowly

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)

Dense smoke from Swan Lake Fire forces central peninsula air-quality warning

Winds pushed smoke to the west

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
Fire crews are briefed on the day’s operations at the Otter Creek Spike Camp on Aug. 21, 2019. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Swan Lake Fire prompts highway closure, burn ban

The closure is due to heavy smoke and poor visibility in the area

Fire crews are briefed on the day’s operations at the Otter Creek Spike Camp on Aug. 21, 2019. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
Members of The Rebel Blues Band perform at a recent gig in Anchorage. (Photo by Tasha Skolnick)

Soldotna Music Series to wrap up with Alaska musicians

The concert will be headlined by The Rebel Blues Band, a blues quintet from Anchorage and Soldotna.

Members of The Rebel Blues Band perform at a recent gig in Anchorage. (Photo by Tasha Skolnick)
In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor reluctant to consider oil taxes

Will taxes might cause companies to leave?

In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University of Alaska rescinds emergency financial declaration

The financial picture still isn’t rosy.

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)