A construction crew excavates along the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska on June 4, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Summer road projects nearing completion

Beaver Loop Road, Sterling Highway undergoing construction.

A construction crew excavates along the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska on June 4, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The musical group Rose’s Pawn Shop will perform week 12 of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series Wednesday evening at Soldotna Creek Park. (Photo by Bree Ellsworth)

Rose’s Pawn Shop to bring the energy

Week 11 of the series will features band playing ‘Americana’ bluegrass, folk and rock.

The musical group Rose’s Pawn Shop will perform week 12 of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series Wednesday evening at Soldotna Creek Park. (Photo by Bree Ellsworth)
Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds

Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds

Dunleavy says he won’t veto Head Start, Pre-K from HB 2001

Dunleavy reverses decision to veto early education funds
Dunleavy signs ‘step-down’ compact with University of Alaska

Dunleavy signs ‘step-down’ compact with University of Alaska

Plan will introduce cuts over three years rather than one

Dunleavy signs ‘step-down’ compact with University of Alaska
Courtesy photo                                Soldotna Realtor Febra Hensley

Soldotna Realtor Febra Hensley named Realtor of the Year

Hensley has been a realtor for nearly two decades.

Courtesy photo                                Soldotna Realtor Febra Hensley
Court reports for Aug. 14, 2019

Court reports for Aug. 14, 2019

Read the latest reports.

Court reports for Aug. 14, 2019
Public safety briefs for Aug. 14
Public safety briefs for Aug. 14
Filing ends Thursday for potential candidates

Filing ends Thursday for potential candidates

Those interested in running can contact their local city clerk to file for candidacy.

Filing ends Thursday for potential candidates
Alaska Department of Fish and Game                                Beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water in September 2017. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered.

Researchers receive federal funds to study Cook Inlet belugas

The grant program supports management, research and outreach campaigns for conservation of wildlife.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game                                Beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water in September 2017. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered.
Brewery to Bathroom .5K winner? The fight against cancer

Brewery to Bathroom .5K winner? The fight against cancer

The Brewery to Bathroom .5K “The race for the rest of us” is the perfect satire of the typical fundraising 5K, right down to organizer… Continue reading

Brewery to Bathroom .5K winner? The fight against cancer
This 1991 photo provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game shows spawning pink salmon in Anan Creek, near Wrangell, Alaska. In 2019, wild populations of pink salmon are flourishing. Their numbers are enhanced by the annual release of 1.8 billion fish from Alaska hatcheries and critics say they’re having an effect on other species. (ADF&G via AP)

Pink salmon numbers may threaten other North Pacific species

Researchers say the voracious eaters are thriving at the expense of higher-value sockeye, seabirds.

  • Aug 12, 2019
  • By Dan Joling Associated Press
This 1991 photo provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game shows spawning pink salmon in Anan Creek, near Wrangell, Alaska. In 2019, wild populations of pink salmon are flourishing. Their numbers are enhanced by the annual release of 1.8 billion fish from Alaska hatcheries and critics say they’re having an effect on other species. (ADF&G via AP)
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska

Senator Sullivan visits Juneau

Sullivan stops by the Empire to talk bills

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska
‘Molly of Denali’ drums up fun, cultural pride

‘Molly of Denali’ drums up fun, cultural pride

Cartoon tells Native stories with Native voices.

‘Molly of Denali’ drums up fun, cultural pride
Stocking up for school

Stocking up for school

Kids learn about health and safety while collecting back-to-school swag.

Stocking up for school
From left, Spc. Gabriel Rodriguez, Staff Sgt. David Wardlow, Spc. Tyler Vretenick and Spc. Ethan Holman show off the day’s haul during the Wounded Warrior’s Fishing Trip in Centennial Park in Soldotna, Alaska on Aug. 9, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek)

Wounded Warriors hit the Kenai River

The 13th annual fishing trip is provided free of charge to active-duty soldiers

From left, Spc. Gabriel Rodriguez, Staff Sgt. David Wardlow, Spc. Tyler Vretenick and Spc. Ethan Holman show off the day’s haul during the Wounded Warrior’s Fishing Trip in Centennial Park in Soldotna, Alaska on Aug. 9, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek)
Left: Jedidiah Erickson, Pepper Erickson and Slate Erickson are seen here in an undated photo. Right: Melissa Salgado is seen here in an undated photo. (Courtesy Department of Public Safety)

Missing Seward children found safe in Cordova with mother

The children were taken from their foster home on Aug. 5

Left: Jedidiah Erickson, Pepper Erickson and Slate Erickson are seen here in an undated photo. Right: Melissa Salgado is seen here in an undated photo. (Courtesy Department of Public Safety)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District employees hold signs for a fair contract at Thursday’s special board of education meeting, May 16, 2019, In Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Strike looms as talks continue

As labor negotiations continue, school district details impacts of work stoppage

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District employees hold signs for a fair contract at Thursday’s special board of education meeting, May 16, 2019, In Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids attempt to travel through a “space portal”, also known as a hula hoop, during the last day of the Kenai Community Library’s summer reading program at the Kenai Park Strip on August 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

A universe of stories

Kids wrap up summer of reading, fun and imagination

Kids attempt to travel through a “space portal”, also known as a hula hoop, during the last day of the Kenai Community Library’s summer reading program at the Kenai Park Strip on August 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Donna Shirnberg (right) acts out a scene of Sabrina Fair with Terry Zopf-Schoessler during rehearsal Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Triumvirate North Theater in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Triumverate gets creative to fill funding holes

The theater group will host Farm Fest 2019 this weekend.

Donna Shirnberg (right) acts out a scene of Sabrina Fair with Terry Zopf-Schoessler during rehearsal Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at Triumvirate North Theater in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
courtesy photo                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at the signing ceremony at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on Thursday.

Dunleavy signs capital budget into law, vetoes funds

Sweep is reversed and capital budget is passed but $34 million is vetoed

courtesy photo                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at the signing ceremony at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on Thursday.