In this Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 photo, Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, listens to other senators during a Senate session at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. Birch, a former state House member who also served on the Fairbanks North Star Borough and Anchorage assemblies, has died, his family said in a statement Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. He was 68. Birch died Wednesday, Aug. 7 of a torn or ruptured aorta after experiencing chest pains and being taken to an Anchorage hospital, the family said. (Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Republican state Sen. Chris Birch dies

Birch was elected to the Anchorage Senate seat that had been held by Republican Kevin Meyer.

  • Aug 8, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
In this Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 photo, Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, listens to other senators during a Senate session at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. Birch, a former state House member who also served on the Fairbanks North Star Borough and Anchorage assemblies, has died, his family said in a statement Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. He was 68. Birch died Wednesday, Aug. 7 of a torn or ruptured aorta after experiencing chest pains and being taken to an Anchorage hospital, the family said. (Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
PCHS to promote student health, safety

PCHS to promote student health, safety

Back to school fest gets kids ready for new year

PCHS to promote student health, safety
Division of Forestry issues burn permit suspension on the peninsula
Division of Forestry issues burn permit suspension on the peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Voters to weigh in on city manager, sales tax cap

The decision to put the measures on the ballot was approved at Tuesday’s assembly meeting.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Michele Vasquez, Eric Trieder, Fay Herold, Nelma Treider and Karyn Griffin smile for a photo while collecting signatures to recall Governor Mike Dunleavy in Soldotna Creek Park on Aug. 7, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy recall efforts hit the central peninsula

The recall campaign is set to release on Friday morning the number of signatures collected so far.

From left, Michele Vasquez, Eric Trieder, Fay Herold, Nelma Treider and Karyn Griffin smile for a photo while collecting signatures to recall Governor Mike Dunleavy in Soldotna Creek Park on Aug. 7, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Vince Beltrami with the Alaska AFL-CIO, right, speaks at a news conference Wednesday in Anchorage. Beltrami and representatives from more than two dozen organizations are asking Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy to not cut money for early education and social service programs from the state’s budget. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Social service groups urge Dunleavy to relax veto pen

“… The real issue we are faced with today is deciding what kind of state we want to live in.”

  • Aug 7, 2019
  • By Dan Joling Associated Press
Vince Beltrami with the Alaska AFL-CIO, right, speaks at a news conference Wednesday in Anchorage. Beltrami and representatives from more than two dozen organizations are asking Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy to not cut money for early education and social service programs from the state’s budget. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion                                Denele McCarthy, of Soldotna, signs the petition Wednesday at Soldotna Creek Park to recall Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Soldotna.

Efforts to recall Knopp about halfway to 1st goal

Peninsula residents have eyes set on removing local Republican representative.

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion                                Denele McCarthy, of Soldotna, signs the petition Wednesday at Soldotna Creek Park to recall Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Soldotna.
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8.                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Veto reversal resolution fails at assembly

‘This resolution is communicating to the governor the impact some of his vetoes have to the borough.’

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8.                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce                                The Ferrin family of Anchorage show off their catches from 2018’s Seward Silver Salmon Derby. Colleen Ferrin took home second place in the overall tournament with a 16.19 pound fish.

Tight Lines: Seward Silver derby starts Saturday

The silver salmon have returned to Resurrection Bay, with cohos being caught as close as Caines Head

Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce                                The Ferrin family of Anchorage show off their catches from 2018’s Seward Silver Salmon Derby. Colleen Ferrin took home second place in the overall tournament with a 16.19 pound fish.
One of Silverfin Guide Service’s clients shows off a king salmon caught in Anchor River in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Gary Sinnhuber)

Fish and Game works to protect kings

The sustainable escapement goal is not expected to be achieved.

One of Silverfin Guide Service’s clients shows off a king salmon caught in Anchor River in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Gary Sinnhuber)
Kuf Knotz (left) and Christine Elise perform together. (Photo provided by Kuf Knotz)

Hip hop, classical infusion to highlight Soldotna Music Series week #10

Philadelphia-based MC Kuf Knotz and New Jersey’s Christine Elise will perform.

Kuf Knotz (left) and Christine Elise perform together. (Photo provided by Kuf Knotz)
Juneau residents line up outside of the Planet Alaska Gallery to sign an application petition to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Recall campaign makes progress

Campaign website claims 10K signatures gathered.

Juneau residents line up outside of the Planet Alaska Gallery to sign an application petition to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The last bill of the special session will go to Dunleavy today
The last bill of the special session will go to Dunleavy today
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets to discuss school safety during a work session Monday in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Two student representatives join school board

Student representatives are offered a vote, however it is only an advisory vote.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets to discuss school safety during a work session Monday in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Heather Marron of Alaska Communications presents the $1,500 awards to three peninsula teens (from right) — Anna DeVolld, Zachary Halstead and Carlee Rizzo — who were honored in the Summer of Heroes program, on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Pegge Erkeneff/Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

Three peninsula teens honored as youth heroes

Six youth from across Alaska were celebrated for their community service efforts.

Heather Marron of Alaska Communications presents the $1,500 awards to three peninsula teens (from right) — Anna DeVolld, Zachary Halstead and Carlee Rizzo — who were honored in the Summer of Heroes program, on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Pegge Erkeneff/Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)
An invocation is given by Debbie Hamilton at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting in Soldotna on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)                                Debbie Hamilton gives an invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting in Soldotna on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Invocation ordinance likely to be pulled at assembly

The ordinance would end the offering of invocations before the beginning of assembly meetings.

An invocation is given by Debbie Hamilton at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting in Soldotna on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)                                Debbie Hamilton gives an invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting in Soldotna on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Two men drown in Kasilof River over the weekend

Two men drown in Kasilof River over the weekend

The two had gone canoeing on the river

Two men drown in Kasilof River over the weekend
The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Multiple hooks, bait restricted in Kenai River

The ban is effective until 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15.

The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

State seeks review of options for psychiatric facility

The facility has been under scrutiny from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

  • Aug 5, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion file                                Researcher Kim Ovitz observes a group of Cook Inlet beluga whales milling in a bend of the Kenai River by Cunningham Park on April 10 in Kenai.

Citizen science beluga monitoring effort to begin on Kenai, Kasilof Rivers

‘You don’t have to be a scientist or a researcher … It’s open to anyone.’

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion file                                Researcher Kim Ovitz observes a group of Cook Inlet beluga whales milling in a bend of the Kenai River by Cunningham Park on April 10 in Kenai.