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Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire Lawmakers talk among themselves during a break of a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday in Juneau.

Efforts to override vetoes quashed

Without enough lawmakers in Juneau, session adjourns until Wednesday

Michael Penn/The Juneau Empire Lawmakers talk among themselves during a break of a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday in Juneau.
Over hundrend people attend a rally starting at the Capitol to protest budget vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Shame on you, 22’: Protesters march to Governor’s Mansion

Protesters rally in Juneau.

Over hundrend people attend a rally starting at the Capitol to protest budget vetoes by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Friday, July 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A pickup truck involved in a fatal car crash on July 7, 2019, rests on the side of the road near Mile 142 Sterling Highway, Happy Valley, Alaska. The pickup truck driver survived, but the driver of a second car involved in the crash, Michael Franklin, 18, of Homer, Alaska, died of his injuries. (Photo by Jon Marsh/Anchor Point Fire and EMS)

Man killed in two-vehicle collision near Happy Valley

EMTs and firefighters arrived at about 4:20 p.m. to find the Subaru engulfed in flames.

A pickup truck involved in a fatal car crash on July 7, 2019, rests on the side of the road near Mile 142 Sterling Highway, Happy Valley, Alaska. The pickup truck driver survived, but the driver of a second car involved in the crash, Michael Franklin, 18, of Homer, Alaska, died of his injuries. (Photo by Jon Marsh/Anchor Point Fire and EMS)
Public safety briefs for July 14, 2019

Public safety briefs for July 14, 2019

Read the latest reports.

Public safety briefs for July 14, 2019
Holiday DUIs down from last year

Holiday DUIs down from last year

2018 saw 21 misdemeanor and three felony arrests occurring during the same period.

Holiday DUIs down from last year
A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Thursday. (Courtesy Northwest 13 Incident Management Team)

Firefighters complete containment line near Sterling as Swan Lake Fire slows

As of the latest update Thursday, the fire is 100,027 acres and is 24% contained.

A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Thursday. (Courtesy Northwest 13 Incident Management Team)
A group of concertgoers enjoy the music at the 2018 Rock’n the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin music festival in Kenai. (Photo provided by Valerie Anderson)

Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin returns

Within a span of three years, the sober-living home of Nuk’it’un has not only given men a place to rehab their lives, but the organization’s… Continue reading

A group of concertgoers enjoy the music at the 2018 Rock’n the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin music festival in Kenai. (Photo provided by Valerie Anderson)
In this July 10, 2019, photo provided by Rochelle Adams, the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Bert Cottle, center left in the orange shirt, is seen grabbing the arm of Alaska Native activist Haliehana Stepetin, who was trying to take part in a sit-in of legislators meeting in Wasilla. Stepetin filed an assault complaint with the Wasilla Police Department on Thursday, naming Cottle and Zachary Freeman, the spokesman for the Republican House Minority, seen next to Cottle in the white dress shirt. (Rochelle Adams via AP)

Alaska Native activist alleges assault by Wasilla mayor

“I felt like I was in a vulnerable place … And I still feel like I’m in a really vulnerable place.”

  • Jul 11, 2019
  • By Rachel D’Oro Associated Press
In this July 10, 2019, photo provided by Rochelle Adams, the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Bert Cottle, center left in the orange shirt, is seen grabbing the arm of Alaska Native activist Haliehana Stepetin, who was trying to take part in a sit-in of legislators meeting in Wasilla. Stepetin filed an assault complaint with the Wasilla Police Department on Thursday, naming Cottle and Zachary Freeman, the spokesman for the Republican House Minority, seen next to Cottle in the white dress shirt. (Rochelle Adams via AP)
Michael Penn / Juneau Empire Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, (left) leans in to listen to Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, during a Joint Session of Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday to debate and vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes. The vote didn’t take place.

Veto override still short on votes

Lawmakers give impassioned speeches, but don’t have the votes to override vetoes.

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, (left) leans in to listen to Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, during a Joint Session of Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday to debate and vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes. The vote didn’t take place.
Trooper recruits hit the streets

Trooper recruits hit the streets

Three recruits will be in Soldotna for their field training.

Trooper recruits hit the streets
Erin Thompson / Peninsula Clarion file A rescued dog is pictured at the Kenai Animal Shelter on May 17, 2018.

Both Kenai and Soldotna approve shelter agreement

The city of Soldotna will pay $42,000 to Kenai for the care of 150 animals.

Erin Thompson / Peninsula Clarion file A rescued dog is pictured at the Kenai Animal Shelter on May 17, 2018.
State Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat, speaks in favor of lawmakers overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes Wednesday, Juneau. Nearly a third of lawmakers were absent from the session at the Capitol, opting to meet in Wasilla instead, leaving only 38 members meeting in Juneau. It would take 45 votes to override the vetoes. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire via AP)

Local lawmakers split on session location

Gov. Mike Dunleavy last month called a special session in Wasilla

State Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat, speaks in favor of lawmakers overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes Wednesday, Juneau. Nearly a third of lawmakers were absent from the session at the Capitol, opting to meet in Wasilla instead, leaving only 38 members meeting in Juneau. It would take 45 votes to override the vetoes. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire via AP)
Northwest 13 Incident Management Team A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Wednesday.

Swan Lake Fire growth slowed by cooler weather, more humidity

The high pressure system that has caused hot and dry conditions is being pushed away by marine winds

Northwest 13 Incident Management Team A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of Wednesday.
Anchor Point responders douse vehicle fire

Anchor Point responders douse vehicle fire

Upon arrival crews put out the fully involved fire in the vehicle.

Anchor Point responders douse vehicle fire
Love, INC in Soldotna, Alaska provides homelessness prevention and housing services to people on the Kenai Peninsula.(Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Local agencies fighting homelessness fear immediate impact of budget cuts

Among Dunleavy’s 182 line-item vetoes to the budget is a cut to the Homelessness Assistance Program

Love, INC in Soldotna, Alaska provides homelessness prevention and housing services to people on the Kenai Peninsula.(Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Dipnet fishery has quiet open

Dipnet fishery has quiet open

Wednesday was windy and cloudy, and dipnetters jumped with every wave to avoid getting splashed.

Dipnet fishery has quiet open
Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, speaks against an override vote during a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature to vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Legislators use ‘symbolic’ vote to deliver verbal smackdown to vetoes

The vote failed, but they said a lot.

Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, speaks against an override vote during a Joint Session of the Alaska Legislature to vote on an override of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion Annie Cromwell of Anchorage brings in a sockeye salmon while dipnetting on the north beach in Kenai in June 2017.

Dipnetting is here!

The dipnet fishery opened Wednesday and will run through July 31.

Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion Annie Cromwell of Anchorage brings in a sockeye salmon while dipnetting on the north beach in Kenai in June 2017.
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire House Finance Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, and Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, listen to testimony on Tuesday at the Capitol about how Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes will effect local communities around the state.

Even ‘right-leaning’ groups, bankers and builders are calling for an override

They had one message to the governor.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire House Finance Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Tammie Wilson, R-North Pole, and Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome, listen to testimony on Tuesday at the Capitol about how Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget vetoes will effect local communities around the state.
Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Week 6 of Soldotna music series kicks off with energetic group

The 2019 Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series has seen an explosion in attendance this summer.

Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)