Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his budget vetoes at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska Friday, June 28, 2019. The university system, health and social service programs and public broadcasting were among the areas affected by vetoes. The budget agreed to by the House and Senate cut state support for the university system by a fraction of what Dunleavy proposed. Lawmakers have the ability to override budget vetoes if they can muster sufficient support. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Budget vetoes fallout may hit close to home

Dunleavy’s vetoes will affect everything from schools to local radio

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his budget vetoes at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska Friday, June 28, 2019. The university system, health and social service programs and public broadcasting were among the areas affected by vetoes. The budget agreed to by the House and Senate cut state support for the university system by a fraction of what Dunleavy proposed. Lawmakers have the ability to override budget vetoes if they can muster sufficient support. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from the East Fork Moose River bridge on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo courtesy Robert Kuiper)

Third Swan Lake Fire community meeting scheduled for Friday in Cooper Landing

After nearly a month, the Swan Lake Fire continues to burn through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge east of Sterling. A community meeting has been… Continue reading

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from the East Fork Moose River bridge on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo courtesy Robert Kuiper)
A field of peonies stand ready for harvest on June 30, 2019, at Michelle Hatten’s Stone Circle Peonies in Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Sydney Leto)

Farmers concerned about heat, lack of rain

Homer received 0.16 inches of rain in June, compared to a measured 2.53 inches of rain in June 2018.

  • Jul 3, 2019
  • By Sydney Leto For the Homer News
  • Local News
A field of peonies stand ready for harvest on June 30, 2019, at Michelle Hatten’s Stone Circle Peonies in Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Sydney Leto)
The New Old Time Chautauqua Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band Orchestra marches on the Homer Spit on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The group visited Homer as part of a week-long tour partially funded by the Rasmuson Foundation’s Harper Arts Touring Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts — an example of state-foundation cooperation in arts funding. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Arts groups brace for program cuts, grant losses

‘It’s comparable to one of the jobs here. It’s comparable to an entire program.’

The New Old Time Chautauqua Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band Orchestra marches on the Homer Spit on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The group visited Homer as part of a week-long tour partially funded by the Rasmuson Foundation’s Harper Arts Touring Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts — an example of state-foundation cooperation in arts funding. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Fishermen took to the mouth of the Kasilof River for opening day of dipnetting, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Tight Lines: weekly fishing report

King salmon fishing continues to be slow on the Kenai River

Fishermen took to the mouth of the Kasilof River for opening day of dipnetting, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The winning fish in this year’s halibut tournament was reeled in by Guy Minske, left, and weighed 257.8 pounds. (Photo submitted by Seward Chamber of Commerce)

Anchorage man takes home Seward Halibut Tournament win

The fish was caught in early June, which is unusual for the tournament.

The winning fish in this year’s halibut tournament was reeled in by Guy Minske, left, and weighed 257.8 pounds. (Photo submitted by Seward Chamber of Commerce)

4.7 magnitude earthquake near Kasilof

A preliminary mangitude 4.7 earthquake was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, 3 miles southwest of Kasilof, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Ordinance removing voter approval on sale tax cap increase withdrawn

The cap has been $500 since 1964 when the borough was established.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The crowd listens to the music at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Pamyua to bring blend of musical styles to Soldotna music series

The successful Yup’ik musical group from Anchorage will perform.

The crowd listens to the music at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchoarge, as seen on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Everything is on the table’

Facing $135M budget cut, university contemplates drastic action

Pioneer Hall at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchoarge, as seen on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A haze of wildfire smoke hangs around the slopes of Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaska, on July 1, 2019. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Wildfire smoke prompts Mount Marathon officials to issue unprecedented deferral option

It will be the first time all racers have the option of skipping the race and getting in next year.

A haze of wildfire smoke hangs around the slopes of Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaska, on July 1, 2019. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Swan Lake Fire causes heavy smoke conditions on peninsula
Swan Lake Fire causes heavy smoke conditions on peninsula
A man waves during the 2019 Kenai 4th of July Parade in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

4th of July on the Kenai: where to go and what to expect

The annual 4th of July Parade and festival will take place starting at 11 a.m. on Trading Bay Road

A man waves during the 2019 Kenai 4th of July Parade in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at the Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor vetoes bed tax

Pierce said he did not support a dedicated or targeted tax on specific activities or services.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at the Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

In wake of budget veto, University of Alaska begins sending furlough notices to staff

University system President Jim Johnsen last week said the cut, if it stands, would be devastating.

  • Jul 1, 2019
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, speaks with the Kobuk Valley Type 2 Hand Crew along the East Fork Moose River on Monday. (Courtesy photo)

Dunleavy tours fire scene as blaze grows

Swan Lake Fire surpasses 70,000 acres

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, speaks with the Kobuk Valley Type 2 Hand Crew along the East Fork Moose River on Monday. (Courtesy photo)

Emergency fire order issued for Chugach National Forest

Restrictions apply to building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire

Kenai Joe’s Taphouse serves their first patrons under new ownership on Monday, July 1, 2019, in Old Town Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Joe’s Taphouse opens in Old Town

Right now the bar is open and offering small appetizers, beer on tap and specialty cocktails.

Kenai Joe’s Taphouse serves their first patrons under new ownership on Monday, July 1, 2019, in Old Town Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to consider shifting chief administrator duties to manager

The mayor would still be elected area wide, but would no longer be the chief administrator.

Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The glow from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen on the horizon from the east entrance of Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Swan Lake Fire, located just north of Sterling, Alaska, grew to 32,300 acres over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Several Skilak campgrounds reopened

Fire danger is still high and visitors need to be cautious.

The glow from the Swan Lake Fire can be seen on the horizon from the east entrance of Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Swan Lake Fire, located just north of Sterling, Alaska, grew to 32,300 acres over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)