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)
The Kenai River in Cooper Landing, Alaska, is photographed on Sunday, June 23, 2019. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

High river conditions expected on Kenai and Sixmile River

The warning includes Kenai, Soldotna, Homer, Cooper Landing, Whittier, Seward and Moose Pass.

The Kenai River in Cooper Landing, Alaska, is photographed on Sunday, June 23, 2019. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Public safety briefs for June 30, 2019
Public safety briefs for June 30, 2019
Court reports for June 30, 2019
Court reports for June 30, 2019
Tucker Challans, left, and Logan Amaya, right, advertise their lemonade business along the Kenai Spur Highway during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska on June 29, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Sidewalk entrepreneurs set up shop

Kids turn out for Soldotna’s Lemonade Day

Tucker Challans, left, and Logan Amaya, right, advertise their lemonade business along the Kenai Spur Highway during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska on June 29, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of June 29,2019. (Courtesy Alaska Incident Management Team)

Swan Lake Fire grows to more than 60,000 acres

The fire continues to spread primarily to the northeast through thick strands of black spruce.

A map of the Swan Lake Fire as of June 29,2019. (Courtesy Alaska Incident Management Team)
Seward’s Fred Moore stands at the base of Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaska, on Monday, June 24, 2019. Moore will run in his 50th consecutive Mount Marathon race on July 4. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward’s Moore celebrating 50 years of running Mt. Marathon

‘Relish the crowd and don’t be looking tired at the end’

Seward’s Fred Moore stands at the base of Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaska, on Monday, June 24, 2019. Moore will run in his 50th consecutive Mount Marathon race on July 4. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Dunleavy’s Red Pen: Governor’s vetoes take more than $400M out of budget
Dunleavy’s Red Pen: Governor’s vetoes take more than $400M out of budget
Attorney General William Barr speaks at the U.S. Attorneys’ National Conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Feds allocate $10M to combat violence in rural Alaska

It is the first time that Barr has personally declared a law enforcement emergency

  • Jun 29, 2019
  • By MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
Attorney General William Barr speaks at the U.S. Attorneys’ National Conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Fireworks use and sales suspended across much of the state

Fireworks use and sales suspended across much of the state

The suspension will remain in effect until further notice.

  • Jun 27, 2019
Fireworks use and sales suspended across much of the state
Wildwood inmate found dead in cell

Wildwood inmate found dead in cell

The 23-year-old man was found unresponsive in his cell

Wildwood inmate found dead in cell