News

This June 14 file photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy leading state and local officials out of Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla to a news conference. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska lawmakers reject Wasilla as site for special session

Some lawmakers saw the pick as a means of intimidation or cited security or logistical concerns

  • Jun 24, 2019
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
This June 14 file photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy leading state and local officials out of Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla to a news conference. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
After construction workers removed siding from the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska.(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai airport to receive $1.2 million federal grant

The FAA is awarding $495 million in airport infrastructure grants

After construction workers removed siding from the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska.(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Bunches of fresh greens are displayed at the first Farmers Fresh Market of the season on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska. The market is open every 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday until Sept. 11. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank hosts Food For Thought lecture series

The series aims to engage residents in learning more about food and nutrition

Bunches of fresh greens are displayed at the first Farmers Fresh Market of the season on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska. The market is open every 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday until Sept. 11. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Wanda “Kashudoha” Loescher Culp, Tlingit activist and WECAN Tongass coordinator, speaks during a Tongass Rally to show local support for the 2001 National Roadless Rule in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday. <strong>Michael Penn | </strong>Juneau Empire

‘Not Trump’s Tongass’: Rally backs continued conservation of Southeast forest

Uniting in the name of conservation.

Wanda “Kashudoha” Loescher Culp, Tlingit activist and WECAN Tongass coordinator, speaks during a Tongass Rally to show local support for the 2001 National Roadless Rule in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday. <strong>Michael Penn | </strong>Juneau Empire
A sign for trail closures can be seen on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Kenai Wildlife Refuge closed recreation areas, including Bottenintnin Lake, Watson Lake Campground, Egumen Lake Trail, Petersen Lake Campground, Kelly Campground, Seven Lakes Trail, Skyline Trail and Jean Lake Campground over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Swan Lake Fire prompts recreation area shutdowns

The fire grew to 32,000 acres over the weekend

A sign for trail closures can be seen on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Kenai Wildlife Refuge closed recreation areas, including Bottenintnin Lake, Watson Lake Campground, Egumen Lake Trail, Petersen Lake Campground, Kelly Campground, Seven Lakes Trail, Skyline Trail and Jean Lake Campground over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Amy George, who used to run a bed and breakfast out of her home, started offering “glamping” experiences last year. She has two luxury tents that can sleep up to four people, as seen on June 12, 2018, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

New borough software seeks compliance with Airbnb, VRBO and other booking sites

A quick search on airbnb.com shows hundreds of home, cabins and even yurts for rent

Amy George, who used to run a bed and breakfast out of her home, started offering “glamping” experiences last year. She has two luxury tents that can sleep up to four people, as seen on June 12, 2018, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Meet the Clarion: Mail room leader Jason Antebi

Meet the Clarion: Mail room leader Jason Antebi

Antebi just celebrated his fifth year with the Peninsula Clarion

Meet the Clarion: Mail room leader Jason Antebi
Swan Lake Fire grows to 23,000 acres

Swan Lake Fire grows to 23,000 acres

There are 335 personnel managing the fire, including five crews from the Lower 48

Swan Lake Fire grows to 23,000 acres
‘It looks bleak right now’

‘It looks bleak right now’

Oilers face financial peril, turn to community for help

‘It looks bleak right now’
This June 14, 2019, photo shows a Wasilla sign on the outskirts of Wasilla, Alaska. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Agency estimates $1.3M 30-day Wasilla special session cost

Dunleavy called lawmakers into a special session July 8 in Wasilla to finalize this year’s PFD payout

  • Jun 22, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
This June 14, 2019, photo shows a Wasilla sign on the outskirts of Wasilla, Alaska. Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
From left, George Van Lone, Max Carpenter and Ed Seaward monitor the airwaves inside the Moose Horn Amateur Radio Club’s mobile operation center in Kenai, Alaska during the Amateur Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day on June 22, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Hamming it up

Amateur radio operators gather for annual field day

From left, George Van Lone, Max Carpenter and Ed Seaward monitor the airwaves inside the Moose Horn Amateur Radio Club’s mobile operation center in Kenai, Alaska during the Amateur Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day on June 22, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
This June 14, 2019, photo shows Jeremy Price, a deputy chief of staff to Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, showing reporters the cafeteria at Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, that would be available to lawmakers. Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy pitches hometown Wasilla for special session. Here’s why some are concerned.

It would be the first time an Alaska special session has convened outside the capital.

  • Jun 20, 2019
  • By MARK THIESSEN and BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
This June 14, 2019, photo shows Jeremy Price, a deputy chief of staff to Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, showing reporters the cafeteria at Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska, that would be available to lawmakers. Dunleavy has called lawmakers into special session in Wasilla beginning July 8, but some lawmakers have expressed concerns over security and logistics with the location more than 500 miles from the state capital of Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Visitor guides await travelers at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Thursday, June 20, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough defunds tourism marketing council

Pierce vetoed the $100,000 in funding for the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council

Visitor guides await travelers at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Thursday, June 20, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Resurrection Bay is photographed from Seward, Alaska, in March, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward launches birding festival

The event includes art and food vendors, kid activities, birding competitions, talks and boat tours

Resurrection Bay is photographed from Seward, Alaska, in March, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A construction crew excavates along the Kenai Spur Highway on Tuesday, June 4. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Roadwork continues on schedule

Projects ongoing on Sterling Highway, Kenai Spur and Beaver Loop

A construction crew excavates along the Kenai Spur Highway on Tuesday, June 4. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen speaks last Friday, June 14, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

New UAA chancellor sees university as benefitting many

Chancellor Cathy Sandeen took a working vacation to attend the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen speaks last Friday, June 14, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Geoff Grier shows off his catch on Saturday, June 15, 2019 on the Upper Kenai River. (Photo courtesy of Shelby Harris)

Sockeye return continues to impress anglers

The bag limit on the Russian River and Upper Kenai is nine fish per day with 18 fish in possession.

Geoff Grier shows off his catch on Saturday, June 15, 2019 on the Upper Kenai River. (Photo courtesy of Shelby Harris)
The Kenai Senior Center sits on the bluff overlooking the mouth of the Kenai River, Friday, June 14, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Seniors stay active all summer

Senior centers offer a variety of activities.

The Kenai Senior Center sits on the bluff overlooking the mouth of the Kenai River, Friday, June 14, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Theresa Peterson, Jan Mabrey and Zoey Polacek smile for the camera during the 2018 Longest Day Golf Tournament at the Bird Homestead Golf Course in Soldotna on June 16, 2018. (Photo courtesy Cindy Harris)

Making the longest day count

Community organizations to raise money to fight Alzheimer’s

From left, Theresa Peterson, Jan Mabrey and Zoey Polacek smile for the camera during the 2018 Longest Day Golf Tournament at the Bird Homestead Golf Course in Soldotna on June 16, 2018. (Photo courtesy Cindy Harris)
Central Peninsula Health Foundation Director Kathy Gensel, left, updates former Heritage Place Resident Council President MaryNell Larson about the Evening by the River Fundraiser in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Aud Walaszek/Heritage Place)

Heritage Place gets a new set of wheels

Destination Dignity Bus will be able to accommodate six wheelchairs and fit 10.

Central Peninsula Health Foundation Director Kathy Gensel, left, updates former Heritage Place Resident Council President MaryNell Larson about the Evening by the River Fundraiser in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Aud Walaszek/Heritage Place)