News

Soldotna postpones vote on school zone cellphone ban

Soldotna postpones vote on school zone cellphone ban

Soldotna City Council has postponed voting on an ordinance that would to prohibit the use of hand-held electronic devices, like cellphones, while driving in school… Continue reading

  • Jan 10, 2019
  • By KAT SORENSEN Peninsula Clarion
  • Soldotna
Soldotna postpones vote on school zone cellphone ban
Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, and Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, listen during a House Resource Committee hearing at the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017.

Pre-filed bill would require rape kit testing within six months

On Monday, Alaska House Rep. Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) pre-filed public safety legislation that would require the timely testing of sexual assault/rape kits in Alaska. HB… Continue reading

Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage, and Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, listen during a House Resource Committee hearing at the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017.
The industrial area of Nikiski is pictured in this undated photo. (Photo/File/AJOC)

LNG project committee focuses on public input

Chairman for the Alaska LNG Advisory Committee, Tim Johnson, presented an update at Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, saying the group is focusing on… Continue reading

The industrial area of Nikiski is pictured in this undated photo. (Photo/File/AJOC)

PORTLAND, Ore. — A commercial crabbing boat capsized in rough waters off the Oregon coast, killing the three men aboard and sending a shock wave… Continue reading

  • Jan 10, 2019
  • By GILLIAN FLACCUS Associated Press
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to members of the media before welcoming Juneau residents to the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

ACLU prepares lawsuits against Dunleavy administration

More details will come Thursday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to members of the media before welcoming Juneau residents to the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Joe McCabe, a paralegal specialist with the NOAA General Counsel office, talks Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, about being being off work since the partial federal shutdown started on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. McCabe, 55, said he has always had work since he was 13. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘It’s ridiculous’: Furloughed Juneau residents frustrated at federal shutdown

It goes beyond just federal employees.

Joe McCabe, a paralegal specialist with the NOAA General Counsel office, talks Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, about being being off work since the partial federal shutdown started on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. McCabe, 55, said he has always had work since he was 13. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Borough works toward collecting sales tax on online purchases

Borough works toward collecting sales tax on online purchases

An ordinance introduced at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting would appropriate $10,000 to help set up a work group, which would establish a system… Continue reading

Borough works toward collecting sales tax on online purchases
Chelsea Hart, who was born and raised in Kenai and has been performing comedy and opera across Europe for the past four years, is pictured in this undated photo. (Photo by Zowwi Ranford/Courtesy of Chelsea Hart)

Kenai local Chelsea Hart returns home to teach comedy writing workshop for Kenai Performers

Globetrotting comedienne and entertainer Chelsea Hart has returned to her hometown of Kenai to offer a comedy writing workshop with the Kenai Performers today. Hart… Continue reading

Chelsea Hart, who was born and raised in Kenai and has been performing comedy and opera across Europe for the past four years, is pictured in this undated photo. (Photo by Zowwi Ranford/Courtesy of Chelsea Hart)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy meets with his cabinet members and gives attending media a list of his administration’s priorities at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. The 31st Legislative Session opens next Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy vows to crack down on crime, restore PFD

New governor, new cabinet.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy meets with his cabinet members and gives attending media a list of his administration’s priorities at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. The 31st Legislative Session opens next Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska port official charged with trying to drown daughter

Alaska port official charged with trying to drown daughter

ANCHORAGE — A high-ranking port official in Alaska’s largest city has been arrested, accused of twice trying to drown his 8-year-year-old daughter in a bathtub… Continue reading

  • Jan 8, 2019
  • By RACHEL D’ORO Associated Press
Alaska port official charged with trying to drown daughter
A male black bear chases spawning sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) A male black bear chases spawning sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on August 16, 2018. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

Alaska calls for less federal control of wildlife management

ANCHORAGE — The U.S. Department of the Interior in September asked states what it could do to “restore trust and be a good neighbor.” Alaska’s… Continue reading

  • Jan 8, 2019
  • By DAN JOLING Associated Press
A male black bear chases spawning sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday, August 16, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) A male black bear chases spawning sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on August 16, 2018. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
Alaska guide pleads guilty to herding bears toward clients

Alaska guide pleads guilty to herding bears toward clients

ANCHORAGE (AP) — An Alaska hunting guide who instructed employees on snowmobiles to herd grizzly bears toward clients has lost his master guide’s license for… Continue reading

  • Jan 8, 2019
  • By DAN JOLING Associated Press
Alaska guide pleads guilty to herding bears toward clients
In this Oct. 4, 2017 file photo, a sign meant to entice recipients of payouts from the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend Division, also known as PFD, advertises a sale in Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Department of Revenue shut down online applications for Alaska Permanent Fund dividends because of security concerns. The department in an announcement Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, said some applicants had inadvertently seen personal information belonging to other applicants who had filed previously. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska resumes online applications for oil-wealth checks

JUNEAU — The state has resumed accepting applications online for checks from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund after resolving what the Department of Revenue described as “software… Continue reading

  • Jan 8, 2019
  • By Associated Press
In this Oct. 4, 2017 file photo, a sign meant to entice recipients of payouts from the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend Division, also known as PFD, advertises a sale in Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Department of Revenue shut down online applications for Alaska Permanent Fund dividends because of security concerns. The department in an announcement Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, said some applicants had inadvertently seen personal information belonging to other applicants who had filed previously. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Patrons stand at the bar with their drinks March 31, 2017 at Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Kenai River Brewing Company participates in Camp fire fundraiser

Soldotna’s Kenai River Brewing Company is joining thousands of breweries across the country in brewing up a Resilience Butte County Proud IPA to support Californians… Continue reading

Patrons stand at the bar with their drinks March 31, 2017 at Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, speaks during a legislative session at the Capitol in January 2017. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo)

Anchorage rep pre-files bill on contraceptive access

On Monday, Rep. Matt Claman (D-Anchorage) filed HB 21, which aims to provide greater access to reproductive health care and prescription contraceptives for women across… Continue reading

Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, speaks during a legislative session at the Capitol in January 2017. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo)
A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

King fisheries in Northern Cook Inlet closed

The Northern Cook Inlet, including the Susitna and Little Susitna River, is closed to commercial and sport king salmon fishing in 2019. According to an… Continue reading

  • Jan 8, 2019
  • By KAT SORENSEN Peninsula Clarion
A king salmon during the 67th annual Golden North Salmon Derby at the Don D. Statter Memorial Boat Harbor in August 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Troopers search for driver involved in hit-and-run incident

Troopers search for driver involved in hit-and-run incident

Law enforcement is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run vehicle collision on Friday afternoon. Alaska State Troopers responded to… Continue reading

Troopers search for driver involved in hit-and-run incident

Bonuses of nearly $300,000 paid to pipeline corporation head

JUNEAU — The president of the state-sanctioned Alaska Gasline Development Corp. received performance bonuses totaling nearly $300,000 for work the past two years, the corporation… Continue reading

  • Jan 8, 2019
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
In this Jan. 22, 2010 file photo, a cow moose walks through the brush in Noorvik, Alaska. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Moose wanders into Alaska hospital building

ANCHORAGE — A moose wandered into a hospital building in Alaska’s largest city Monday — and Stephanie Hupton was ready to capture the visit with… Continue reading

  • Jan 8, 2019
  • By RACHEL D’ORO Associated Press
In this Jan. 22, 2010 file photo, a cow moose walks through the brush in Noorvik, Alaska. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Alaska suicide rate jumps 13 pct during 2012-17 period

ANCHORAGE (AP) — A new state study shows the suicide rate in Alaska has jumped in recent years. There was a 13 percent increase in… Continue reading

  • Jan 8, 2019