News

Attendees enjoy a game of chess at the Alaska Chess fundraiser on July 29 at Fireweed Meadows Golf Course in Anchor Point. (Photo courtesy of Colleen Evanco)

Local nonprofit expanding chess program to central peninsula

A local nonprofit that’s teaching children to play chess is expanding its reach to the central peninsula. The nonprofit, Alaska Chess, began as a chess… Continue reading

Attendees enjoy a game of chess at the Alaska Chess fundraiser on July 29 at Fireweed Meadows Golf Course in Anchor Point. (Photo courtesy of Colleen Evanco)

Alaska opioid deaths increased by 77 percent in last decade, report says

The rate of Alaskans who died from opioid overdoses increased 77 percent over the last decade, with the highest overall rate of deaths reported in… Continue reading

This concept drawing shows the proposed new location for Central Emergency Services’ Station 1 on East Redoubt Road in Soldotna, Alaska. Central Emergency Services, the main emergency medical and fire service provider for the central Kenai Peninsula communities of Sterling, Kasilof, Kalifornsky, Soldotna and Funny River, is exploring options to move its central station from its current home on Binkley Street near the intersection with the Sterling Highway to provide more room and an updated facility. (Courtesy the Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Borough to consider land purchase for CES station

Central Emergency Services is moving forward with plans to purchase land for a new central fire station in Soldotna. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly introduced… Continue reading

This concept drawing shows the proposed new location for Central Emergency Services’ Station 1 on East Redoubt Road in Soldotna, Alaska. Central Emergency Services, the main emergency medical and fire service provider for the central Kenai Peninsula communities of Sterling, Kasilof, Kalifornsky, Soldotna and Funny River, is exploring options to move its central station from its current home on Binkley Street near the intersection with the Sterling Highway to provide more room and an updated facility. (Courtesy the Kenai Peninsula Borough)
John Skidmore, the director of the Alaska Department of Law’s criminal division, addresses a crowd gathered for a town hall meeting on crime at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Despite reform bills, central peninsula residents still frustrated by crime

Though multiple bills have overhauled the criminal justice system in Alaska in the past few years, the tone of discussion on crime on the central… Continue reading

John Skidmore, the director of the Alaska Department of Law’s criminal division, addresses a crowd gathered for a town hall meeting on crime at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Retired Colonel Bob Doehl, Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, speaks in front of the wounded veterans’ memorial in Soldotna Creek Park during a ceremony organized by the Order of the Purple Heart’s Chapter 830 on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. In 2010 the Alaska Legislature designated August 7 as Purple Heart Day in recognition of wounded military veterans. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Honoring the wounded

By BEN BOETTGER Peninsula Clarion… Continue reading

Retired Colonel Bob Doehl, Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, speaks in front of the wounded veterans’ memorial in Soldotna Creek Park during a ceremony organized by the Order of the Purple Heart’s Chapter 830 on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. In 2010 the Alaska Legislature designated August 7 as Purple Heart Day in recognition of wounded military veterans. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Man indicted for third time in 2014 Christmas Day car crash

Man indicted for third time in 2014 Christmas Day car crash

Kenai prosecutors are trying for a third time to convict a man involved in a 2014 Christmas Day car crash that caused a young girl… Continue reading

Man indicted for third time in 2014 Christmas Day car crash

School board discusses future capital projects, potential school in Nanwalek

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District leadership is exploring the most important infrastructure projects in local schools as part of its Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan,… Continue reading

New restaurant to come to Kenai Airport

The new business Brothers’ Cafe is moving into the Kenai Municipal Airport terminal’s restaurant space. Jim Hamilton, who co-owns the new business with his brother,… Continue reading

This screenshot taken from Google Maps shows Koyuktolik Bay, known as Dog Fish Bay, south of Homer on the Kenai Peninsula. Four commercial fishermen from the Homer area are charged with illegally commercial fishing in Dog Fish Bay. (Courtesy Alphabet Inc)

4 charged in illegal commercial fishing near Homer

The state has filed charges against four commercial fishermen accused of illegal harvesting salmon in a bay south of Homer. Alaska Wildlife Troopers wrote in… Continue reading

This screenshot taken from Google Maps shows Koyuktolik Bay, known as Dog Fish Bay, south of Homer on the Kenai Peninsula. Four commercial fishermen from the Homer area are charged with illegally commercial fishing in Dog Fish Bay. (Courtesy Alphabet Inc)
In this May 13, 2017 photo, the snowy Chugach Mountains stand over Vagt Lake near Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Draft revision to Chugach Forest plan released

The U.S. Forest Service is moving into the next phase of rewriting its plan for the Chugach National Forest and is seeking public input. The… Continue reading

In this May 13, 2017 photo, the snowy Chugach Mountains stand over Vagt Lake near Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

People from across the Peninsula celebrated three days of fish, love and music over the weekend at the eighth-annual Salmonfest in Ninilchik. Hosted at the… Continue reading

The Kenai Airport Commission has proposed that this sign, designed by the Kenai Neon Sign Company, face the Kenai Spur Highway from the annual wildflower field that Kenai’s city government plants in the vacant municipal land between the Spur and Lawton Drive. The Kenai Airport Commission has been developing plans for the sign — which would occupy a city-owned property legally dedicated to support the Kenai Municipal Airport and long contested between residential neighbors and prospective developers — since October 2017. The Kenai City Council will vote on whether to erect it after it’s considered by the Kenai Beautification Committee, then again by the Airport Commission. (Courtesy of the City of Kenai)

Kenai debates adding sign to Lawton Acres’ Field of Flowers

The Kenai Airport Commission’s plans for a sign marking the the annual wildflower field the city plants in a vacant municipal lot on Lawton Drive… Continue reading

The Kenai Airport Commission has proposed that this sign, designed by the Kenai Neon Sign Company, face the Kenai Spur Highway from the annual wildflower field that Kenai’s city government plants in the vacant municipal land between the Spur and Lawton Drive. The Kenai Airport Commission has been developing plans for the sign — which would occupy a city-owned property legally dedicated to support the Kenai Municipal Airport and long contested between residential neighbors and prospective developers — since October 2017. The Kenai City Council will vote on whether to erect it after it’s considered by the Kenai Beautification Committee, then again by the Airport Commission. (Courtesy of the City of Kenai)

New things to come for the 2018-2019 school year

As August begins, wild berries start to ripen, the fishing season slows and children, parents, educators and others gear for the school year. The Kenai… Continue reading

Ryan Hiller performs at Veronica’s Cafe for open mic night on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. Through the month of August, tips collected at Friday’s open mic nights from 6-8 p.m. will go to support community member, Vickie Tinker, who is fighting ovarian cancer. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Every little bit helps

By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion… Continue reading

Ryan Hiller performs at Veronica’s Cafe for open mic night on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. Through the month of August, tips collected at Friday’s open mic nights from 6-8 p.m. will go to support community member, Vickie Tinker, who is fighting ovarian cancer. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A fisherman’s stringer of Kasilof River sockeye salmon caught in the personal-use dipnet fishery lies on the beach on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Fish and Game increases Kasilof sockeye bag limit

With the Kasilof River sockeye run safely within the optimum escapement goal, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will allow anglers to keep more… Continue reading

A fisherman’s stringer of Kasilof River sockeye salmon caught in the personal-use dipnet fishery lies on the beach on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Tobacco tax on borough agenda, sales tax cap ordinance dropped

Tobacco tax on borough agenda, sales tax cap ordinance dropped

While the borough’s budget has been settled for the coming year, the assembly members are still looking at revenue possibilities. At its upcoming meeting Aug.… Continue reading

Tobacco tax on borough agenda, sales tax cap ordinance dropped

Breastfeeding women of the world unite: Global breastfeeding event to take place Saturday

For a minute Saturday morning, local mothers will stand up to stigma while sharing some quality time with their children — and one another. At… Continue reading

State mistake triggers Medicaid repayments from providers

Speech pathologist Carma Shay will have to find a way to reimburse the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services an estimated $8,000 in Medicaid… Continue reading

A sockeye salmon caught in a dipnet from the Kasilof River lies on the beach on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kasilof dipnet fishery hot on high tide, silvers reach Kenai

Tuesday night brought a ray of sunshine, a high tide and a fresh bloom of fish into the mouth of the Kasilof River, straight into… Continue reading

A sockeye salmon caught in a dipnet from the Kasilof River lies on the beach on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai music teacher earns national recognition

Kenai music teacher earns national recognition

When Deborah Sounart came to Alaska, she had a roundtrip ticket and a plan to leave one year later. She’s starting her 25th year teaching… Continue reading

Kenai music teacher earns national recognition