A spruce tree showing damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department felled nearly 100 beetle-damaged trees earlier this month. That’s more than the city expects to sell as firewood in its campgrounds, so volunteers from Soldotna Bible Chapel took the remainder to distribute to needy families this winter — after curing the logs to kill beetles that may still be inside the bark. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion)                                A spruce tree showing damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department felled nearly 100 beetle-damaged trees earlier this month. That’s more than the city expects to sell as firewood in its campgrounds, so volunteers from Soldotna Bible Chapel took the remainder to distribute to needy families this winter — after curing the logs to kill beetles that may still be inside the bark. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion)

Church group clears beetle-killed trees, gives back to those in need

Community members are finding a charitable way to take care of the Peninsula’s ever-increasing spruce bark beetle problem. The Soldotna Parks and Recreation Department felled… Continue reading

A spruce tree showing damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department felled nearly 100 beetle-damaged trees earlier this month. That’s more than the city expects to sell as firewood in its campgrounds, so volunteers from Soldotna Bible Chapel took the remainder to distribute to needy families this winter — after curing the logs to kill beetles that may still be inside the bark. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion)                                A spruce tree showing damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department felled nearly 100 beetle-damaged trees earlier this month. That’s more than the city expects to sell as firewood in its campgrounds, so volunteers from Soldotna Bible Chapel took the remainder to distribute to needy families this winter — after curing the logs to kill beetles that may still be inside the bark. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion)
A spruce tree showing damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department felled nearly 100 beetle-damaged trees earlier this month. That’s more than the city expects to sell as firewood in its campgrounds, so volunteers from Soldotna Bible Chapel took the remainder to distribute to needy families this winter — after curing the logs to kill beetles that may still be inside the bark. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion)                                A spruce tree showing damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department felled nearly 100 beetle-damaged trees earlier this month. That’s more than the city expects to sell as firewood in its campgrounds, so volunteers from Soldotna Bible Chapel took the remainder to distribute to needy families this winter — after curing the logs to kill beetles that may still be inside the bark. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion)

Church group clears beetle-killed trees, gives back to those in need

Community members are finding a charitable way to take care of the Peninsula’s ever-increasing spruce bark beetle problem. The Soldotna Parks and Recreation Department felled… Continue reading

A spruce tree showing damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department felled nearly 100 beetle-damaged trees earlier this month. That’s more than the city expects to sell as firewood in its campgrounds, so volunteers from Soldotna Bible Chapel took the remainder to distribute to needy families this winter — after curing the logs to kill beetles that may still be inside the bark. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion)                                A spruce tree showing damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department felled nearly 100 beetle-damaged trees earlier this month. That’s more than the city expects to sell as firewood in its campgrounds, so volunteers from Soldotna Bible Chapel took the remainder to distribute to needy families this winter — after curing the logs to kill beetles that may still be inside the bark. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion)

Applications open for seat on Kenai Superior Court

The body responsible for nominating Alaska judges is taking applications from potential replacements for retiring Kenai Superior Court Judge Charles T. Huguelet. The Alaska Judicial… Continue reading

  • Jun 26, 2018
  • By ERIN THOMPSON Peninsula Clarion
  • Local News
Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet wait to be set to the a processor on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Tariffs ding commercial fishing industry

Fishermen and seafood harvesters may take a major trade hit with the announcement of new tariffs from China, though the details still aren’t clear. The… Continue reading

Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet wait to be set to the a processor on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet wait to be set to the a processor on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Tariffs ding commercial fishing industry

Fishermen and seafood harvesters may take a major trade hit with the announcement of new tariffs from China, though the details still aren’t clear. The… Continue reading

Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet wait to be set to the a processor on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
The Housing First Project in September 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau program makes strides in helping homeless population

New data released Monday show the six-month-old Housing First facility in Juneau is already making a positive impact on Juneau’s most vulnerable homeless population while… Continue reading

The Housing First Project in September 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Nikiski students look back with fondness as they cross the finish line

Nikiski students look back with fondness as they cross the finish line

Friendship was on the mind of many Nikiski High School graduates Wednesday night as they prepared to accept their diplomas and cross into the next… Continue reading

Nikiski students look back with fondness as they cross the finish line

Man arrested for fleeing troopers faces charges in new case

A man arrested with his father earlier this month after the two allegedly fled from Alaska State Troopers was charged with assault last week. Lance… Continue reading

  • Jun 26, 2018
  • By ERIN THOMPSON Peninsula Clarion
  • Local News

Cook Inlet Energy fined over well pressure at Osprey platform

Cook Inlet Energy has received fines totaling $50,000 from the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) — $25,000 for failing to test a new… Continue reading

The Housing First Project in September 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau program makes strides in helping homeless population

Emergency services use has decreased since housing project went up.

The Housing First Project in September 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Man accused of reversing van into motorcycle, SUV

A Seward man is accused of intentionally crashing his van into his family members’ vehicles during a domestic dispute Sunday morning. Jordan N. Getz, 34,… Continue reading

Man accused of stealing tires from Soldotna shop

A Kenai man was arrested early Friday morning for stealing tires, less than two hours after a burglary was reported at a Soldotna tire shop.… Continue reading

Cook Inlet Energy fined over well pressure at Osprey platform

Cook Inlet Energy has received fines totaling $50,000 from the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) — $25,000 for failing to test a new… Continue reading

Man accused of reversing van into motorcycle, SUV

A Seward man is accused of intentionally crashing his van into his family members’ vehicles during a domestic dispute Sunday morning. Jordan N. Getz, 34,… Continue reading

  • Jun 25, 2018
  • By ERIN THOMPSON Peninsula Clarion
  • Local News

Man accused of stealing tires from Soldotna shop

A Kenai man was arrested early Friday morning for stealing tires, less than two hours after a burglary was reported at a Soldotna tire shop.… Continue reading

  • Jun 25, 2018
  • By ERIN THOMPSON Peninsula Clarion
  • Local News
Alaska Communications progressing through Kenai Peninsula broadband wireless project

Alaska Communications progressing through Kenai Peninsula broadband wireless project

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct Alaska Communications' expected service date for wireless broadband and the date of their presentation to the Kenai… Continue reading

Alaska Communications progressing through Kenai Peninsula broadband wireless project
Alaska Communications progressing through Kenai Peninsula broadband wireless project

Alaska Communications progressing through Kenai Peninsula broadband wireless project

Statewide telephone and internet service provider Alaska Communications plans to begin offering wireless broadband internet to some rural areas of the western Kenai Peninsula in… Continue reading

Alaska Communications progressing through Kenai Peninsula broadband wireless project
Central Peninsula Hospital’s River Tower specialty services building stands on Sunday, June 24, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The River Tower opened in early 2016 as the fifth phase of an expansion that the hospital began in 2003. Phase 6, which began with a cermonial ground-breaking on Friday, will add a new obstetrics center and a cardiac catheterization lab. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion).

Central Peninsula Hospital to have new birthing and cardiac facilities

Babies born on the central Kenai Peninsula soon after November 2019 may be the first to enter the world in a new birth center that… Continue reading

Central Peninsula Hospital’s River Tower specialty services building stands on Sunday, June 24, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The River Tower opened in early 2016 as the fifth phase of an expansion that the hospital began in 2003. Phase 6, which began with a cermonial ground-breaking on Friday, will add a new obstetrics center and a cardiac catheterization lab. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion).
Central Peninsula Hospital’s River Tower specialty services building stands on Sunday, June 24, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The River Tower opened in early 2016 as the fifth phase of an expansion that the hospital began in 2003. Phase 6, which began with a cermonial ground-breaking on Friday, will add a new obstetrics center and a cardiac catheterization lab. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion).

Central Peninsula Hospital to have new birthing and cardiac facilities

Babies born on the central Kenai Peninsula soon after November 2019 may be the first to enter the world in a new birth center that… Continue reading

Central Peninsula Hospital’s River Tower specialty services building stands on Sunday, June 24, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The River Tower opened in early 2016 as the fifth phase of an expansion that the hospital began in 2003. Phase 6, which began with a cermonial ground-breaking on Friday, will add a new obstetrics center and a cardiac catheterization lab. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion).
An Anchor River king salmon lies on the bank Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Managers restrict Kenai late-run kings, setnets

Anglers won’t be able to use bait when the fishing for late-run Kenai River king salmon starts in July. The Alaska Department of Fish and… Continue reading

An Anchor River king salmon lies on the bank Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)