News

Dogs trot around the 3 Friends Dog Park on Monday, May 21, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A woof over their heads

A dog enjoys an off-leash romp at the 3 Friends Dog Park in Soldotna on Monday, May 21. The City of Soldotna recently installed a… Continue reading

Dogs trot around the 3 Friends Dog Park on Monday, May 21, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
This August 2016 photo shows Skilak Lake with Mt. Redoubt in the background on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Refuge seeks information on black bear poaching

Federal wildlife managers are looking for information about a black bear poaching near Cooper Landing. Federal wildlife officers received a report Thursday that someone had… Continue reading

This August 2016 photo shows Skilak Lake with Mt. Redoubt in the background on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

State to conduct additional turbidity monitoring this summer

The state will take extra measurements this summer to check whether the Kenai River really does exceed turbidity standards. Turbidity — the measure of how… Continue reading

Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. The Anchor River opening May 19 was the first chance for freshwater anglers on the Kenai Peninsula to catch king salmon. Saturday proved a slow morning for fishing — Umatum said he waited about 5 hours to catch his king — though it’s still early in the season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s weir on the Anchor River has counted precisely zero kings so far this year, as of Saturday, though the weir is positioned several miles upriver from the mouth. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

The joy of the fight

Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. The… Continue reading

Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. The Anchor River opening May 19 was the first chance for freshwater anglers on the Kenai Peninsula to catch king salmon. Saturday proved a slow morning for fishing — Umatum said he waited about 5 hours to catch his king — though it’s still early in the season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s weir on the Anchor River has counted precisely zero kings so far this year, as of Saturday, though the weir is positioned several miles upriver from the mouth. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Seagulls flock to where participants in the personal use dipnet fishery fish on the north beach of the Kenai River on July 10, 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Kenai to start using dipnet earnings

Kenai’s city government has made managing the summer dipnet fishery pay for itself. Soon, fishery revenues may pay for other things, too. “What we expect… Continue reading

Seagulls flock to where participants in the personal use dipnet fishery fish on the north beach of the Kenai River on July 10, 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Kenai Spur accident sends 3 to hospital

Kenai Spur accident sends 3 to hospital

A two-car accident on the Kenai Spur Highway on Sunday morning sent three people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Kenai Police Department and… Continue reading

Kenai Spur accident sends 3 to hospital
Hiker, stopped by snow in Resurrection Pass, rescued by troopers

Hiker, stopped by snow in Resurrection Pass, rescued by troopers

A Soldotna man was rescued from the Resurrection Pass Trail on Sunday after encountering too much snow to continue. Alaska State Troopers used a helicopter… Continue reading

Hiker, stopped by snow in Resurrection Pass, rescued by troopers
The Mendenhall Glacier, which is receding. (Juneau Empire file)

Alaska takes first step toward a state-level climate policy

You don’t have to look far to see the effects of climate change in Alaska. Permafrost melts, ocean waters acidify and eroding shorelines threaten coastal… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Glacier, which is receding. (Juneau Empire file)

Salmon fellows program includes 4 with peninsula connections

As beloved as salmon are across Alaska, they’re also the focus of tense disagreements. The Alaska Humanities Forum is convening a group of people to… Continue reading

Renovations underway at Eagle Rock boat launch

Renovations underway at Eagle Rock boat launch

Boats entering the Kenai River this summer from Eagle Rock boat launch will have a wider ramp into the water, but the vehicles that bring… Continue reading

Renovations underway at Eagle Rock boat launch
University of Alaska Anchorage student Julie Polasik peers over the Kenai flats through a birding scope during the 24-Hour Midnight Sun Big Sit on Saturday, May 19. Dozens of volunteer bird watchers turned out to the Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform for the sit, which aimed to tally the dozens of species of birds coming and going from the estuary. Data gathered by bird watchers will be posted to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird website, which collects data on bird species around the world. Organized by the Keen Eye Bird Club, the event was part of the Kenai Birding Festival, which took place over the weekend and offered guided hikes, float trips, trail walks, workshops and educational talks. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

A Keen Eye for detail: Birders turn out to take annual tally

By Erin Thompson Peninsula Clarion… Continue reading

University of Alaska Anchorage student Julie Polasik peers over the Kenai flats through a birding scope during the 24-Hour Midnight Sun Big Sit on Saturday, May 19. Dozens of volunteer bird watchers turned out to the Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform for the sit, which aimed to tally the dozens of species of birds coming and going from the estuary. Data gathered by bird watchers will be posted to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird website, which collects data on bird species around the world. Organized by the Keen Eye Bird Club, the event was part of the Kenai Birding Festival, which took place over the weekend and offered guided hikes, float trips, trail walks, workshops and educational talks. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Lawmakers approve legislation, funding to test backlog of rape kits

Lawmakers approve legislation, funding to test backlog of rape kits

An effort to solve a backlog of untested evidence from rape cases across Alaska received a major boost from the Alaska Legislature this week, but… Continue reading

Lawmakers approve legislation, funding to test backlog of rape kits
Students in Skyview Middle School’s “Project Lead the Way” class listen to a presentation from school district administrators and Andeavor leaders during a presentation of a grant to the school district on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Andeavor presented the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District with a $175,000 check Thursday to support programs in career and technical education, including purchasing new computers and carts for Project Lead the Way, additional funds for the Upstream Academies and the Career and Technical Education program SkillsUSA. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

$175K Andeavor grant to fund STEM programs at school district

The races between the robotic cars in the hallways of Skyview Middle School on Thursday afternoon weren’t the cheering kind — after all, the kids… Continue reading

Students in Skyview Middle School’s “Project Lead the Way” class listen to a presentation from school district administrators and Andeavor leaders during a presentation of a grant to the school district on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Andeavor presented the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District with a $175,000 check Thursday to support programs in career and technical education, including purchasing new computers and carts for Project Lead the Way, additional funds for the Upstream Academies and the Career and Technical Education program SkillsUSA. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Jessica Hendrickson, chief animal control officer at the Kenai Animal Shelter, tosses a ball to Cherokee, one of the shelter’s adoptable dogs on Thursday, May 17. President of the Alaska Animal Control Association, Hendrickson helped organize a training conference sponsored by the nonprofit, which has been inactive for at least seven years. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

An old org learns new tricks: Animal control nonprofit up and running after of dormancy

A long-dormant Alaska nonprofit came back to life last week with a two-day conference attended by animal control professionals from across the state. Hosted at… Continue reading

Jessica Hendrickson, chief animal control officer at the Kenai Animal Shelter, tosses a ball to Cherokee, one of the shelter’s adoptable dogs on Thursday, May 17. President of the Alaska Animal Control Association, Hendrickson helped organize a training conference sponsored by the nonprofit, which has been inactive for at least seven years. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Spruce beetles to emerge soon

This year’s new generation of eager young spruce bark beetles may soon be emerging from the bark of local trees where they’ve spent the winter… Continue reading

A cow moose browses in the trees near the Homer Electric Association building on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. In the spring, female moose give birth to their calves, and are eating what they can after a long, lean winter, leading them to be somewhat defense and aggressive. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game warns people to stay away from moose this time of year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Watch out for moose

… Continue reading

A cow moose browses in the trees near the Homer Electric Association building on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. In the spring, female moose give birth to their calves, and are eating what they can after a long, lean winter, leading them to be somewhat defense and aggressive. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game warns people to stay away from moose this time of year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Juneau residents turn out to watch the whale fountain in action on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Whale worth the wait: Lights, fountain complete full-size bronze whale statue downtown

“The whale is done.” Those were the words from Laraine Derr Wednesday afternoon after the finishing touches on the lights and fountain around the whale… Continue reading

Juneau residents turn out to watch the whale fountain in action on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Organic clay-based paint stands stacked in the window at the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

Art from salvage

The group of old buildings behind the decorative mushrooms and tall spruce alongside the Sterling Highway are all rescued and finding new life with art.… Continue reading

Organic clay-based paint stands stacked in the window at the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.
This still released by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Storyteller Distribution Co. from the film “The Post” shows Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) and Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep). (Photo by Niko Tavernise)

Even less than his best, Spielberg brings spark to ‘The Post’

The box office silence between “Infinity War” and the rest of the summer has been a little deafening. The only things on offer have been… Continue reading

This still released by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Storyteller Distribution Co. from the film “The Post” shows Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) and Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep). (Photo by Niko Tavernise)
Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall

Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall

With one meeting left before they have to approve the fiscal year 2019 budget, the members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly have yet to… Continue reading

Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall