News

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
Nikiski resident James Price speaks to members of the Alaska Judicial Council during a public hearing on the applicants seeking to replace retiring Superior Court Judge Anna M. Moran on Wednesday at the Kenai Courthouse. The seven-member Alaska Judicial Council chose to forward the names of Kenai Assistant Attorney General Lance Joanis and Valdez District Court Judge Daniel Schally to Gov. Bill Walker for consideration. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Valdez judge, assistant attorney general nominated for Superior Court

The field of potential replacements for retiring Kenai Superior Court Judge Anna M. Moran was winnowed to two Wednesday. After an afternoon of public testimony… Continue reading

Nikiski resident James Price speaks to members of the Alaska Judicial Council during a public hearing on the applicants seeking to replace retiring Superior Court Judge Anna M. Moran on Wednesday at the Kenai Courthouse. The seven-member Alaska Judicial Council chose to forward the names of Kenai Assistant Attorney General Lance Joanis and Valdez District Court Judge Daniel Schally to Gov. Bill Walker for consideration. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

CINGSA plans backup systems

After losing some capacity in March to a sand-clogged well and failed dehydration unit, Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska (CINGSA) is planning to spend… Continue reading

  • May 16, 2018
  • By By BEN BOETTGER
  • Energy

Northern District king salmon setnetters stay closed

Subsistence fishermen in part of the Susitna River drainage will be able to harvest a few kings, but commercial fishermen in Northern Cook Inlet will… Continue reading

A hooligan pulled from a gillnet lies on the bank of the Kenai River near the Warren Ames Bridge on Monday, May 14, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Look out for hooligan

Spring brings migratory birds, beluga whales, harbor seals and people to the banks of the Kenai seeking the same thing: hooligan. Hooligan, also called eulachon,… Continue reading

A hooligan pulled from a gillnet lies on the bank of the Kenai River near the Warren Ames Bridge on Monday, May 14, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
This selfie photo provided by Nick Steffl was taken in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Steffl was on a plane May 14, 2018, flying from Seattle to Anchorage, Alaska, when he confronted a man who had removed his clothes and was running up and down the aisle naked. (Nick Steffl via AP)

Airline passenger helps subdue naked man

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Anchorage, Alaska, looked up from his audio book to see a naked… Continue reading

  • May 16, 2018
  • By Dan Joling
This selfie photo provided by Nick Steffl was taken in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Steffl was on a plane May 14, 2018, flying from Seattle to Anchorage, Alaska, when he confronted a man who had removed his clothes and was running up and down the aisle naked. (Nick Steffl via AP)
Burned trees are shown at the scene of a wildfire in Nikolaevsk, near Ninilchik, on May 15. Killed by invasive beetles, the heavy trees provide potent fuel for wildfires and provide challenges for fire crews. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Division of Forestry)

Wildfires sweep southern peninsula

Back-to-back wildfires kept emergency response teams busy on the southern peninsula Monday. Firefighters were called out to the scene of a 3.5-acre wildfire along Misty… Continue reading

Burned trees are shown at the scene of a wildfire in Nikolaevsk, near Ninilchik, on May 15. Killed by invasive beetles, the heavy trees provide potent fuel for wildfires and provide challenges for fire crews. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Division of Forestry)
A sign outside the Soldotna Blockbuster advertises a close-out sale. The video rental store will shutter its doors this week after more than two decades in operation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Blockbuster to shut down after 24 years

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Justin Trickel's name. Tourists from the Lower 48 who come to Soldotna to… Continue reading

A sign outside the Soldotna Blockbuster advertises a close-out sale. The video rental store will shutter its doors this week after more than two decades in operation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Study reviews potential climate impacts on Kenai River salmon

Fish board denies petition on hatcheries

The members of the Board of Fisheries agree that Pacific salmon hatchery impacts on wild salmon stocks are concerning, but they aren’t clear on what… Continue reading

Study reviews potential climate impacts on Kenai River salmon
Mother, son face armed robbery charges

Mother, son face armed robbery charges

Nikiski mother and son face charges of armed robbery A mother and son are due in court on charges of armed robbery and assault following… Continue reading

Mother, son face armed robbery charges
An Arctic tern swoops in search of fish on the banks of the Kenai River near the Warren Ames Bridge on Monday, May 14, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Birding Fest to take off Thursday

As flocks of birds settle on the central Kenai Peninsula this spring, flocks of people will be following them with cameras and binoculars this weekend.… Continue reading

An Arctic tern swoops in search of fish on the banks of the Kenai River near the Warren Ames Bridge on Monday, May 14, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Going for a ride: Bikers learn safety tips at community event

Going for a ride: Bikers learn safety tips at community event

Top 10 Bicycling Safety Tips 1. Always wear a helmet. 2. Wear brightly colored clothing. 3. Check air, breaks and chain. 4. Stop. Look left,… Continue reading

Going for a ride: Bikers learn safety tips at community event