News

Checkmate Marlee Riggins from Bill Vedders’ third grade class at K-Beach Elementary competes in the chess club tournament earlier this month. The chess club, which is coached by third-grade teacher Cheryl Romatz, at the school has grown to become the “cool thing” to do according to Vedders. (Photo courtesy of Bill Vedders)

Checkmate: Chess Club at K-Beach gains popularity

Marlee Riggins from Bill Vedders’ third grade class at K-Beach Elementary competes in the chess club tournament earlier this month. The chess club, which is… Continue reading

  • Mar 25, 2018
  • By KAT SORENSEN
Checkmate Marlee Riggins from Bill Vedders’ third grade class at K-Beach Elementary competes in the chess club tournament earlier this month. The chess club, which is coached by third-grade teacher Cheryl Romatz, at the school has grown to become the “cool thing” to do according to Vedders. (Photo courtesy of Bill Vedders)
This undated photo shows Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Manager Andy Loranger enjoying the Kenai Peninsula summer. Loranger was recently named 2018 national wildlife refuge manager of the year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association, a nonprofit supporting the federal wildlife refuge system. (Photo courtesy the National Wildlife Refuge Association)

Kenai refuge manager wins national recognition

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s manager has been selected as the best refuge manager in the country for 2018. The National Wildlife Refuge Association named… Continue reading

This undated photo shows Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Manager Andy Loranger enjoying the Kenai Peninsula summer. Loranger was recently named 2018 national wildlife refuge manager of the year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association, a nonprofit supporting the federal wildlife refuge system. (Photo courtesy the National Wildlife Refuge Association)
A herd of Dall sheep graze on the side of one of the peaks in the Mystery Hills above the Skyline Trail in September 2017 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Next steps after sheep, goats test positive for pathogen

Some of Alaska’s wild sheep and goat populations are infected with a bacterium game managers and hunters have been nervous about, though the implications aren’t… Continue reading

A herd of Dall sheep graze on the side of one of the peaks in the Mystery Hills above the Skyline Trail in September 2017 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Soldotna to consider banning plastic bags

Soldotna may see an influx of reusable grocery totes this November, with the introduction of a new ordinance banning plastic shopping bags. The ordinance, sponsored… Continue reading

Community members walked from Christ Lutheran Church, along the Kenai Spur Highway, to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna on Saturday as part of the national March for Our Lives rally, which took place in cities and towns across the country in support of gun control laws. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Community members ‘March for Our Lives’

Talk of gun violence has graced many front, opinion and nation pages in newspapers across the country since a 19-year-old killed 17 students and teachers… Continue reading

Community members walked from Christ Lutheran Church, along the Kenai Spur Highway, to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna on Saturday as part of the national March for Our Lives rally, which took place in cities and towns across the country in support of gun control laws. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
It’s a Rock and Roll Dance weekend at the Kenai Central High School Auditorium.

Forever Dance rocks on!

By any performing arts standards across the nation the new Forever Dance Studio is amazing. The dream of Darcy and Aaron Swanson, who a few… Continue reading

It’s a Rock and Roll Dance weekend at the Kenai Central High School Auditorium.
Dresses line the walls of Soldotna Prep School Friday for Cinderella’s Closet, a program that provides free prom dresses and accessories to girls throughout the school district. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Cinderella’s Closet opens its doors

The floral printed dress with an empire waist and halter top looked great on Nikiski junior Diana Narimanidze, eliciting a chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs”… Continue reading

Dresses line the walls of Soldotna Prep School Friday for Cinderella’s Closet, a program that provides free prom dresses and accessories to girls throughout the school district. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Slushy conditions don’t dampen the luck of the Irish for CPGH.

Wearing o’ the green

The 27th annual St. Patrick’s Parade, the longest continual running St. Patrick’s Day parade in Alaska, got off to a cloudy, slushy start Saturday but… Continue reading

Slushy conditions don’t dampen the luck of the Irish for CPGH.

Poet’s Corner: St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day By Bonnie Marie Playle, Soldotna A day to remember Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland. This was truly his homeland. Patrick died… Continue reading

  • Mar 23, 2018

Fish board takes on hatchery issues

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that the board of fisheries did not form a formal committe on hatcheries but rather agreed… Continue reading

Kenai Central High School senior Raleigh Van Natta was named to the 2017-2018 All National Concert Band, sponsored by the National Association for Music Educators, and is seen here in Orland, Fl. representing Alaska as the first chair alto saxophonist during the music festival in November 2017. (Photo courtesy of Sheree Efta)

Local student musician takes 1st chair

The alto saxophone is just one of Raleigh Van Natta’s musical aptitudes — a versatile instrument for a versatile student. At the end of 2017,… Continue reading

Kenai Central High School senior Raleigh Van Natta was named to the 2017-2018 All National Concert Band, sponsored by the National Association for Music Educators, and is seen here in Orland, Fl. representing Alaska as the first chair alto saxophonist during the music festival in November 2017. (Photo courtesy of Sheree Efta)

Walker nominates 2, including fish board chair, to federal fish council

Gov. Bill Walker has nominated two Alaskans for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council — one a current member and one the chairman of the… Continue reading

This Friday, July 17, 2015 photo shows peonies for sale by Cool Cache Farms LLC., in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file photo)

Bill seeks to expand cottage food sales, farm tours

Kenai Peninsula farmer and local food advocates are leading the charge for a bill to expand what local farms can offer for consumers and tourists.… Continue reading

This Friday, July 17, 2015 photo shows peonies for sale by Cool Cache Farms LLC., in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file photo)
Shed the pounds from your pack: Exploring the world of ultra-light backpacking

Shed the pounds from your pack: Exploring the world of ultra-light backpacking

No matter how long the journey, hikes must be taken one step at a time. Dave Thomas takes them ounce at time. An environmental engineer… Continue reading

Shed the pounds from your pack: Exploring the world of ultra-light backpacking

Fugitive from justice arrested after allegedly fleeing scene of accident

A man wanted in the state of Idaho was arrested last week after he allegedly fled the scene of a traffic accident. Donald W. Baker,… Continue reading

Instructor Lee Coray-Ludden (center) shows how to spin yarn from wool on a kick-driven spinning wheel, with student Amy Townson practicing in the background on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 in the Soldotna Preparatory School library in Soldotna, Alaska. In her four-session weekly yarn spinning class, part of the Soldotna Community Schools program, Coray-Ludden will teach students to spin and ply yarn from locally-grown wool and fleece, including exotic fibers from cashmere goats, alpacas, and llamas. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion).

Spin class

Instructor Lee Coray-Ludden (center) shows how to spin yarn from wool on a kick-driven spinning wheel, with student Amy Townson practicing in the background on… Continue reading

Instructor Lee Coray-Ludden (center) shows how to spin yarn from wool on a kick-driven spinning wheel, with student Amy Townson practicing in the background on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 in the Soldotna Preparatory School library in Soldotna, Alaska. In her four-session weekly yarn spinning class, part of the Soldotna Community Schools program, Coray-Ludden will teach students to spin and ply yarn from locally-grown wool and fleece, including exotic fibers from cashmere goats, alpacas, and llamas. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion).

Tonight: District leadership goes live

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s social network is expanding, with a fourth Facebook event bringing together five members of the district’s instructional team to… Continue reading

Man allegedly threatens family member with tire iron

A Nikiski man accused of brandishing a tire iron during an altercation with a family member is facing felony assault charges. Arnold F. Sipes, 27,… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, right, speaks alongside Marc Luiken, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities during a breakout session on Alaska Marine Highway System Reform at Southeast Conference at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Kito said this week that he will not seek re-election. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Rep. Sam Kito III will not run for re-election in 2018

Rep. Sam Kito III ended months of speculation in a Monday interview with the Juneau Empire by declaring he will not run for re-election this… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, right, speaks alongside Marc Luiken, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities during a breakout session on Alaska Marine Highway System Reform at Southeast Conference at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Kito said this week that he will not seek re-election. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

State budget battles may stall amid election year

Three years into the Legislature’s budget battles, a comprehensive fix to the state’s fiscal problems doesn’t seem likely to come down this year. Though oil… Continue reading