News

Borough forms gravel pit working group

A group of local government officials, members of the public and gravel pit operators will start gathering to overhaul borough laws on material extraction sites.… Continue reading

Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Bill would authorize east side setnet permit buyback

The Legislature is set to consider a buyback program for commercial fishing permits in Cook Inlet’s east side setnet fishery. The east side setnet fishery… Continue reading

Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and Chief of Staff John Quick speak to the attendees at Pierce’s swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Mayor outlines budget strategy

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to clarify that the borough administration's plan to fix the boilers in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration… Continue reading

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and Chief of Staff John Quick speak to the attendees at Pierce’s swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Hilcorp plans $285 million Alaska investment in 2018

Hilcorp is planning to spend about $285 million in Alaska during 2018, the oil and gas company’s Operations Manager Chad Helgeson told audiences at the… Continue reading

In this Jan. 17, 2017, file photo, state Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, talks with another legislator during a break in the opening session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska Legislature opens a new session Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, amid lingering fallout from the resignation of Westlake, accused of inappropriate behavior toward female aides. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Lawmakers go back to work amid sex misconduct fallout

JUNEAU — The Alaska Legislature opens a new session today, Jan. 16 amid lingering fallout from the resignation of a House member accused of inappropriate… Continue reading

  • Jan 15, 2018
  • By Becky Bohrer
In this Jan. 17, 2017, file photo, state Rep. Dean Westlake, D-Kotzebue, talks with another legislator during a break in the opening session of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska Legislature opens a new session Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, amid lingering fallout from the resignation of Westlake, accused of inappropriate behavior toward female aides. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Sam’s Club exit shakes businesses statewide

FAIRBANKS (AP) — Sam’s Club announced that it will close its three Alaska stores by Jan. 26. In response, hundreds of people visited the Fairbanks… Continue reading

  • Jan 15, 2018
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) speaks to constituents after addressing the members of three Kenai- and Soldotna-area Rotary Clubs at Froso’s Restaurant on Monday in Soldotna. Sullivan, entering his third year as U.S. Senator for the state, said he found reasons to be optimistic about federal actions regarding the state in 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Senator optimistic for Alaska’s outlook in 2018

Alaska’s junior U.S. senator is heading into 2018 with a sense of optimism about the state’s future. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), now entering his third… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) speaks to constituents after addressing the members of three Kenai- and Soldotna-area Rotary Clubs at Froso’s Restaurant on Monday in Soldotna. Sullivan, entering his third year as U.S. Senator for the state, said he found reasons to be optimistic about federal actions regarding the state in 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Lawmaker tackles opioid abuse

A bill proposed in the Alaska State Legislature would require more discussion about addiction before patients take home an opioid prescription. Pre-filed by Rep. Les… Continue reading

Don’t get duped

Even the savviest of us can get taken in by scams. Seniors, however, are particularly vulnerable to financial exploitation, Sharon Christopher, outreach specialist with the… Continue reading

Patrick Sidmore, a health planner for the Alaska Mental Health Board, talks on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, about new studies in addressing emotional trauma in young students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Program increases awareness of effects of childhood trauma

As Natalie Turner walked into a fourth-grade classroom at Glacier Valley Elementary on Friday, the fingers started wiggling. The fourth-graders greeted her silently, holding up… Continue reading

Patrick Sidmore, a health planner for the Alaska Mental Health Board, talks on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, about new studies in addressing emotional trauma in young students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau legislators ‘worried’ about upcoming session

Juneau’s three-person delegation to the Alaska Legislature told a well-attended town hall meeting Thursday night that they are worried about what will and will not… Continue reading

Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau and Rep. Justin Parish, D-Juneau, answer questions from Juneau area residents about legislative priorities during a townhall meeting at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Snowfall increases avalanche danger in Turnagain Pass

Avalanche experts are warning people to stay away from high elevations for the next few days in the Turnagain Pass area. Heavy winds and curtains… Continue reading

Mary Sattler Peltola, one of the Alaska Humanities Forum’s inaugural group of Alaska Salmon Fellows, speaks to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Salmon Fellows program seeks to broaden fish conversations

The Alaska Humanities Forum is trying to cool some of the heated tension between salmon fishermen in the state. The nonprofit, which operates a number… Continue reading

Mary Sattler Peltola, one of the Alaska Humanities Forum’s inaugural group of Alaska Salmon Fellows, speaks to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Two pieces hang in the Kenai Fine Arts Center for the January 2018 which features artwork from teachers across the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Practicing what they preach

Art teachers from across the Kenai Peninsula Borough School district are “practicing what they preach” at the Kenai Fine Arts Center with the January exhibit.… Continue reading

  • Jan 14, 2018
  • By KAT SORENSEN
Two pieces hang in the Kenai Fine Arts Center for the January 2018 which features artwork from teachers across the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Brooke Addison Buzga stretches in the sun Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. Born on Jan. 4 at 8:29 a.m., she was the first baby of the New Year in Homer. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

First Homer baby of 2018 comes late for the New Year, early for her family

Brooke Addison Buzga has the distinction of being the first baby born in South Peninsula Hospital in the New Year. Born at 8:29 a.m. on… Continue reading

Brooke Addison Buzga stretches in the sun Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. Born on Jan. 4 at 8:29 a.m., she was the first baby of the New Year in Homer. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A timeline hanging on the wall explains the history of the “

Gathering brings #MeToo to Soldotna

On the far side of the room facing the audience stood an empty chair. The organizers of the event at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday,… Continue reading

A timeline hanging on the wall explains the history of the “
With the shop’s distinctive painted cieling panels above her, barrista Sarah Rawson steams milk to make a latte at Kaladi Brother’s Coffee during a busy evening on Saturday, Jan. 13 in Soldotna. Rawson and fellow barrista Hallie Riddall practiced latte art — creating designs by carefully and precisely pouring steamed milk into coffee — between serving customers Saturday evening. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Kaladi’s Krew

With the shop’s distinctive painted ceiling panels above her, barista Sarah Rawson steams milk to make a latte at Kaladi Brother’s Coffee during a busy… Continue reading

With the shop’s distinctive painted cieling panels above her, barrista Sarah Rawson steams milk to make a latte at Kaladi Brother’s Coffee during a busy evening on Saturday, Jan. 13 in Soldotna. Rawson and fellow barrista Hallie Riddall practiced latte art — creating designs by carefully and precisely pouring steamed milk into coffee — between serving customers Saturday evening. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Grant allows district to reinstate petroleum career program

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has received a $20,000 grant that will help in the school district’s goal to extend their broaden their approach… Continue reading

Mike Navarre, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, speaks about the need for a stable fiscal plan for the state to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

In new state role, Navarre’s message about fiscal plan remains the same

The commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development is making rounds of the state, advocating for a stable fiscal plan. Mike Navarre,… Continue reading

Mike Navarre, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, speaks about the need for a stable fiscal plan for the state to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
This draft design shows just one of the many iterations that Soldotna could explore for the remodel of the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Nearly finalized designs were presented to the city council at their meeting on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Tim Dillon)

Field house designs completed

A field house for the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is one step, or kick, or throw, closer to becoming a reality. Burkhart Croft Architects of… Continue reading

This draft design shows just one of the many iterations that Soldotna could explore for the remodel of the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Nearly finalized designs were presented to the city council at their meeting on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Tim Dillon)