News

Winter fun at the refuge

After all the presents are unwrapped, but before the holiday season is over and school is back in session, kids have a lot of time… Continue reading

The life-changing magic of being bad at things

The stubborn part of me keeps thinking I’ll find something I’m a prodigy at — that the first time I try, sparks will fly. Skiing… Continue reading

Caribou Hills open to snowmachine use

Caribou Hills open to snowmachine use

The Caribou Hills area within Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is now open to snowmachine use. Effective immediately, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is opening… Continue reading

Caribou Hills open to snowmachine use
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation President Keith Meyer addresses the attendees at a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Meyer explained some of the details of the recently signed Joint Development Agreement between the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and several Chinese investors to develop the Alaska LNG Project, an 800-mile pipeline and liquefaction facility terminating in Nikiski designed to monetize the natural gas reserves on the North Slope. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Despite uncertainties, state moves forward with LNG

When Alaska Governor Bill Walker spoke Tuesday to members of the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce, he wore an Alaska-shaped lapel pin marked with… Continue reading

Alaska Gasline Development Corporation President Keith Meyer addresses the attendees at a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Meyer explained some of the details of the recently signed Joint Development Agreement between the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and several Chinese investors to develop the Alaska LNG Project, an 800-mile pipeline and liquefaction facility terminating in Nikiski designed to monetize the natural gas reserves on the North Slope. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Jasmine Koster and Jimmy Starkloff perform alongside local musician George Demientieff Holly (right) during a Dec. 21 winter solstice performance at Dena’ina Wellness Center in Old Town Kenai. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Local musician celebrates winter solstice with song

On the darkest day of winter, with a barely risen sun setting behind him, local musician George Demientieff Holly brought a little light to the… Continue reading

Jasmine Koster and Jimmy Starkloff perform alongside local musician George Demientieff Holly (right) during a Dec. 21 winter solstice performance at Dena’ina Wellness Center in Old Town Kenai. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai River flows by the newly restored riverbank of Dow Island on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Funny River, Alaska. A group of four property owners banded together this spring to install the extensive project to protect the bank of the island in the Kenai River from rapid erosion. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Hearing officer orders fines, removal of rock in Dow Island gravel case

A state hearing officer has decided that the two men accused of illegally dumping gravel in the Kenai River this summer have to remove the… Continue reading

The Kenai River flows by the newly restored riverbank of Dow Island on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Funny River, Alaska. A group of four property owners banded together this spring to install the extensive project to protect the bank of the island in the Kenai River from rapid erosion. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Pebble Mine backers seek to advance project

JUNEAU — Backers of a proposed copper and gold mine near a major salmon fishery in Alaska are taking another step toward advancing the project,… Continue reading

  • Dec 21, 2017
  • By Becky Bohrer
Locker room burglary suspect gets trial date

Locker room burglary suspect gets trial date

The trial for a man accused of trying to steal girls’ underwear from a high school locker room is slated for the week of Feb.… Continue reading

Locker room burglary suspect gets trial date

Murkowski introduces bill to study ocean acidification

Global warming is causing ocean water to become less like baking soda and more like milk, chemically speaking. It’s a pHenomena called ocean acidification (OA)… Continue reading

Poet’s Corner: Deposit

Deposit By Steve M Schoonmaker, Kasilof What of Human investments, what do they mean? What are the gifts that come in from the Streams? And… Continue reading

  • Dec 20, 2017
A novel approach to ocean acidification

A novel approach to ocean acidification

Pteropods may look otherworldly, but they are a real and threatened species of minuscule marine snail whose appearance in Homer author Nancy Lord’s new novel… Continue reading

A novel approach to ocean acidification
Roberta Turner of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Na’ini Family and Social Services carries blankets donated by Girl Scouts Troop 254 to the center for its blanket drive. The girl scout troop, which includes 6th and 7th graders, collected blankets at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School and Kenai Middle School to donate to the tribe. The blankets will be available for clients in need at the Na’ini Family and Social Services building and some will be distributed at the Project Homeless Connect event in January 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Girl scout troop gathers 129 blankets to donate to homeless

The members of Girl Scout Troop 254 stepped up their Christmas giving this year with a donation of 129 blankets for those in need. The… Continue reading

Roberta Turner of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Na’ini Family and Social Services carries blankets donated by Girl Scouts Troop 254 to the center for its blanket drive. The girl scout troop, which includes 6th and 7th graders, collected blankets at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School and Kenai Middle School to donate to the tribe. The blankets will be available for clients in need at the Na’ini Family and Social Services building and some will be distributed at the Project Homeless Connect event in January 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Bill Walker (right) speaks to Rep. Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski) before the beginning of a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Walker visited Kenai on Tuesday to address the chambers of commerce with updates about the Alaska LNG Project. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Governor’s budget includes paying off tax credits, payroll tax

Gov. Bill Walker is asking the Alaska Legislature to again consider new taxes to help support state spending in Fiscal Year 2019. The governor’s office… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker (right) speaks to Rep. Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski) before the beginning of a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Walker visited Kenai on Tuesday to address the chambers of commerce with updates about the Alaska LNG Project. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers to offer free academy in 2018

Alaska State Troopers to offer free academy in 2018

If you’ve ever wanted to see the law through the eyes of a State Trooper, now’s your chance. The Alaska State Troopers Soldotna Post will… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers to offer free academy in 2018
Caroling in Ninilchik

Caroling in Ninilchik

The Ninilchik Senior Center was full of holiday cheer on Tuesday afternoon thanks to a group of students from Ninilchik School, with some help from… Continue reading

Caroling in Ninilchik

AGDC shares new plans for LNG pipeline

Editor's note: This story has been changed to clarify that realtor Katie Uei has based her sales price estimates on conversation with Nikiski residents and… Continue reading

This map shades in red the 7.5 miles of the Kenai River upstream of the Warren Ames Bridge that the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation seeks to classify as an impaired water body because of its high turbity, or levels of suspended sediment. (Courtesy the Kenai Peninsula Borough)

State, feds to determine next steps after turbidity report

The state must now address the fact that excessive motor boat traffic in July has made a section of the lower Kenai River too muddy.… Continue reading

This map shades in red the 7.5 miles of the Kenai River upstream of the Warren Ames Bridge that the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation seeks to classify as an impaired water body because of its high turbity, or levels of suspended sediment. (Courtesy the Kenai Peninsula Borough)
Jim Butler, a Kenai attorney and Cook Inlet commercial setnet fisherman, addresses a question during a forum on salmon habitat policy at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association’s headquarters Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. A group of panelists discussed the merits of the current salmon habitat permitting process, contained within Title 16 of the Alaska Administrative Code, and a proposed ballot initiative that would significantly tighten restrictions on permitting for projects that impact salmon streams. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Panel opens up conversation on salmon habitat policy reform

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that the two commercial fishermen on the panel did not support the Stand for Salmon ballot… Continue reading

Jim Butler, a Kenai attorney and Cook Inlet commercial setnet fisherman, addresses a question during a forum on salmon habitat policy at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association’s headquarters Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. A group of panelists discussed the merits of the current salmon habitat permitting process, contained within Title 16 of the Alaska Administrative Code, and a proposed ballot initiative that would significantly tighten restrictions on permitting for projects that impact salmon streams. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward Highway reopens after rockslide

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Officials say a major highway south of Alaska’s largest city has reopened after crews cleared a rockslide that covered traffic lanes with… Continue reading

  • Dec 18, 2017
“Unwrap Soldotna” promotes local holiday spending by offering prizes to customers who frequent local establishments.

Unwrap Soldotna wraps up

The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce is wrapping up “Unwrap Soldotna” — a holiday campaign aimed at ramping up spending at local businesses — with a… Continue reading

“Unwrap Soldotna” promotes local holiday spending by offering prizes to customers who frequent local establishments.