Lack of coho data complicates fish board discussions

Although coho salmon populations have played an important role in many of the decisions made at the Board of Fisheries’ Upper Cook Inlet meeting so… Continue reading

Stephen Stringham talks to a small group of people about bear safety techniques during a presentation Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Joyce K. Carver Memorial Library in Soldotna, Alaska.

Biologist shares dos and don’ts of bear encounters

Ever wonder what a grizzly is thinking when it wanders into a back yard, or comes face to face with a hiker somewhere in Alaska’s… Continue reading

Stephen Stringham talks to a small group of people about bear safety techniques during a presentation Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Joyce K. Carver Memorial Library in Soldotna, Alaska.
This June 18, 2016 photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows a Yellow Warbler in Nome, Alaska. Growth of shrubs on Arctic tundra as the climate warms will have a mixed effect on breeding birds, federal researchers have concluded. Shrub density is not expected to harm species, but as shrubs grow taller, many bird species likely will find the habitat unsuitable, according to U.S. Geological Survey researchers. (Rachel M. Richardson/U.S. Geological Survey via AP)

Warming, taller shrubs may affect birds breeding on tundra

ANCHORAGE — More shrubs moving onto Arctic tundra because of climate change will have minimal effect on many of the bird species that breed there,… Continue reading

  • Mar 5, 2017
  • By Dan Joling
This June 18, 2016 photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows a Yellow Warbler in Nome, Alaska. Growth of shrubs on Arctic tundra as the climate warms will have a mixed effect on breeding birds, federal researchers have concluded. Shrub density is not expected to harm species, but as shrubs grow taller, many bird species likely will find the habitat unsuitable, according to U.S. Geological Survey researchers. (Rachel M. Richardson/U.S. Geological Survey via AP)

Legislative Information Office schedule for March 6

Monday, 3:30 p.m. The Senate Resources Committee will sponsor a public hearing to discuss Confirmation of Appointees: Board of Game - Ted Spraker, Lawrence Van… Continue reading

  • Mar 5, 2017
A team of sled dogs makes its way down the trail along 4th Avenue for the ceremonial start of the 45th Iditarod on Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Fan-friendly event kicks off Iditarod race across Alaska

ANCHORAGE — The sound of howling dogs filled downtown Anchorage on Saturday as mushers from around the world gathered for the ceremonial start of the… Continue reading

  • Mar 4, 2017
  • By Mark Thiessen
A team of sled dogs makes its way down the trail along 4th Avenue for the ceremonial start of the 45th Iditarod on Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
A commercial drift gillnetting boat leaves the mouth of the Kasilof River at about 1 a.m. July 17, 2014 during an overnight fishing period in Kasilof, Alaska. (Clarion file photo)

Board of Fish adds 1 district-wide opener for drifters

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that the Board of Fisheries did not add an additional period, but added the option for… Continue reading

A commercial drift gillnetting boat leaves the mouth of the Kasilof River at about 1 a.m. July 17, 2014 during an overnight fishing period in Kasilof, Alaska. (Clarion file photo)

Boys & Girls Clubs expand their mentoring programs

The Boys &Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula have received two federal grants from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Programs to implement… Continue reading

  • Mar 4, 2017
  • By KAT SORENSEN

Most agree time to help early-run Kenai kings

Although fisheries users differ on technicalities, most of them agreed that the Kenai River’s early run of king salmon needs long-term help. The early run,… Continue reading

Intentional firearm injuries on the rise in Alaska

ANCHORAGE (AP) — There has been a significant increase in the number of intentional firearm injuries in recent years, marking a shift from when accidental… Continue reading

  • Mar 4, 2017

Soldotna commissioners tackle freestanding signs in code revision

Soldotna Planning and Zoning Commissioners are forging ahead in their revision to the city’s sign ordinance, with hopes of getting more public input during discussion… Continue reading

Sterling man charged with kidnapping

A Sterling man has been charged with kidnapping and several counts of assault after police allege he held a man in the back of his… Continue reading

Central Council Tlingit & Haida Public Safety Manager Jason Wilson, second from right, speaks about criminal justice reform during the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, March 2, 2017. As speaking at the forum are Sen. John Coghill (SB91 Bill Sponsor), left, Jordan Shilling, legislative staff member to Sen. Coghill, and Talia Eames, program coordinator for Central Council’s Second Chance Reentry program and chair to Juneau Reentry Coalition’s Alaska Native Community Working Group. The forum is sponsored by Central Council of Tlingit & Haida and Sealaska. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

Council President: ‘We have to be compassionate in holding people accountable’

Hosting Native Issues Forums that are open to the public on topics such as criminal justice reform provides a great opportunity to hear presentations on… Continue reading

  • Mar 2, 2017
  • By LIZ KELLAR
Central Council Tlingit & Haida Public Safety Manager Jason Wilson, second from right, speaks about criminal justice reform during the Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Thursday, March 2, 2017. As speaking at the forum are Sen. John Coghill (SB91 Bill Sponsor), left, Jordan Shilling, legislative staff member to Sen. Coghill, and Talia Eames, program coordinator for Central Council’s Second Chance Reentry program and chair to Juneau Reentry Coalition’s Alaska Native Community Working Group. The forum is sponsored by Central Council of Tlingit & Haida and Sealaska. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

Industry reps voice concerns over proposed oil tax bill

Oil industry players made their pitch to the House Resources Committee against further oil tax changes in the last days of February, which included direct… Continue reading

  • Mar 2, 2017
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER

Alaska’s purchase celebrated in upcoming Triumvirate show

The Triumvirate Theatre and Nikiski students have come together to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the purchase of Alaska in a unique way, by combining… Continue reading

  • Mar 2, 2017
  • By KAT SORENSEN

DEC: Hilcorp must sample and monitor underwater gas leak

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is requiring Hilcorp Energy Company to begin sampling and environmental monitoring of its damaged underwater natural gas pipeline, which… Continue reading

Ice could delay Hilcorp leak response until late March

Hilcorp’s plan to send divers to repair a damaged underwater gas pipeline — which is leaking between 210,000 and 310,000 cubic feet of methane a… Continue reading

Kaitlin Vadla, left, of Cook Inletkeeper, returned Monica Zappa’s boot full of donations and tips for winning her fourth Iditarod at the Stand For Salmon send-off event on Tuesday, Feb. 28 2017, at Odie’s Deli in Soldotna. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Zappa sent off to fourth Iditarod with salmon message

Before leaving for her fourth Iditarod, musher Monica Zappa spoke to a group of well-wishers about her connection to Alaska fisheries and the Stand for… Continue reading

  • Mar 1, 2017
  • By KAT SORENSEN
Kaitlin Vadla, left, of Cook Inletkeeper, returned Monica Zappa’s boot full of donations and tips for winning her fourth Iditarod at the Stand For Salmon send-off event on Tuesday, Feb. 28 2017, at Odie’s Deli in Soldotna. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna woman hopes to add to local dance community

One area woman is hoping to bring together the Kenai Peninsula’s community of dance lovers into one easy-to-reach place and create more casual, social dance… Continue reading

Poet’s Corner: In a Future Tense

In A Future Tense By Brent Johnson, Clam Gulch Time can fly I’ve seen it go by with a joy that’s always fleeting. And so… Continue reading

  • Mar 1, 2017

Board of Fish takes steps to prevent Kasilof terminal harvest area use

Managers, Board of Fisheries members and the public agree on at least one thing about the Kasilof River commercial fisheries management: Stay out of the… Continue reading