News

Poet’s Corner: Vote No on One

Vote No on One By Nicholas Reaume, Soldotna I’m writing you this letter, I have something to say. I’m sending it to you for solstice,… Continue reading

  • Jun 19, 2017
Rick Koch campaigns in his unsucessful 2016 run for the Alaska House of Representatives during Soldotna’s Progress Days Parade on July 23, 2016. Koch, who served as Kenai’s city manager from 2006 to 2017, was killed on Sunday in a motorcycle accident on the Dalton Highway.

Former Kenai city manager killed in motorcycle crash

Kenai’s former city manager was killed in a motorcycle accident on the Dalton Highway Sunday. According to Alaska State Troopers, Rick Koch, 60, of Kenai,… Continue reading

  • Jun 19, 2017
  • By Staff Report
Rick Koch campaigns in his unsucessful 2016 run for the Alaska House of Representatives during Soldotna’s Progress Days Parade on July 23, 2016. Koch, who served as Kenai’s city manager from 2006 to 2017, was killed on Sunday in a motorcycle accident on the Dalton Highway.

Black bear kills 16-year-old boy during race on Bird Ridge

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Authorities say a black bear killed a 16-year-old runner while he was competing in an Alaska race on Sunday. Anchorage television station… Continue reading

  • Jun 19, 2017
Clouds loom over Resurrection Bay in this November 2016 photo near Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

2 dead after fishing boat capsizes near Seward

Two people have died after a fishing boat capsized near Seward. The U.S. Coast Guard notified Alaska State Troopers in Seward on Saturday around 3:01… Continue reading

Clouds loom over Resurrection Bay in this November 2016 photo near Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Summer Lazenby, pictured here Thursday, June 15, 2017, is the new executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Summer Lazenby to direct Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council

Summer Lazenby, formerly the director of educational operations at the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska, will now lead the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council as… Continue reading

Summer Lazenby, pictured here Thursday, June 15, 2017, is the new executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

On the docks, no sympathy for deadlocked lawmakers

Boats don’t have wheels. This may go without saying, but as Juneau commercial fisherman Brian Delay joked Friday at Don D. Statter Harbor, it’s worth… Continue reading

State looks to trim Medicaid costs by $30M

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is trying to cut $30 million out of its Medicaid program budget this year. Even without the… Continue reading

This map, issued Sunday, June 18, 2017 by the Alaska Division of Forestry shows the area burned by the East Fork Fire near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo courtesy the Alaska Division of Forestry)

East Fork Fire grows to 1,300 acres

The East Fork Fire on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has grown to more than 1,300 acres, but is still headed away from infrastructure. The… Continue reading

This map, issued Sunday, June 18, 2017 by the Alaska Division of Forestry shows the area burned by the East Fork Fire near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo courtesy the Alaska Division of Forestry)

State opens season for AK LNG Project

It’s open season for the Alaska Gasline Development Corp. That’s not to be confused with open season on AGDC, which legislators skeptical of the state-owned… Continue reading

Homer recall fails in final count

By vote margins of 223 or more, an attempted recall failed for Homer City Council members Donna Aderhold, David Lewis and Catriona Reynolds. In final… Continue reading

A historical marker hangs on the fence outside the Kenai Bible Church on Monday, June 12, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. The chapel, which overlooks the Kenai River in Old Town Kenai, is the oldest Protestant church in town and will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Bible Church marks 75th anniversary

From out on the dark waters of Cook Inlet near the Kenai River, one of the brightest lights of Kenai comes from the steeple of… Continue reading

A historical marker hangs on the fence outside the Kenai Bible Church on Monday, June 12, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. The chapel, which overlooks the Kenai River in Old Town Kenai, is the oldest Protestant church in town and will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke rises from the burn area of the East Fork Fire on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, June 16, 2017 near Sterling, Alaska. The fire, sparked by dry lightning, had burned about 850 acres by Friday night. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Progress made on East Fork fire

Firefighters are making progress on keeping the East Fork wildfire, burning near Sterling, from moving toward people or the Sterling Highway. Alaska Division of Forestry… Continue reading

Smoke rises from the burn area of the East Fork Fire on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, June 16, 2017 near Sterling, Alaska. The fire, sparked by dry lightning, had burned about 850 acres by Friday night. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai dipnet app now available

While this summer’s dipnetters fish in the mouth of the Kenai River, the city of Kenai will be fishing for them with a new smartphone… Continue reading

Soldotna passes budget, mill rate; talks capital projects

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Mayor Pete Sprague's name. The Soldotna City Council passed the town’s operating budget… Continue reading

The Swan Lake wildfire burns in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge as seen from the air Thursday, June 15, 2017 near Sterling, Alaska. The Alaska Division of Forestry estimated Thursday that the fire is 150 acres and burning 5-6 miles north of the Sterling Highway. (Photo courtesy Tim Mowry, Alaska Division of Forestry)

Firefighters respond to wildland fire near Sterling

1 p.m. Friday update: The cause of the East Fork fire burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Sterling has been confirmed as dry… Continue reading

The Swan Lake wildfire burns in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge as seen from the air Thursday, June 15, 2017 near Sterling, Alaska. The Alaska Division of Forestry estimated Thursday that the fire is 150 acres and burning 5-6 miles north of the Sterling Highway. (Photo courtesy Tim Mowry, Alaska Division of Forestry)
Sunlight exposes the front of the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

House ends special session with failed ‘Hail Mary’ on budget

It was a mic-drop moment on a trampoline. In a surprise Thursday night move, the Alaska House of Representatives attempted to avert a statewide government… Continue reading

Sunlight exposes the front of the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this June 2016 photo, a guide rows clients on the Kasilof River near the confluence with Crooked Creek in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

State seeks comments on Kasilof south side project

With improvements on the north side of the Kasilof River nearly finished, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources is turning its attention to other infrastructure… Continue reading

In this June 2016 photo, a guide rows clients on the Kasilof River near the confluence with Crooked Creek in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

HEA exploring solar power

Homer Electric Association is “in the exploratory phase” of planning a solar power installation that may be funded by voluntary member investments, according to HEA… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion BlueCrest Energy Chairman Bob Israel speaks during the ceremonial opening of BlueCrest Energy's Hansen Production Facility - visible in the background - on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at BlueCrest's wellpad north of Anchor Point, Alaska.

BlueCrest opens Anchor Point oil wellpad with ceremony

BlueCrest Energy has ceremonially opened their Hansen Production Facility, an oil wellpad on the shore of Cook Inlet near Anchor Point. A small group of guests… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion BlueCrest Energy Chairman Bob Israel speaks during the ceremonial opening of BlueCrest Energy's Hansen Production Facility - visible in the background - on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at BlueCrest's wellpad north of Anchor Point, Alaska.
Randy McPherson and his grandson Ethan, 9, both of Wisconsin, show off their Kenai River king salmon caught Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Kenai River early-run kings have been returning in larger numbers this year as compared to the last several years, leading the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to liberalize the maximum size limit for retention from 36 inches to 46 inches on Monday. (Photo courtesy Jason Foster)

Fishing report: Russian flush with reds

Sunday morning’s opener at the confluence of the Russian River and Kenai River saw a lot of happy anglers. By midmorning, fishermen of all ages… Continue reading

Randy McPherson and his grandson Ethan, 9, both of Wisconsin, show off their Kenai River king salmon caught Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Kenai River early-run kings have been returning in larger numbers this year as compared to the last several years, leading the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to liberalize the maximum size limit for retention from 36 inches to 46 inches on Monday. (Photo courtesy Jason Foster)