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Flanked by his past portraits, River City Academy graduate Morgan Shepherd speaks to his eleven peers in River City’s class of 2017 during the school’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. All the graduates gave speeches at the ceremony, introduced by principal Dawn Edwards-Smith, who compared each one to a literary or cinematic hero.

River City grads reminisce

Each of the 10 River City Academy graduates present in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex for the school’s Wednesday graduation ceremony gave a short speech… Continue reading

Flanked by his past portraits, River City Academy graduate Morgan Shepherd speaks to his eleven peers in River City’s class of 2017 during the school’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. All the graduates gave speeches at the ceremony, introduced by principal Dawn Edwards-Smith, who compared each one to a literary or cinematic hero.
Tatiana Cooper, laughing, of Ninilchik's graduating class reacts to Barbara Denboer's commencement address during the graduation ceremony on May 24, 2017 in the Ninilchik School Gym in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Ninilchik community celebrates graduating class

Eleven Ninilchik seniors lined the walls of the school gym following their graduation ceremony to receive well-wishes, hugs and gifts from the community that helped… Continue reading

  • May 25, 2017
  • By KAT SORENSEN
Tatiana Cooper, laughing, of Ninilchik's graduating class reacts to Barbara Denboer's commencement address during the graduation ceremony on May 24, 2017 in the Ninilchik School Gym in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council sets aside field house funds

Soldotna is one step closer to an indoor field and recreational facility after the city council voted Wednesday to set aside $3 million for the… Continue reading

Sofie Nielsen, 16, secures a tassel onto her graduation cap just before walking with the 2017 graduating class of Nikiski Middle-High School on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the school’s gymnasium in Nikiski, Alaska. A foreign exchange student from Denmark, Nielsen will return home to complete high school this fall, but said she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to walk with her classmates when offered the chance. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski grads put cap on high school careers

Nikiski graduates know how to have fun. From their bedazzled and decked-out graduation caps to their inside jokes to their class motto, taken from the… Continue reading

Sofie Nielsen, 16, secures a tassel onto her graduation cap just before walking with the 2017 graduating class of Nikiski Middle-High School on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at the school’s gymnasium in Nikiski, Alaska. A foreign exchange student from Denmark, Nielsen will return home to complete high school this fall, but said she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to walk with her classmates when offered the chance. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

What’s Happening

Best Bets n An opening reception for the Kenai Peninsula Woodturners 2017 Summer Exhibit at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, 11471 Kenai Spur Highway… Continue reading

  • May 25, 2017
This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows a scene from “Alien: Covenant.” (Twentieth Century Fox via AP)

Reeling it in: More than enough ‘Alien’ in ‘Covenant’

“Alien: Convenant” Twentieth Century Fox 2 hours, 2 minutes The “Alien” franchise created by Ridley Scott and co. back in 1979 has certainly come a… Continue reading

  • May 25, 2017
  • By Chris Jenness
This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows a scene from “Alien: Covenant.” (Twentieth Century Fox via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: ‘The Broken Road’ pretty smooth

The Bookworm Sez: ‘The Broken Road’ pretty smooth

The road is a long one. Like most, it’s rarely smooth and straight. Signs warn of curves and detours ahead, rough terrain, and rest stops… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: ‘The Broken Road’ pretty smooth

Poet’s Corner: Vernal Star

Vernal Star By Brent Johnson, Clam Gulch A star, astute, ever lengthening its arc, makes pussy willows. Tenderizing ice, energizing white mountains —the root of… Continue reading

  • May 25, 2017
  • By Brent Johnson
Romorenzo Marasigan, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, works by himself in an empty Senate chambers at the Capitol on May 23. After a week of a 30-day special session, nothing has moved and most legislators have headed home for the Memorial Day holiday. (Photo/Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

One week down without much progress

JUNEAU — Legislators ended their first week of a special session Wednesday with little progress in passing a state budget or bills relating to a… Continue reading

  • May 24, 2017
  • By Tim Bradner
Romorenzo Marasigan, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, works by himself in an empty Senate chambers at the Capitol on May 23. After a week of a 30-day special session, nothing has moved and most legislators have headed home for the Memorial Day holiday. (Photo/Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
Two anglers head out through the shallows of the Anchor River to cast a line for king salmon Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion) Two anglers head out through the shallows of the Anchor River to cast a line for king salmon Saturday in Anchor Point. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Fishing report: Hail to the kings

There were plenty of anglers on the Anchor River’s opening day this year, but king salmon were in shorter supply. The river on the southern… Continue reading

Two anglers head out through the shallows of the Anchor River to cast a line for king salmon Saturday, May 20, 2017 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion) Two anglers head out through the shallows of the Anchor River to cast a line for king salmon Saturday in Anchor Point. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
This undated photo provided by Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology shows a seismic station installed at Anaktuvak Pass in Alaska’s Brooks Range. The station sends out earthquake information in real time. A seismometer rests at the bottom of a borehole and a fiberglass hut equipped with solar panels protects the station power system, electronics and radio telemetry equipment. (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology via AP)

Agency takes tectonics study to earthquake-prone Alaska

ANCHORAGE — Alaska averages 40,000 earthquakes per year, with more large quakes than the other 49 states combined, and America’s shakiest state is about to… Continue reading

  • May 24, 2017
  • By Dan Joling
This undated photo provided by Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology shows a seismic station installed at Anaktuvak Pass in Alaska’s Brooks Range. The station sends out earthquake information in real time. A seismometer rests at the bottom of a borehole and a fiberglass hut equipped with solar panels protects the station power system, electronics and radio telemetry equipment. (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology via AP)
FILE - This March 17, 2008, file photo, shows Deborah Bicknell from Juneau, Alaska wearing a Wells Fargo bib and posing with the “Widow’s Lamp” which is lit at the beginning of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and is blown out by the last musher to the end of the sled dog race in Nome, Alaska, signifying that the race is over. Wells Fargo has dropped its sponsorship of the world’s most famous sled dog race, a move race officials have blamed on animal rights groups targeting corporate offices outside Alaska. (AP Photo/Peggy Fagerstrom, File)

Major sponsor pulls Iditarod support

ANCHORAGE — The world’s most famous sled dog race has lost a major backer, and Alaska race officials are blaming animal rights organizations for pressuring… Continue reading

  • May 24, 2017
  • By RACHEL D’ORO
FILE - This March 17, 2008, file photo, shows Deborah Bicknell from Juneau, Alaska wearing a Wells Fargo bib and posing with the “Widow’s Lamp” which is lit at the beginning of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and is blown out by the last musher to the end of the sled dog race in Nome, Alaska, signifying that the race is over. Wells Fargo has dropped its sponsorship of the world’s most famous sled dog race, a move race officials have blamed on animal rights groups targeting corporate offices outside Alaska. (AP Photo/Peggy Fagerstrom, File)
Soldotna ‘all-stars’ graduate

Soldotna ‘all-stars’ graduate

The thoughts of Soldotna High School’s graduating class were filled with college, work, vacations, the Lower 48 and sleeping in at their commencement Monday, but… Continue reading

  • May 23, 2017
  • By KAT SORENSEN
Soldotna ‘all-stars’ graduate

Fund balance cap, health care fund, cemetery expansion in Kenai budget

New features in the $15 million budget proposal that Kenai City Council members will be debating and voting on in the near future include a… Continue reading

Kenai Alt graduates look forward

The graduates of Kenai Alternative High School’s class of 2017 were celebrated at Monday night’s commencement in the Kenai Alternative High School gym surrounded by… Continue reading

Star file photo

Woman hospitalized in Eagle River moose attack

A woman was taken to the hospital after being attacked by a moose in the Eaglewood neighborhood of Eagle River on Monday evening. According to… Continue reading

  • May 23, 2017
  • By Matt Tunseth
Star file photo

Roadwork ahead for Old Sterling Highway

Motorists who frequent the Old Sterling Highway as an alternative to the main highway on the southern Kenai Peninsula will see some improvements down the… Continue reading

Ambiguities remain in advertising regulations for cannabis businesses

There’s a lot of confusion around what exactly some of the marijuana business regulations mean in Alaska, leading to missteps and accidental violations. As marijuana… Continue reading

New ownership brings fresh approach to movies, bowling in Kenai

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct a reference to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Economic Development District's 2017 second-quarter consumer spending report.  … Continue reading

Arizona resident Nathan Lieber, a trauma amputee actor, looks at his own fake injuries casued by a simulated meth lab explosion while two local law enforement and emergency medical services personnel tend to him during a training drill Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. Lieber works for JTM Training Group, based out of Las Vegas, which travels to Alaska every year to conduct several multi-day training courses for members of law enforcement, corrections and medical first responders to practice working together in emergencies that turn violent. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula law enforcement, first responders get trained on violent calls

“Julie, I brought my extra blood and Visqueen… if you want a puddle,” said Alaska Department of Health and Social Services employee Todd Lecours as… Continue reading

Arizona resident Nathan Lieber, a trauma amputee actor, looks at his own fake injuries casued by a simulated meth lab explosion while two local law enforement and emergency medical services personnel tend to him during a training drill Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. Lieber works for JTM Training Group, based out of Las Vegas, which travels to Alaska every year to conduct several multi-day training courses for members of law enforcement, corrections and medical first responders to practice working together in emergencies that turn violent. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)