News

Aimed at PACs, lawmaker’s bill may hit political rival

Anchorage Republican Sen. Kevin Meyer has a nightmare. It involves credit card machines. “What we don’t want is for people to have a Paypal or… Continue reading

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

State halts Kasilof boat landing project

A controversial project to install a new boat ramp on the banks of the Kasilof River has been put on hold. The project, known as… Continue reading

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

Nikiski man arrested for threatening troopers, snow plowers with shotgun

A Nikiski man is in custody after reportedly threatening two people in a snow plowing truck and Alaska State Troopers. Michael Wicker, 56, allegedly pointed… Continue reading

Area residents enjoy music and beer during the Frozen River Festival on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. A thick layer of snow on the ground didn’t stop the sizeable crowd from flocking to the park for the third annual event. This year’s festival was extended to include evening fireworks. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Photos: Braving the cold for brews

… Continue reading

Area residents enjoy music and beer during the Frozen River Festival on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. A thick layer of snow on the ground didn’t stop the sizeable crowd from flocking to the park for the third annual event. This year’s festival was extended to include evening fireworks. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)
In this December 2015 file photo, Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce about the recent uptick in heroin usage and violent crime in Juneau. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

With clashing views on SB 91, Lt. Kris Sell resigns from Criminal Justice Commission

Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell has resigned her seat on the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission, a 13-member group created by the state Legislature in… Continue reading

  • Feb 18, 2017
  • By LIZ KELLAR
In this December 2015 file photo, Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce about the recent uptick in heroin usage and violent crime in Juneau. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Young to co-chair Congressional Cannabis Caucus

On Feb. 16, a group of U.S. House representatives from several Western states announced the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. The group is spearheaded by two Republicans… Continue reading

  • Feb 18, 2017
  • By DJ SUMMERS

Conservation groups move to intervene in predator control lawsuits

A group of than a dozen environmental groups is attempting to become a party to two lawsuits against the National Park Service and the U.S.… Continue reading

School district hosts public budget discussions

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District wants the public to put pressure on the Legislature and the borough assembly to provide additional funding in the… Continue reading

Kenai rearranges funding to prepare for new budget

Kenai got a head start on its upcoming budget by rearranging its funds via an ordinance that moves $124,303 budgeted this year for planned projects… Continue reading

Airplane lands without landing gear at Aleutians airport

UNALASKA (AP) — Three people escaped injury when a commercial airplane landed without landing gear at an airport on the Aleutian Islands. Alaska State Troopers… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2017

Report: Pebble shares are ‘worthless’

A New York investment firm tore apart claims by the owners of the Pebble mine project that developing the prospect is economically viable in a… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2017
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER
Chunks of frozen ice and sand line the beach at the mouth of the Kenai River on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Kenai has been in a warm spell this week, with a high near 36 degrees on Wednesday afternoon. Warm weather is expected to continue, with highs in the 30s through Friday, according to the National Weather Service. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Photos: Heat wave

By Megan Pacer Peninsula Clarion… Continue reading

Chunks of frozen ice and sand line the beach at the mouth of the Kenai River on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Kenai has been in a warm spell this week, with a high near 36 degrees on Wednesday afternoon. Warm weather is expected to continue, with highs in the 30s through Friday, according to the National Weather Service. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Juneau assembly to homeless: sleep in the wrong place, pay a fine

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly sent a message to the town’s unsheltered at a Monday meeting: Go to sleep in the wrong place… Continue reading

Assembly votes to introduce invocation elimination ordinance

The public will finally get a formal chance to weigh in on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s invocation practice in March. In a narrow 5-4… Continue reading

Anchorage apartment complex fire kills 2, injures 16

By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press ANCHORAGE — A pre-dawn fire that swept through an apartment complex in Alaska’s largest city and burned for hours killed… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2017
Dollynda Phelps, co-owner of limited marijuana cultivator Peace Frog Botanicals, speaks to the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon about the impact of the local marijuana industry Wednesday in Kenai, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula cannabis entrepreneurs estimate $5.3M contribution to economy

Some of the Kenai Peninsula’s marijuana operations are up, running and trying to integrate themselves into the business community at large. Since last summer, eight… Continue reading

Dollynda Phelps, co-owner of limited marijuana cultivator Peace Frog Botanicals, speaks to the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon about the impact of the local marijuana industry Wednesday in Kenai, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly selects Schaefer to represent Kenai

Jill Schaefer is taking over the job representing District 2 on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly after being elected by secret ballot. The assembly selected… Continue reading

Retired paramedic Teresa Gray presents images from her aid work in refugee camps on the Greek island of Lesbos to Kenai Central High School juniors and seniors on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Bringing the world home

Like many, retired paramedic and Anchorage resident Teresa Gray had experienced the Syrian refugee crisis through casual news consumption. “I didn’t know the scope and… Continue reading

Retired paramedic Teresa Gray presents images from her aid work in refugee camps on the Greek island of Lesbos to Kenai Central High School juniors and seniors on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Gas line group leader pledges openness with lawmakers

Gas line group leader pledges openness with lawmakers

JUNEAU — The president of a state-sponsored gas pipeline corporation on Tuesday pledged greater openness with Alaska lawmakers, many of whom have grown increasingly skeptical… Continue reading

  • Feb 14, 2017
  • By Becky Bohrer
Gas line group leader pledges openness with lawmakers
Dale Wade, the vice president of marketing and customer service for the Alaska Railroad Corporation, speaks to the joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce during a luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. Though the passenger service line of business is doing well, freight is not — on what Wade called “a fairly busy slide, but not a pretty slide,” bars depicted the steadily falling revenue in freight shipping, the railroad’s largest source of revenue. Most of the decline is due to decreased oil and gas activity, he said. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Railroad looks forward to 2017

Like most of the state, Alaska’s only railroad operator is coping with a steep drop in revenue in the wake of a decline in oil… Continue reading

Dale Wade, the vice president of marketing and customer service for the Alaska Railroad Corporation, speaks to the joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce during a luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. Though the passenger service line of business is doing well, freight is not — on what Wade called “a fairly busy slide, but not a pretty slide,” bars depicted the steadily falling revenue in freight shipping, the railroad’s largest source of revenue. Most of the decline is due to decreased oil and gas activity, he said. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)