Frozen Riverfest returns, complete with ice

Frozen Riverfest returns, complete with ice

Beer lovers and music lovers will get a break from the monotony of winter at the Frozen Riverfest in Soldotna on Feb. 18 — which… Continue reading

Frozen Riverfest returns, complete with ice

Agencies warn of fraud, scams

Millions of people fall victim to scams every year in a variety of ways, be it online, over the phone or in person. Some lose… Continue reading

Jay Johnson, superintendent at Blazy Construction, talks with LeeShore Center Executive Director Cheri Smith about the renovation to the center’s kitchen Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 at the center in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

LeeShore among shelters to get help with maintenance

The LeeShore Center in Kenai has been cooking up some major improvements for the women and children who stay there — namely, its kitchen. The… Continue reading

Jay Johnson, superintendent at Blazy Construction, talks with LeeShore Center Executive Director Cheri Smith about the renovation to the center’s kitchen Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 at the center in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)
KCHS singer heads for NYC for a second time, adds Sydney performance

KCHS singer heads for NYC for a second time, adds Sydney performance

For a high school student that has sung at Carnegie Hall, Olivia Brewer doesn’t make much hay of her musical career. The Kenai Central High… Continue reading

KCHS singer heads for NYC for a second time, adds Sydney performance
This November 2016 photo shows cars crossing the Sterling Highway bridge over the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Bill would triple fuel taxes over 2 years

To help bridge some of the state’s $3 billion budget gap, Gov. Bill Walker has proposed a bill that would triple the motor fuel tax… Continue reading

This November 2016 photo shows cars crossing the Sterling Highway bridge over the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska lawmakers eye changes to criminal justice law

JUNEAU — The Alaska Senate, amid public outcry about crime in the state, is eyeing changes to sweeping criminal justice legislation passed last year. North… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2017
  • By Becky Bohrer
Juneau Parkinson’s patients use boxing to treat symptoms

Juneau Parkinson’s patients use boxing to treat symptoms

JUNEAU — Twice a week, seven Juneau residents with Parkinson’s disease go through a transformation. “Once they go through this door, they are no longer… Continue reading

Juneau Parkinson’s patients use boxing to treat symptoms
In this file photo, the Git-Hoan Dancers of Metlakatla give their take on snapping selfies during a performance for Celebration 2016 at Centennial Hall. Celebration is a biennial festival that celebrates Alaska Native culture and the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. (Michale Penn | Juneau Empire File)

‘A great day’: House votes to put Indigenous Peoples Day on Columbus Day

The Alaska House of Representatives has approved a bill recognizing Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day. House Bill 78 was approved in a 31-7 vote… Continue reading

In this file photo, the Git-Hoan Dancers of Metlakatla give their take on snapping selfies during a performance for Celebration 2016 at Centennial Hall. Celebration is a biennial festival that celebrates Alaska Native culture and the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. (Michale Penn | Juneau Empire File)
At left, Roland Maw and Dave Martin, both from the United Cook Inlet Drift Association, talk with Board of Fisheries member John Jensen, center, and Bruce Gabrys, a commercial drift fisherman, during the 2014 Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries meeting in Anchorage. On Jan. 18, the state secured an indictment against Maw for 12 felonies and five misdemeanors alleging he illegally obtained Permanent Fund Dividends from 2009-14. (Photo/File/Peninsula Clarion)

New indictment for Maw on PFD fraud charges

Two weeks after a Superior Court judge dismissed charges against former United Cook Inlet Drift Association Executive Director Roland Maw on procedural grounds, the State… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2017
  • By DJ SUMMERS
At left, Roland Maw and Dave Martin, both from the United Cook Inlet Drift Association, talk with Board of Fisheries member John Jensen, center, and Bruce Gabrys, a commercial drift fisherman, during the 2014 Upper Cook Inlet Board of Fisheries meeting in Anchorage. On Jan. 18, the state secured an indictment against Maw for 12 felonies and five misdemeanors alleging he illegally obtained Permanent Fund Dividends from 2009-14. (Photo/File/Peninsula Clarion)
The sun shines through trees near the bottom of the Resurrection Pass Trail on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion) 
The sun shines through trees near the bottom of the Resurrection Pass Trail on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion) 

Alaska crime lab cutting down backlog of rape kits

ANCHORAGE (AP) — The state’s crime lab has shown improvements in the time it takes to process sexual assault kits. At the end of 2016,… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2017
Community greenhouse opportunity comes to Sterling

Community greenhouse opportunity comes to Sterling

Editor's note: This story has been updated to remove incorrect information about the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative System for Crops. The… Continue reading

Community greenhouse opportunity comes to Sterling

4 apply for Gilman’s assembly seat

Four people have applied for a vacant seat representing the city of Kenai on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. Shauna Thornton, Hal Smalley, Jill Schaefer… Continue reading

Alaska pot conference call interrupted by flushing toilet

JUNEAU (AP) — Everyone’s had a bad conference call experience when someone who dialed in puts the call on hold, and loud hold music makes… Continue reading

  • Feb 2, 2017
Ice fishing derby kicks off

Ice fishing derby kicks off

Not only has the winter provided better conditions for ice fishing this year, but the 20th annual Trustworthy Hardware Ice Fishing Derby is kicking off… Continue reading

Ice fishing derby kicks off
Marijunana Control Board member Loren Jones speaks during their meeting at the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development in the State Office Building on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017.

Fearful of new U.S. Attorney General, marijuana board drops plans for cafe-style rules

  In a surprise move, Alaska’s marijuana control board has abandoned plans for cafe-style regulations that would have allowed marijuana to be consumed in some… Continue reading

Marijunana Control Board member Loren Jones speaks during their meeting at the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development in the State Office Building on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017.

Airport rule may require federal permitting of private construction in Kenai

A Federal Aviation Administration rule for construction on airports may apply to Kenai businesses beyond the physical bounds of the Kenai Municipal Airport itself. An… Continue reading

Whale Pass becomes new Alaska city

PETERSBURG (AP) — A small community on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska has become the state’s newest city. Whale Pass was incorporated as… Continue reading

  • Feb 2, 2017
Customers and employees stand in the parking lot of the former Lowe’s building after being evacuated from the Kenai Walmart on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Local law enforcement officers responded to a bomb threat called in to the store around 12:30 p.m. and evacuated the building during their search. They found no explosive devices. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Walmart evacuated following bomb threat

The Kenai Walmart was evacuated Thursday afternoon after a bomb threat was called in to the store. At about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, “the Kenai Walmart… Continue reading

Customers and employees stand in the parking lot of the former Lowe’s building after being evacuated from the Kenai Walmart on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Local law enforcement officers responded to a bomb threat called in to the store around 12:30 p.m. and evacuated the building during their search. They found no explosive devices. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

What’s Happening for Jan. 26

Best bet n Dr. Yoram Bauman, “The Stand-Up Comedian Economist,” combines humor and economics in an engaging and informative look at everyday economics and climate… Continue reading

  • Feb 2, 2017