News

Fishing restrictions aimed at helping native fish populations recover

With an eye toward helping native fish populations recover, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued emergency orders on Wednesday affecting fishing on several… Continue reading

  • Dec 28, 2016

Feds to begin cleanup of old wells on the North Slope

JUNEAU (AP) — Federal officials are planning another trip to a reserve on Alaska’s North Slope to plug several old oil wells as winter weather… Continue reading

  • Dec 28, 2016

State’s new method leads to lower production forecast

There is good news and bad news when it comes to the State of Alaska’s closely monitored oil production forecasts.A new method should mean more… Continue reading

  • Dec 28, 2016
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion The skeleton of a greenhouse stands in the snow Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 outside of Charlie's Pizza in Nikiski, Alaska. The restaurant's owner, Steve Chamberlain, will close shop on Jan. 1, 2017 and begin the transition to a new business, Everett's Acres Farm and Feed, that will sell a variety of animal feed and fresh produce grown by Chamberlain in an on-site greenhouse.

Animal feed, health store to replace Charlie’s Pizza at year’s end

When an oven door closes, a greenhouse door opens. At least that’s the case for Steve Chamberlain, owner of Charlie’s Pizza restaurant in Nikiski, which… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion The skeleton of a greenhouse stands in the snow Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 outside of Charlie's Pizza in Nikiski, Alaska. The restaurant's owner, Steve Chamberlain, will close shop on Jan. 1, 2017 and begin the transition to a new business, Everett's Acres Farm and Feed, that will sell a variety of animal feed and fresh produce grown by Chamberlain in an on-site greenhouse.

AP New Year’s poll: Americans hopeful for a better 2017

NEW YORK — Emotionally wrenching politics, foreign conflicts and shootings at home took a toll on Americans in 2016, but they are entering 2017 on… Continue reading

  • Dec 27, 2016
  • By EMILY SWANSON and VERENA DOBNIK
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2016, file photo, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, speaks to reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Edgmon, the incoming speaker of the Alaska House, known as a level-headed moderate willing to work across party lines, faces major tests in leading a new majority coalition and trying to secure agreement on a plan to address the state's multibillion-dollar deficit. Edgmon acknowledges moments of trepidation about his new role. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Lawmaker who has long shunned spotlight is becoming speaker

JUNEAU — The incoming speaker of the Alaska House, known as a level-headed moderate willing to work across party lines, faces major tests in leading… Continue reading

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2016, file photo, Rep. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, speaks to reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Edgmon, the incoming speaker of the Alaska House, known as a level-headed moderate willing to work across party lines, faces major tests in leading a new majority coalition and trying to secure agreement on a plan to address the state's multibillion-dollar deficit. Edgmon acknowledges moments of trepidation about his new role. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Two found dead in camper fire

Crews from the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Central Emergency Services responded to a burning camping trailer on Cardwell Road, between Soldotna and Kasilof, on Sunday at… Continue reading

President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial, part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, adjacent to Honolulu, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, as part of a ceremony to honor those killed in the Japanese attack on the naval harbor. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

At Pearl Harbor, US and Japan seek absolution from the war

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — In a historic pilgrimage, the leaders of Japan and the United States took to the hallowed waters of Pearl Harbor on… Continue reading

  • Dec 27, 2016
  • By JOSH LEDERMAN and CALEB JONES
President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial, part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, adjacent to Honolulu, Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, as part of a ceremony to honor those killed in the Japanese attack on the naval harbor. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Marijuana plants are pictured at Croy's Enterprises, a commercial marijuana facility located outside of Soldotna. Two years after voters opted to legalize recreational use of marijuana, the industry has taken root. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Six months in, marijuana businesses settling in

“You’re on camera.” Mike Harris nodded up at the corners of the ceiling, where spherical black lenses glinted in the weak winter light. The rest… Continue reading

Marijuana plants are pictured at Croy's Enterprises, a commercial marijuana facility located outside of Soldotna. Two years after voters opted to legalize recreational use of marijuana, the industry has taken root. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Dividend, alongside budget, will be a focus for lawmakers

Sen. Bill Wielechowski knows the state needs to balance its budget. The Anchorage Democrat just wants to make sure that Alaskans’ Permanent Fund Dividend isn’t… Continue reading

Alcohol regulations poised for overhaul

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, is expected to be the key figure this year as long-awaited reforms to Alaska’s alcohol laws reach the Legislature.Since 2012, members… Continue reading

New overtime fees considered for rural airlines

FAIRBANKS (AP) — State officials are looking to start charging airlines for landing their planes at rural Alaska airports outside regular operating hours.The Department of… Continue reading

  • Dec 26, 2016
Photo courtesy Ronn Hemstock This photo posted to Seward resident Ronn Hemstock's Facebook page on Nov. 10 shows the damage to his back left by a brown bear attack on Oct. 27, 2016 at the Seward Airport in Seward, Alaska. Hemstock returned to work the day following the attack.

‘Life more worth living’

After a college career in wrestling and years of teaching the sport to youngsters as a coach in Seward, 55-year-old Ronn Hemstock never expected to… Continue reading

Photo courtesy Ronn Hemstock This photo posted to Seward resident Ronn Hemstock's Facebook page on Nov. 10 shows the damage to his back left by a brown bear attack on Oct. 27, 2016 at the Seward Airport in Seward, Alaska. Hemstock returned to work the day following the attack.
Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Ray (left) and Marianne Nickleson laugh with friends over a Christmas lunch of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie at the Kenai Senior Center on Sunday, Dec. 25 in Kenai.

Season’s greetings

… Continue reading

Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Ray (left) and Marianne Nickleson laugh with friends over a Christmas lunch of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie at the Kenai Senior Center on Sunday, Dec. 25 in Kenai.

State employees union to file grievance over DOT outsourcing

The state’s largest public employee union plans to file a class action grievance against the Walker administration regarding the outsourcing of design work within the… Continue reading

  • Dec 25, 2016
  • By LISA PHU
ADVANCE FOR SATURDAY DEC. 24, 2016 AND THEREAFTER - In this Dec. 13, 2016 photo, Pioneers Home resident Joe Nistler, 90, reacts to a virtual reality video of a herd of elephants walking while Lincoln Markham, right, watches in Fairbanks, Alaska. Lincoln Markham and Dan Markham are the father-son duo behind the extremely popular What's Inside YouTube channel. (Matt Buxton/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Father-son YouTubers share virtual reality with seniors

FAIRBANKS (AP) — With a chilly Fairbanks morning framed in the rec room window, seniors at the Pioneers’ Home took turns taking a trip to… Continue reading

  • Dec 25, 2016
  • By Matt Buxton
ADVANCE FOR SATURDAY DEC. 24, 2016 AND THEREAFTER - In this Dec. 13, 2016 photo, Pioneers Home resident Joe Nistler, 90, reacts to a virtual reality video of a herd of elephants walking while Lincoln Markham, right, watches in Fairbanks, Alaska. Lincoln Markham and Dan Markham are the father-son duo behind the extremely popular What's Inside YouTube channel. (Matt Buxton/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

UAA joins entrepreneurship program

With its terrain, tough climate and remoteness, Alaska has its challenges.In certain fields, like energy, the state has become a kind of incubator for new… Continue reading

  • Dec 25, 2016
  • By Tim Bradner
Photo courtesy Dave Remley/The Kenai Peninsula College Historical Photo Repository This 1958 photo by Dave Remley shows the Spencer family's homestead on Beaver Creek, now in Kenai. David Spencer, the first manager of the Kenai National Moose Range, now the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and his family lived on the homestead until they moved to Anchorage in 1968.

A matter of trust

Step by step, a father outlined the edge of his land every morning. His daughter rode on his shoulders, taking in the sight of the… Continue reading

Photo courtesy Dave Remley/The Kenai Peninsula College Historical Photo Repository This 1958 photo by Dave Remley shows the Spencer family's homestead on Beaver Creek, now in Kenai. David Spencer, the first manager of the Kenai National Moose Range, now the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and his family lived on the homestead until they moved to Anchorage in 1968.
A fixture is lifted into place above the entrance canopy at the Alaska State Capitol building on Thursday.

New-look Capitol awaits lawmakers

There are two ways to look at the just-completed four years of renovations at the Alaska State Capitol: Inside and out. “I don’t think you’ll… Continue reading

A fixture is lifted into place above the entrance canopy at the Alaska State Capitol building on Thursday.
In this Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, photo Emma Bohman, a sales associate at Skinny Raven sporting goods, shows two kinds of exterior cleats attached to running shoes in Anchorage, Alaska. Exterior cleats are one of many ways Anchorage residents cope with up ice on streets up to seven months per year. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

Footwear options abound to stay upright

ANCHORAGE — Darrell Bachmann doesn’t wear ruby slippers, but when he clicks his heel, something magical happens.Bachmann invented KickSpikes, a boot designed to walk on… Continue reading

  • Dec 24, 2016
  • By Dan Joling
In this Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, photo Emma Bohman, a sales associate at Skinny Raven sporting goods, shows two kinds of exterior cleats attached to running shoes in Anchorage, Alaska. Exterior cleats are one of many ways Anchorage residents cope with up ice on streets up to seven months per year. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)