News

BlueCrest starts drilling, gets state loan modification

BlueCrest Energy got its $30 million loan with the state reworked days after the rig at the center of the deal began drilling its first… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2016
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER

Feds expand areas where ballots will be in Native languages

JUNEAU, Alaska — More people who speak Alaska Native languages will be able to receive translated election material thanks to changes made by the U.S.… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2016
Photo by Ben Boettger Kelly Bookey, as Santa Claus, replenishes his stock of candy canes between visitors Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at the Kenai Peninsula Harley-Davidson store in Soldotna, Alaska. Bookey estimated that he has been appearing as Santa at the store for about 10 years, sitting on a motorcycle to distribute candy canes and pose for free photos. The Harley store is also hosting a Toys-for-Tots toy drive this year.

Photo: Make a list, he’ll check it twice

Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Kelly Bookey, as Santa Claus, listens to the Christmas wishes of Riley Smith Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at the Kenai… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2016
Photo by Ben Boettger Kelly Bookey, as Santa Claus, replenishes his stock of candy canes between visitors Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 at the Kenai Peninsula Harley-Davidson store in Soldotna, Alaska. Bookey estimated that he has been appearing as Santa at the store for about 10 years, sitting on a motorcycle to distribute candy canes and pose for free photos. The Harley store is also hosting a Toys-for-Tots toy drive this year.

Troopers identify 1 of 2 bodies found in burned car

Alaska State Troopers have identified one of the two bodies found Nov. 27 in a burned Ford Bronco near Soldotna. The Alaska Medical Examiner’s office… Continue reading

  • Dec 9, 2016
  • By BEN BOETTGER and MEGAN PACER

Missing plane likely crashed into Alaska lake, officials say

ANCHORAGE — A small airplane ferrying a father and his two teenage children to Anchorage presumably plunged into an expansive Alaska lake shortly after taking… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2016
  • By Mark Thiessen

School board to examine health care costs

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will take a look at the district’s rising spending on employee health care through an advisory… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Skiers practice on Headquarters Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 30, 2016 near Soldotna.

Groomed for success

The generous helping of snow that saturated the Kenai Peninsula within the past week has given new life to the winter wonderland, and it appears… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Skiers practice on Headquarters Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 30, 2016 near Soldotna.

Man shot by troopers still being treated for injuries

Alaska State Troopers have released the identity of the man shot by troopers Wednesday in Nikiski.Troopers and Kenai Police Department officers went to a home… Continue reading

Board of Fish drafts support for habitat permitting reform

The Board of Fisheries is working toward a formal motion lending its support to a citizen-generated request for the Legislature to review the state’s fish… Continue reading

FILE - In this May 4, 2005 file photo, Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Fairbanks debates an amendment to a retirement bill on the floor of the House of Representatives at the Capitol Building in Juneau, Alaska. A man killed in a plane crash Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Alaska's interior has been identified by his wife as former Republican state Rep. Mike Kelly, 74, of Fairbanks. Cherie Kelly told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that her husband's body will be flown to Anchorage. Clint Johnson, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska division, says the private plane crashed 17 miles southeast of Fairbanks with just one person on board. (AP Photo/Seanna O'Sullivan, File)

Ex-state Rep. Mike Kelly dies in Alaska plane crash

FAIRBANKS (AP) — Former Republican state Rep. Mike Kelly of Fairbanks was killed Wednesday in a plane crash in Alaska’s interior, his wife has confirmed.Cherie… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2016
FILE - In this May 4, 2005 file photo, Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Fairbanks debates an amendment to a retirement bill on the floor of the House of Representatives at the Capitol Building in Juneau, Alaska. A man killed in a plane crash Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Alaska's interior has been identified by his wife as former Republican state Rep. Mike Kelly, 74, of Fairbanks. Cherie Kelly told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that her husband's body will be flown to Anchorage. Clint Johnson, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska division, says the private plane crashed 17 miles southeast of Fairbanks with just one person on board. (AP Photo/Seanna O'Sullivan, File)

Missing small Alaska plane rented by the pilot

ANCHORAGE — A small plane that’s missing in Alaska with four people on board was rented by a pilot described as a man who makes… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2016
  • By Rachel D'oro
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Traffic backs up along the Sterling Highway following a two-vehicle collision Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 near the intersection of the highway and Mackey Lake Road in Soldotna, Alaska. One person was killed in the crash and the other taken to Central Peninsula Hospital to be treated for injuries.

1 dead in two-vehicle collision

  Update 5:30 p.m.: The Soldotna Police Department has identified the two drivers involved in a two-vehicle collision Thursday in Soldotna, in which one of… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Traffic backs up along the Sterling Highway following a two-vehicle collision Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 near the intersection of the highway and Mackey Lake Road in Soldotna, Alaska. One person was killed in the crash and the other taken to Central Peninsula Hospital to be treated for injuries.

Troopers involved in shooting in Nikiski

A branch of the Alaska State Troopers is investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened Wednesday afternoon in Nikiski Troopers at the Soldotna post got a… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Decorative animal-themed fabrics sealed with an adhesive cover the countertops at the new North Road Veterinary Wellness Clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 in Nikiski, Alaska. The clinic, run by homesteader Mary Huhndorf, is already open for basic veterinary needs, but will be a long-term work in progress, Huhndorf said.

Homeward bound: Local veterinarian opens clinic in Nikiski

Mary Huhndorf still lives in the cabin in Nikiski her parents homesteaded in. An animal lover from a young age, she also continues to find… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Decorative animal-themed fabrics sealed with an adhesive cover the countertops at the new North Road Veterinary Wellness Clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 in Nikiski, Alaska. The clinic, run by homesteader Mary Huhndorf, is already open for basic veterinary needs, but will be a long-term work in progress, Huhndorf said.

Assembly revives invocation policy

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly revived its controversial invocation policy during a reconsideration vote at its Tuesday meeting.The assembly passed an amendment at its Nov.… Continue reading

AST investigating trooper-involved shooting

Update 6:30 p.m. Alaska State Troopers say a man shot by troopers Wednesday afternoon was in the process of being arrested on a felony warrant.… Continue reading

Board of Fish denies most winter kings proposals

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to show that there is no annual limit requirement during the winter king salmon fishery in Lower Cook… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion James Harris, an English teacher at Soldotna High School, accepts his title as the 2017 Alaska Teacher of the Year during an assembly Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the school in Soldotna, Alaska.

Soldotna educator named Alaska’s Teacher of the Year

James Harris, an English teacher at Soldotna High School, is the state’s new Teacher of the Year. Harris was awarded the title by Alaska Department… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion James Harris, an English teacher at Soldotna High School, accepts his title as the 2017 Alaska Teacher of the Year during an assembly Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the school in Soldotna, Alaska.
Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion In this June 2016 photo, a guide rows clients on the Kasilof River near the confluence with Crooked Creek in Kasilof, Alaska.

Board of Fish approves guide regulations

The Board of Fisheries on Saturday reinstated the logbook and licensing program for sportfishing guides around the state. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion In this June 2016 photo, a guide rows clients on the Kasilof River near the confluence with Crooked Creek in Kasilof, Alaska.
In this June 6, 2013 photo provided by the USS Arizona Memorial Foundation, Lauren Bruner, one of five remaining survivors of the USS Arizona from the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor, is joined by Capt. Jeffry W. James, right, then the commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Daniel Martinez, chief historian for the National Park Service, as they look at the Arizona Memorial's Shrine Wall with names of every man aboard the ship when it was attacked. More than 2,300 servicemen died in the Japanese attack that plunged the United States into World War II. Nearly half of those killed were on the Arizona, most still entombed in the wreckage. (Mark Comon/USS Arizona Memorial Foundation via AP)

USS Arizona survivor heads to Pearl Harbor 75 years later

HONOLULU — Lauren Bruner was getting ready for church in 1941 on his battleship, the USS Arizona, when the alarm sounded.The Japanese attack on Pearl… Continue reading

  • Dec 6, 2016
  • By AUDREY McAVOY
In this June 6, 2013 photo provided by the USS Arizona Memorial Foundation, Lauren Bruner, one of five remaining survivors of the USS Arizona from the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor, is joined by Capt. Jeffry W. James, right, then the commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Daniel Martinez, chief historian for the National Park Service, as they look at the Arizona Memorial's Shrine Wall with names of every man aboard the ship when it was attacked. More than 2,300 servicemen died in the Japanese attack that plunged the United States into World War II. Nearly half of those killed were on the Arizona, most still entombed in the wreckage. (Mark Comon/USS Arizona Memorial Foundation via AP)