AGDC board taps former VP as interim president

The Alaska Gasline Development Corp. began formally regrouping Dec. 18 when Fritz Krusen was named interim president and other board of directors positions were settled.Krusen… Continue reading

This photo provided by Disney/Lucasfilm shows Daisy Ridley, right, as Rey, and John Boyega as Finn, in a scene from the film, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," directed by J.J. Abrams. The movie opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. (David James/Disney/Lucasfilm via AP)

‘Star Wars’ blasts opening weekend record with $238 million

LOS ANGELES — To say that the force is strong with this one is an understatement.“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” brought in a galactic $238… Continue reading

  • Dec 20, 2015
  • By LINDSEY BAHR
This photo provided by Disney/Lucasfilm shows Daisy Ridley, right, as Rey, and John Boyega as Finn, in a scene from the film, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," directed by J.J. Abrams. The movie opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. (David James/Disney/Lucasfilm via AP)
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Candle merchants Lucas and Jessica Loggins stand in a row of simulated market booths in the College Hieghts Baptist Church recreation of Biblical Bethlehem on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna. The church's Bethlehem Revisited exhibit will be open nightly until Dec. 21.

O little town of Bethlehem

Members of College Heights Baptist Church tried to bring a bit of first-century Judea to 21st century Soldotna when it opened its recreation of Biblical… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Candle merchants Lucas and Jessica Loggins stand in a row of simulated market booths in the College Hieghts Baptist Church recreation of Biblical Bethlehem on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna. The church's Bethlehem Revisited exhibit will be open nightly until Dec. 21.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is investigating the cause of a die-off of grayling in Scout Lake this summer. (Photo courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish & Game)

White spot disease kills Arctic grayling in Scout Lake

Hundreds of dead Arctic grayling washed up on the shores of Scout Lake in August, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is still… Continue reading

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is investigating the cause of a die-off of grayling in Scout Lake this summer. (Photo courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish & Game)

School district enrollment likely down

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administrators are waiting on confirmation from the state but say nearly 30 fewer students enrolled this year than were projected.The… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Alaska senators split on federal budget package

JUNEAU — Alaska’s Republican U.S. senators split on their votes for a sweeping budget package Friday, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski voting in favor and Sen.… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

Legislative Council seeks help from AIDEA with Anchorage LIO

The Legislative Council is hoping the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority can help it out of an untenable situation, while keeping legislators in their… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2015
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER

Woman missing in Kenai

Kenai police are searching for 34-year-old Iva “Mitzi” Berninger, a Kenai resident reported missing by a neighbor from her Gill Street apartment, where she was… Continue reading

Attorney: Fairbanks 4 exonerated, contrary to state claim

ANCHORAGE — An attorney in the Fairbanks Four case said Friday the four indigenous men previously convicted in the 1997 beating death of a teenager… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2015
  • By Rachel D'oro

Peninsula Clarion publisher steps down

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Vitto Kleinschmidt, publisher of the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, has stepped down to pursue other opportunities. The announcement was made by Les… Continue reading

  • Dec 17, 2015
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Alternative High School senior Linda Byrd takes a picture with Hal Smalley, posing as Santa Clause, during the annual Grinch Day celebration on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 at the school in Kenai, Alaska. Byrd also celebrated her 19th birthday during the annual lunch and gift-giving event.

Kenai Alternative puts spin on holiday celebration

Teachers and teens at Kenai Alternative High School put their own unique twist on end-of-the-year Christmas parties with the annual Grinch Day before heading off… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Alternative High School senior Linda Byrd takes a picture with Hal Smalley, posing as Santa Clause, during the annual Grinch Day celebration on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 at the school in Kenai, Alaska. Byrd also celebrated her 19th birthday during the annual lunch and gift-giving event.
On getting paid to fish, a dream job

On getting paid to fish, a dream job

I was suddenly reminded that 20 years had passed since I held the Dream Job. It was the best job any fisherman could ever have… Continue reading

On getting paid to fish, a dream job
Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Duane Mays, the director of the Senior and Disability Services division of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, presented options to revise the Medicaid waiver program to a small crowd in Kenai Tuesday night.

State considers Medicaid waiver revamp

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is weighing its options to reduce costs on the Medicaid program that provides home- and community-based services… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Duane Mays, the director of the Senior and Disability Services division of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, presented options to revise the Medicaid waiver program to a small crowd in Kenai Tuesday night.
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion The Independent Living Center Executive Director Joyanna Geisler explains the ins and outs of Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services to a room of veterans and their families on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 at the Ninilchik Senior Center in Ninilchik, Alaska.

Peninsula VA home services program is first in Alaska

Alaska veterans in need of at-home care can now get those services paid for by the Alaska Department of Veterans Affairs through a program offered… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion The Independent Living Center Executive Director Joyanna Geisler explains the ins and outs of Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services to a room of veterans and their families on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 at the Ninilchik Senior Center in Ninilchik, Alaska.

Alaska’s agricultural renaissance

Integral members of the local farming community believe the state is experiencing an agriculture renaissance, and producers on the Kenai Peninsula are big contributors. Heidi… Continue reading

  • Dec 16, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Alaska budget plan shows deficit for next year

JUNEAU — Budget details released by Gov. Bill Walker’s office show a deficit of about $427 million next year, a drastic change from the half-billion… Continue reading

  • Dec 16, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

Banks warn of impacts for breaking LIO lease

The Alaska Legislature’s 10-year lease on its 64,000-square-foot office building in Anchorage has become a political football, possibly a preview of fireworks to come in… Continue reading

  • Dec 16, 2015
  • By Tim Bradner
"The Introvert Entrepreneur" is a home run

“The Introvert Entrepreneur” is a home run

Sometimes, you’d just like to run home.It’s quieter there. No noise, no crowds, no networking or small talk. You’re a private person in a world… Continue reading

"The Introvert Entrepreneur" is a home run
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Christy Blaum, an analyst supervisor, takes local law enforcement and business representatives through several background check methods and sites during a workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015 at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska.

‘Google is your friend’

Area residents learned that names, phone numbers, work histories and credentials are only a click away during a background check workshop held Tuesday. Hosted by… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Christy Blaum, an analyst supervisor, takes local law enforcement and business representatives through several background check methods and sites during a workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015 at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska.

Kenai man arrested for threats

A Kenai man was arrested Monday for making threats near Kenai Alternative High School.Three Kenai Police officers responded to Damon Evans, 40, on Monday afternoon… Continue reading

  • Dec 15, 2015