News

Kenai Fjords at Exit Glacier to be closed for President’s visit

The Kenai Fjords National Park at Exit Glacier will be closed to the public on Tuesday as the park hosts President Barack Obama. The closure,… Continue reading

  • Aug 30, 2015
  • By Staff Report
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Eduard Kernan, of Switzerland, makes use of the Centennial Park Trail to fish and clean his catch on Sunday August 30, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Soldotna expands trail system

A stroll beginning at the Soldotna Sports Complex will soon get visitors all the way to the heart of the city. The $197,400 Centennial Park… Continue reading

  • Aug 30, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Eduard Kernan, of Switzerland, makes use of the Centennial Park Trail to fish and clean his catch on Sunday August 30, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska.
Morris News Service Photo by Michael Penn/Juneau Empire Olivia Carr-Odom talks about President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Alaska while working her "Simply Southern" food booth at the Anchorage Market & Festival on Sunday. She is a 45 year resident in Alaska.

Anchorage prepares for President’s visit

On the eve of President Barack Obama’s trip to Alaska, visitors from all over the state have travelled to Anchorage. At the Dena’ina Convention Center,… Continue reading

  • Aug 30, 2015
Morris News Service Photo by Michael Penn/Juneau Empire Olivia Carr-Odom talks about President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Alaska while working her "Simply Southern" food booth at the Anchorage Market & Festival on Sunday. She is a 45 year resident in Alaska.

New charter school combines variety of models

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Last week, hours after thousands of students across town grabbed their backpacks and entered their classrooms for the start of the 2015-16… Continue reading

  • Aug 30, 2015
  • By TEGAN HANLON
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Two red salmon spawn in the Russian River near the weir on Thursday August 27, 2015 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. As of Wednesday, more than 42,400 sockeye salmon were counted passing the weir during the late run.

Photo: The end of the line

… Continue reading

  • Aug 27, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Two red salmon spawn in the Russian River near the weir on Thursday August 27, 2015 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. As of Wednesday, more than 42,400 sockeye salmon were counted passing the weir during the late run.
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Wearing swim goggles to protect his eyes from smoke, Bill Switzer tosses burger patties on a grill with the help of Larry Nudson (background) during Kenai's Industry Appreciation Days on Saturday, August 29 at the Kenai Park Strip.

Photos: Showing appreciation

… Continue reading

  • Aug 29, 2015
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Wearing swim goggles to protect his eyes from smoke, Bill Switzer tosses burger patties on a grill with the help of Larry Nudson (background) during Kenai's Industry Appreciation Days on Saturday, August 29 at the Kenai Park Strip.
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Casee Chevalier clips a wire in the hangar workshop of Peninsula Aero Tech avionic services on Thursday, August 27 at the Kenai Municipal Airport. Peninsula Aero Tech is one of the businesses whose lease rates on airport property are increasing.

Kenai airport reserve lease rates rise after appraisal

Some lessees of Kenai’s airport reserve properties believe their leases were unfairly evaluated in a 2015 appraisal that determines the rent they pay to the… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Casee Chevalier clips a wire in the hangar workshop of Peninsula Aero Tech avionic services on Thursday, August 27 at the Kenai Municipal Airport. Peninsula Aero Tech is one of the businesses whose lease rates on airport property are increasing.
Fred Sturman

Two contested races for Soldotna council; mayoral candidate to run unopposed

Four people have filed for two seats on the Soldotna City Council and one for the remainder of the city mayor’s term. For seat C… Continue reading

  • Aug 29, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Fred Sturman
This photo taken Aug. 4, 2012, shows tourists walking to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park just outside Seward, Alaska. President Barack Obama will visit Alaska next week to press for urgent global action to combat climate change, even as he carefully calibrates his message in a state heavily dependent on oil. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

In Alaska, Obama to walk fine line on climate change, energy

WASHINGTON — With melting glaciers and rising seas as his backdrop, President Barack Obama will visit Alaska this week to press for urgent global action… Continue reading

  • Aug 29, 2015
  • By JOSH LEDERMAN
This photo taken Aug. 4, 2012, shows tourists walking to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park just outside Seward, Alaska. President Barack Obama will visit Alaska next week to press for urgent global action to combat climate change, even as he carefully calibrates his message in a state heavily dependent on oil. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Judge rejects call to block Walker from expanding Medicaid

JUNEAU — A judge on Friday rejected a request by state lawmakers to temporarily block Gov. Bill Walker from expanding Medicaid in Alaska.Superior Court Judge… Continue reading

  • Aug 29, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

Presidential visit clearing airspace

With President Barack Obama’s visit to Alaska only days away, local aircraft operators are preparing to adjust to temporary flight restrictions set by the Federal… Continue reading

Walrus leaving ice, coming ashore

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Pacific walrus have come ashore on the northwest coast of Alaska in what has become an annual sign of the effects of… Continue reading

  • Aug 27, 2015
  • By Dan Joling
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Andy Schaafsma, co-owner of Odie's Deli puts panels up on the outside of the building, Aug. 27, 2015, in Soldotna, Alaska.

Soldotna staple improves storefront

Odie’s Deli is the most recent business to take advantage of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program.Awnings, paint, shrubbery and new signs will go up this month… Continue reading

  • Aug 27, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Andy Schaafsma, co-owner of Odie's Deli puts panels up on the outside of the building, Aug. 27, 2015, in Soldotna, Alaska.

BC, Alaska to draft memorandum for mine processes

The province of British Columbia and the State of Alaska will draft a memorandum of understanding regarding mines proposed for and located in transboundary watersheds… Continue reading

  • Aug 27, 2015
  • By MARY CATHARINE MARTIN
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion (left) Tim Digan and Travis Wetzel, ACS employees, bury the AKORN fiber optic cable as North Star Paving & Construction employees work to remove a hill near Nikiski Fire Station No. 2 on Wednesday August 25, 2015 in Nikiski, Alaska.

Nikiski fire station gets an upgrade

Dirt is piled high around the Nikiski Fire Station No. 2 where a Soldotna-based construction company is working to remove and level several tons of… Continue reading

  • Aug 26, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion (left) Tim Digan and Travis Wetzel, ACS employees, bury the AKORN fiber optic cable as North Star Paving & Construction employees work to remove a hill near Nikiski Fire Station No. 2 on Wednesday August 25, 2015 in Nikiski, Alaska.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Alaska Gov. Bill Walker spoke on the economy, oil and gas exploration, medicaid and fisheries issues at a Kenai Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday August 26, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska.

Photo: Walker shares update

… Continue reading

  • Aug 26, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Alaska Gov. Bill Walker spoke on the economy, oil and gas exploration, medicaid and fisheries issues at a Kenai Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday August 26, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska.

School board seats sought by incumbents

Three incumbents are running unopposed for the three Board of Education seats up for election in 2015. Liz Downing, representing Homer since 2005, Marty Anderson,… Continue reading

  • Aug 26, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Suit seeks to bar Walker from expanding Medicaid on his own

JUNEAU — The state could face irreparable fiscal injury if Gov. Bill Walker’s plan to expand Medicaid coverage in Alaska takes effect next week, according… Continue reading

  • Aug 26, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

State Supreme Court hears setnet ban arguments

In a matter of months, the Alaska Supreme Court will decide if Alaskans can legally ban an entire group of fishermen by ballot initiative. At… Continue reading

  • Aug 26, 2015
  • By DJ SUMMERS
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion A boat is enveloped by fog as it makes its way slowly up the Kenai River on Monday August 24, 2015 near Kenai, Alaska. Silver fishing has drawn crowds of anglers to the river since mid-August and will likely continue to do so through mid-September, though the river presents good silver fishing opportunity through late fall.

Options abound for silver salmon anglers

The visual simplicity of a foggy early morning fishing trip on the Kenai River is contradicted by the aural complexity of the whining of dozens… Continue reading

  • Aug 26, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion A boat is enveloped by fog as it makes its way slowly up the Kenai River on Monday August 24, 2015 near Kenai, Alaska. Silver fishing has drawn crowds of anglers to the river since mid-August and will likely continue to do so through mid-September, though the river presents good silver fishing opportunity through late fall.