News

Healthcare Task Force debates direction

The borough’s newly formed Healthcare Task Force attempted to more clearly define its direction Wednesday night to help catch the Kenai Peninsula’s health care system… Continue reading

UA regents say they failed to hear of HAARP restart

University of Alaska regents reacted with disappointment Thursday as president Jim Johnsen announced that the UA system will loan $2 million to the University of… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Two of the recently knocked-over gazebo posts stand upright again on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in in Kenai's Field of Flowers.

Partially-constructed Field of Flowers gazebo knocked over

Construction of the gazebo at Kenai’s Field of Flowers on Lawton Street was disrupted by what Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Bob Frates called “kind… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Two of the recently knocked-over gazebo posts stand upright again on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in in Kenai's Field of Flowers.

Soldotna police get body cams

The Soldotna Police Department will soon have extra eyes on the ground with the introduction of body cameras for its officers. In what he describes… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Shery Mettler, executive director of the Riverside Assisted Living facility, talks to a group from Alaska's Commission on Aging during a tour of her facility on Wednesday Sept. 16, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. The commission is touring several facilities on the Kenai Peninsula as part of its rural outreach meeting.

Seniors in spotlight

Despite the heavy, dark clouds and rain casting a shadow over the Kenai River, the sweeping view from the massive windows in the atrium of… Continue reading

  • Sep 16, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Shery Mettler, executive director of the Riverside Assisted Living facility, talks to a group from Alaska's Commission on Aging during a tour of her facility on Wednesday Sept. 16, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. The commission is touring several facilities on the Kenai Peninsula as part of its rural outreach meeting.

Ninilchik man treated for hypothermia after night outside

NINILCHIK, Alaska (AP) — An 81-year-old Ninilchik man was rescued after apparently spending a night in frigid temperatures near his home.Alaska State Troopers say Richard… Continue reading

  • Sep 16, 2015
This Sept. 15, 2015 photo provided by Alaska State Troopers shows an aerial view of a small plane that crashed near a lake in rural southwest Alaska, killing three travelers from California and Pennsylvania and injuring seven others aboard, some critically. The De Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter was taking off for a fishing trip when it went down outside the tiny town of Iliamna, 175 miles southwest of Anchorage, National Transportation Safety Board Alaska Chief Clint Johnson said. (Alaska State Troopers via AP)

Men aboard ill-flated floatplane came from across US to fish

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The 10 men came from across the United States for what should have been a thrilling Alaska adventure. Instead, their plans were… Continue reading

  • Sep 16, 2015
  • By Rachel D'oro
This Sept. 15, 2015 photo provided by Alaska State Troopers shows an aerial view of a small plane that crashed near a lake in rural southwest Alaska, killing three travelers from California and Pennsylvania and injuring seven others aboard, some critically. The De Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter was taking off for a fishing trip when it went down outside the tiny town of Iliamna, 175 miles southwest of Anchorage, National Transportation Safety Board Alaska Chief Clint Johnson said. (Alaska State Troopers via AP)
In this photo taken Sept. 15, 2015, a black bear wanders downtown with a plastic, opaque jug stuck on its head in Juneau, Alaska. The bear was freed from its faux helmet and relocated outside of Juneau. A biologist for Alaska Department of Fish and Game, confirmed she tranquilized the male bear before removing the jug. (Steve Bean/The Juneau Empire via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Alaska wildlife officials remove container from bear’s head

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska wildlife officials stepped in Tuesday to remove a plastic container covering the head of a Juneau black bear.Department of Fish… Continue reading

  • Sep 16, 2015
In this photo taken Sept. 15, 2015, a black bear wanders downtown with a plastic, opaque jug stuck on its head in Juneau, Alaska. The bear was freed from its faux helmet and relocated outside of Juneau. A biologist for Alaska Department of Fish and Game, confirmed she tranquilized the male bear before removing the jug. (Steve Bean/The Juneau Empire via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

PFD amount to be announced Monday

Gov. Bill Walker will announce the amount of the 2015 Permanent Fund Dividend at 10 a.m. Monday in Anchorage.The dividend, which last year was $1,884,… Continue reading

  • Sep 16, 2015

HRSA awards funds to Seward, Seldovia, PCHS

The Health Resources and Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will award $7.8 million to health centers across… Continue reading

Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former New York Gov. George Pataki, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, businessman Donald Trump, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie take the stage during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

GOP candidates debate Russia, immigration – and Trump

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Along with the back-and-forth bickering over Donald Trump, the Republican presidential contest took a substantive and serious turn in Wednesday’s prime-time… Continue reading

  • Sep 16, 2015
  • By JULIE PACE and STEVE PEOPLES
Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former New York Gov. George Pataki, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, businessman Donald Trump, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie take the stage during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Public urges city to sell airport land

Potential buyers and frustrated lessees urged Kenai City Council members to allow the sale of airport land at a work session Monday night. The council… Continue reading

Photo: September showers

… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2015

Plane crashes near Iliamna

The family of one of the three people killed in a floatplane crash in Alaska has released a statement about his death.Close family friend Meagan… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2015
  • By Rachel D'oro

League of Women Voters adopts new election policy

The Alaska League of Women Voters has adopted new policies advocating for preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds, options for felons who have served their prison… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

UPDATE: Funny River man improving after bear attack

2 p.m.: Funny River resident Danny High underwent surgery Monday morning after being attacked by a brown bear near his home on Sunday, his wife… Continue reading

  • Sep 14, 2015
  • By MEGAN PACER and RASHAH MCCHESNEY
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Terri Burdick, board member for the Kenai Peninsula Performers, partnered with Curtain Call Consignment volunteer Judy Imholte for the Mend-A-Thon Fundraiser Monday, September 14, 2015, inside the old Peninsula Athletics Club in Soldotna, Alaska. Anyone from the public was able to bring in clothing in need of repairs, to help fund construction of the "black box" theater the performers are building in Kenai, Burdick said. It is also nice to provide a service "while asking people for money," Imholte joked. "We want everyone to take advantage of people who don't mind mending all afternoon," she said.

People who don’t mind mending

Mend-A-Thon… Continue reading

  • Sep 14, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Terri Burdick, board member for the Kenai Peninsula Performers, partnered with Curtain Call Consignment volunteer Judy Imholte for the Mend-A-Thon Fundraiser Monday, September 14, 2015, inside the old Peninsula Athletics Club in Soldotna, Alaska. Anyone from the public was able to bring in clothing in need of repairs, to help fund construction of the "black box" theater the performers are building in Kenai, Burdick said. It is also nice to provide a service "while asking people for money," Imholte joked. "We want everyone to take advantage of people who don't mind mending all afternoon," she said.

Defendant in June car chase indicted on 32 counts

An Anchorage man arrested for using a stolen credit card after leading troopers on a car chase in June was back in court Monday.Alaska State… Continue reading

Funny River man in recovery after bear attack

A 62-year-old Funny River man is recovering after suffering major injuries from a brown bear attack near mile 11 of Funny River Road on Sunday.Danny… Continue reading

  • Sep 14, 2015
  • By MEGAN PACER and RASHAH MCCHESNEY

School district enrollment down, funding at risk

Enrollment for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is hovering at 90 fewer students than originally projected, which may mean a nearly $1 million cut… Continue reading

  • Sep 14, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan