ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND MARCH 19-20, 2016 AND THEREAFTER -- In this March 4, 2016 photo, Dr. Susan Hunter-Joerns takes Sammy the Wonder Pony on a walk at the Fairweather Equestrian Center in Juneau, Alaska. Sammy turned 42 in February, which is anywhere between 120-160 years in human years, Hunter-Joerns said.   (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire via AP)

‘Wild, woolly, free, sneaky’ wonder pony turns 42

JUNEAU (AP) — On a recent sunny morning at Fairweather Equestrian Center, Sammy the Wonder Pony follows his owner, neurologist Dr. Susan Hunter-Joerns, right to… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND MARCH 19-20, 2016 AND THEREAFTER -- In this March 4, 2016 photo, Dr. Susan Hunter-Joerns takes Sammy the Wonder Pony on a walk at the Fairweather Equestrian Center in Juneau, Alaska. Sammy turned 42 in February, which is anywhere between 120-160 years in human years, Hunter-Joerns said.   (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire via AP)

House approves bill fighting ‘rock vomit’ and other invasive species

The Alaska House has voted 26-7 in favor of a bill that aims to fight invasive species in Alaska’s waters.House Bill 38, brought by Rep.… Continue reading

An Outdoor View: When I went fishing

(Author’s note: This column, about springtime fishing for king salmon and halibut in Cook Inlet, first appeared in the Clarion on May 17, 2002. Dennis… Continue reading

Tom (left) and Sonja Redmond distribute smiles and green pepermints during the Soldotna St. Patrick's Day parade on Thursday, March 17 in Soldotna. Sonja Redmond said the couple have marched in the parade almost every year since it began 25 years ago. Their grandchildren, Anna and Sara DeVolld, have joined them since Anna was "just old enough to sit up in a wagon," Sonja said. Asked why they had first joined the parade, Sonja said "I don't remember — seems like we always have."
Tom (left) and Sonja Redmond distribute smiles and green pepermints during the Soldotna St. Patrick's Day parade on Thursday, March 17 in Soldotna. Sonja Redmond said the couple have marched in the parade almost every year since it began 25 years ago. Their grandchildren, Anna and Sara DeVolld, have joined them since Anna was "just old enough to sit up in a wagon," Sonja said. Asked why they had first joined the parade, Sonja said "I don't remember — seems like we always have."
SeaLife Center preps for otter loss

SeaLife Center preps for otter loss

After a record year of otter strandings, the Alaska SeaLife Center’s veterinarians are gearing up for another busy year. The Seward nonprofit received 300 reports… Continue reading

SeaLife Center preps for otter loss

Feds file to dismiss suit over Kenai River subsistence gillnet

The Ninilchik Traditional Council filed a response March 3 to a motion by the Federal Subsistence Board and U.S. Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture… Continue reading

  • Mar 16, 2016
  • By DJ SUMMERS
When caring for a catch, everything from dispatching the fish to its placement in the freezer can make a difference in the final outcome. Gutting and storing the catch properly will leave you with a better-tasting meal later on.

Caring for your catch

I just enjoyed some salmon cooked over the grill, served to friends who marveled at how fresh it tasted even though it was caught and… Continue reading

  • Mar 16, 2016
  • By Dave Atcheson
When caring for a catch, everything from dispatching the fish to its placement in the freezer can make a difference in the final outcome. Gutting and storing the catch properly will leave you with a better-tasting meal later on.
Women find place to discuss their roles in agriculture

Women find place to discuss their roles in agriculture

While more women are turning up soil in the agriculture industry, they are unearthing a unique set of challenges. Some are looking for new methods… Continue reading

  • Mar 15, 2016
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Women find place to discuss their roles in agriculture
Selecting the Caring for the Kenai "Final 12"

Selecting the Caring for the Kenai “Final 12”

With high schools from Homer to Seward participating in this year’s Caring for the Kenai (C4K) environmental and disaster preparedness contest, a panel of eight… Continue reading

Selecting the Caring for the Kenai "Final 12"
Freethinkers raise funds for Baby Boxes

Freethinkers raise funds for Baby Boxes

An idea that comes to the Kenai from Finland via Carrie Hanson, president of Last Frontier Freethinkers is gaining traction, “Last Frontier Freethinkers has chosen… Continue reading

Freethinkers raise funds for Baby Boxes
Redoubt celebrates reading on Dr. Seuss's Birthday

Redoubt celebrates reading on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

Dr. Seuss is as popular as ever evidenced at his 112 birthday celebration at Redoubt Elementary where his birthday has been celebrated long after he… Continue reading

Redoubt celebrates reading on Dr. Seuss's Birthday
Ice Fishing Families score at Soldotna Hardware Derby

Ice Fishing Families score at Soldotna Hardware Derby

The Annual Soldotna Trustworthy Hardware Ice Fishing Derby was 24 hours longer this year as February had an extra day and that day delivered a… Continue reading

Ice Fishing Families score at Soldotna Hardware Derby
Dallas Seavey poses with his lead dogs Reef, left, and Tide after finishing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Tuesday, March 15, 2016,  in Nome, Alaska. Seavey won his third straight Iditarod, for his fourth overall title in the last five years. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dallas Seavey has knack for winning Iditarod with few dogs

NOME, Alaska — Dallas Seavey did more with less this year at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. He set a record pace early Tuesday… Continue reading

  • Mar 15, 2016
  • By Mark Thiessen
Dallas Seavey poses with his lead dogs Reef, left, and Tide after finishing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Tuesday, March 15, 2016,  in Nome, Alaska. Seavey won his third straight Iditarod, for his fourth overall title in the last five years. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Members of Central Emergency Services attend to the scene of a two-vehicle accident blocking traffic on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the intersection of Kalifornsky Beach Road and Poppy Lane in Soldotna, Alaska.

One injured in K-Beach wreck

“A larger truck impacted the driver’s side of a full sized pickup truck,” said Captain Reed Quinton with Central Emergency Services.CES was called out to… Continue reading

  • Mar 15, 2016
  • By One person was injured in a wreck that diverted traffic on Kalifornsky Beach Road Tuesday morning.
Members of Central Emergency Services attend to the scene of a two-vehicle accident blocking traffic on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the intersection of Kalifornsky Beach Road and Poppy Lane in Soldotna, Alaska.

Hospital aims to upgrade imaging equipment

Central Peninsula Hospital is looking to update its imaging capabilities with some new equipment if the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly gives it the green light.… Continue reading

Alaska pushes back on Arctic plan with Canada

Alaska’s leaders in Juneau and Congress had harsh words for a joint March 10 statement from the White House and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau… Continue reading

  • Mar 15, 2016
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER
AliyZirkle, right, greets fans at the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Tuesday, March 15,  2016, in Nome, Alaska. Zirkle finished third. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Musher places 3rd in Iditarod after being attacked on trail

NOME, Alaska — Musher Aliy Zirkle on Tuesday completed a bittersweet Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race across Alaska, and credited the people of Alaska with… Continue reading

  • Mar 15, 2016
  • By Mark Thiessen
AliyZirkle, right, greets fans at the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Tuesday, March 15,  2016, in Nome, Alaska. Zirkle finished third. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Alaska included in future offshore lease sale schedule

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Obama administration’s five-year offshore drilling plan announced Tuesday includes three future lease sales off Alaska and six areas in state waters… Continue reading

  • Mar 15, 2016
  • By Dan Joling
The jack-up rig Randolph Yost arrived on the heavy-lift vessel Tai An Kou in the evening of March 9.  Furie Operating Alaska plans to use the jack-up rig to drill new wells in the Kitchen Lights Unit off Nikiski.

Seismic, exploration work underway on Kenai Peninsula

Despite pessimistic oil and gas outlooks, two companies are conducting seismic data-gathering activities on the Kenai Peninsula this spring and another is planning more exploration… Continue reading

The jack-up rig Randolph Yost arrived on the heavy-lift vessel Tai An Kou in the evening of March 9.  Furie Operating Alaska plans to use the jack-up rig to drill new wells in the Kitchen Lights Unit off Nikiski.

School board members prepare to vote on budget

With less than a month from the vote, Board of Education members report they plan to approve the school district’s budget — though not without… Continue reading

  • Mar 14, 2016
  • By Kelly Sullivan