Walker puts freeze on department hiring, travel

Those cushy state jobs are going to be a little harder to come by after Gov. Bill Walker’s administration instituted a state hiring freeze and… Continue reading

  • Jan 6, 2016
  • By By Elwood Brehmer
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this June 2, 2015 file photo, Mike Matheny of Kasilof eases a 20-pound king salmon back into the Kasilof River after catching it near Crooked Creek in Kasilof, Alaska.

King salmon stocking to expand at Crooked Creek

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to clarify the stocking numbers. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game increased the smolts stocked in Crooked… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this June 2, 2015 file photo, Mike Matheny of Kasilof eases a 20-pound king salmon back into the Kasilof River after catching it near Crooked Creek in Kasilof, Alaska.

S&P downgrades Alaska’s debt rating

Oil prices continue to lurk at less than $40 per barrel, and despite hope for a legislative salve, Standard & Poor’s is lowering the state’s… Continue reading

  • Jan 5, 2016
  • By DJ SUMMERS

Agency rejects endangered listing for southeast Alaska wolf

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A federal agency has rejected an endangered species listing for a wolf that dens in the root systems of large trees in… Continue reading

  • Jan 5, 2016
  • By Dan Joling
Photo courtesy Tamara Nelson A school bus slid off Adkins Road in Sterling Tuesday morning. No students were on the bus at the time.

Slippery day for bus drivers

Alerts went out for Kenai Peninsula Borough School District students and their families Tuesday morning after one First Student bus couldn’t make it down its… Continue reading

  • Jan 5, 2016
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo courtesy Tamara Nelson A school bus slid off Adkins Road in Sterling Tuesday morning. No students were on the bus at the time.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Two men prepare to moor the fishing vessel Machinator on the Kenai River near the Kenai City Docks on Tuesday June 30, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska.

State fishery spending analyzed

Most of the benefit from the commercial fishing industry goes to local government, while the state overspends itself, according to a new analysis. A study… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Two men prepare to moor the fishing vessel Machinator on the Kenai River near the Kenai City Docks on Tuesday June 30, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, gives a presentation - focused primarily on the state's budget woes - on Tuesday Jan. 5, 2016 during a Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Soldotna Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska.

Economy, budget at forefront of legislative session

With the Alaska legislative session beginning Jan. 19, many residents are holding their breath to see how legislators will address the budget concerns. About a… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, gives a presentation - focused primarily on the state's budget woes - on Tuesday Jan. 5, 2016 during a Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Soldotna Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska.

Assembly talks drug addiction, treatment options

Central Peninsula Hospital is a step closer to exploring the option of additional transitional housing for area residents.The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly introduced an ordinance… Continue reading

  • Jan 5, 2016

Obama’s move on guns may have only modest effect on violence

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s move to tighten controls on guns could curb the unregulated buying and selling of weapons over the Internet and at… Continue reading

  • Jan 5, 2016
  • By RYAN J. FOLEY and ERIC TUCKER
Local Christmas Bird Count celebrates 25th consecutive count

Local Christmas Bird Count celebrates 25th consecutive count

The 25th local annual Christmas Bird Count was held and completed Saturday, December 12th, under the direction of Jack Sinclair. And is now part of… Continue reading

Local Christmas Bird Count celebrates 25th consecutive count
Unwrap Soldotna winner announced at Tuesday Trivia night

Unwrap Soldotna winner announced at Tuesday Trivia night

Soldotna was un-wrapped in grand fashion this year according Melodie Allen, Soldotna Chamber of Commerce events coordinator. “We had more businesses participate this year and… Continue reading

Unwrap Soldotna winner announced at Tuesday Trivia night
Toys for Tots sets record collecting 2,371 gifts for local children

Toys for Tots sets record collecting 2,371 gifts for local children

Reliable sources report that Santa is very pleased with his helpers on the Kenai Peninsula this year. Last year the annual Toys for Tots campaign… Continue reading

Toys for Tots sets record collecting 2,371 gifts for local children
Heritage Place makes room for the baby from Bethlehem

Heritage Place makes room for the baby from Bethlehem

Bethlehem came to Heritage Place the week before Christmas and the wise men followed the star to Soldotna accompanied by sheep, goats and a manger… Continue reading

Heritage Place makes room for the baby from Bethlehem
Photo courtesy Danyelle Garrett Owen Jeffrey Dean Wight was born at 1:40 p.m., Sunday, at the Central Peninsula Hospital. He was the first baby born in 2016.

Eventful arrival for CPH’s first baby of 2016

The parents of Owen Jeffrey Dean Wight have already pegged a streak of rowdiness in their son who, in an riled exit, wrapped his umbilical… Continue reading

  • Jan 4, 2016
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo courtesy Danyelle Garrett Owen Jeffrey Dean Wight was born at 1:40 p.m., Sunday, at the Central Peninsula Hospital. He was the first baby born in 2016.

Kenai man sentenced to 12 years for 2013 crimes

A Kenai man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for burglary and possession of child pornography.Jesse Lee Carlson, 35, pleaded guilty to one… Continue reading

  • Jan 4, 2016

Things to know about federal land ownership in the West

An armed group occupying the headquarters of a national wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon wants the federal government to relinquish the land to local officials… Continue reading

  • Jan 4, 2016
  • By KEITH RIDLER

Group: Pilot in Alaska crash took plane without permission

ANCHORAGE — A pilot who crashed a small Civil Air Patrol plane into office buildings in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, was using the search-and-rescue aircraft without… Continue reading

  • Jan 4, 2016
  • By Rachel D'oro

Aerospace corporation seeks to privatize

JUNEAU — The president and CEO of the Alaska Aerospace Corp. said Monday that the board of the state-owned corporation has recommended it pursue becoming… Continue reading

  • Jan 4, 2016
  • By Becky Bohrer
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  In this June 20, 2015 file photo (right) Travis Foreman, of Wasilla, passes another racer and lands a jumps during a state motocross meet at the Twin City Raceway in Kenai, Alaska. Seconds after he was photographed, Foreman lost control in a jump and broke his back.

Getting back on track

Travis Foreman, a 45-year-old Wasilla man, knew the wreck was going to hurt. The seasoned motocross racer slammed into an unexpected jump on June 20,… Continue reading

  • Jan 3, 2016
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  In this June 20, 2015 file photo (right) Travis Foreman, of Wasilla, passes another racer and lands a jumps during a state motocross meet at the Twin City Raceway in Kenai, Alaska. Seconds after he was photographed, Foreman lost control in a jump and broke his back.

Warm snow winters challenge some Alaskans

ANCHORAGE — When the early-season snow melted this winter and left Anchorage’s ski trails covered in ice, Lauren Fritz, a professional cross-country skier, went out… Continue reading

  • Jan 3, 2016
  • By NATHANIEL HERZ