FILE - This Aug. 30, 2011, file photo provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shows Big Diomede Island in Russia, right background, as seen from Little Diomede Island in the U.S. state of Alaska, left foreground. Residents from the tiny Alaska Native village on Little Diomede are trying to reconnect with their long-lost relatives from Big Diomede, who were moved to Russia's Chukotka Peninsula after the island became a Russian military base during World War II. Three miles separates the islands, but it might as well be thousands of miles because Big Diomede is strictly off-limits. (George A. Kalli/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via AP, File)

Village seeks to reunite with Russian relatives

ANCHORAGE — Across the Bering Strait, Robert Soolook can easily see the looming hulk of the neighboring Russian island where some of his relatives used… Continue reading

  • Aug 18, 2015
  • By Rachel D'oro
FILE - This Aug. 30, 2011, file photo provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shows Big Diomede Island in Russia, right background, as seen from Little Diomede Island in the U.S. state of Alaska, left foreground. Residents from the tiny Alaska Native village on Little Diomede are trying to reconnect with their long-lost relatives from Big Diomede, who were moved to Russia's Chukotka Peninsula after the island became a Russian military base during World War II. Three miles separates the islands, but it might as well be thousands of miles because Big Diomede is strictly off-limits. (George A. Kalli/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via AP, File)

6 injured in van rollover

Six people were injured in a single-vehicle accident Monday morning near Clam Gulch.The driver of a van carrying eight people attempted to pass another vehicle… Continue reading

FILE - In this April 17, 2015 file photo, with the Olympic Mountains in the background, a small boat crosses in front of the Transocean Polar Pioneer, a semi-submersible drilling unit that Royal Dutch Shell leases from Transocean Ltd., as it arrives in Port Angeles, Wash., aboard a transport ship after traveling across the Pacific before its eventual Arctic destination. The U.S. government on Monday gave Shell the final permit it needs to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean off Alaska's northwest coast for the first time in more than two decades.  (Daniella Beccaria/seattlepi.com via AP, File) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; SEATTLE TIMES OUT; TV OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Feds allow Shell to drill for oil in Arctic Ocean

ANCHORAGE — The federal government on Monday gave Royal Dutch Shell the final permit it needs to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean off… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015
  • By Dan Joling
FILE - In this April 17, 2015 file photo, with the Olympic Mountains in the background, a small boat crosses in front of the Transocean Polar Pioneer, a semi-submersible drilling unit that Royal Dutch Shell leases from Transocean Ltd., as it arrives in Port Angeles, Wash., aboard a transport ship after traveling across the Pacific before its eventual Arctic destination. The U.S. government on Monday gave Shell the final permit it needs to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean off Alaska's northwest coast for the first time in more than two decades.  (Daniella Beccaria/seattlepi.com via AP, File) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; SEATTLE TIMES OUT; TV OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Lawmakers to discuss legal questions surrounding Medicaid

JUNEAU (AP) — A legislative committee plans to meet Tuesday to discuss whether to challenge Gov. Bill Walker’s plan to expand Medicaid in Alaska.A point… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during a news conference, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sullivan discussed a range of topics, including the importance of an Arctic policy for the United States. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Sullivan: Russian moves highlight Arctic concerns

JUNEAU — U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said the Russians are looking to militarize the Arctic, making it all the more important for the U.S. to… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during a news conference, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, in Anchorage, Alaska. Sullivan discussed a range of topics, including the importance of an Arctic policy for the United States. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Aubrey Austin curls up with a book in an armchair at the LeeShore Center where she has been staying for two months on August 13, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. The center is in its 30th year of operating. At present, all 32 of its beds are filled.

LeeShore celebrates 30 years of service

Since opening its doors in 1985, Kenai’s LeeShore Center has served as a sanctuary for the community’s women and children in need. This year, its… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Aubrey Austin curls up with a book in an armchair at the LeeShore Center where she has been staying for two months on August 13, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. The center is in its 30th year of operating. At present, all 32 of its beds are filled.

Walker wants 51 percent stake in AKLNG

ANCHORAGE — Gov. Bill Walker is still pushing North Slope producers for a larger share of the Alaska LNG Project, and may promote a state… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015
  • By Tim Bradner

Court rejects privacy argument in home brew case

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A state appeals court has rejected a Scammon Bay man’s argument that Alaska’s constitutional right to privacy entitled him to make… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015

Court rejects privacy argument in home brew case

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A state appeals court has rejected a Scammon Bay man’s argument that Alaska’s constitutional right to privacy entitled him to make… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015

Alaska’s berry crop varies by region

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska’s mild winter and spring weather has been a mixed blessing for berry pickers. “Painting a broad brush, it’s a good… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015

Vatican team traces history of Yup’ik masks

BETHEL, Alaska (AP) — A team from the Vatican was in Bethel last week trying to trace the origins of several traditional Yup’ik masks they… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015
  • By BEN MATHESON

Colorado man missing after walking away from Moose Pass campsite

A man is missing after friends say he got drunk and walked away from a campsite near Kenai Lake. Daniel Compeau, 34, was reported missing… Continue reading

  • Aug 16, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion  Several residents prepare to the leave the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers after a public hearing on a proposal to form a special assessment district to help mitigate flooding along Kalifornsky Beach Road on Thursday August 18, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Proposed service area raises support, concern

A public hearing on a proposal that would put a question to voters on whether to form a new economic development service area, drew about… Continue reading

  • Aug 17, 2015
  • By MEGAN PACER and RASHAH MCCHESNEY
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion  Several residents prepare to the leave the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers after a public hearing on a proposal to form a special assessment district to help mitigate flooding along Kalifornsky Beach Road on Thursday August 18, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska.

School district reports few open positions

While other school districts throughout Alaska are reporting teacher and support staff shortages, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is having fewer hiring woes.Eight certified… Continue reading

  • Aug 15, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
AP Photo/Frank Flavin/Alaska Energy Authority In this 2012 file photo, researchers walk along the Susitna River. With a spending freeze lifted by Gov. Bill Walker, work is resuming on the Susitna-Watana hydroelectric project. However, the authority will need about $100 million in new funding to get through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing process and to construction.

Susitna-Watana studies resume after spending freeze lifted

Work is resuming on the Susitna-Watana hydroelectric project under spending guidelines put in place by Gov. Bill Walker’s administration.The overall cost for the proposed 705-foot… Continue reading

  • Aug 15, 2015
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER
AP Photo/Frank Flavin/Alaska Energy Authority In this 2012 file photo, researchers walk along the Susitna River. With a spending freeze lifted by Gov. Bill Walker, work is resuming on the Susitna-Watana hydroelectric project. However, the authority will need about $100 million in new funding to get through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing process and to construction.

The last kid in Cold Bay

COLD BAY, Alaska — On a blustery afternoon in July, most of the residents of this town at the edge of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands showed… Continue reading

  • Aug 13, 2015
  • By MICHELLE THERIAULT BOOTS
In this June 16, 2015 file photo a group of fishermen watch as a water bomber takes water from Skilak Lake to fight the Card Street wildfire on  near Sterling, Alaska.

Fire disaster assistance deadline approaching

Those whose homes or property were affected by the Card Street fire still have time to apply for state aid. When Gov. Bill Walker declared… Continue reading

In this June 16, 2015 file photo a group of fishermen watch as a water bomber takes water from Skilak Lake to fight the Card Street wildfire on  near Sterling, Alaska.
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion  As their boat returns to the bank of the Kenai River, Aaliyah Bookey, Zoey Redfern, Alyssa Almeida, and Jessica Rumaner (pictured from left to right) examine a silver salmon caught by Rumaner during the Take Our Kids Fishing event at Soldotna's Centenial Park on Thursday, August 13.

Kenai guides take kids fishing at Take Our Kids Fishing event

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct the affiliation of Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tami Murray.  Members of the Kenai, Nikiski,… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion  As their boat returns to the bank of the Kenai River, Aaliyah Bookey, Zoey Redfern, Alyssa Almeida, and Jessica Rumaner (pictured from left to right) examine a silver salmon caught by Rumaner during the Take Our Kids Fishing event at Soldotna's Centenial Park on Thursday, August 13.

Troopers seek Nikiski man for vehicle theft

The Alaska State Troopers are searching for a Nikiski man after a car chase ended with his escape early Thursday morning.Brandon Bernier, 35, led troopers… Continue reading

Marijuana board amends regs, sets $5K fee

The cannabis industry’s growing pains are causing unease for some stakeholders, even as the newly minted Alaska Marijuana Control Board was able to favorably change… Continue reading

  • Aug 13, 2015
  • By DJ SUMMERS,