News

Local health providers deal with national trends

Alaska health care payment trends are contrary to national trends, according to Central Peninsula Hospital CEO Rick Davis. A pair of presentations from health care… Continue reading

Mumford resigns from fish board

Bob Mumford tendered a letter of resignation to Gov. Bill Walker’s office on Friday resigning from his seat on the Alaska Board of Fisheries, according… Continue reading

Two arrested for methamphetamine, heroin distribution

Alaska State Troopers arrested two Soldotna residents Thursday for distribution of methamphetamines and heroin. Richard Strassburg, 49, and Bree Whitaker, 42, were arrested and taken… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2016
  • By Staff reports
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Wayne Floyd is selling the peonies from his first harvest at local farmers markets and through the Alaska Peony Market Cooperative Friday, July 17, 2015, at Cool Cache Farms LLC., in Kenai, Alaska.

Marketing on the mind: Peony growers gather to discuss industry

Marketing is on the minds of many peony producers as they prepare for the approaching season. Fittingly, it is the leading topic at the Alaska… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2016
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Wayne Floyd is selling the peonies from his first harvest at local farmers markets and through the Alaska Peony Market Cooperative Friday, July 17, 2015, at Cool Cache Farms LLC., in Kenai, Alaska.
Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Seldovia City Manager Tim Dillon presented an update on the city at the annual Industry Outlook Forum at the Old Carr's Mall in Kenai Thursday. Dillon, who has managed Seldovia for more than 7 years, is planning to retire in March.

Local governments cautiously optimistic about economy

Although the state’s budget crisis looms over local government, public officials in the Kenai Peninsula Borough say they are hopeful for the future.The annual Industry… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Seldovia City Manager Tim Dillon presented an update on the city at the annual Industry Outlook Forum at the Old Carr's Mall in Kenai Thursday. Dillon, who has managed Seldovia for more than 7 years, is planning to retire in March.

Survey: 18 percent of Alaska high schoolers use e-cigarettes

A new survey of Alaska high school students has found e-cigarette use higher than the national average. The results of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey,… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2016
Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Josie Moore, a sixth-grader at Soldotna Elementary School, took first place at the school's spelling bee Wednesday. Moore, who also won last year, will go on to the state spelling bee in Anchorage to compete.

Photo: Super speller

… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2016
Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion Josie Moore, a sixth-grader at Soldotna Elementary School, took first place at the school's spelling bee Wednesday. Moore, who also won last year, will go on to the state spelling bee in Anchorage to compete.

Soldotna to work on wastewater permit

The City of Soldotna is moving forward in an effort to renew its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for its wastewater treatment facility.During its… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2016

Cooper Landing murder trial delayed again

The trial of a man accused of murder for the 2013 death of Genghis Muskox has been pushed back to April. Paul Vermillion, 32, of… Continue reading

Senate votes to remove records from CourtView

By a 19-1 vote on Wednesday, the Alaska Senate has approved a bill that calls for records of acquittals, dismissed cases and dropped cases to… Continue reading

Walker lays out expectations for gas line progress

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker said he wants the state and the North Slope’s major producers to reach agreement on key contracts and issues related… Continue reading

UA plan focuses on campus strengths

The University of Alaska Board of Regents and university President Jim Johnsen have agreed on a framework to restructure the system’s campuses at a time… Continue reading

CINGSA appeals Regulatory Commission decision

Editor's note: this story has been changed to remove an incorrect citation of Alaska State Code and to correct inaccurate information about the division of… Continue reading

Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage and Rep. Max Gruenberg, D-Anchorage, discuss a HB 243, a measure that would allow felons whose convictions are overturned to be retroactively eligible for Permanent Fund Dividend checks, on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, in Juneau, Alaska. Lynn introduced the bill after learning of the plight of a group of indigenous men known as the Fairbanks Four whose convictions were overturned after they spent 18 years in jail for the 1997 death of a Fairbanks teenager. A condition of their release was that they would not sue government entities. (AP Photo/Rashah McChesney)

Case inspires bill to allow dividend checks for cleared felons

JUNEAU — State lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow Alaskans who have had felony convictions overturned and charges later dismissed to become eligible… Continue reading

Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage and Rep. Max Gruenberg, D-Anchorage, discuss a HB 243, a measure that would allow felons whose convictions are overturned to be retroactively eligible for Permanent Fund Dividend checks, on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, in Juneau, Alaska. Lynn introduced the bill after learning of the plight of a group of indigenous men known as the Fairbanks Four whose convictions were overturned after they spent 18 years in jail for the 1997 death of a Fairbanks teenager. A condition of their release was that they would not sue government entities. (AP Photo/Rashah McChesney)

Walker permanent fund plan gets 1st hearing by Senate panel

JUNEAU — The chairman of the Senate State Affairs Committee said Tuesday that he wants to vet several ideas surrounding the use of Alaska Permanent… Continue reading

Alaska Democrats question state candidacy law

JUNEAU — Alaska Democratic party leaders have approved allowing candidates not affiliated with a political party to run in the Democratic primary.In a letter to… Continue reading

Division of Forestry offers grants to help plant trees

The Alaska Division of Forestry is helping communities spruce up with woody perennials.The Alaska Community Forestry Program has designated two grants for organizations and individuals… Continue reading

  • Jan 26, 2016
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Shots fired, 1 killed in arrest of Oregon militants

The FBI and Oregon State Police on Tuesday arrested the leaders of an armed group that has occupied a national wildlife refuge for the past… Continue reading

  • Jan 26, 2016
  • By REBECCA BOONE and GENE JOHNSON
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Luke Riley attempts a one foot high kick during the Native Youth Olympics Winter Games Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Kenai Middle School. Riley barely missed making the kick.

Native Youth games provide social and physical skills

Youth teams from as far as Wasilla and Chickaloon gathered to compete in three days of traditional Alaskan Native games at the Native Youth Olympics… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Luke Riley attempts a one foot high kick during the Native Youth Olympics Winter Games Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Kenai Middle School. Riley barely missed making the kick.

Quake Q&A: Geologists explain state’s vulnerability

ANCHORAGE — A massive weekend earthquake in Alaska cracked a road, broke natural gas lines and destroyed four homes. But the magnitude-7.1 quake wasn’t the… Continue reading

  • Jan 25, 2016
  • By Dan Joling