In this Nov. 18, 2015 photo, the Rev. Scott Fisher kisses 2-month old Elizabeth Miller during her Baptism at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Fairbanks, Alaska. With long hair, unruly sideburns and colorful Converse sneakers, Fisher is known to many as the "hippy" priest. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Rev. Scott Fisher recalls life of service to church, Alaska

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — In October 1970, a young man landed in Fairbanks on a 24-hour layover between his old life and a life that… Continue reading

  • Nov 28, 2015
  • By Matt Buxton
In this Nov. 18, 2015 photo, the Rev. Scott Fisher kisses 2-month old Elizabeth Miller during her Baptism at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Fairbanks, Alaska. With long hair, unruly sideburns and colorful Converse sneakers, Fisher is known to many as the "hippy" priest. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

New trailer could boost size of LNG deliveries to Fairbanks

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A semi-truck trailer designed to carry larger loads of liquefied natural gas to market in Fairbanks will get a tryout next… Continue reading

  • Nov 28, 2015
Rose LaHatt checks out a sweater rack as her son Maverick LaHatt looks on during Black Friday shopping on Friday Nov. 27, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. The LaHatts, of Nikiski, were at the Fred Meyer grocery store in Soldotna shopping at about 5 a.m.

Seeking deals, Kenai Peninsula residents shop early on Black Friday

It’s the post-Thanksgiving holiday when budget lines fade from red to black as shoppers flock bright and early to Kenai Peninsula retailers offering deep discounts… Continue reading

  • Nov 27, 2015
Rose LaHatt checks out a sweater rack as her son Maverick LaHatt looks on during Black Friday shopping on Friday Nov. 27, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. The LaHatts, of Nikiski, were at the Fred Meyer grocery store in Soldotna shopping at about 5 a.m.
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Local residents enjoyed pumpkin pie and several other traditional treats on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015 at the Kenai Senior Citizens Center in Kenai, Alaska.

Local organizations feed neighbors for Thanksgiving

There was no shortage of options for those without family or the financial means to have a Thanksgiving meal this year. Local businesses and centers… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Local residents enjoyed pumpkin pie and several other traditional treats on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015 at the Kenai Senior Citizens Center in Kenai, Alaska.
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Exchange student Nouredine Mama, of Cameroon, shares details about his culture and life in Africa with fourth and sixth grade students on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 at Nikolaevsk School in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. Mama is attending Homer High School while in the state through an exchange program.

Africa exchange student visits Russian village

Cameroon exchange student Nouredine Mama was given two days’ notice before he was flown to Alaska this fall. The 16-year-old was already settled in Washington,… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Exchange student Nouredine Mama, of Cameroon, shares details about his culture and life in Africa with fourth and sixth grade students on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 at Nikolaevsk School in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. Mama is attending Homer High School while in the state through an exchange program.
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, NOV. 28-29 - In this photo taken, Oct. 8, 2015, Aaron Leggett poses along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail near Westchester Lagoon in Anchorage, Alaska. In the past decade, Leggett has emerged as one of the leading voices for the recognition and restoration of indigenous names. Place names "remind people that not long ago, Anchorage was a Dena'ina fish camp and that the Dena'ina people are still here," he said. (Erik Hill(/Alaska Dispatch News via AP)  KTUU-TV OUT; KTVA-TV OUT; THE MAT-SU VALLEY FRONTIERSMAN OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Digital atlas boosts push for Alaska Native place names

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — During a recent walk along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Dena’ina historian Aaron Leggett pointed to an area that was devastated during… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015
  • By ASAF SHALEV
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, NOV. 28-29 - In this photo taken, Oct. 8, 2015, Aaron Leggett poses along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail near Westchester Lagoon in Anchorage, Alaska. In the past decade, Leggett has emerged as one of the leading voices for the recognition and restoration of indigenous names. Place names "remind people that not long ago, Anchorage was a Dena'ina fish camp and that the Dena'ina people are still here," he said. (Erik Hill(/Alaska Dispatch News via AP)  KTUU-TV OUT; KTVA-TV OUT; THE MAT-SU VALLEY FRONTIERSMAN OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

About 40 soldiers returning to Alaska after deployment

Alaska (AP) — Some Alaska soldiers are coming home after a nine-month deployment to Kuwait.The U.S. Army says about 40 soldiers from the 716th Explosive… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015

‘This Book is Gay’ means controversy for Wasilla Library

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Wasilla Library may have to take U.K. author James Dawson’s “This Book is Gay” out of the juvenile nonfiction section.KSKA-FM… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015

Soldotna man dies after saving wife from fire

Updated at 4:50 p.m.: It is unknown why 90-year-old John Kelsch, who died in his home on Rainbow Drive in Soldotna Thanksgiving morning, was unable to… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015
  • By Staff Report

Trump called out for appearing to mock disability

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump denied Thursday that he mocked a reporter with a disability in a South Carolina speech, despite appearing to imitate mannerisms… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015
Cars fill the parking lot of a Costco store, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, in Seattle. Health authorities say chicken salad from Costco has been linked to at least one case of E. coli in Washington state.  (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Costco: FDA tests point toward E. coli in salad vegetables

SEATTLE — Testing has pointed toward a vegetable mix from a California food wholesaler as the source of E. coli in Costco chicken salad that… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015
  • By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP
Cars fill the parking lot of a Costco store, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, in Seattle. Health authorities say chicken salad from Costco has been linked to at least one case of E. coli in Washington state.  (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Writing sessions encourage aspiring novelists

A rough calculation in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom estimated that local reporters publish around 30,000 words per month. Other local writers are attempting to complete… Continue reading

Alaska, British Columbia leaders sigh cooperative agreement

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Bill Walker and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark signed a cooperative agreement Wednesday committing to work together on issues of… Continue reading

  • Nov 25, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
Alek Angleton, 8, "I'm thankful that people invented houses, so in the winter I don't get cold and (I have) somewhere to eat."

Giving thanks

In honor of the Thanksgiving Holiday, Peninsula Clarion staff writers collected community opinions on thankfulness. Here's a selection of our favorites. … Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015
Alek Angleton, 8, "I'm thankful that people invented houses, so in the winter I don't get cold and (I have) somewhere to eat."

Oil companies lose trans-Alaska pipeline case

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A federal agency has barred the oil company owners of the trans-Alaska pipeline from charging higher fees for moving oil after… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015

Alaska wants Fairbanks area split into 2 air quality zones

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The state of Alaska is calling on the federal government to split Fairbanks and North Pole into separate smoke pollution non-attainment… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015

Soldotna seeks boards, commissions members

The deadline to apply for seven open seats on several Soldotna boards and commissions is rapidly approaching.While a handful of applications have trickled in, City… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney

Wildlife refuge opens for tree cutting

Families on the Kenai Peninsula can go pick out a Christmas tree from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge starting Thursday.The refuge opens every year for… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/The Peninsula Clarion The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank's annual turkey dinner on Wednesday saw a high turnout. The food bank will be closed Thursday and Friday and reopen on Monday.

Businesses, organizations open doors for Thanksgiving

For the past seven years, Steve Chamberlain’s pizza ovens do double duty around Thanksgiving.Chamberlain, the owner of Charlie’s Pizza in Nikiski, lights up the ovens… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/The Peninsula Clarion The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank's annual turkey dinner on Wednesday saw a high turnout. The food bank will be closed Thursday and Friday and reopen on Monday.

Independent power producers cheer RCA rules revisions

Alaska’s independent power producers are claiming victory over regulatory changes that they say will encourage investment in renewable energy projects.The Regulatory Commission of Alaska on… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER