News

Report: Pilot error cause of 2013 Era crash

Pilot error caused the Oct. 23, 2013, crash of an Era Aviation Beechcraft 1900 C/C at the Homer Airport, the National Transportation Safety Board said… Continue reading

Kachemak-Selo School makes top of state’s preliminary priority list

There is a good chance the 63 unhoused students at Kachemak Selo School will get a new facility. The K-12 Kachemak Selo replacement school is… Continue reading

  • Nov 9, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Jay Galloway motors his wheelchair down the Kenai Spur Highway after a heavy snow on Monday Nov. 9, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. Galloway could not ride on the sidewalks as they were still covered in snow. "I understand that it takes time, but (the city) really needs to clear the sidewalks for the people who need them," he said.

Photo: Tough commute

… Continue reading

  • Nov 9, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Jay Galloway motors his wheelchair down the Kenai Spur Highway after a heavy snow on Monday Nov. 9, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. Galloway could not ride on the sidewalks as they were still covered in snow. "I understand that it takes time, but (the city) really needs to clear the sidewalks for the people who need them," he said.

Kenai Fire extinguishes shed, talks safety

Members of the Kenai Fire Department responded to a small structure fire Sunday night just off of Bridge Access Road.Five firefighters were called out to… Continue reading

State, federal officials try to tackle feral rabbit problem

JUNEAU (AP) — A “Bunny Task Force” has been created in an effort to help control Juneau’s growing population of feral rabbits.Stephanie Sell, biologist with… Continue reading

  • Nov 9, 2015

State English, math test results show room to improve

Most Alaska students do not meet new state math and English proficiency standards, but that does not come as a surprise to the Department of… Continue reading

Buccaneer Oil trustees agree to reduced payments

HOMER, Alaska (AP) — The city of Homer will return some of the payments received in the 90 days before Buccaneer Oil filed for bankruptcy… Continue reading

  • Nov 8, 2015

Life-threatening injuries for one survivor after Juneau plane crash

Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center staff identified Martha Mackowiak, 51, as the passenger medevaced last night from Juneau to Seattle after surviving a plane crash. Although… Continue reading

  • Nov 8, 2015
  • By CHARLES L. WESTMORELAND and PAULA ANN SOLIS

State approves Point Thomson pipeline

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska has approved the operation of a 22-mile pipeline connecting the Point Thomson development to the trans-Alaska Pipeline System. In a… Continue reading

  • Nov 8, 2015
  • By CHARLES L. WESTMORELAND & PAULA ANN SOLIS
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Spiritual Care Coordinator Frank Alioto leads residents and health care staff members through the annual Time of Remembrance celebration on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska.

Local loved ones remembered, celebrated

Local residents and health care staff remembered lost loved ones during this year’s Time of Remembrance at Central Peninsula Hospital on Sunday.Organized by a spiritual… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Spiritual Care Coordinator Frank Alioto leads residents and health care staff members through the annual Time of Remembrance celebration on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska.
The residents of Heritage Place in Soldotna hand-sewed blankets and catnip-stuffed toys to donate to the Soldotna Animal Shelter. They presented them to Amanda Alaniz, the assistant animal control officer for the city, on Friday.

Seniors give back to animal shelter

A black Labrador retriever pads around the halls of Heritage Place in Soldotna, entertaining the residents with a wagging tail and big brown eyes. Residents… Continue reading

The residents of Heritage Place in Soldotna hand-sewed blankets and catnip-stuffed toys to donate to the Soldotna Animal Shelter. They presented them to Amanda Alaniz, the assistant animal control officer for the city, on Friday.
Frank Richards, vice president of Engineering and Program Development for the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, left, and Joe Dubler, vice president of Commercial Operations for AGDC, speak to the House Finance Committee on Gov. Bill Walker's TranCanada buyout proposal at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Attorney General grilled over transparency

Before the Alaska Legislature overwhelmingly approved the state’s buyout of TransCanada’s share of the big Alaska LNG Project on Nov. 4, there were some moments… Continue reading

  • Nov 8, 2015
  • By Tim Bradner
Frank Richards, vice president of Engineering and Program Development for the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, left, and Joe Dubler, vice president of Commercial Operations for AGDC, speak to the House Finance Committee on Gov. Bill Walker's TranCanada buyout proposal at the Capitol on Tuesday.

KPC 1109

Preparations have been underway at both KPC campuses for UA President Jim Johnsen’s and UA Regent Lisa Parker’s visit this week. They will be at… Continue reading

  • Nov 8, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
  • Schools

School Briefs 1109

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. in the borough building at 148 N. Binkley Street in Soldotna (unless… Continue reading

  • Nov 8, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
  • Schools
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Audience members Jessica Franklin and her son Henry Franklin attempt to decode a Braille sentence using cards punched with the Braille alphabet during the Kenai Peninsula School District's Celebraille event on Friday, Nov. 6 at the Soldotna Public Library.

Blindness awareness month held at Soldotna Public Library

River City Academy sophomore Maria Maes is one of three students in the Kenai Peninsula School District who are blind or visually impaired. Although she… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Audience members Jessica Franklin and her son Henry Franklin attempt to decode a Braille sentence using cards punched with the Braille alphabet during the Kenai Peninsula School District's Celebraille event on Friday, Nov. 6 at the Soldotna Public Library.

Soldotna man pleads guilty in dog beating death

A Soldotna man charged with animal cruelty changed his plea to guilty and accepted a lesser charge from the state on Friday. During a hearing… Continue reading

Dr. Jeanne Olson of Fairbanks prepares to stitch up a cat after spaying her during a spay/neuter clinic at the Salvation Army church on Forest Drive on Friday.

Spay, neuter clinic comes to Kenai

“This is your clean area,” said Dr. Jeanne Olson, motioning in a square around an unconscious cat. “It doesn’t matter if you do it in… Continue reading

Dr. Jeanne Olson of Fairbanks prepares to stitch up a cat after spaying her during a spay/neuter clinic at the Salvation Army church on Forest Drive on Friday.

Federal dollars to help tribes combat meth use, suicide

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska tribes and health providers are using federal dollars to combat methamphetamine use and suicide. The federal Indian Health Service awarded… Continue reading

  • Nov 7, 2015
** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND NOV. 7-8, 2015 AND THEREAFTER ** In this Oct. 29, 2015 photo, Brandon Emmett, a search and rescue medic, pot advocate and a Governor-appointed member of the Alaska State Marijuana Control Board, poses in Fairbanks, Alaska. Emmett was recruited into the 2014 marijuana legalization movement by a friend. They won the vote in Alaska, and now he is a cannabis industry representative on the state Marijuana Control Board. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Fairbanks search, rescue medic a leader in pot legalization

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — Brandon Emmett grew up around marijuana. His first job was turning compost on a marijuana farm for $5 an hour. He… Continue reading

  • Nov 7, 2015
  • By AMANDA BOHMAN
** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND NOV. 7-8, 2015 AND THEREAFTER ** In this Oct. 29, 2015 photo, Brandon Emmett, a search and rescue medic, pot advocate and a Governor-appointed member of the Alaska State Marijuana Control Board, poses in Fairbanks, Alaska. Emmett was recruited into the 2014 marijuana legalization movement by a friend. They won the vote in Alaska, and now he is a cannabis industry representative on the state Marijuana Control Board. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

Coast Guard anticipates high-tech future with Arctic center

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security has launched a new research and development center in Alaska, looking to a future in which… Continue reading

  • Nov 7, 2015
  • By ASAF SHALEV