News

School district, teachers’ union reach impasse

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the Kenai Peninsula Education Association have reached an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations. The decision that the negotiations… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion A man rides his bicycle on the Main Street Loop on Thursday April 16, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. It snowed for about an hour before the storm subsided.

Photo: April showers?

… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion A man rides his bicycle on the Main Street Loop on Thursday April 16, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. It snowed for about an hour before the storm subsided.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Alaska State Trooper Investigator Mark Pearson listens to Public Defender Josh Cooley during Shane Heiman's trial for burglary, attempted rape, assault and resisting arrest on April 15, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. The defense and prosecution rested Thursday and closing arguments will be heard Friday before the jury begins delibrations.

State, defense rest in Heiman case

After five days of witness testimony and evidence introduction, the attorney prosecuting a Soldotna man’s burglary, attempted rape and assault case rested. It took Shane… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Alaska State Trooper Investigator Mark Pearson listens to Public Defender Josh Cooley during Shane Heiman's trial for burglary, attempted rape, assault and resisting arrest on April 15, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. The defense and prosecution rested Thursday and closing arguments will be heard Friday before the jury begins delibrations.

Lawmakers plan joint session for Sunday, bucking Walker

JUNEAU — The Alaska House and Senate plan to meet in joint session to take up appointments made by Gov. Bill Walker on Sunday, seeking… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

Donation to Kenai Performers moves forward

In February, the non-profit Kenai Performers theatre troupe asked the city of Kenai to donate land on which the group could build a theatre. At… Continue reading

Teacher negotiations reach impasse

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the Kenai Peninsula Education Association have reached an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations.  The decision was reached Wednesday… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Murkowski reports raising about $690K during first quarter

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has reported raising about $690,000 toward her re-election during the first quarter of this year. The Republican,… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Associated Press

Walker calls joint legislative session for appointments

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Bill Walker signed an executive proclamation Wednesday calling the Alaska House and Senate into joint session to take up consideration… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet questions defense attorneys and bailiff's about why Shane Heiman's handcuffs were not removed before jurors re-entered the room after a break on Monday April 13, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. Heiman's defense attorneys have moved for a mistrial.

Defense moves for mistrial in Heiman case

Editor’s note: The Peninsula Clarion does not identify victims in sexual assault cases and will refer to the woman involved in this trial and story… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet questions defense attorneys and bailiff's about why Shane Heiman's handcuffs were not removed before jurors re-entered the room after a break on Monday April 13, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. Heiman's defense attorneys have moved for a mistrial.

Judge denies motion for mistrial in Heiman case

After more than an hour of questioning jurors about their memories of Monday’s trial proceedings, Kenai Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet denied the defense team’s… Continue reading

  • Apr 14, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Shane Heiman, of Soldotna, talks to his public defender on Wednesday April 8, 2015 during the jury selection portion of his trial on charges that he attempted to kidnap and rape a Soldotna woman.

Trial begins for Soldotna man accused of rape, attempted rape

Editor's note: This story has been edited to include information about Heiman's potential jail time. The maximum allowed under Alaska law for his alleged crimes… Continue reading

  • Apr 9, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Shane Heiman, of Soldotna, talks to his public defender on Wednesday April 8, 2015 during the jury selection portion of his trial on charges that he attempted to kidnap and rape a Soldotna woman.
Clarion file photo In this May 21, 2013 file photo Rose Price, 19, throws her mortarboard into the air in celebration at the close of Kenai Alternative High School's graduation ceremony.

District graduation rates above national average

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is on track to end another year with a high school graduation rate above the national average. The school… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Clarion file photo In this May 21, 2013 file photo Rose Price, 19, throws her mortarboard into the air in celebration at the close of Kenai Alternative High School's graduation ceremony.
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Kenai Central senior Allie Ostrander holds up a sign handmade by a friend for encouragement right before signing a National Letter of Intent to run at Idaho's Boise State University Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska.

Photo: Signing day

… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2015
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Kenai Central senior Allie Ostrander holds up a sign handmade by a friend for encouragement right before signing a National Letter of Intent to run at Idaho's Boise State University Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska.

Soldotna publishes annexation info

By examining annexation, the city of Soldotna is hoping to keep its promise of being more inclusive. Earlier this year, city officials assured the public… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY

Walker calls joint legislative session for appointments

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker signed an executive proclamation Wednesday calling the Alaska House and Senate into joint session to take up consideration of his… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

House amends, then re-passes bill to create marijuana board

JUNEAU — The Alaska House reconsidered legislation it passed to create a new marijuana control board, tweaking it on the floor Wednesday.The new version of… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2015
  • By Molly Dischner
Medical administrators look at implications of health care expansion

Medical administrators look at implications of health care expansion

In addition to making an estimated 5,830 Kenai Peninsula residents eligible for Medicaid, the Medicaid expansion being debated in the state legislature could have behind-the-scenes… Continue reading

Medical administrators look at implications of health care expansion
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion An officer from the Kenai Police Department talks to a woman as she enters Kenai Central High School on Tuesday April 14, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. Officers responded to the school after a student received a threatening text and the school was put into lockdown mode.

KCHS put on lockdown

Editors Note: This story has been edited to reflect that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District was the organization responsible for the new lockdown protocol. … Continue reading

  • Apr 14, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion An officer from the Kenai Police Department talks to a woman as she enters Kenai Central High School on Tuesday April 14, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. Officers responded to the school after a student received a threatening text and the school was put into lockdown mode.

Conservation groups push back on federal lands transfer idea

CHEYENNE, Wyo.— Stung by a recent vote in Congress, national conservation groups are mustering opposition to the increasing call from many western states to transfer… Continue reading

  • Apr 14, 2015
  • By BEN NEARY
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Heather Schaefer puts books away at the Joyce K. Carver Soldotna Public Library Monday, April 13, 2015, in Soldotna, Alaska. She said she noticed there were quite a few books in the book drop that afternoon, but was unsure if it had to do with the Food for Fines program, or that it hadn't been checked yet.

Library collecting food for fines

The Joyce K. Carver Memorial Soldotna Public Library is hoping to relieve hunger and financial stress. For the third year, the library is celebrating National… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Heather Schaefer puts books away at the Joyce K. Carver Soldotna Public Library Monday, April 13, 2015, in Soldotna, Alaska. She said she noticed there were quite a few books in the book drop that afternoon, but was unsure if it had to do with the Food for Fines program, or that it hadn't been checked yet.