News

Girdwood trooper post to remain open through June

The Girdwood post of the Alaska State Troopers, originally slated to be closed Jan. 1, will remain open at least through June 30, troopers say.… Continue reading

Low gas prices boost Alaska tourism

Winter, spring, summer and fall, lots of people are coming to Alaska.Visitor numbers were steady or increased nearly everywhere across the state during the latest… Continue reading

  • Oct 21, 2015
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Two moose cows graze in a field along Murwood Avenue on Wednesday Oct. 21, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. The cows were part of a larger group travelling with a bull moose.

Photo: Out for a morning stroll

… Continue reading

  • Oct 21, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Two moose cows graze in a field along Murwood Avenue on Wednesday Oct. 21, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. The cows were part of a larger group travelling with a bull moose.

BlueCrest gas production paused

Though BlueCrest Energy is on schedule to begin drilling for oil, the gas production is on hold.BlueCrest Energy’s shore-based drill and pad, located about six… Continue reading

Sides tussle over logistics before special session starts

JUNEAU — Three days before the start of the special session, legislators and Gov. Bill Walker tussled Wednesday over logistics while the session’s agenda remained… Continue reading

  • Oct 21, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
Nikiski residents gathered at the Nikiski Recreational Center Monday to examine the options for the relocation of the Kenai Spur Highway around the proposed Alaska LNG facility.

Neighbors examine Spur relocation options

More than 275 Nikiski residents turned out Monday night to hear about the options for relocating the Kenai Spur Highway. The Alaska LNG facility, a… Continue reading

Nikiski residents gathered at the Nikiski Recreational Center Monday to examine the options for the relocation of the Kenai Spur Highway around the proposed Alaska LNG facility.

Fred Meyer delayed on grocery tax repeal

Although the ordinance allowing a sales tax to be collected in Soldotna on non-prepared food items was repealed in the Oct. 6 regular election, customers… Continue reading

Scott Kelley appointed commercial fisheries director

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has selected Scott Kelley as the new director for the Division of Commercial Fisheries.The position has been vacant… Continue reading

In this frame from video provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, a Frenchman with his cat tucked inside his clothing, at right, stands on his saildboat before making a leap Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, jumping to a waiting rescue ship, left, south of Alaska. The video shows the Frenchman on the rigging pole near the bow of his sailboat, riding wave after wave until making a dramatic leap over the railing of the Tor Viking. (Coast Guard via AP)

Frenchman makes daring leap from sailboat to ship

ANCHORAGE — A Frenchman with his cat tucked inside his clothing made a daring leap of faith Tuesday when he jumped to a waiting rescue… Continue reading

  • Oct 20, 2015
  • By Mark Thiessen
In this frame from video provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, a Frenchman with his cat tucked inside his clothing, at right, stands on his saildboat before making a leap Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, jumping to a waiting rescue ship, left, south of Alaska. The video shows the Frenchman on the rigging pole near the bow of his sailboat, riding wave after wave until making a dramatic leap over the railing of the Tor Viking. (Coast Guard via AP)

Feds side with Alaska Native group in artifacts probe

ANCHORAGE — A Massachusetts college was found in violation of a federal law regulating the possession and sale of potentially sacred artifacts following a complaint… Continue reading

  • Oct 20, 2015
  • By Rachel D'oro
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Engineer Shawn Killian, right, helps train Firefighter Spencer McLean, left, how to operate the 75-foot ladder truck owned by Central Emergency Services on Monday, Oct. 19. 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. Firefighters at CES are training in preparation for an engineering test coming up in November that will test their ability to operate the department's machinery.

Photo: Going Up

… Continue reading

  • Oct 19, 2015
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Engineer Shawn Killian, right, helps train Firefighter Spencer McLean, left, how to operate the 75-foot ladder truck owned by Central Emergency Services on Monday, Oct. 19. 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska. Firefighters at CES are training in preparation for an engineering test coming up in November that will test their ability to operate the department's machinery.

School district hosts first budget meetings with the public

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is crowdsourcing for a second year to assist with budget development. Superintendent Sean Dusek and Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones… Continue reading

  • Oct 19, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Alaska’s fishing fatalities dropping

The deadliest catch is getting a lot less deadly.Last week, the U.S. Coast Guard reported to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council that for the… Continue reading

Heli, a rescued seal pup, emerges through an animal carrier as she's released back into the wild on Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Heli had been found abandoned and in poor condition in July. She received care at the Alaska SeaLife Center, where staff this month determined she had made sufficient strides to be released. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Abandoned seal pup, now healthy, released back to wild

JUNEAU (AP) — A seal pup found abandoned and sickly on a Juneau-area beach this summer has been released back to the wild after undergoing… Continue reading

  • Oct 19, 2015
Heli, a rescued seal pup, emerges through an animal carrier as she's released back into the wild on Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Heli had been found abandoned and in poor condition in July. She received care at the Alaska SeaLife Center, where staff this month determined she had made sufficient strides to be released. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Activist hopes convention suicide leads to more awareness

ANCHORAGE — An Alaska suicide-prevention activist is hoping a man’s very public suicide at an Alaska Native conference will propel people across the state to… Continue reading

  • Oct 19, 2015
  • By Rachel D'oro

Alaska ‘slave auction’ fundraiser to be renamed

ANCHORAGE — Organizers of an annual Alaska charity event said Monday they will stop calling it a “slave auction” after the NAACP complained.The event in… Continue reading

  • Oct 19, 2015
  • By Mark Thiessen
Bill Elmore and Daniel Barry watch and time Brandon Leary as he attempts to lower the auxiliary ball of a crane into a barrel, one of the certification practical exam requirements.

Here comes the boom: Local business offers crane certification

The whole lot smelled of diesel, mud, rubber and rain. Brandon Leary, a crane operator for Crowley Maritime, delicately extended the hydraulic lift on the… Continue reading

Bill Elmore and Daniel Barry watch and time Brandon Leary as he attempts to lower the auxiliary ball of a crane into a barrel, one of the certification practical exam requirements.
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Sterling residents gather around a map of the community to add black dots to indicate locations where thefts or burglaries have occurred. The map was presented at a community meeting on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 at the Sterling Community Center where about 100 people came to listen to their options for protecting against property crimes.

Community watch on the rise on the Kenai Peninsula

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct a spelling error.   Tired of being repeatedly victimized by break-ins and burglaries, those who live… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Sterling residents gather around a map of the community to add black dots to indicate locations where thefts or burglaries have occurred. The map was presented at a community meeting on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 at the Sterling Community Center where about 100 people came to listen to their options for protecting against property crimes.
Rediscover the iconic Don Jose's in Kenai and meet new manager Marcus Condreay.

Don Jose’s celebrates Grand re-opening and new manager

The Grand re-opening week at the iconic Don Jose’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina was a huge success according to Don Jose’s new manager Marcus Condreay… Continue reading

Rediscover the iconic Don Jose's in Kenai and meet new manager Marcus Condreay.
AST Lt. Gilmore AST Investigator Ramin Dunford demonstrates new 3-D laser scanner at a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

New 3-D scanning will expedite CSI for State Troopers

Delays due to fatal accidents on Alaska’s highways as well as crime scene investigations may be greatly reduced thanks to new 3D laser scanning equipment… Continue reading

AST Lt. Gilmore AST Investigator Ramin Dunford demonstrates new 3-D laser scanner at a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon.