News

Ruffner unanimously passes through first confirmation hearing

Ruffner unanimously passes through first confirmation hearing

After about an hour of testimony and questions, the House Resources committee on Friday moved Robert Ruffner forward in his quest to gain a seat… Continue reading

  • Apr 3, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Ruffner unanimously passes through first confirmation hearing

Grant Lake hydroelectric project open to comments

Plans for a controversial hydroelectric plant are available for public examination in their most detailed form to date. On March 27, Homer Electric Association, working… Continue reading

FILE - In this May 4, 2005 file photo, Gunnar Noreen offloads his catch of king salmon at Taku Smokeries/Fisheries in Juneau, Alaska. A coalition of western Alaska groups is urging federal fishery managers to drastically reduce the amount of king salmon caught by commercial pollock trawlers that catch thousands of the fish each year as bycatch off Alaska's coast. The coalition wants the allowable cap cut by 60 percent during times of weak king runs in western Alaska rivers, it said in a letter sent this week to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council ahead of its meeting in Anchorage next week.(AP Photo/Juneau Empire, File) NO SALES

Alaska groups seek cut in salmon caught by pollock industry

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Tribal organizations and fishing groups in Alaska are urging federal fishery managers to drastically reduce the number of king salmon allowed to… Continue reading

  • Apr 4, 2015
  • By Rachel D'oro
FILE - In this May 4, 2005 file photo, Gunnar Noreen offloads his catch of king salmon at Taku Smokeries/Fisheries in Juneau, Alaska. A coalition of western Alaska groups is urging federal fishery managers to drastically reduce the amount of king salmon caught by commercial pollock trawlers that catch thousands of the fish each year as bycatch off Alaska's coast. The coalition wants the allowable cap cut by 60 percent during times of weak king runs in western Alaska rivers, it said in a letter sent this week to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council ahead of its meeting in Anchorage next week.(AP Photo/Juneau Empire, File) NO SALES
Kenai council supports Ruffner for Board of Fish

Kenai council supports Ruffner for Board of Fish

Board of Fish nominee Robert Ruffner will go to his confirmation hearing before the House Resource Committee today at 1:00 p.m with the endorsement of… Continue reading

Kenai council supports Ruffner for Board of Fish
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion The proposed Seventh Street Storm Water Conveyance Structure would divert water into the natural beaver pond between Eider Drive and Kalifornsky Beach Road, shown here on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, in Kenai, Alaska.

Flood mitigation project under review

The fate of the proposed Seventh Street Storm Water Conveyance Structure is still under review. Department of Natural Resources staff have not yet completed the… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion The proposed Seventh Street Storm Water Conveyance Structure would divert water into the natural beaver pond between Eider Drive and Kalifornsky Beach Road, shown here on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, in Kenai, Alaska.

The time to tap

For birch tappers, it is time to turn eye and spile to the trees. Within the next two weeks, experienced birch sap collectors such as… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

House votes to halt school bond repayment program

JUNEAU (AP) — The municipality of Anchorage could be the last community to be reimbursed for new school bonds before a five-year hiatus, but the… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2015
Members of the Senate Finance Committee speak with Legislative Finance Division director David Teal, second from right, during a break in a hearing on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Shown standing are, from left, Sens. Mike Dunleavy and Peter Micciche, Teal and Sen. Anna MacKinnon. Seated is Sen. Pete Kelly. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Senate panel doesn’t include forward-funding of education

JUNEAU — The Senate Finance Committee has advanced an operating budget for Alaska that would not forward-fund public education and aims to prevent Gov. Bill… Continue reading

  • Apr 2, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
Members of the Senate Finance Committee speak with Legislative Finance Division director David Teal, second from right, during a break in a hearing on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Shown standing are, from left, Sens. Mike Dunleavy and Peter Micciche, Teal and Sen. Anna MacKinnon. Seated is Sen. Pete Kelly. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Frank Roach buries his face in his hands on Wednesday April 1, 2015 after a jury found him guilty on nine counts of scheming to defraud and theft while running his nonprofit organization Alaska Veterans Outreach Boxes for Heroes in Kenai, Alaska.

Roach found guilty of defrauding, stealing from ‘Boxes for Heroes’ donors

After 6 hours of deliberating, a jury found “Boxes for Heroes” founder Frank Roach guilty of nine counts of scheming to defraud and theft via… Continue reading

  • Apr 1, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Frank Roach buries his face in his hands on Wednesday April 1, 2015 after a jury found him guilty on nine counts of scheming to defraud and theft while running his nonprofit organization Alaska Veterans Outreach Boxes for Heroes in Kenai, Alaska.

Flats Bistro Chef Haag wins 1st Food Bank Clash of the Culinary Kings

At the first Clash of the Culinary Kings for the benefit of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, Flats Bistro Chef Daniel Haag was the last… Continue reading

Rocket pioneers among us! Dave Stein reflects on being part of "Tiger Team"

Rocket pioneers among us! Dave Stein reflects on being part of “Tiger Team”

The name of astronaut John Glen, the first man to orbit the earth will never be forgotten. The team of rocket pioneers that put him… Continue reading

Rocket pioneers among us! Dave Stein reflects on being part of "Tiger Team"
KPC hosts VA and Alliance Member/Student match up

KPC hosts VA and Alliance Member/Student match up

The Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) Kenai River Campus has been host to several beneficial community gatherings recently. First was a visit from U.S. Department of… Continue reading

KPC hosts VA and Alliance Member/Student match up

“Work” seekers & “Worker” seekers connect at Annual Career Fair

There were a lot of people looking for work and a lot professions looking for workers as evidenced by the nearly 700 who attended the… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Nikiski Fire Department paramedics load an injured woman into an ambulance after a car accident on Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska. Kenai Police said her injuries were not life-threatening. The driver of the pickup truck that made a left hand turn in front of her vehicle was uninjured, police said.

Woman injured in Kenai wreck

A collision between a pickup truck and a Ford Focus left one woman injured Wednesday, though police said her injuries were not life-threatening. The accident… Continue reading

  • Apr 1, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Nikiski Fire Department paramedics load an injured woman into an ambulance after a car accident on Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska. Kenai Police said her injuries were not life-threatening. The driver of the pickup truck that made a left hand turn in front of her vehicle was uninjured, police said.

Soldotna intersection to temporarily close

Soldotna’s latest street project might result in some temporarily clogged up streets.On April 13, the city will begin the installation of a new waste lift… Continue reading

  • Apr 1, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY

Proposal would reject pay increases for public employees

JUNEAU — The Senate Finance Committee included in a version of the state budget Wednesday language rejecting monetary terms in contracts for more than a… Continue reading

  • Apr 1, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

Legislative Information Office teleconference schedule for April 2

Thursday The House State Affairs Committee has cancelled the public hearing to discuss HB 77 Disability: ID / License & Training Requirements SB 6 Eliminate… Continue reading

  • Apr 1, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this May 8, 2012 file photo, Frank Roach, listens to the proceedings during his arraignment on charges that he stole donation money meant for deployed soldiers through his organization "Alaska Veterans Outreach Boxes for Heroes." After nearly three years of representation changes and trial delays, Roach's trial began on Tuesday March 25, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska.

Trial begins for “Boxes for Heroes” founder

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to clarify the amount of jail time and amount of money Frank Roach would owe upon conviction. After… Continue reading

  • Mar 24, 2015
  • By RASHAH MCCHESNEY Peninsula Clarion
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this May 8, 2012 file photo, Frank Roach, listens to the proceedings during his arraignment on charges that he stole donation money meant for deployed soldiers through his organization "Alaska Veterans Outreach Boxes for Heroes." After nearly three years of representation changes and trial delays, Roach's trial began on Tuesday March 25, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska.

Public comment open for K-Beach flooding project

A flood mitigation project proposed by a group of Kalifornsky Beach Road residents will be open to public comment through Thursday.  The K-Beach Flood Mitigation… Continue reading

  • Mar 31, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Gov. Bill Walker address members of the media during a news conference at the Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, March 2, 2015. A bill filed by House leadership would undercut Walker's plan to expand the scope of the in-state natural gas pipeline to be comparable and some say competitive with the North Slope producer-backed pipeline. (AP Photo/The Juneau Empire, Michael Penn )

Bill passed limiting state entity in alternate gas plan

JUNEAU, Alaska) — The Alaska Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would temporarily restrict participation by a state-sponsored corporation in an alternate gas pipeline project… Continue reading

  • Mar 31, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
Gov. Bill Walker address members of the media during a news conference at the Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, March 2, 2015. A bill filed by House leadership would undercut Walker's plan to expand the scope of the in-state natural gas pipeline to be comparable and some say competitive with the North Slope producer-backed pipeline. (AP Photo/The Juneau Empire, Michael Penn )