News

Elementary students see new set of marks on report cards

Elementary level educators are reporting the progress of their students by way of a new grading system.Students in kindergarten through sixth grade in the Kenai… Continue reading

  • Feb 7, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Report: Expanding Medicaid would save state millions

JUNEAU — Expanding Medicaid coverage would save Alaska money, a new state health department report said.The report, released Friday, says the state will be able… Continue reading

  • Feb 7, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
In this photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, workers install exhibits in the new refuge visitor center.

Kenai Wildlife Refuge delays visitor center opening for LEED certification

The new visitor center building that the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has been constructing since last year at its Ski Hill Road headquarters in Soldotna… Continue reading

In this photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, workers install exhibits in the new refuge visitor center.
Reps. Wes Keller, from left to right rear, Harriet Drummond and Paul Seaton, members of the House Education Committee, laugh during a hearing on a bill that would require Alaska school districts to teach American constitutionalism, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Also pictured is Keller's aide Jim Pound, foreground. Alaska lawmakers are considering a bill that would require school districts to teach American constitutionalism, the latest of several state government measures across the U.S. aimed at civics education. The House Education Committee heard Friday from members of the public who supported the bill, including some former educators. (AP Photo/Molly Dischner)

Alaska lawmakers debate requiring constitutional education

JUNEAU — Alaska lawmakers are considering a bill that would require school districts to teach American constitutionalism, the latest of several state government measures across… Continue reading

  • Feb 7, 2015
  • By Molly Dischner
Reps. Wes Keller, from left to right rear, Harriet Drummond and Paul Seaton, members of the House Education Committee, laugh during a hearing on a bill that would require Alaska school districts to teach American constitutionalism, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Also pictured is Keller's aide Jim Pound, foreground. Alaska lawmakers are considering a bill that would require school districts to teach American constitutionalism, the latest of several state government measures across the U.S. aimed at civics education. The House Education Committee heard Friday from members of the public who supported the bill, including some former educators. (AP Photo/Molly Dischner)
Governor Bill Walker & First Lady Donna arrive at Peninsula Inaugural Ball.

Governor’s Ball underscores unity theme

The old Carr’s Mall was transformed to a starlit, gossamer fairyland of elegance to honor Alaska’s new chief executives. Governor Bill Walker and First Lady… Continue reading

Governor Bill Walker & First Lady Donna arrive at Peninsula Inaugural Ball.
Dawn & Brian show last year's winning catch by six year old Damon Braden.

Ice Fishing is Hot! In the 18th Annual Soldotna Hardware Ice Fishing Derby

The 18th Annual Soldotna Trustworthy Hardware & Fishing Ice Fishing Derby is off to what just might be its biggest start ever. Not just in… Continue reading

Dawn & Brian show last year's winning catch by six year old Damon Braden.
Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion An ATV trail and utility boxes line the side of Beaver Loop Road near the Dolchok Lane intersection. The road that connects Bridge Access Road and the Kenai Spur Highway is one of the few capital funding projects in the area paid for in Governor Bill Walker's preliminary budget.

Governor’s amended capital budget reduces Kenai peninsula funding

The $444.3 million reduction in unrestricted general fund spending in the amended budget proposal that Governor Bill Walker released on Thursday could make a large… Continue reading

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion An ATV trail and utility boxes line the side of Beaver Loop Road near the Dolchok Lane intersection. The road that connects Bridge Access Road and the Kenai Spur Highway is one of the few capital funding projects in the area paid for in Governor Bill Walker's preliminary budget.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Ice crystals form on a tree branch recently. Forecasters are calling for continued chilly temperatures and mostly clear skies over the weekend.

Photo: Frosted

… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Ice crystals form on a tree branch recently. Forecasters are calling for continued chilly temperatures and mostly clear skies over the weekend.
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker gives his first State of the State address Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Walker called on Alaskans to pull together, and not panic, as the state faces multibillion-dollar budget deficits amid a fall in oil prices. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Layoffs on the horizon for state employees

As state employees waited for an official announcement of Gov. Bill Walker’s new budget, warnings of potential position cuts and layoffs filtered through union representatives… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker gives his first State of the State address Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Walker called on Alaskans to pull together, and not panic, as the state faces multibillion-dollar budget deficits amid a fall in oil prices. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Soldotna street upgrades earn award

After years of planning and implementation, the city of Soldotna has been praised for its street improvements. Last Saturday, the Alaska Chapter of the American… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY
Brig. Gen. Leon "Mike" Bridges, center, testifies before the Senate State Affairs Committee on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Pictured on the left is Alaska Attorney General Craig Richards. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Ex-acting adjutant general to retire from National Guard

JUNEAU — Brig. Gen. Leon “Mike” Bridges, who served as acting adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard after the ouster of a former leader,… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
Brig. Gen. Leon "Mike" Bridges, center, testifies before the Senate State Affairs Committee on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, in Juneau, Alaska. Pictured on the left is Alaska Attorney General Craig Richards. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Governor weighs in on marijuana regulations

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker has suggested that a new board help write the regulations surrounding legalized marijuana as Alaska lawmakers work to implement rules… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2015
  • By Molly Dischner

Legislative Information Office teleconference schedule for Feb. 6

Friday 8:00 a.m.The House Education Committee will sponsor a public hearing to discuss HCR 2 Alaska School Choice Week and HB 30 Constitutional History Curriculum.… Continue reading

  • Feb 5, 2015

Funding for health care panel OK’d

The Kenai Peninsula community may have a chance to make reforms in local health care. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly appropriated $200,000 for evaluating potential… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Five Kenai Peninsula residents appointed to state boards, commissions

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has appointed several more people to boards and commissions in the state. The Governor’s office released a second list of appointments… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion The sun sets over a bluff on the Kenai River on Sunday Feb. 1, 2015 near Sterling, Alaska.

Photo: On the river

… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion The sun sets over a bluff on the Kenai River on Sunday Feb. 1, 2015 near Sterling, Alaska.
File photo/Peninsula Clarion In this Dec. 11, 2012 file photo Charlie Martinez, Chris Luttrell and Noe Marquez, all of Hilburn Builders Inc., work on the building that holds CINGSA's compressors. Two compressors move gas from an existing pipeline into a short spur under Bridge Access Road, where it will be injected during summer months nearly a mile underground into a depleted gas reservoir for wintertime use. ENSTAR Natural Gas company has begun work on a gas transport pipeline that runs along Bridge Access Road which will connect the company's Cook Inlet facilities to the CINGSA storage facility.

Enstar begins pipeline work

Enstar Natural Gas company has begun work on a gas transport pipeline alongside Bridge Access Road in Kenai. According to Enstar communications manager Lindsay Hobson,… Continue reading

File photo/Peninsula Clarion In this Dec. 11, 2012 file photo Charlie Martinez, Chris Luttrell and Noe Marquez, all of Hilburn Builders Inc., work on the building that holds CINGSA's compressors. Two compressors move gas from an existing pipeline into a short spur under Bridge Access Road, where it will be injected during summer months nearly a mile underground into a depleted gas reservoir for wintertime use. ENSTAR Natural Gas company has begun work on a gas transport pipeline that runs along Bridge Access Road which will connect the company's Cook Inlet facilities to the CINGSA storage facility.

Walker proposes $65M supplemental budget for current year

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker has proposed a $65 million supplemental spending bill, including $50 million in unrestricted general funds.The supplemental budget is intended to… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

CIRI settles long running dispute over Kenai Loop gas fees

The fight over Kenai Loop natural gas appears to be over.Attorneys for all four parties currently involved in the dispute — Cook Inlet Region Inc.,… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2015
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER

Food tax is on the table again

The seasonal exemption from sales taxes on non-prepared food items is on the table again.Blaine Gilman introduced the ordinance that would allow for the borough… Continue reading

  • Feb 3, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan