News

Willow wildfire quickly grows, forces evacuations

HOUSTON — An Alaska wildfire that has mushroomed in size was prompting help Monday from people offering their homes to scores of displaced residents and… Continue reading

  • Jun 15, 2015
  • By MARK THIESSEN and RACHEL D'ORO

Report cites command climate problems in Alaska guard probe

JUNEAU — A special investigator hired to review the handling of allegations of sexual assault or harassment within the Alaska National Guard did not find… Continue reading

  • Jun 15, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion M. Scott Moon photographs the "MoonCheyEttes" after the final leg of their race on Sunda yJune 14, 2015 at the Tri the Kenai triathlon in Soldotna, Alaska.

Local triathlon raises donations, community support

Athletes were cheered on by family members and fellow triathlon enthusiasts as they traversed the sixth annual Tri-The-Kenai Triathlon in Soldotna on Sunday. Created by… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion M. Scott Moon photographs the "MoonCheyEttes" after the final leg of their race on Sunda yJune 14, 2015 at the Tri the Kenai triathlon in Soldotna, Alaska.

Willow fire prompts evacuation of homes, strong response

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A fast-moving, human-caused wildfire Sunday afternoon closed the Parks Highway and forced the evacuation of about 10 homes near Willow.The fire was… Continue reading

  • Jun 14, 2015
  • By Dan Joling

With state budget passed, school district knows final deficit

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is projecting a deficit of $3 million for the upcoming school year, but that figure could have been significantly… Continue reading

  • Jun 13, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Verne Brown leans on the cane he now needs to support himself after losing a leg after the bus he was driving for Unique Bus Charters carrying 49 students collided with a Department of Transportation semi-truck last year, Friday, June 12, 2015, at his home in Kenai, Alaska

On the road to recovery

Verne Brown is still repairing damage from the crash that claimed his left leg 18 months ago. Brown was driving for Unique Bus Charters, with… Continue reading

  • Jun 13, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Verne Brown leans on the cane he now needs to support himself after losing a leg after the bus he was driving for Unique Bus Charters carrying 49 students collided with a Department of Transportation semi-truck last year, Friday, June 12, 2015, at his home in Kenai, Alaska
Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance Executive Director Clark Penney delivers a box of signatures to the Division of Elections on June 10. The signatures support a ballot initiative that would ban commercial setnets in urban parts of the state with the overwhelming effect to eliminate the group from Cook Inlet.

Anti-setnet group scrubs site after submitting signatures

Editor's note: At the bottom of this story is a response from the Kenai River Sportfishing Association regarding their inclusion on the AFCA donation page. After… Continue reading

  • Jun 10, 2015
  • By By DJ Summers
Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance Executive Director Clark Penney delivers a box of signatures to the Division of Elections on June 10. The signatures support a ballot initiative that would ban commercial setnets in urban parts of the state with the overwhelming effect to eliminate the group from Cook Inlet.

Rural Alaska housing program celebrates 50 years

Peppered around the Central Kenai Peninsula are islands of housing units easily attained by low-income, first-time homebuyers. No down payment is required, and mortgage installments… Continue reading

  • Jun 11, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Kenai to hold work session on commercial marijuana

Editor's note: This story has been changed to reflect the accurate date for an upcoming cannabis meting, it is in June.  The Kenai City Council… Continue reading

Photo: Stepping out for a midnight snack

… Continue reading

  • Jun 11, 2015

Public Health Center to launch community vaccine clinics

The Kenai Public Health Center will introduce the first in a series of immunization clinics this Saturday in an attempt to fill medical treatment gaps… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this May 17, 2014 file photo, Charlie Black chats with a friend as his daughter Zoe Black, 4, tries to get back to fishing the Anchor River. While king salmon runs have struggled in the Cook Inlet in recent years, the Anchor River is seeing a banner year of returns and Alaska Department of Fish and Game managers announced an additional three days of fishing for the season.

With rush of kings, Fish and Game loosens restrictions on some Cook Inlet rivers

Anglers will get another chance at fishing for Anchor River king salmon during the 2015 season. Alaska Department of Fish and Game managers announced a… Continue reading

  • Jun 11, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this May 17, 2014 file photo, Charlie Black chats with a friend as his daughter Zoe Black, 4, tries to get back to fishing the Anchor River. While king salmon runs have struggled in the Cook Inlet in recent years, the Anchor River is seeing a banner year of returns and Alaska Department of Fish and Game managers announced an additional three days of fishing for the season.
Alaska State Senator Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, right, speaks to Sen. Mike Dunleavey, R-Wasilla, during a break in the special session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, June 11, 2015, in Anchorage, Alaska. The Senate and House on Thursday approved a compromise $5 billion state budget. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

Alaska Senate, House approve fully funded budget

ANCHORAGE — After months of negotiations, the Alaska Legislature on Thursday approved a $5 billion budget that reduces spending while tapping the state’s reserves to… Continue reading

  • Jun 11, 2015
  • By Dan Joling
Alaska State Senator Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, right, speaks to Sen. Mike Dunleavey, R-Wasilla, during a break in the special session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, June 11, 2015, in Anchorage, Alaska. The Senate and House on Thursday approved a compromise $5 billion state budget. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/Peninsula Clarion Summer Lazenby launches Caleb Wohlers's River Rocket at the 24th annual Kenai River Festival, June 7, 2014, at Centennial Park.

Kenai River Festival celebrates 25 years

The Kenai Watershed Forum’s annual Kenai River Festival will be back in Soldotna Creek Park this weekend to celebrate its 25th year. This Friday through… Continue reading

  • Jun 10, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/Peninsula Clarion Summer Lazenby launches Caleb Wohlers's River Rocket at the 24th annual Kenai River Festival, June 7, 2014, at Centennial Park.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Charlene Daniels walks her poodles Macy and Rohan at Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday June 10, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Photo: Walker of Rohan (and Macy)

… Continue reading

  • Jun 10, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Charlene Daniels walks her poodles Macy and Rohan at Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday June 10, 2015 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Walker announces merger of Alaska Labor agencies

ANCHORAGE — Two divisions within the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development will be combined in what will be an ongoing effort to streamline… Continue reading

  • Jun 10, 2015
  • By Dan Joling

Climate change speakers stress need for subsistance hunting adaptability

Three Alaska Native subsistence users addressed an audience of national wildlife policy advisers this week about the risks of climate change to subsistence-based communities, what… Continue reading

Anti-setnet group scrubs site after submitting signatures

After the Alaska Fisheries Conservation Alliance submitted 43,000 signatures on June 10 to the Alaska Division of Elections seeking a 2016 ballot initiative that would… Continue reading

  • Jun 10, 2015
  • By DJ SUMMERS

Seed potato program scrutinized

Editor’s note: this story has been changed to correct that the potato program will require legislative not congressional action for renewal.  The future of Alaska’s… Continue reading

  • Jun 8, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Kenai Performers make plans for new venue

The Kenai Performers are preparing to break ground on two acres of land in Kenai for a soon-to-be, long-awaited permanent home. Negotiations for the at… Continue reading

  • Jun 9, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan