News

Forecast has crews battling wildfires on high alert

ANCHORAGE — Two wildfires burning north and south of Anchorage stretched Alaska firefighting resources Tuesday as crews scrambled to protect rural homes and cabins.The human-caused… Continue reading

  • Jun 16, 2015
  • By Dan Joling
Derick Williams of Sterling stands on a vehicle shortly after being evacuated from his home on Alamo Avenue after a wildfire started in the area Monday. (Photo by Kelly Sulliva/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire spreads in Sterling

Tuesday morning update: The Borough Office of Emergency Management is reporting that borough fire departments continue to support Alaska Division of Forestry with suppression efforts… Continue reading

  • Jun 15, 2015
  • By MEGAN PACER and KELLY SULLIVAN
Derick Williams of Sterling stands on a vehicle shortly after being evacuated from his home on Alamo Avenue after a wildfire started in the area Monday. (Photo by Kelly Sulliva/Peninsula Clarion)

Resource committees hold hearing on peninsula

The Joint House and Senate Resources Committees will be meeting on Alaska LNG issues Tuesday and Wednesday on the Kenai Peninsula. The hearings will be… Continue reading

  • Jun 15, 2015
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Willow King, of Soldotna, serves local and organic goods at her food truck, Where It's At, on Wednesday in Soldotna.

New businesses to foster local art appreciation

Artistic talent, good food and community networking are the goals of three recently-opened businesses on the Sterling Highway in downtown Soldotna. A clothing store called… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Willow King, of Soldotna, serves local and organic goods at her food truck, Where It's At, on Wednesday in Soldotna.

Refuge to hold meetings on proposed regulation changes

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold two public meetings on a proposed rule which would amend the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s public use… Continue reading

  • Jun 15, 2015

Open burns suspended

The Alaska Division of Forestry has suspended open burning on the Kenai Peninsula due to high fire danger. As of Monday morning, burn permits are… Continue reading

  • Jun 15, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

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.