Sale of rodent pellets banned

Rodents in Alaska have a few less things to worry about — 12 to be exact. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has prohibited the… Continue reading

  • Apr 19, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY

Legislature headed for overtime

JUNEAU — With the scheduled end of session looming Sunday, lawmakers were trying to reach agreement on a spending package, an effort complicated by a… Continue reading

  • Apr 19, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

Jury finds Soldotna man guilty of attempted rape

Editor’s note: The Peninsula Clarion does not identify victims in sexual assault cases and will refer to the women involved in this trial and story… Continue reading

  • Apr 17, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney

Sale of rodent pellets banned

Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by 34 this week… Continue reading

  • Apr 18, 2015

Walker vetos bill to limit Alaska LNG competition

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Bill Walker vetoed legislation Friday that sought to temporarily restrict participation of a state-sponsored corporation in an alternate gas pipeline… Continue reading

  • Apr 17, 2015
  • By The Associated Press

Support association, school district at impasse

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association have reached an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations. Support Association President Patty… Continue reading

  • Apr 17, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Evidence bags and photographs pile up on an exhibit table during the attempted rape, burglary and assault trial against Soldotna man Shane Heiman, on Wednesday April 15, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska.

Jury to hear jailhouse phone call in Heiman trial

Editor's note: This story has been changed to show that Heiman's blood alcohol content on the night he was arrested in 2008 was twice the… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Evidence bags and photographs pile up on an exhibit table during the attempted rape, burglary and assault trial against Soldotna man Shane Heiman, on Wednesday April 15, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska.

Army shutting down wounded warrior transition care units

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second time in two years, the U.S. Army is shutting down a number of the specialized medical units that were… Continue reading

  • Apr 17, 2015
  • By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Photo courtesy of Renae Wall Renae and Robert Wall started their business, Wilderness View Farms two years ago.

What’s not to love about rhubarb?

Right now, Renae and Robert Wall’s half-acre plot dedicated to rhubarb is covered in five-foot-wide, brown, slimy leaves. Come June, the venture they hope will… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo courtesy of Renae Wall Renae and Robert Wall started their business, Wilderness View Farms two years ago.

School district, teachers’ union reach impasse

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the Kenai Peninsula Education Association have reached an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations. The decision that the negotiations… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  A man rides his bicycle on the Main Street Loop on Thursday April 16, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. It snowed for about an hour before the storm subsided.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  A man rides his bicycle on the Main Street Loop on Thursday April 16, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. It snowed for about an hour before the storm subsided.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Alaska State Trooper Investigator Mark Pearson listens to Public Defender Josh Cooley during Shane Heiman's trial for burglary, attempted rape, assault and resisting arrest on April 15, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. The defense and prosecution rested Thursday and closing arguments will be heard Friday before the jury begins delibrations.

State, defense rest in Heiman case

After five days of witness testimony and evidence introduction, the attorney prosecuting a Soldotna man’s burglary, attempted rape and assault case rested. It took Shane… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Alaska State Trooper Investigator Mark Pearson listens to Public Defender Josh Cooley during Shane Heiman's trial for burglary, attempted rape, assault and resisting arrest on April 15, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. The defense and prosecution rested Thursday and closing arguments will be heard Friday before the jury begins delibrations.

Lawmakers plan joint session for Sunday, bucking Walker

JUNEAU — The Alaska House and Senate plan to meet in joint session to take up appointments made by Gov. Bill Walker on Sunday, seeking… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

Donation to Kenai Performers moves forward

In February, the non-profit Kenai Performers theatre troupe asked the city of Kenai to donate land on which the group could build a theatre. At… Continue reading

Teacher negotiations reach impasse

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the Kenai Peninsula Education Association have reached an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations.  The decision was reached Wednesday… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Murkowski reports raising about $690K during first quarter

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has reported raising about $690,000 toward her re-election during the first quarter of this year. The Republican,… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Associated Press

Walker calls joint legislative session for appointments

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Bill Walker signed an executive proclamation Wednesday calling the Alaska House and Senate into joint session to take up consideration… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet questions defense attorneys and bailiff's about why Shane Heiman's handcuffs were not removed before jurors re-entered the room after a break on Monday April 13, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. Heiman's defense attorneys have moved for a mistrial.

Defense moves for mistrial in Heiman case

Editor’s note: The Peninsula Clarion does not identify victims in sexual assault cases and will refer to the woman involved in this trial and story… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet questions defense attorneys and bailiff's about why Shane Heiman's handcuffs were not removed before jurors re-entered the room after a break on Monday April 13, 2015 in Kenai, Alaska. Heiman's defense attorneys have moved for a mistrial.

Judge denies motion for mistrial in Heiman case

After more than an hour of questioning jurors about their memories of Monday’s trial proceedings, Kenai Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet denied the defense team’s… Continue reading

  • Apr 14, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Shane Heiman, of Soldotna, talks to his public defender on Wednesday April 8, 2015 during the jury selection portion of his trial on charges that he attempted to kidnap and rape a Soldotna woman.

Trial begins for Soldotna man accused of rape, attempted rape

Editor's note: This story has been edited to include information about Heiman's potential jail time. The maximum allowed under Alaska law for his alleged crimes… Continue reading

  • Apr 9, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Shane Heiman, of Soldotna, talks to his public defender on Wednesday April 8, 2015 during the jury selection portion of his trial on charges that he attempted to kidnap and rape a Soldotna woman.