Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  In this July 16, 2012 file photo, commercial fishermen offload the day's catch of salmon from the Inlet Raider. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a moratorium on EPA regulations which would require vessels such as this one to monitor and get a permit to discharge things like fish guts, gray water and rainwater from the vessel. The measure is set to be taken up by the U.S. House before the current session ends.

Moratorium on vessel discharges passed in U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate voted to extend a moratorium on an EPA regulation which could affect nearly every commercial fishing boat in Cook Inlet if the… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  In this July 16, 2012 file photo, commercial fishermen offload the day's catch of salmon from the Inlet Raider. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a moratorium on EPA regulations which would require vessels such as this one to monitor and get a permit to discharge things like fish guts, gray water and rainwater from the vessel. The measure is set to be taken up by the U.S. House before the current session ends.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Peninsula Oilers' Adam Sonabend waits for a catch as Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks' Chance Gusbeth heads to first during their game Friday July 5, 2013 in Kenai, Alaska.

Oilers to play ball in 2015

The Peninsula Oilers are going for it. Facing a severe financial shortfall, the Oilers board of directors had considered taking the 2015 season off. But… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Peninsula Oilers' Adam Sonabend waits for a catch as Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks' Chance Gusbeth heads to first during their game Friday July 5, 2013 in Kenai, Alaska.

Assembly prepares agenda for 2015

Without any items up for public hearing at Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, the assembly approved several new business items on its consent agenda… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER

Alaska faces $3.5 billion deficit amid lower oil prices

JUNEAU (AP) — Slumping oil prices have helped push Alaska’s potential budget deficit this year to $3.5 billion — an increase of $2.1 billion from… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2014

Council concerned about charter commission

Soldotna Mayor Nels Anderson expressed concerns about the city’s push to develop a home rule municipal charter, during Wednesday’s city council meeting. Anderson said he… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Assembly prepares agenda for 2015

Without any items up for public hearing at Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, the assembly approved several new business items on their consent agenda… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER
Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Nikiski resident Paul Hadella pays for his groceries while cashier Chasityanne Kameroff bags up his items Monday, Dec. 8, 2014 at the Country Foods IGA in Kenai. A petition that aims to repeal a Kenai Peninsula Borough ordinance that authorizes general law cities to collect sales taxes on non-prepared food in the winter months, was certified Friday and will be on the October 2015 ballot. Petition organizer James Price said he also plans to start an initiative in Kenai to end the city's sale tax on groceries.

Grocery tax relief measure makes 2015 ballot

Editors note: This story has been changed to add an estimated figure from the borough finance department. A petition that aims to rescind a Kenai… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER
Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Nikiski resident Paul Hadella pays for his groceries while cashier Chasityanne Kameroff bags up his items Monday, Dec. 8, 2014 at the Country Foods IGA in Kenai. A petition that aims to repeal a Kenai Peninsula Borough ordinance that authorizes general law cities to collect sales taxes on non-prepared food in the winter months, was certified Friday and will be on the October 2015 ballot. Petition organizer James Price said he also plans to start an initiative in Kenai to end the city's sale tax on groceries.
Kenai and Nikiski firefighters responded to a noon fire at the Kenaitze Indian Tribe's administration building on Wednesday  Dec. 10, 2014 at 110 N. Willow in Kenai, Alaska.

Fire breaks out at Kenaitze Tribal headquarters

Update: 4:40 p.m. On Wednesday an electrical shortage sparked a small fire inside the walls of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s headquarters at 110 North Willow… Continue reading

  • Dec 10, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER
Kenai and Nikiski firefighters responded to a noon fire at the Kenaitze Indian Tribe's administration building on Wednesday  Dec. 10, 2014 at 110 N. Willow in Kenai, Alaska.

Filing period open for Soldotna charter commission candidates

Soldotna’s period for Home Rule Charter Commission member candidates to submit nomination petitions opened Monday and will close 4:30 p.m., Dec. 19. Soldotna’s Special City… Continue reading

  • Dec 9, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  AIMM Monofill Inc., representative Scott Anderson discusses a drilling mud spill with Brian Gabriel, Alaska Department of Transportation station manager, on Tuesday Dec. 9, 2014 in Nikiski, Alaska. The mud was spilled from a truck delivering mud to the monofill.

Truck driver spills drilling waste in Nikiski

Several hundred gallons of drilling waste bound for the newly opened AIMM Technologies monofill site in Nikiski, splashed out of a truck, onto the Kenai… Continue reading

  • Dec 9, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  AIMM Monofill Inc., representative Scott Anderson discusses a drilling mud spill with Brian Gabriel, Alaska Department of Transportation station manager, on Tuesday Dec. 9, 2014 in Nikiski, Alaska. The mud was spilled from a truck delivering mud to the monofill.

Man indicted on sexual assault charges

A cannery worker has been indicted on sexual assault charges in connection with a July incident that Alaska State Troopers allege occurred in Kenai.Rosendo Pallones,… Continue reading

  • Dec 9, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER
This photo taken Dec. 6, 2014, shows Christmas toys and other supplies being loaded from a C130 military transport plane onto sleds being pulled by snowmobiles in Shishmaref, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard provided transport for the good Samaritan program Operation Santa, which took gifts and schools supplies to about 300 children in the Inupiat Eskimo community. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Volunteers bring Santa to remote Alaska village

SHISHMAREF — Volunteers who brought Christmas to a remote Inupiat Eskimo community on Alaska’s western coast came bearing necessities like coats and school supplies as… Continue reading

  • Dec 9, 2014
  • By Mark Thiessen
This photo taken Dec. 6, 2014, shows Christmas toys and other supplies being loaded from a C130 military transport plane onto sleds being pulled by snowmobiles in Shishmaref, Alaska. The Alaska National Guard provided transport for the good Samaritan program Operation Santa, which took gifts and schools supplies to about 300 children in the Inupiat Eskimo community. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Avalanche survivor says mountain gave warning sign

FAIRBANKS (AP) — Michael Hopper and Erik Peterson heard warning sounds as they skied toward mountains in the eastern Alaska Range, but they thought they… Continue reading

  • Dec 9, 2014
Brian Olson stands behind the wine tasting counter at Alaska Berries

Business booming for berry growers

Alaska Berries, which started out as a hobby for Brian Olson and his wife Laurie Olson, has expanded into a full-fledged business. Located on West… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2014
  • By IAN FOLEY
Brian Olson stands behind the wine tasting counter at Alaska Berries

Upper Cook Inlet sockeye harvest forecasted to beat 2014 numbers

If everything goes as forecast, Upper Cook Cook Inlet fishermen should see a total run of 5.8 million sockeye during the 2015 fishing season. Of… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney

Learning to ask ‘the’ suicide question

Talking about suicide is hard.Talking about suicide with a person you think may be considering it is even harder.“‘Are you considering suicide?’ Doesn’t really just… Continue reading

Arctic drill ship company pleading to 8 felonies

JUNEAU — A company that operated a drill ship off Alaska’s Arctic coast has agreed to plead guilty to environmental and maritime crimes as part… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2014
  • By Becky Bohrer

Judge clarifies order in Pebble Mine case

JUNEAU — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, while a lawsuit is pending, must stop all work related to a process that could restrict or prohibit… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2014
  • By Becky Bohrer

Kenai Peninsula College: Around Campus

KPC’s enrollment for next semester is tracking about the same as last spring. Classes that meet general education requirements, program prerequisites and requirements, as well… Continue reading

  • Dec 7, 2014
  • By Suzie Kendrick
  • Schools

School news

School board to meet The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets at 7 p.m. in the borough building at 148 N. Binkley… Continue reading