News

Driver hospitalized after cement truck overturns in Kasilof

A cement mixing truck overturned on the Sterling Highway in Kasilof on Thursday sending the injured driver to the hospital. Long, dirty grooves in the… Continue reading

  • Jan 29, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion A WWII-era plane nicknamed "Salmon Ella," lands the Kenai Municipal airport on Tuesday Jan. 13, 2014 in Kenai, Alaska. Everts Air Fuel operates several of the planes to deliver fuel and cargo around the state.

Flying through history: Rare planes continue to fly Alaska skies

In present day Alaska, World War II-era relics continue to fly the skies. Now, instead of being used by the military, private companies operate aircraft… Continue reading

  • Jan 17, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion A WWII-era plane nicknamed "Salmon Ella," lands the Kenai Municipal airport on Tuesday Jan. 13, 2014 in Kenai, Alaska. Everts Air Fuel operates several of the planes to deliver fuel and cargo around the state.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Rose Bezilla gives Anthony Griglione, of Soldotna, a massage during the third annual Project Homeless Connect at the Kenai Mall, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014 in Kenai. Bezilla joined several other volunteers who served the area's homeless population and connected them with a variety social service agencies.

Homeless Connect held at Soldotna Sports Center

The fourth annual Homeless Connect Event will be held Thursday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. The event is produced by a coalition of local… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Rose Bezilla gives Anthony Griglione, of Soldotna, a massage during the third annual Project Homeless Connect at the Kenai Mall, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014 in Kenai. Bezilla joined several other volunteers who served the area's homeless population and connected them with a variety social service agencies.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this June 26, 2013 file photo, Alaska State Troopers and Nikiski paramedics respond to a standoff on Miller Loop Road during an incident that was characterized as an attempted murder. A group of community members in Nikiski is seeking support to form a service area board, in part because the entity could contract with law enforcement agencies to provide more police oversight in the area.

Nikiski council shows support for police service area

More than 10 years after Nikiski voters rejected the formation of a police service area, a similar ordinance is in the works and could be… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2015
  • By DAN BALMER
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion In this June 26, 2013 file photo, Alaska State Troopers and Nikiski paramedics respond to a standoff on Miller Loop Road during an incident that was characterized as an attempted murder. A group of community members in Nikiski is seeking support to form a service area board, in part because the entity could contract with law enforcement agencies to provide more police oversight in the area.

Revenue from traffic citations fluctuates

Traffic citation fine collection accounts for a chunk of annual revenue for Kenai Peninsula municipalities — albeit a fluctuating one. The city of Soldotna approved… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Marijuana criminal bills put on hold for rewrite

JUNEAU — Bills that would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana have been put on hold while lawmakers wait for a new draft that better reflects… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2015
  • By Molly Dischner

Hanley: Education will have to be protected at some level

JUNEAU — State education commissioner Mike Hanley said the department, schools and districts will have to work to find efficiencies in light of the state’s… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer

School board faces deficit in 2016

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show the correct date of the next Board of Education meeting. It is Monday Feb. 2 The… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Car burns in Soldotna school parking lot

A car burst into flames in the Soldotna Prep School parking lot Tuesday afternoon. Central Emergency Services responded to a report of a vehicle fire… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2015
  • By DAN BALMER
Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Fire Department responded to a fire alarm Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 at Kenai Central High School. A heating unit pipe burst, which sent steam and water into an empty art classroom on the east wing of the school. Crews remained on scene for an hour to clean up.

Heating pipe bursts, floods KCHS classroom

Kenai firefighters responded to a fire alarm at Kenai Central High School Tuesday night after a heating pipe burst in a classroom. A heating unit… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2015
  • By DAN BALMER
Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Fire Department responded to a fire alarm Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 at Kenai Central High School. A heating unit pipe burst, which sent steam and water into an empty art classroom on the east wing of the school. Crews remained on scene for an hour to clean up.

Kasilof man petitions to recall assembly member

A Kasilof resident has filed a petition with the Kenai Peninsula Borough to ask for the recall of assembly member Kelly Wolf on the grounds… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2015
  • By DAN BALMER
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Two volunteers demonstrate proper technique for an Eskimo Stick Pull during the Native Youth Olympics on Saturday Jan. 24, 2015at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. The regional event drew teams from Anchorage, Seward, Kenai, Chickaloon and Tebughna. Teams competed for medals over the weekend of events showcasing the athleticism of Alaska's indigenous cultures.

Photo: Stick to it

… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Two volunteers demonstrate proper technique for an Eskimo Stick Pull during the Native Youth Olympics on Saturday Jan. 24, 2015at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. The regional event drew teams from Anchorage, Seward, Kenai, Chickaloon and Tebughna. Teams competed for medals over the weekend of events showcasing the athleticism of Alaska's indigenous cultures.

Soldotna Parks and Rec to continue adapting

To remain an attractive location for locals and tourists alike, the city of Soldotna must continue adapting and improving its parks and recreational areas. That… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY

Official shares ideas for marijuana regulations

JUNEAU — The head of the board currently in charge of writing regulations for the legalized use of recreational pot in Alaska said Tuesday that… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2015
  • By Molly Dischner

Legislative Information Office teleconference schedule

Wednesday 1:00 p.m. The Joint House & Senate Judiciary Committees will sponsor a public hearing to discuss HB 79 Marijuana Regulation; Controlled Substance; Crimes; Defenses… Continue reading

  • Jan 27, 2015
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Several feet of gillnet hung over sawhorses at the Snug Harbor Seafoods receiving dock Thursday June 19, 2014 in Kenai, Alaska. Commercial drifters had their first opening Thursday and will fish regular 12-hour Tuesday and Thursday openings Cook Inlet-wide through early July.

Federal board allows gillnetting on the Kenai, Kasilof rivers

Editor's note: This story has been edited to reflect the correct measurement conversion of a 10-fathom net. It is 60 feet.  Anglers on the most… Continue reading

  • Jan 22, 2015
  • By Rashah McChesney and DJ Summers
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Several feet of gillnet hung over sawhorses at the Snug Harbor Seafoods receiving dock Thursday June 19, 2014 in Kenai, Alaska. Commercial drifters had their first opening Thursday and will fish regular 12-hour Tuesday and Thursday openings Cook Inlet-wide through early July.
Photo Courtesy Robert Ruffner Kenai Watershed Forum Executive Director Robert Ruffner announced he will be stepping down from the position Friday. He said it will be a slow process that will be accomplished through out the next 6 months.

Ruffner to step down from Kenai Watershed Forum post

After 18 years as the executive director of the Kenai Watershed Forum, Robert Ruffner announced Friday that he will be stepping down. “It was not… Continue reading

  • Jan 26, 2015
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo Courtesy Robert Ruffner Kenai Watershed Forum Executive Director Robert Ruffner announced he will be stepping down from the position Friday. He said it will be a slow process that will be accomplished through out the next 6 months.
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Barbara Aase and her son Scott Aase near the end of a game Tuesday at the Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club/ Bingo Hall in Kenai, Alaska. The two play at the hall between two and three times per week Scott Aase said. "Sometimes you win, not very often though. It helps you practice hand eye coordination," Scott Aase said.

Photo: Bingo!

… Continue reading

  • Jan 26, 2015
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Barbara Aase and her son Scott Aase near the end of a game Tuesday at the Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club/ Bingo Hall in Kenai, Alaska. The two play at the hall between two and three times per week Scott Aase said. "Sometimes you win, not very often though. It helps you practice hand eye coordination," Scott Aase said.
This Jan. 20, 2015 photo shows Bryce, a blind harbor seal pup, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. The seal, rescued in December, was deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. (AP Photo/Alaska SeaLife Center, Jenna Miller)

Blind harbor seal learns basic skills at SeaLife Center

SEWARD (AP) — A blind harbor seal is learning basic behaviors such as being fed by hand at an Alaska aquarium.Officials at the Alaska Sea-Life… Continue reading

  • Jan 26, 2015
This Jan. 20, 2015 photo shows Bryce, a blind harbor seal pup, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. The seal, rescued in December, was deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. (AP Photo/Alaska SeaLife Center, Jenna Miller)

Revenue officials explain tax credit issue flagged by Walker

JUNEAU — State Revenue department officials told lawmakers Monday that the tax credits that were a source of contention in an opinion piece by Gov.… Continue reading

  • Jan 26, 2015
  • By Becky Bohrer