Soldotna mulls home rule question as Feb. vote looms

In four months, Soldotna residents will decide how much autonomy they want for their city. A special election is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2015, for… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Several bags containing a cement mixture being pumped out of the nearby woods line an area at a Baker Hughes facility, on Wednesday November 5, 2014 in Nikiski, Alaska. The company is working to clean up several thousand pounds of concrete material it dumped into the woods over the course of several weeks.

Baker Hughes Nikiski spill cleanup nears completion

Between the intermittent noise of an industrial truck-mounted vacuum running for several hours a day, a cleanup crew in hazmat suits moving the through the… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Several bags containing a cement mixture being pumped out of the nearby woods line an area at a Baker Hughes facility, on Wednesday November 5, 2014 in Nikiski, Alaska. The company is working to clean up several thousand pounds of concrete material it dumped into the woods over the course of several weeks.
Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Voters cast their ballots at the Sterling Community Center Tuesday.

Races motivate peninsula voters

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correctly attribute a quote. For the first time in his life, Ben Heaverley voted in Soldotna on… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By RASHAH McCHESNEY, DAN BALMER, KELLY SULLIVAN and BEN BOETTGER
Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion Voters cast their ballots at the Sterling Community Center Tuesday.

Young fends off Dunbar for House seat

ANCHORAGE (AP) — U.S. Rep. Don Young will remain as longest-serving Republican in the House. Young defeated his upstart opponent, Forrest Dunbar, on Tuesday to… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014

Olson defeats Thornton in District 30 race

Rep. Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna has been re-elected for a sixth term in the Alaska State House. Representing District 30, Olson received 3,869 votes, winning 74… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Sullivan holds election day lead over Begich

ANCHORAGE — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan held an early lead over Democratic Sen. Mark Begich Tuesday night in Alaska’s hotly contested race. Tens… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By Becky Bohrer

Race for governor too close to call

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Independent candidate Bill Walker held a razor thin lead over Republican incumbent Sean Parnell, but the Alaska governor’s race remained too close… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By Rachel D'oro

Micciche reclaims District O

Sen. Peter Micciche received his ticket back to Juneau Tuesday. Three out of every four voters in Senate District O favored Micciche, R-Soldotna, over his… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER

Chenault wins District 29 by a landslide

Mike Chenault has been a state representative in Alaska for 14 years and, for the third time since 2010, he successfully defended his seat against… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney

Voters approve ballot initiatives on marijuana, minimum wage, Bristol Bay mining

ANCHORAGE — A measure to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Alaska was maintaining a steady lead in early returns Tuesday night.With nearly two-thirds of… Continue reading

  • Nov 5, 2014
  • By Dan Joling
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.,  joined by his wife, former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, celebrates with his supporters at an election night party in Louisville, Ky.,Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. McConnell won a sixth term in Washington, with his eyes on the larger prize of GOP control of the Senate. The Kentucky Senate race, with McConnell, a 30-year incumbent, fighting off a spirited challenge from Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, has been among the most combative and closely watched contests that could determine the balance of power in Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

GOP takeover: Republicans surge to Senate control

WASHINGTON — Riding a powerful wave of voter discontent, resurgent Republicans captured control of the Senate and tightened their grip on the House Tuesday night… Continue reading

  • Nov 4, 2014
  • By DAVID ESPO
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky.,  joined by his wife, former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, celebrates with his supporters at an election night party in Louisville, Ky.,Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. McConnell won a sixth term in Washington, with his eyes on the larger prize of GOP control of the Senate. The Kentucky Senate race, with McConnell, a 30-year incumbent, fighting off a spirited challenge from Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, has been among the most combative and closely watched contests that could determine the balance of power in Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Buccaneer sells assets; wants $20M from state

Bankrupt Buccaneer Energy Ltd. is demanding more than $20 million from the State of Alaska, days after appearing to sell its remaining assets.The Australia-based independent… Continue reading

  • Nov 4, 2014
  • By ELWOOD BREHMER

Intersection causes road block for daycare permit

Soldotna resident Robyn Schneider has been trying to get a conditional use permit from the city to open a daycare facility since July 6. Throughout… Continue reading

  • Nov 3, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Two Nikiski candidates running for District 29

Two Nikiski candidates running for District 29

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of stories looking at area candidates for the Alaska Legislature.   Political newcomer Rocky Knudsen, a… Continue reading

  • Aug 3, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
Two Nikiski candidates running for District 29

Alaska voters face several high-profile choices

ANCHORAGE — Alaska, a state known for its beauty and its bears, garnered national attention this year for its high-profile political campaigns. One election could… Continue reading

  • Nov 3, 2014
  • By Becky Bohrer
An aerial view of Grant Lake, site of HEA's planned hydroelectric project, in 2013.

HEA shares progress on Grant Lake hydro project

The Homer Electric Association (HEA) will update residents on the current state of its Grant Lake hydroelectric project in a public meeting on Thursday at… Continue reading

  • Nov 3, 2014
  • By By BEN BOETTGER
An aerial view of Grant Lake, site of HEA's planned hydroelectric project, in 2013.

Kenai man arrested in three store burglaries

A Kenai man was arrested last week in the alleged burglaries of three Kenai businesses along the Kenai Spur Highway committed in the past two… Continue reading

  • Nov 3, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER

Around Campus: Spring registration right around the corner

It’s time for students (admitted into degree or certificate programs) to plan for next semester and be ready to register for classes on the day… Continue reading

  • Nov 2, 2014
  • By Suzie Kendrick
  • Schools

Around the District

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

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, poses for a photograph with an audience member after a stump speech for Alaska Senate Candidate Dan Sullivan on Sunday Nov. 2, 2014 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Texas Senator stumps for Sullivan in Soldotna

On the second day of stumping for U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz brought a heavily Tea Party-influenced message to Kenai Peninsula… Continue reading

  • Nov 2, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, poses for a photograph with an audience member after a stump speech for Alaska Senate Candidate Dan Sullivan on Sunday Nov. 2, 2014 in Soldotna, Alaska.