News

Skepticism dooms study of rail link to North Slope

FAIRBANKS (AP) — A North Pole legislator wants money to see whether a railroad extension to far northern Alaska is feasible, but his colleagues dismissed… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By Associated Press

Exploration off 38%, producing mines strong

JUNEAU — Mining is good for Alaska’s economy, but while the state’s six producing mines are holding up well, and some even expanding, a sharp… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By Tim Bradner
Mountain View Elementary School music teacher Jonathan Dillon sits next to student Harley Farabee before the bus takes off for its afternoon route. Teachers from the Kenai school joined students for their bus rides to promote bus safety and good bus behavior on Wednesday. Photo by Kaylee Osowski/Peninsula Clarion

Promoting bus kindness

Mountain View Elementary School teachers spent a little extra time with students on Wednesday by riding the bus routes with the kids.Assistant Principal Karl Kircher… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
Mountain View Elementary School music teacher Jonathan Dillon sits next to student Harley Farabee before the bus takes off for its afternoon route. Teachers from the Kenai school joined students for their bus rides to promote bus safety and good bus behavior on Wednesday. Photo by Kaylee Osowski/Peninsula Clarion

Lots of tools available for entrepreneurs

Low interest rates, helpful banks and a variety of tools for entrepreneurs are helping foster new business on the Kenai Peninsula.The success of small businesses… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By Molly Dischner
Tourism industry expects record season

Tourism industry expects record season

Get ready for another busy tourist season in the Kenai Peninsula.Projections for 2014 have called for another 2 percent increase with an estimated 500,000 Peninsula… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER
Tourism industry expects record season
Peninsula Clarion file photo

With new development, housing market heating up

Increased oil and gas activity are driving the central Kenai Peninsula real estate market, according to local realtors.“Overall, we’re seeing an increase in productivity, we’re… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By Molly Dischner
Peninsula Clarion file photo
Peninsula Clarion file photo Tugs pull the Spartan 151 jack-up drilling rig up Cook Inlet in August 2011. New oil and gas development in the inlet, along with major projects planned for the area, could mean a boom for the Kenai Peninsula economy.

Energy industry projects expected to bring economic boom to area

In the fall of 2013 a wave of announcements for development in the Nikiski industrial area began making its way to shore.With Nikiski as the… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
Peninsula Clarion file photo Tugs pull the Spartan 151 jack-up drilling rig up Cook Inlet in August 2011. New oil and gas development in the inlet, along with major projects planned for the area, could mean a boom for the Kenai Peninsula economy.
Clarion file photo Dr. Craig Humphreys talks about how the O-arm takes the 3D images it produces as a spine surgery aid in late July 2011 at Central Peninsula Hospital. Health care is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Kenai Peninsula economy.

Kenai Peninsula economic outlook slowed, but steady

While job growth has risen steadily that past few years, a state economist predicts a slight decrease in job growth for the Kenai Peninsula in… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER
Clarion file photo Dr. Craig Humphreys talks about how the O-arm takes the 3D images it produces as a spine surgery aid in late July 2011 at Central Peninsula Hospital. Health care is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Kenai Peninsula economy.

Support businesses see growth, need laborers

Alongside the increased oil and gas exploration and production in the Cook Inlet, support companies on the Kenai Peninsula have been growing, creating a strong… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
Illustration of proposed mini roundabout at Binkley Street and Wilson Lane. Rendering provided by the City of Soldotna.

Soldotna residents talk roundabouts with city officials

The City of Soldotna invited the public to an open house on Tuesday night to discuss road rehabilitation plans for Binkley Street. Questions and comments… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
Illustration of proposed mini roundabout at Binkley Street and Wilson Lane. Rendering provided by the City of Soldotna.
Photo by Jeff Helminak Soldotna High School's Addison Downing climbs a big hill near the start of Friday's boys five-kilometer freestyle at the Region III Nordic Ski Championships at Tsalteshi Trails.

Photo: Making tracks

… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014
Photo by Jeff Helminak Soldotna High School's Addison Downing climbs a big hill near the start of Friday's boys five-kilometer freestyle at the Region III Nordic Ski Championships at Tsalteshi Trails.

Former territorial governor dies at age 94

ANCHORAGE — A man who lobbied congressional members for Alaska statehood and served as one of the state’s last territorial governors has died.Mike Stepovich died… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014
  • By Mark Thiessen

House education panel delves into vo-tech credits

JUNEAU — The House Education Committee on Friday took up funding aspects of an education bill by Gov. Sean Parnell that would allow vocational credits… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014
  • By MIKE COPPOCK

State LNG take could be $3 billion

JUNEAU — State legislators are continuing their review of the state’s proposed deal with North Slope producers and TransCanada Corp. on a major natural gas… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014
  • By TIM BRADNER Morris News Service-Alaska

Kenai boy dies after pool accident

A 6-year-old Kenai boy has died after an accident in a pool at an Anchorage hotel.Floyd Murphy, the son of Tim and Raelynne Murphy of… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014

LIO schedule for Feb. 17-21

Monday 8:00 a.m.The House Education Committee will sponsor a public hearing to discuss HB 278 Education: Funding / Tax Credits / Programs Discussion on Tax… Continue reading

  • Feb 15, 2014
Assistant Professor of Process Technology, Henry Haney, teaches a class at Kenai Peninsula College's Kenai River Campus on Feb. 13, 2013 in the new Career and Technical Education Center. Photo by Kaylee Osowski/Peninsula Clarion

The right combination of educators and technology produces quality graduates

While the newly opened Career and Technical Education Center at Kenai Peninsula College’s Kenai River Campus provides students with state-of-the-art technology students learn to proficiently… Continue reading

  • Feb 14, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
Assistant Professor of Process Technology, Henry Haney, teaches a class at Kenai Peninsula College's Kenai River Campus on Feb. 13, 2013 in the new Career and Technical Education Center. Photo by Kaylee Osowski/Peninsula Clarion
Photo by Dan Balmer Peninsula Clarion Arctic Motorsports owner Lane Giesler stands next two pro model Arctic Cat snowmobiles in his Soldotna shop Feb. 5. Giesler said the entire snow machine industry in Alaska has suffered due to the lack of snow this winter.

Peninsula snowmachine shops waiting for more snow

While a lack of snow this winter has put a damper on snowmachiners’ enthusiasm, local Kenai Peninsula sled dealers remain optimistic that business will return,… Continue reading

  • Feb 14, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER
Photo by Dan Balmer Peninsula Clarion Arctic Motorsports owner Lane Giesler stands next two pro model Arctic Cat snowmobiles in his Soldotna shop Feb. 5. Giesler said the entire snow machine industry in Alaska has suffered due to the lack of snow this winter.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion, file A crowded dining room at Odie's Deli September 24, 2013 in Soldotna, Alaska. The restaurant will be opening a second location in the Kenai Municipal Airport in January. Local officials say the Kenai Peninsula is open for business.

Kenai Peninsula open for business

The overall theme from local mayors to oil and gas companies during a recent forum: the economic outlook on the Kenai Peninsula is strong and… Continue reading

  • Feb 14, 2014
  • By DAN BALMER
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion, file A crowded dining room at Odie's Deli September 24, 2013 in Soldotna, Alaska. The restaurant will be opening a second location in the Kenai Municipal Airport in January. Local officials say the Kenai Peninsula is open for business.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Runners take off June 9, 2013 during the annual Run for the River sponsored by the Kenai Watershed Forum as part of the Kenai River Festival in Soldotna, Alaska. Part of the city's plan to support local business is to help publicize the area's many events.

Soldotna works with community members to develop economy

While Soldotna has various, strong industries in its community — medical, education, retail, construction, recreation — City Manager Mark Dixson noticed the city lacked a… Continue reading

  • Feb 14, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Runners take off June 9, 2013 during the annual Run for the River sponsored by the Kenai Watershed Forum as part of the Kenai River Festival in Soldotna, Alaska. Part of the city's plan to support local business is to help publicize the area's many events.