Statue defaced, to be replaced

  • By Kelly Sullivan
  • Sunday, May 18, 2014 10:50pm
  • News
Photo courtesy Michelle Glaves The base of the Les Anderson was found to have been hacked at with an axe, Saturday, May 9, at the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce.

Photo courtesy Michelle Glaves The base of the Les Anderson was found to have been hacked at with an axe, Saturday, May 9, at the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce.

Damage to the vandalized Les Anderson statue is so extensive it will need to be replaced.

Soldotna Chamber of Commerce executive director Michelle Glaves originally believed the life-size wooden carving would need a fresh fish figure at the most.

The statue’s carver Scott Hansen said large chunks have been cut from the base and the shoulders and fish have partially rotted. It makes more sense to make a new one, he said.

Glaves said an employee passing by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce May 10 originally noticed the destruction. The fish had been ripped from the grasp of Les Anderson, taking with it the long thin strips of metal bolting it to the statue.

It was found resting 30 feet away on a bench, Glaves said. Deep gashes were chopped from the large circular foundation of the statue with an axe. The figure is attached to cement, and someone tried to hack the entire figure from the it, she said.

At first there was some confusion because Hansen was scheduled to do maintenance repairs and restorations later that week. Hansen picked up the pieces the next day and hauled them to his shop.

The statue originally cost the city a little less than $4,000, Glaves said. She said it was also notable because it was damaged one week from the 29th anniversary of when Les Anderson originally caught the record breaking 97-pound-4-ounce salmon, which is on display in the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce.

“It is kind of disheartening,” Glaves said “It’s been there for 10 years.”

Hansen said upon receiving the log he will carve the new statue from, it should only take him about a week to finish the new figure.

The Soldotna Police Department could not be reached for comment.

“He will be back soon with bright new clothes on,” Glaves said.

 

Kelly Sullivan can be reached at kelly.sullivan@peninsulaclarion.com

Photo courtesy Michelle Glaves The fish was found ripped from the hands of Les Anderson and placed on a bench 30 feet from the statue, Saturday, May 9, at the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce.

Photo courtesy Michelle Glaves The fish was found ripped from the hands of Les Anderson and placed on a bench 30 feet from the statue, Saturday, May 9, at the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce.

More in News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy orders freeze on state employee hiring, travel and new regulations due to fiscal crunch

Exemptions allowed for certain occupations and “mission-critical” purposes.

Students stock rainbow trout into Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration, hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game near Kasilof, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Celebrating the cycle of life

The annual Kenai Peninsula Salmon Celebration caps off the Salmon in the Classroom program.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
Homer woman sentenced for 2020 murder

Sarah Dayan was convicted in December for the murder of Keith Huss.

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough mayor proposes mill rate decrease in $180M draft budget

The budget also follows his “balanced budget philosophy” of spending increases at or below around 2.5% year-over-year.

Kenaitze Indian Tribe chemical dependency councilor Jamie Ball performs during a candlelight vigil marking National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls at the Raven Plaza, Ggugguyni T’uh, in front of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vigil recognizes missing and murdered Indigenous women on national awareness day

Alaska Native women are overrepresented in the populations of domestic violence and rape victims in the state.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy threatens unprecedented veto of education funds in budget unless his policy goals are met

Line-item veto could leave districts with less money for months; legality of such action is questioned

A scene from the PBS children’s series “Molly of Denali.” (WGBH Educational Foundation photo)
‘Molly of Denali’ and other PBS children’s programs on hold as Trump cancels funds

Emmy-winning Juneau writer of “Molly” says PBS told creators the series isn’t being renewed.

A few clouds disrupt the sunlight in downtown Juneau on an otherwise bright day. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alaska ranks 49th, ahead of only Louisiana, in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best States survey

State drops from 45th a year ago, led by large drops in opportunity and fiscal stability.

Most Read