Sports

Salt marshes are important food sources for brown bears. As we see an earlier start to the growing season or increased plant growth, bears will likely benefit from them even more. (Photo by Michael Hannam/NPS)

Refuge Notebook: Could bears benefit from changing coastal marshes?

Flying over the Cook Inlet coast, you can look down and see expansive salt marshes where mountain rivers meet the sea in lush green meadows.… Continue reading

Salt marshes are important food sources for brown bears. As we see an earlier start to the growing season or increased plant growth, bears will likely benefit from them even more. (Photo by Michael Hannam/NPS)
Owen Rolph. (Photo provided by Owen Rolph)

Kenai swimmer Rolph commits to Old Dominion

By JEFF HELMINIAK Peninsula Clarion Kenai Central senior Owen Rolph has become the fourth Kenai Peninsula swimmer in the past year to commit to a… Continue reading

Owen Rolph. (Photo provided by Owen Rolph)
Nikiski's Austin Stafford drives on Seward's Max Pfeiffenberger and Trey Ingalls on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Hoops roundup: Seward, Homer notch sweeps

After starting their season 0-5, the Seward girls basketball team is now on a two-game winning streak. The visiting Seahawks defeated the Bulldogs 44-28 on… Continue reading

Nikiski's Austin Stafford drives on Seward's Max Pfeiffenberger and Trey Ingalls on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Sensei Robert Brink at the Sterling Elementary School gym during promotion awards in May 2019. (Photo provided by Robert Brink)

Sterling’s Brink inducted into U.S. Judo Hall of Fame

Sterling’s Robert Brink has been inducted into the U.S. Judo Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020 after a unanimous vote of… Continue reading

Sensei Robert Brink at the Sterling Elementary School gym during promotion awards in May 2019. (Photo provided by Robert Brink)
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Brandon Lajoie pulls up against the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Brown Bears swept in Minot

The host Minot (North Dakota) Minotauros swept the Kenai River Brown Bears on Friday and Saturday. In each game, the Bears went up 2-0 in… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Brandon Lajoie pulls up against the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer’s Casey Otis takes the puck through a group of Soldotna Stars during a Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 hockey game at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Kenai, SoHi hockey top Homer

The visiting Kenai Central and Soldotna hockey teams were able to notch wins over Homer this weekend. Friday, the Kardinals topped the Mariners 3-2 in… Continue reading

Homer’s Casey Otis takes the puck through a group of Soldotna Stars during a Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 hockey game at the Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Soldotna's Maleda Denbrock drives on Homer's Ryan Carroll on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)

Soldotna girls stay perfect

Seward boys hand Kenai its 1st loss; Seahawks get 1st win on girls side

Soldotna's Maleda Denbrock drives on Homer's Ryan Carroll on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak)
Elizabeth Moffet skis up a hill during the Kenai Klassic on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at the Kenai Nordic Trails in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s Cox, Delker take Kenai Klassic

Soldotna’s Quinn Cox and Katie Delker swept the individual titles Saturday at the Kenai Klassic at the Kenai Nordic Trails. The boys team title went… Continue reading

Elizabeth Moffet skis up a hill during the Kenai Klassic on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at the Kenai Nordic Trails in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
There are plenty of ways to travel in the winter. The author is seen here Nordic skating on Trail Lake in Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Kat Sorensen)

Tangled Up in Blue: 29 years

For my 17th birthday I received a pair of figure skates that are probably collecting dust somewhere. My new boyfriend (of nearly two weeks) gifted… Continue reading

There are plenty of ways to travel in the winter. The author is seen here Nordic skating on Trail Lake in Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Kat Sorensen)
Kenai Central's Emma Beck is fouled by Nikiski's Lillian Carstens and guarded by Avery White on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Hoops roundup: Kenai boys, SoHi girls stay perfect

Staff report The visiting Kenai Central girls basketball team evened its record at 3-3 with a 48-43 victory over Nikiski on Thursday. The Kardinals defeated… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Emma Beck is fouled by Nikiski's Lillian Carstens and guarded by Avery White on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A red-breasted nuthatch looks over its shoulder between bites of suet in a hanging-cage style feeder. (Photo by Todd Eskelin/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Social distancing is not just for humans

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that hits our news feeds often. Infections in human foods cause illness across the country and often result in… Continue reading

  • Feb 4, 2021
A red-breasted nuthatch looks over its shoulder between bites of suet in a hanging-cage style feeder. (Photo by Todd Eskelin/USFWS)
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Hoops roundup: SoHi girls, Kenai boys move to 5-0

The host Soldotna girls moved to 5-0 by defeating Kenai 54-35 on Tuesday. The Kardinals fall to 2-3. The Stars took command from the outset,… Continue reading

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Kenai Central's Landen Cialek attacks the net with Homer's Fiona Hatton defending Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Central hockey celebrates senior night by topping Homer

The Kenai Central hockey team celebrated senior night with a 4-2 victory over Homer on Tuesday night at the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility. The Kardinals avenged… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Landen Cialek attacks the net with Homer's Fiona Hatton defending Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Peter Morgan makes a pass against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Pavicich backstops Bears to another win

The Kenai River Brown Bears showcased solid goaltending and an explosive offense in topping the host Janesville (Wisconsin) Jets 5-1 on Sunday in North American… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Peter Morgan makes a pass against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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SoHi’s Cox, Kenai’s Boonstra ski to top in Seward

Kenai Central’s Jayna Boonstra and Soldotna’s Quinn Cox did the best in a unique format at the Mile 12 Ski Trails on Friday and Saturday… Continue reading

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Kenai Central's Gavin Langham defends Soldotna's Dylan Walton while Kenai goalie Tommy Baker watches Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai hockey tops SoHi

Stars come back with dramatic OT win over Homer

Kenai Central's Gavin Langham defends Soldotna's Dylan Walton while Kenai goalie Tommy Baker watches Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski's Lillian Carstens drives to the basket while Soldotna's Rhys Cannava defends Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Hoops roundup: SoHi girls move to 4-0 by topping Nikiski

The depth, talent and athleticism of the Soldotna girls basketball team is proving tough for the rest of the Kenai Peninsula to handle. The Stars… Continue reading

Nikiski's Lillian Carstens drives to the basket while Soldotna's Rhys Cannava defends Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Porter Schachle brings the puck up the ice Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, against the Minnesota Magicians at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Bears split with Jets, tied atop division

The Kenai River Brown Bears split with the host Janesville (Wisconsin) Jets on Friday and Saturday in North American Hockey League play. The Brown Bears… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Porter Schachle brings the puck up the ice Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, against the Minnesota Magicians at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer's Delilah Harris goes up for a shot against Kenai Central's Erin Koziczkowski on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Hoops roundup: Kenai boys stay unbeaten

The host Kenai Central boys basketball team defeated Homer 54-48 on Thursday in a matchup of two previously undefeated teams. The Kardinals, at 4-0, have… Continue reading

Homer's Delilah Harris goes up for a shot against Kenai Central's Erin Koziczkowski on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A rare photograph of a shrew during winter. This shrew was observed above the snow where it had been sneaking out of the subnivean zone for short periods of time, possibly to exploit seeds or suet that had fallen on top of the snow beneath a bird feeder in Soldotna. (Photo by Colin Canterbury/USFWS)

Refuge notebook: The hidden subnivean

Alaska summers are fast paced with people, wildlife and plants all in apparent frenzy trying to capitalize on warm temperatures and sunlight. And with good… Continue reading

  • Jan 28, 2021
A rare photograph of a shrew during winter. This shrew was observed above the snow where it had been sneaking out of the subnivean zone for short periods of time, possibly to exploit seeds or suet that had fallen on top of the snow beneath a bird feeder in Soldotna. (Photo by Colin Canterbury/USFWS)