Kenai Peninsula

This undated photo shows the stern of the S.S. Dora near a dock on her northerly mail route. (Alaska State Library photo collection)

Resilience of the Dora, part 1

The Dora traveled from the West Coast to Southeast Alaska, to Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, to Bristol Bay and the Aleutian Islands, and occasionally all the way to Nome.

This undated photo shows the stern of the S.S. Dora near a dock on her northerly mail route. (Alaska State Library photo collection)
Version 3 of the Alaska Redistricting Board’s proposal for the Kenai Peninsula keeps intact most of District 31, now called District 6, but puts the Fritz Creek and Fox River areas into a new District 5 that includes the southern shore of Kachemak Bay and Kodiak Island. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Redistricting Board)

Board seeking input on maps redrawing state, peninsula legislative districts

The Alaska State Redistricting Board will collect public input on six maps.

Version 3 of the Alaska Redistricting Board’s proposal for the Kenai Peninsula keeps intact most of District 31, now called District 6, but puts the Fritz Creek and Fox River areas into a new District 5 that includes the southern shore of Kachemak Bay and Kodiak Island. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Redistricting Board)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on May 5 in Kenai.

Murkowski pushes to reauthorize heritage site

The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is one of only 55 NHAs in the United States.

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on May 5 in Kenai.
Photos from Ancestry.com 
In January 1900, when Dr. R. J. Alcorn began serving a sentence for manslaughter, he posed for these mug shots as Convict #739.

Filling in the blanks: The Dr. Alcorn story — part 2

Although Dr. R. J. Alcorn spent only a few years in Alaska, he certainly got around.

Photos from Ancestry.com 
In January 1900, when Dr. R. J. Alcorn began serving a sentence for manslaughter, he posed for these mug shots as Convict #739.
A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019. Just as fire squads from other wildlife refuges in the Lower 48 came up to help with the 2019 fire, fire crews from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now helping fight fires in the Lower 48. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)

Kenai Refuge crew called to Washington wildfires

It’s not uncommon to send crews to other wildlife refuges to aid with fire containment.

A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019. Just as fire squads from other wildlife refuges in the Lower 48 came up to help with the 2019 fire, fire crews from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now helping fight fires in the Lower 48. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)
A section of trees are cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass, on Aug. 10, 2021, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Bypass project completion date pushed back

The project aims to reduce congestion on the Sterling Highway through Cooper Landing.

A section of trees are cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass, on Aug. 10, 2021, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo from Ancestry.com 
This circa 1913 Alcorn family portrait shows Dr. R. J. Alcorn, his son Argie, his daughter Wilma, and his wife, Dr. Cora E. Alcorn.

Filling in the Blanks: The Dr. Alcorn story — part 1

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is Part One of a two-part story about a physician/surgeon who came to Seward in the 1920s with some curious blank spots… Continue reading

Photo from Ancestry.com 
This circa 1913 Alcorn family portrait shows Dr. R. J. Alcorn, his son Argie, his daughter Wilma, and his wife, Dr. Cora E. Alcorn.
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Prosecutors vet Tshibaka fishing license case

Kelly Tshibaka received the license during an event on the Kenai River in 2019.

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Skilak Lake can be seen from Hideout Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on July 5, 2020 in Alaska. (Photograph by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge wraps up work on new trail

A new trail connecting the Burney’s and Hideout routes is set to be finished toward the end of September.

Skilak Lake can be seen from Hideout Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on July 5, 2020 in Alaska. (Photograph by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Document from Ancestry.com 
Orville Lewis Albery was a 49-year-old chiropractor in Seward when he supplied the information for this draft card. Although Albery signed the card, the official who filled out the remainder misspelled Albery’s name.

Peninsula History: No fortune like misfortune, part 2

Part Two of a two-part story about a few of the unlucky and the unwise among the long history of medical professionals in Seward.

Document from Ancestry.com 
Orville Lewis Albery was a 49-year-old chiropractor in Seward when he supplied the information for this draft card. Although Albery signed the card, the official who filled out the remainder misspelled Albery’s name.
Associated Press
President Joe Biden speaks about the bipartisan infrastructure bill from the East Room of the White House in Washington on Tuesday.

$1 trillion infrastructure plan passes Senate

Efforts to advance the legislation were spearheaded by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Associated Press
President Joe Biden speaks about the bipartisan infrastructure bill from the East Room of the White House in Washington on Tuesday.
Dr. Charles Leslie Hale (left) in 1905 became the second-ever dentist to take up residence in Seward. (Photo courtesy of Resurrection Bay Historical Society)

Peninsula History: No fortune like misfortune, part 1

Seward’s medical professionals have had their share of bad luck.

Dr. Charles Leslie Hale (left) in 1905 became the second-ever dentist to take up residence in Seward. (Photo courtesy of Resurrection Bay Historical Society)
Bonnie Marie Playle (file)

July Musings

July is the seventh month, and is called “Dog Days” because it’s the warmest month in the Northern Hemisphere. FACTS: Astrological Signs: Cancer and Leo;… Continue reading

Bonnie Marie Playle (file)
2007 photo by Clark Fair 
Sometimes called “Murder House” in the years after the killing, this dilapidated Quonset hut was the scene of the crime.

A killing close to home

By Clark Fair For the Peninsula Clarion We all hope we live in a safe neighborhood. I know I hoped so. I grew up on… Continue reading

2007 photo by Clark Fair 
Sometimes called “Murder House” in the years after the killing, this dilapidated Quonset hut was the scene of the crime.
A sign indicates the turn for Jim’s Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

4 rescued after boat breaks loose

The boat broke loose and drifted away from a small island on the Kenai River.

A sign indicates the turn for Jim’s Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ranger Meredith Baker helps Fredrick Bryant decorate a fish mobile at the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on July 6, 2021 for Fish Week. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

‘Family fishy fun’

Kids turn out for a week of tying, casting and reeling.

Ranger Meredith Baker helps Fredrick Bryant decorate a fish mobile at the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on July 6, 2021 for Fish Week. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Walt Blauvelt stands on logs near the Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Walt Blauvelt stands on logs near the Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
John Hakla from Eagle River heads back into the water while dipnetting on the North Kenai Beach on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Dipnet area expanded; limits increased on the Kasilof

Dipnetting is only allowed for Alaska residents with personal-use permits.

John Hakla from Eagle River heads back into the water while dipnetting on the North Kenai Beach on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
A sign warning of a June 28, 2021, bear attack is placed at the head of the Kenai River Trail on Skilak Loop Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Man reunites with pup after bear attack

Jason Umbriaco was hospitalized after the brown bear with two cubs bit him twice Sunday.

A sign warning of a June 28, 2021, bear attack is placed at the head of the Kenai River Trail on Skilak Loop Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Seldovia as seen on Thursday, June 24, 2021. The steady rain didn’t stop boats filled with tourists from arriving in town. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Seldovia welcomes visitors to celebrate 4th of July

Visitors are invited to celebrate Independence Day in Seldovia with a day full of activities.

Seldovia as seen on Thursday, June 24, 2021. The steady rain didn’t stop boats filled with tourists from arriving in town. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)