News

Students sit on the front steps of the Alaska Capitol on April 6, 2018. (James Brooks photo | Juneau Empire)

State minimum wage will rise 5 cents Jan. 1

Starting Jan. 1, 2019, Alaska’s minimum wage will be raised by 5 cents, from $9.84 to $9.89. The 5 cent raise is to adjust the… Continue reading

Students sit on the front steps of the Alaska Capitol on April 6, 2018. (James Brooks photo | Juneau Empire)
Kachemak Emergency Services Deputy Chief Joe Sallee inspects an exploded house near Mile 166 Sterling Highway on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, near Homer, Alaska. The debris field from the explosion spread at least 200 feet in all directions. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).

Home explosion rocks Homer area

A loud explosion rocked the Diamond Ridge area and the west side of Homer about 10 p.m. Thursday night. Kachemak Emergency Services was the primary… Continue reading

Kachemak Emergency Services Deputy Chief Joe Sallee inspects an exploded house near Mile 166 Sterling Highway on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, near Homer, Alaska. The debris field from the explosion spread at least 200 feet in all directions. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).
The view from the Staton residence on Meander Way shows the erosion caused by the Mendenhall River. The Statons are putting in a bank stabilization project after erosion has caused them to lose most of their backyard. They recently cut part of their deck off, seen in the lower right. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

In Juneau, residents take erosion into their own hands

“We’ve got to get it done.”

The view from the Staton residence on Meander Way shows the erosion caused by the Mendenhall River. The Statons are putting in a bank stabilization project after erosion has caused them to lose most of their backyard. They recently cut part of their deck off, seen in the lower right. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Personal New Years fireworks allowed in Kenai fourth year in a row

This New Year’s Eve, ring in 2019 safely. The use of fireworks is forbidden in the Kenai Peninsula Borough unless they are part of a… Continue reading

The intersection of Bridge Access Road and Kalifornsky Beach Road is covered with blowing snow on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. A winter storm that brought more than a foot of snow to some areas of the peninsula made for hazardous driving conditions over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Blizzard conditions expected for western Kenai Peninsula

A blizzard warning is in effect for the western Kenai Peninsula from midnight to 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Blizzard conditions… Continue reading

The intersection of Bridge Access Road and Kalifornsky Beach Road is covered with blowing snow on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. A winter storm that brought more than a foot of snow to some areas of the peninsula made for hazardous driving conditions over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign is posted outside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center that lets residents know that due to the partial government shutdown, refuge employees and visitor services are unavailable and that visitors should enter the refuge at their own risk, on Thursday, in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Shutdown continues; some local agencies affected

A partial government shutdown that could extend into next year has shuttered several federal operations on the peninsula, and left other government employees working without… Continue reading

A sign is posted outside the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center that lets residents know that due to the partial government shutdown, refuge employees and visitor services are unavailable and that visitors should enter the refuge at their own risk, on Thursday, in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus. (Homer News file photo)

After complaints, state board finds Homer physical therapist didn’t violate regulations

Two complaints made against a physical therapist at South Peninsula Hospital to the state’s licensing board for therapists have been reviewed and closed. An unidentified… Continue reading

An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus. (Homer News file photo)
Teachers, support staff and community members, many of them wearing red, prepare to listen to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education’s Sept. 10 meeting at Homer High School in Homer. The board holds one meeting each year in Homer, and another in Seward. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Kenai Peninsula teachers still without a contract

As the Anchorage and Ketchikan school districts finalize employee contracts, it is unknown when teachers in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will see their… Continue reading

Teachers, support staff and community members, many of them wearing red, prepare to listen to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education’s Sept. 10 meeting at Homer High School in Homer. The board holds one meeting each year in Homer, and another in Seward. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
The Peninsula Community Health Services Dental team accepts their award at the National Network for Oral Health Access Conference, held last month in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo courtesy of PCHS)

PCHS Dental receives national award of excellence

Peninsula Community Health Services of Alaska Dental received a national award of excellence in November. The award to PCHS Dental was presented at the National… Continue reading

The Peninsula Community Health Services Dental team accepts their award at the National Network for Oral Health Access Conference, held last month in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo courtesy of PCHS)

Schools briefs for the week of Dec. 24-30

Soldotna High School The after-school tutoring buses will start running on 12/28. There are two buses that leave at 4:15. You must be on the… Continue reading

This May 4, 2018 photo shows the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file photo) This Friday, May 4, 2018 photo shows the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file photo)

Giving the gift of experience

Still trying to find the perfect gift for friends and family on your shopping list? Consider gifting them an experience. In 2010, researchers from Cornell… Continue reading

This May 4, 2018 photo shows the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file photo) This Friday, May 4, 2018 photo shows the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file photo)
In this photo taken Aug. 6, 2015, Sarah Souders replaces full frames with empty frames in her hives in Kenai. (Kelly Sullivan(/Peninsula Clarion)

The sweetest gift

It’s probably the sweetest gift there is. Honey has been a symbolic offering for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, beekeepers would gather honey to… Continue reading

In this photo taken Aug. 6, 2015, Sarah Souders replaces full frames with empty frames in her hives in Kenai. (Kelly Sullivan(/Peninsula Clarion)

Local Realtors association donates to students in need

Last week, The Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors donated 30 stuffed duffel bags to local children in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News</span> Al Poindexter addresses the crowd at a presentation of Homestead Kids: Tales from the North Fork on Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Alaska Islands and Oceans Center in Homer.

Homestead kids tell their tales

Four local children from homestead families — now grown with extensive families of their own — regaled the community with stories and anecdotes from their… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News</span> Al Poindexter addresses the crowd at a presentation of Homestead Kids: Tales from the North Fork on Thursday, Dec. 13 at the Alaska Islands and Oceans Center in Homer.

Industry Outlook Forum will feature businesses from across the peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District is hosting the upcoming Industry Outlook Forum next month. The Jan. 9 forum is an all-day event that will… Continue reading

Shoppers make book purchases during the busy holiday shopping season at River City Books in Soldotna on Friday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

A reader’s guide to local holiday gift shopping

Whether it be poetry, adventure, nonfiction or cookbooks, local writers cover a variety of genres. The gift of books and reading can be appreciated by… Continue reading

Shoppers make book purchases during the busy holiday shopping season at River City Books in Soldotna on Friday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai police offer security checks on unattended homes

Kenai Police Department is offering free vacation checks to city residents leaving their homes vacant for the holiday season. Lt. Ben Langham said the service… Continue reading

Clouds and smoke curl around the top of Augustine Volcano on Sunday, June 4, 2017 on Augustine Island, Alaska. The remote island in Cook Inlet is composed of little more than the volcano and its surrounding debris. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai’s tsunami risk is low, but not impossible

On the morning of Nov. 30, many residents on the Kenai Peninsula received automated tsunami warnings on their cell phones following the magnitude 7.0 earthquake.… Continue reading

Clouds and smoke curl around the top of Augustine Volcano on Sunday, June 4, 2017 on Augustine Island, Alaska. The remote island in Cook Inlet is composed of little more than the volcano and its surrounding debris. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Manni Guillen, whose family moved to Juneau from Mexico when he was a baby, speaks at the Love Knows No Borders rally in Juneau on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Guillen spoke about his experiences growing up in Juneau and working with the Border Angels nonprofit. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Rally attendees brave weather to support migrants near, far

Around 200 people showed up.

Manni Guillen, whose family moved to Juneau from Mexico when he was a baby, speaks at the Love Knows No Borders rally in Juneau on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Guillen spoke about his experiences growing up in Juneau and working with the Border Angels nonprofit. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
A rendering of the proposed Soldotna Regional Sports Complex field house. The Soldotna City Council will introduce legislation Wednesday to ask the voters if the city should borrow $10 million in the form of a bond to build the field house. (City of Soldotna)

Soldotna to vote on bond proposal for field house

Correction: This article has been edited to reflect the correct date of the special election, March 5, 2019. The Clarion regrets the error. Soldotna will… Continue reading

A rendering of the proposed Soldotna Regional Sports Complex field house. The Soldotna City Council will introduce legislation Wednesday to ask the voters if the city should borrow $10 million in the form of a bond to build the field house. (City of Soldotna)