News

A tank outside the Kenai Readiness Center for the Alaska Army National Guard sits with a covering of snow on Friday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

National Guard reaches out to high school and college graduates with pilot training and student loan debt repayment

The Alaska Army National Guard has rolled out a new recruitment program for aspiring helicopter pilots. The program, dubbed “Street to Seat,” gives high school… Continue reading

A tank outside the Kenai Readiness Center for the Alaska Army National Guard sits with a covering of snow on Friday. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo credit: City of Soldotna

Local Boundary Commission working with Soldotna in annexation efforts

The Alaska State Local Boundary Commission released their 2018 annual report for the upcoming state legislative session, which reviews the Local Boundary Commission’s activities in… Continue reading

Photo credit: City of Soldotna
The former Lowe’s Home Improvement warehouse space on Marathon Road in Kenai stands empty Friday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Former Kenai Lowe’s building sold to U-Haul

The Kenai warehouse space and former home of Lowe’s Home Improvement has been sold, Fred Braun of Jack White Realty said. Braun, the main broker… Continue reading

The former Lowe’s Home Improvement warehouse space on Marathon Road in Kenai stands empty Friday. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Juneau Police Department Police Chief Ed Mercer, right, and Lt. Jeremy Weske speak at the Juneau Police Station about the department receiving new funding for drug enforcement on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. Alaska has been designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Feds to help fund Juneau’s drug enforcement efforts

Help is on the way.

Juneau Police Department Police Chief Ed Mercer, right, and Lt. Jeremy Weske speak at the Juneau Police Station about the department receiving new funding for drug enforcement on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. Alaska has been designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Downtown Juneau as seen from the Mt. Bradley Trail in July 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Land swap to lead to logging in Southeast

A parcel of land on Douglas is involved in the deal.

Downtown Juneau as seen from the Mt. Bradley Trail in July 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Contestant Charles “Chaz” Oakley, as seen on “Worst Cooks In America,” Season 15. (Photo courtesy of Food Network)

Ninilchik man competes on Food Network’s ‘Worst Cooks in America’

Ninilchik’s Charles Oakley is one of the Worst Cooks in America. Oakley is the first Alaskan to compete on the Food Network reality TV show,… Continue reading

Contestant Charles “Chaz” Oakley, as seen on “Worst Cooks In America,” Season 15. (Photo courtesy of Food Network)
Department of Public Safety releases statistics on holiday enforcement campaign

Department of Public Safety releases statistics on holiday enforcement campaign

The Alaska Department of Public Safety has released its annual report on the holiday high-visibility enforcement efforts by State and Wildlife troopers. According to a… Continue reading

Department of Public Safety releases statistics on holiday enforcement campaign
At a change of command ceremony on July 18, 2018 command of the USCGC Hickory is handed from Commander Andrew Passic (left) to Lt. Commander Adam Legget (second to right) at the Homer Boat House in Homer, Alaska. Overseeing the change of command is Capt. Patrick Hilbert (second to left) and Chaplain Lt. Gary Pepper (right). The ceremony took place in the new Homer Boat House at the Homer Harbor. (Photo by PO2 Andrew Keenan, Marine Safety Detachment Homer, United States Coast Guard) At a change of command ceremony on July 18, 2018 command of the USCGC Hickory is handed from Commander Andrew Passic (left) to Lt. Commander Adam Legget (second to right) at the Homer Boat House in Homer, Alaska. Overseeing the change of command is Capt. Patrick Hilbert (second to left) and Chaplain Lt. Gary Pepper (right). The ceremony took place in the new Homer Boat House at the Homer Harbor. (Photo by PO2 Andrew Keenan, Marine Safety Detachment Homer, United States Coast Guard)

Coast Guard, Homer celebrate 50-year continual partnership

If you look way back in Homer’s history, back to last century, back before statehood, back all the way to November 1948, you’d see the… Continue reading

At a change of command ceremony on July 18, 2018 command of the USCGC Hickory is handed from Commander Andrew Passic (left) to Lt. Commander Adam Legget (second to right) at the Homer Boat House in Homer, Alaska. Overseeing the change of command is Capt. Patrick Hilbert (second to left) and Chaplain Lt. Gary Pepper (right). The ceremony took place in the new Homer Boat House at the Homer Harbor. (Photo by PO2 Andrew Keenan, Marine Safety Detachment Homer, United States Coast Guard) At a change of command ceremony on July 18, 2018 command of the USCGC Hickory is handed from Commander Andrew Passic (left) to Lt. Commander Adam Legget (second to right) at the Homer Boat House in Homer, Alaska. Overseeing the change of command is Capt. Patrick Hilbert (second to left) and Chaplain Lt. Gary Pepper (right). The ceremony took place in the new Homer Boat House at the Homer Harbor. (Photo by PO2 Andrew Keenan, Marine Safety Detachment Homer, United States Coast Guard)
Addie Camp Train Car Eatery and Wine Bar is led by chef Maya Wilson, a local cookbook author, and her team in the kitchen on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Addie Camp Train Car Eatery and Wine Bar has grand opening

Soldotna’s newest restaurant, Addie Camp Train Car Eatery and Wine Bar, is having its grand opening today. Local cookbook author Maya Wilson is the restaurant’s… Continue reading

Addie Camp Train Car Eatery and Wine Bar is led by chef Maya Wilson, a local cookbook author, and her team in the kitchen on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
An image from the upcoming photography show by artist Ben Boettger features Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Courtesy of Elizabeth Earl)

Panta Rhei photo exhibition at Kenai Fine Arts Center starts Thursday

The Kenai Fine Arts Center is kicking off the new year with a photography show that features the work of local artists Ben Boettger and… Continue reading

An image from the upcoming photography show by artist Ben Boettger features Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Courtesy of Elizabeth Earl)
Broke probation on accident? It doesn’t matter, court rules.

Broke probation on accident? It doesn’t matter, court rules.

Juneau sex offender case prompts legal decision.

Broke probation on accident? It doesn’t matter, court rules.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to dedicate borough chambers in honor of Betty J. Glick

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly will be dedicating the assembly chambers in honor of former assembly member Betty J. Glick in a ceremony before Tuesday’s… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly stands in silence while Assembly President Wayne Ogle offers an invocation before the Oct. 23, 2018 meeting, in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Residents rush to offer invocations at 2019 assembly meetings

Kenai Peninsula Borough residents have filled nearly all the available time slots to offer an invocation at Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meetings in 2019. April… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly stands in silence while Assembly President Wayne Ogle offers an invocation before the Oct. 23, 2018 meeting, in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
An area known as Showboat shows where a skier triggered an avalanche on Saturday, March 4, 2017. He was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital. The area is outside of the Eaglecrest Ski Area boundary.

Avalanche warning for Turnagain Pass

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center is warning residents of a high avalanche risk for the Turnagain Pass in alpine areas, above 2,500 feet.… Continue reading

An area known as Showboat shows where a skier triggered an avalanche on Saturday, March 4, 2017. He was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital. The area is outside of the Eaglecrest Ski Area boundary.
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

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

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