News

A young visitor admires a horse in the pens at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Aug. 18, 2018 in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

For livestock carers, the Kenai Peninsula Fair is a time to shine

Though a Ferris wheel towers over the Ninilchik Fairground and the smell of kettle corn permeates the air, for many, the Kenai Peninsula Fair is… Continue reading

A young visitor admires a horse in the pens at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Aug. 18, 2018 in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
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, file)

State seeks geothermal energy land nominations

The state is looking for takers to explore new energy — specifically, geothermal energy. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas… 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, file)

Telecom companies expand on central Kenai

Three of the Kenai Peninsula’s major telecommunications providers have been busy expanding and improving their networks this summer. GCI and Alaska Communications, two of the… Continue reading

Snow clings to a sign marking a polling place at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Candidates finalized for municipal election

Election season is underway in earnest on the Kenai Peninsula now, with the candidate names finalized for the regular municipal election in October and the… Continue reading

Snow clings to a sign marking a polling place at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Alaska House District 29 candidates speak at joint Soldotna and Kenai chamber forum

Alaska House District 29 candidates speak at joint Soldotna and Kenai chamber forum

In less than a week, Alaskans will select their party nominees in the primary election. All three candidates running for the District 29 state Senate… Continue reading

Alaska House District 29 candidates speak at joint Soldotna and Kenai chamber forum
This Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018 shows the construction of Cell 3 at Central Peninsula Landfill in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Planning ahead at Central Peninsula Landfill

There’s a lot going on at Central Peninsula Landfill. Up the hill from the big blue building where most members of the public drop off… Continue reading

This Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018 shows the construction of Cell 3 at Central Peninsula Landfill in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Premera files to drop rates again, cites lower utilization, reinsurance program

For the second year in a row, health insurance premiums on the individual market are set to get less expensive. Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield… Continue reading

Borough, Nikiski seek to have greater participation in LNG export project

The Kenai Peninsula Borough is seeking an official role in federal permitting of plans to export North Slope natural gas to Asia via a 806-mile… Continue reading

Donlin Gold mine a potential new Cook Inlet gas buyer

Though a proposed gold mine would be more than 200 miles from the Kenai Peninsula, it would affect the region as a new buyer in… Continue reading

No signs of Palmer man who went missing near Hope

A Palmer man who disappeared near Hope was still missing Monday afternoon. Earl “Rocky” Ashworth III, 56, walked away from his campsite near Mile 56… Continue reading

Borough to test emergency alert system beginning Wednesday

The Kenai Peninsula Borough will be testing its new emergency alert system this week, the Office of Emergency Management said in a release Monday. KPB… Continue reading

Sculptor Nichole Hoop works on a carving during the Alaska Wild Salmon Day festivities in Soldotna Creek Park on Friday in Soldotna. The event, organized by the conservation nonprofit Cook Inletkeeper, featured salmon-themed art, servings of salmon chowder, readings by fisher-poets, and music by Tyson James and Motown Fever. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Photo: In praise of salmon

By Ben Boettger Peninsula Clarion… Continue reading

Sculptor Nichole Hoop works on a carving during the Alaska Wild Salmon Day festivities in Soldotna Creek Park on Friday in Soldotna. The event, organized by the conservation nonprofit Cook Inletkeeper, featured salmon-themed art, servings of salmon chowder, readings by fisher-poets, and music by Tyson James and Motown Fever. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Cierra Brassfield, Edward Welch, Mika Brassfield, Shari Franke, Arlene Franke, Danny MacIntosh and Master Bud Draper pose with their medals and plaques after returning from the World Tang Soo Do Championships on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Martial arts students return from world championships

Seven students of Soldotna Martial Arts have returned from the World Tang Soo Do championships. Two students, Mika Brassfield and Shari Franke, received medals for… Continue reading

Cierra Brassfield, Edward Welch, Mika Brassfield, Shari Franke, Arlene Franke, Danny MacIntosh and Master Bud Draper pose with their medals and plaques after returning from the World Tang Soo Do Championships on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Three of this year’s five Republican gubernatorial candidates — Mead Treadwell (left), Michael Sheldon, and Mike Dunleavy — speak to members of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce on Wednesday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna. In the primary election on August 21, voters will choose a candidate to run on the party ballot in the November 6 general election. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Republican gubernatorial candidates discuss issues at Soldotna forum

Three of this year’s five Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed their plans for state finance, capital spending, and the Alaska LNG project during a Wednesday forum… Continue reading

Three of this year’s five Republican gubernatorial candidates — Mead Treadwell (left), Michael Sheldon, and Mike Dunleavy — speak to members of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce on Wednesday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna. In the primary election on August 21, voters will choose a candidate to run on the party ballot in the November 6 general election. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees enjoy a game of chess at the Alaska Chess fundraiser on July 29 at Fireweed Meadows Golf Course in Anchor Point. (Photo courtesy of Colleen Evanco)

Local nonprofit expanding chess program to central peninsula

A local nonprofit that’s teaching children to play chess is expanding its reach to the central peninsula. The nonprofit, Alaska Chess, began as a chess… Continue reading

Attendees enjoy a game of chess at the Alaska Chess fundraiser on July 29 at Fireweed Meadows Golf Course in Anchor Point. (Photo courtesy of Colleen Evanco)
Fishermen cast for silver salmon from a boardwalk near the Soldotna Visitors Center on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Coming up silver on the Kenai

The silver salmon tease the fishermen on the Kenai River. A few inches away from an angler’s bobber, a silver salmon’s dark back will flick… Continue reading

Fishermen cast for silver salmon from a boardwalk near the Soldotna Visitors Center on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska opioid deaths increased by 77 percent in last decade, report says

The rate of Alaskans who died from opioid overdoses increased 77 percent over the last decade, with the highest overall rate of deaths reported in… Continue reading

This concept drawing shows the proposed new location for Central Emergency Services’ Station 1 on East Redoubt Road in Soldotna, Alaska. Central Emergency Services, the main emergency medical and fire service provider for the central Kenai Peninsula communities of Sterling, Kasilof, Kalifornsky, Soldotna and Funny River, is exploring options to move its central station from its current home on Binkley Street near the intersection with the Sterling Highway to provide more room and an updated facility. (Courtesy the Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Borough to consider land purchase for CES station

Central Emergency Services is moving forward with plans to purchase land for a new central fire station in Soldotna. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly introduced… Continue reading

This concept drawing shows the proposed new location for Central Emergency Services’ Station 1 on East Redoubt Road in Soldotna, Alaska. Central Emergency Services, the main emergency medical and fire service provider for the central Kenai Peninsula communities of Sterling, Kasilof, Kalifornsky, Soldotna and Funny River, is exploring options to move its central station from its current home on Binkley Street near the intersection with the Sterling Highway to provide more room and an updated facility. (Courtesy the Kenai Peninsula Borough)
John Skidmore, the director of the Alaska Department of Law’s criminal division, addresses a crowd gathered for a town hall meeting on crime at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Despite reform bills, central peninsula residents still frustrated by crime

Though multiple bills have overhauled the criminal justice system in Alaska in the past few years, the tone of discussion on crime on the central… Continue reading

John Skidmore, the director of the Alaska Department of Law’s criminal division, addresses a crowd gathered for a town hall meeting on crime at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Retired Colonel Bob Doehl, Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, speaks in front of the wounded veterans’ memorial in Soldotna Creek Park during a ceremony organized by the Order of the Purple Heart’s Chapter 830 on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. In 2010 the Alaska Legislature designated August 7 as Purple Heart Day in recognition of wounded military veterans. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Honoring the wounded

By BEN BOETTGER Peninsula Clarion… Continue reading

Retired Colonel Bob Doehl, Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, speaks in front of the wounded veterans’ memorial in Soldotna Creek Park during a ceremony organized by the Order of the Purple Heart’s Chapter 830 on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. In 2010 the Alaska Legislature designated August 7 as Purple Heart Day in recognition of wounded military veterans. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)