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A Connections Homeschool graduate’s cap warns about the dangers of growing up at the program’s graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 24, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The program, administered through the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, graduated 58 students this year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Connections graduates move ahead

One of the hallmarks of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Connections Homeschool graduation is that many of the students graduating together are just meeting… Continue reading

A Connections Homeschool graduate’s cap warns about the dangers of growing up at the program’s graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 24, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. The program, administered through the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, graduated 58 students this year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Who’s that woman?

I am going to brag a little this time! We traveled to Fairbanks at the first of the month to attend the ceremony where our… Continue reading

Common problems can lead to deck collapses

Common problems can lead to deck collapses

The weather is finally warm enough on the central Kenai Peninsula to sit outside in the evening without being wrapped in multiple layers. For many… Continue reading

Common problems can lead to deck collapses

Swimming the Russian River

I went to the Russian River last week. I had this urge to be in water. Not the mucky brown water of the inlet, which… Continue reading

A sign warns visitors about a recent bear sighting near the Russian River on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. Bears frequent the area, a highly productive sockeye salmon fishery and one of the most popular sportfisheries in the state. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Russian River Campground road construction nearly done

The construction work is almost done but the public is still advised to be careful turning from the Sterling Highway into the Russian River Campground,… Continue reading

A sign warns visitors about a recent bear sighting near the Russian River on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. Bears frequent the area, a highly productive sockeye salmon fishery and one of the most popular sportfisheries in the state. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Alternative High School graduate Larissa Pittman hugs school secretary Jacquelynn Tomrdle at the high school’s graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Kenai Alternative High School provides more flexible edcuation for students who struggled in traditional high school environments, scheduling classes around jobs, children and life circumstances to help students achieve their high school diplomas. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Alternative graduates walk own paths to diplomas

Before they all walked away with a diploma Tuesday, the administrators at Kenai Alternative High School made sure each of the students felt individually recognized.… Continue reading

Kenai Alternative High School graduate Larissa Pittman hugs school secretary Jacquelynn Tomrdle at the high school’s graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Kenai Alternative High School provides more flexible edcuation for students who struggled in traditional high school environments, scheduling classes around jobs, children and life circumstances to help students achieve their high school diplomas. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Terry Umatum of Anchorage banks his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. The Anchor River opening May 19 was the first chance for freshwater anglers on the Kenai Peninsula to catch king salmon. Saturday proved a slow morning for fishing — Umatum said he waited about 5 hours to catch his king — though it’s still early in the season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s weir on the Anchor River has counted precisely zero kings so far this year, as of May 17, though the weir is positioned several miles upriver from the mouth. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

King fishing starts off slow on Anchor River

Usually, an opportunity to harvest king salmon brings anglers thronging to the riverbanks in the spring. Not so with the Anchor River opener this year.… Continue reading

Terry Umatum of Anchorage banks his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. The Anchor River opening May 19 was the first chance for freshwater anglers on the Kenai Peninsula to catch king salmon. Saturday proved a slow morning for fishing — Umatum said he waited about 5 hours to catch his king — though it’s still early in the season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s weir on the Anchor River has counted precisely zero kings so far this year, as of May 17, though the weir is positioned several miles upriver from the mouth. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Sohi graduates take the next step

Sohi graduates take the next step

After a ceremony filled with song, speeches and the cheers of friends and family, 172 Soldotna High School graduates received diplomas Tuesday night. The ceremony… Continue reading

Sohi graduates take the next step
Dogs trot around the 3 Friends Dog Park on Monday, May 21, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A woof over their heads

A dog enjoys an off-leash romp at the 3 Friends Dog Park in Soldotna on Monday, May 21. The City of Soldotna recently installed a… Continue reading

Dogs trot around the 3 Friends Dog Park on Monday, May 21, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
This August 2016 photo shows Skilak Lake with Mt. Redoubt in the background on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Refuge seeks information on black bear poaching

Federal wildlife managers are looking for information about a black bear poaching near Cooper Landing. Federal wildlife officers received a report Thursday that someone had… Continue reading

This August 2016 photo shows Skilak Lake with Mt. Redoubt in the background on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

State to conduct additional turbidity monitoring this summer

The state will take extra measurements this summer to check whether the Kenai River really does exceed turbidity standards. Turbidity — the measure of how… Continue reading

Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. The Anchor River opening May 19 was the first chance for freshwater anglers on the Kenai Peninsula to catch king salmon. Saturday proved a slow morning for fishing — Umatum said he waited about 5 hours to catch his king — though it’s still early in the season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s weir on the Anchor River has counted precisely zero kings so far this year, as of Saturday, though the weir is positioned several miles upriver from the mouth. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

The joy of the fight

Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. The… Continue reading

Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. The Anchor River opening May 19 was the first chance for freshwater anglers on the Kenai Peninsula to catch king salmon. Saturday proved a slow morning for fishing — Umatum said he waited about 5 hours to catch his king — though it’s still early in the season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s weir on the Anchor River has counted precisely zero kings so far this year, as of Saturday, though the weir is positioned several miles upriver from the mouth. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Seagulls flock to where participants in the personal use dipnet fishery fish on the north beach of the Kenai River on July 10, 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Kenai to start using dipnet earnings

Kenai’s city government has made managing the summer dipnet fishery pay for itself. Soon, fishery revenues may pay for other things, too. “What we expect… Continue reading

Seagulls flock to where participants in the personal use dipnet fishery fish on the north beach of the Kenai River on July 10, 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Kenai Spur accident sends 3 to hospital

Kenai Spur accident sends 3 to hospital

A two-car accident on the Kenai Spur Highway on Sunday morning sent three people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Kenai Police Department and… Continue reading

Kenai Spur accident sends 3 to hospital
Hiker, stopped by snow in Resurrection Pass, rescued by troopers

Hiker, stopped by snow in Resurrection Pass, rescued by troopers

A Soldotna man was rescued from the Resurrection Pass Trail on Sunday after encountering too much snow to continue. Alaska State Troopers used a helicopter… Continue reading

Hiker, stopped by snow in Resurrection Pass, rescued by troopers

Salmon fellows program includes 4 with peninsula connections

As beloved as salmon are across Alaska, they’re also the focus of tense disagreements. The Alaska Humanities Forum is convening a group of people to… Continue reading

University of Alaska Anchorage student Julie Polasik peers over the Kenai flats through a birding scope during the 24-Hour Midnight Sun Big Sit on Saturday, May 19. Dozens of volunteer bird watchers turned out to the Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform for the sit, which aimed to tally the dozens of species of birds coming and going from the estuary. Data gathered by bird watchers will be posted to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird website, which collects data on bird species around the world. Organized by the Keen Eye Bird Club, the event was part of the Kenai Birding Festival, which took place over the weekend and offered guided hikes, float trips, trail walks, workshops and educational talks. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

A Keen Eye for detail: Birders turn out to take annual tally

By Erin Thompson Peninsula Clarion… Continue reading

University of Alaska Anchorage student Julie Polasik peers over the Kenai flats through a birding scope during the 24-Hour Midnight Sun Big Sit on Saturday, May 19. Dozens of volunteer bird watchers turned out to the Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform for the sit, which aimed to tally the dozens of species of birds coming and going from the estuary. Data gathered by bird watchers will be posted to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird website, which collects data on bird species around the world. Organized by the Keen Eye Bird Club, the event was part of the Kenai Birding Festival, which took place over the weekend and offered guided hikes, float trips, trail walks, workshops and educational talks. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A cow moose browses in the trees near the Homer Electric Association building on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. In the spring, female moose give birth to their calves, and are eating what they can after a long, lean winter, leading them to be somewhat defense and aggressive. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game warns people to stay away from moose this time of year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Watch out for moose

… Continue reading

A cow moose browses in the trees near the Homer Electric Association building on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. In the spring, female moose give birth to their calves, and are eating what they can after a long, lean winter, leading them to be somewhat defense and aggressive. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game warns people to stay away from moose this time of year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Organic clay-based paint stands stacked in the window at the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.

Art from salvage

The group of old buildings behind the decorative mushrooms and tall spruce alongside the Sterling Highway are all rescued and finding new life with art.… Continue reading

Organic clay-based paint stands stacked in the window at the “Art Shack,” an art studio space owned by Sue Mann, on Friday, May 4, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mann, who owns the art supply store Artzy Junkin on the lot next to the Maverick Bar, opened the space as a joint studio space for artists to teach classes or make art. It’s been a longtime goal she is starting this year, with classes like a mother and daughter chandelier-making class, mosaic, tie-dye and stained glass. She currently has five artists working on contract, she said. “Really, that’s my heart for this — bringing artists together,” she said.
Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall

Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall

With one meeting left before they have to approve the fiscal year 2019 budget, the members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly have yet to… Continue reading

Assembly still torn on how to plug budget shortfall