News

By the numbers: KPEDD delves into economic data

Although most of the Kenai Peninsula’s demographic metrics stayed level in 2016 — population grew slightly and schools performed well — overall business activity fell… Continue reading

First-year PEAKS results show peninsula students ahead of state

The first year’s results of the state’s new standardized public school assessments show that students in general aren’t doing as well as they could, but… Continue reading

Kenai Lions Club hosts annual rubber duck race

Kenai Lions Club hosts annual rubber duck race

Of the approximately 650 to 700 yellow rubber ducks floating down the Kenai River on Monday morning — released upstream of Kenai’s Cunningham Park by… Continue reading

Kenai Lions Club hosts annual rubber duck race

New school bus system faces hiccups on first week

Reading social media last week after the start of the Kenai Peninsula Borough school year, a reader might have thought kids got transported to school… Continue reading

Summer marijuana boom continues with sales high

In just one month, the state of Alaska has collected a third of the marijuana tax revenue it recouped in the entire last fiscal year.… Continue reading

This August 2016 photo shows Skilak Lake with Mt. Redoubt in the background on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. The state of Alaska is engaged in two lawsuits at the federal level with national implications, one of which involves a set of rules for hunting on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, finalized in March 2016. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Two state lawsuits hold national implications

The state of Alaska is caught up in two fish and wildlife-related lawsuits in federal courts that could set precedents around the nation for years… Continue reading

This August 2016 photo shows Skilak Lake with Mt. Redoubt in the background on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. The state of Alaska is engaged in two lawsuits at the federal level with national implications, one of which involves a set of rules for hunting on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, finalized in March 2016. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

4.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Nikiski

A brief earthquake rattled Nikiski on Labor Day, though not everyone felt the shaking. The U.S. Geological Survey reported an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude… Continue reading

This October 2015 photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows a protest staged in front of Tobacco Distress, a Soldotna-area store then allegedly selling the synthetic cannabis drug Spice near Soldotna, Alaska. Tobacco Distress owner Phillip Kneeland was sentenced to 70 months in prison Friday for selling the drug, which caused a number of people on the Kenai Peninsula to be taken to the hospital after taking it. (Photo courtesy the U.S. Department of Justice)

Soldotna man sentenced to 70 months of prison for selling Spice

A Soldotna man has been sentenced to 70 months in prison after being convicted of charged related to selling the illegal drug Spice through his… Continue reading

This October 2015 photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows a protest staged in front of Tobacco Distress, a Soldotna-area store then allegedly selling the synthetic cannabis drug Spice near Soldotna, Alaska. Tobacco Distress owner Phillip Kneeland was sentenced to 70 months in prison Friday for selling the drug, which caused a number of people on the Kenai Peninsula to be taken to the hospital after taking it. (Photo courtesy the U.S. Department of Justice)
Trio triumphs at Triumvirate

Trio triumphs at Triumvirate

Guitarist Lisa Pimentel of LA rock trio No Small Children performs on Friday, September 1, 2017 at the Triumvirate Theatre in north Kenai, Alaska. Pimentel,… Continue reading

Trio triumphs at Triumvirate

Kenai River silver salmon derby a go

The Kenai River silver salmon derby is set to go in two weeks after a long back-and-forth between the state and the two groups hosting… Continue reading

Alaska’s students failing, state tests show

More than half of Alaska’s schoolchildren are not proficient in math, science and English, according to the results of the state’s new standardized tests. According… Continue reading

State allows marijuana businesses to apply for ‘Made in Alaska’ logos

The state-run “Made in Alaska” program is accepting applications from marijuana businesses. According to records obtained by the Empire via a state information act request,… Continue reading

Assembly candidates discuss Soldotna annexation

Two Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly candidates — incumbent Brett Hibbert and challenger Dan Castimore, both running to represent District 1, the Kalifornsky Beach area —… Continue reading

Walker to call fourth special session

The Alaska Legislature will try to find a new hope in the fourth special session of the year. On Thursday morning, lawmakers were informed by… Continue reading

Trustee recommends Chapter 7 liquidation after Dispatch sale

A new filing in the Alaska Dispatch News bankruptcy case is an Aug. 30 request to liquidate Alice Rogoff’s corporate holdings after the purchase agreement… Continue reading

(From left) Lisa Pimentel, Joanie Pimentel and Nicola Berlinsky, the three members of Los Angeles-based rock outfit No Small Children, pose for a photo near the Burger Bus restaurant on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. The three will perform at an assembly at Nikiski Middle-High School on Friday afternoon, followd by a show at 7 p.m. at the Triumvirate Theatre in North Kenai and another show at Alice’s Champagne Palace in Homer on Saturday. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

LA band No Small Children to peform 3 peninsula shows

Although the band playing Triumvirate Theatre on Friday night is called No Small Children, the members want to be very clear that children are allowed.… Continue reading

(From left) Lisa Pimentel, Joanie Pimentel and Nicola Berlinsky, the three members of Los Angeles-based rock outfit No Small Children, pose for a photo near the Burger Bus restaurant on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. The three will perform at an assembly at Nikiski Middle-High School on Friday afternoon, followd by a show at 7 p.m. at the Triumvirate Theatre in North Kenai and another show at Alice’s Champagne Palace in Homer on Saturday. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
In this September 2016 photo, mountains loom over Skilak Lake and its surrounding hills near Cooper Landing, Alaska. The U.S. Forest Service noted a sharp increase in spruce bark beetle activity in summer 2017 around Southcentral Alaska, including on the Kenai Peninsula, which lost millions of trees to an outbreak of the beetle infestations in the 1990s. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Spruce bark beetle activity spikes in Southcentral

Spruce bark beetle activity in Southcentral Alaska has jumped this summer, though it’s not as widespread as it was in the 1990s. The U.S. Forest… Continue reading

In this September 2016 photo, mountains loom over Skilak Lake and its surrounding hills near Cooper Landing, Alaska. The U.S. Forest Service noted a sharp increase in spruce bark beetle activity in summer 2017 around Southcentral Alaska, including on the Kenai Peninsula, which lost millions of trees to an outbreak of the beetle infestations in the 1990s. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Putting technology to work Mariana Livingston (standing) of Assistive Technology of Alaska guides Brad Rooker through demonstrations of a hearing device and software that enlarges and enhances the contrast of digital text for the visually impaired on Wednesday at the Kenai Senior Center. Livingston’s Anchorage-based group was one of four at the senior center to hold a health fair and one-on-one clinics for those interested in aid devices for vision, hearing, and mobility. Others included the Independent Living Center, the Alaska Center for the Blind, and the Kenai Centenial Savvy Lions Club, which offered free vision exams. Independent Living Center office manager Melissa Kline said the groups hope to hold the event annually in Kenai in the fall and at the Soldotna Senior Center in the spring. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Seniors get demo of hearing and vision aids

Mariana Livingston (standing) of Assistive Technology of Alaska guides Brad Rooker through demonstrations of a hearing device and software that enlarges and enhances the contrast… Continue reading

Putting technology to work Mariana Livingston (standing) of Assistive Technology of Alaska guides Brad Rooker through demonstrations of a hearing device and software that enlarges and enhances the contrast of digital text for the visually impaired on Wednesday at the Kenai Senior Center. Livingston’s Anchorage-based group was one of four at the senior center to hold a health fair and one-on-one clinics for those interested in aid devices for vision, hearing, and mobility. Others included the Independent Living Center, the Alaska Center for the Blind, and the Kenai Centenial Savvy Lions Club, which offered free vision exams. Independent Living Center office manager Melissa Kline said the groups hope to hold the event annually in Kenai in the fall and at the Soldotna Senior Center in the spring. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Two anglers work together to land a silver salmon from the steps on the fishing platform near the Soldotna Visitors Center on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. The silver salmon fishing has been reportedly good throughout the Kenai River since early August, and silver salmon continue to enter the river throughout the fall. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Fishing report: Silver fishing keeps up quality on Kenai River

A draft morning schedule for a silver salmon angler: 4 a.m.: Alarm goes off. Pat self on back for packing tackle the evening before. 4:30… Continue reading

Two anglers work together to land a silver salmon from the steps on the fishing platform near the Soldotna Visitors Center on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. The silver salmon fishing has been reportedly good throughout the Kenai River since early August, and silver salmon continue to enter the river throughout the fall. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor advocates for ballot props to increase revenue

Kenai Peninsula voters will get to reconsider a tax measure that failed at the ballot box last year in the upcoming Oct. 3 election. The… Continue reading