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Dylan Griffith (left) and Chase Griffith (right), co-owners of cannabis retailer and cultivator Permafrost Distributors, talk behind the counter at their Sterling Highway store on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Sterling, Alaska. The brothers opened their Nikiski limited cultivation operation in December 2016 and expanded to the Sterling retail store and cultivation operation in June 2017. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Post-vote, cannabis businesses bloom on peninsula

Every time brothers Chase and Dylan Griffith make a business decision, instead of shaking hands, they bump fists. It’s par for the course in their… Continue reading

Dylan Griffith (left) and Chase Griffith (right), co-owners of cannabis retailer and cultivator Permafrost Distributors, talk behind the counter at their Sterling Highway store on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in Sterling, Alaska. The brothers opened their Nikiski limited cultivation operation in December 2016 and expanded to the Sterling retail store and cultivation operation in June 2017. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Health care cost transparency rules gain advocates

Officials say they’ve seen benefits of a health care cost transparency ordinance passed by the Anchorage Assembly last February, and now Ketchikan is exploring a… Continue reading

Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship (left) administers the oath of office to Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce during a swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. Pierce won the mayor’s seat in a runoff election held Oct. 24, narrowly defeating opponent Linda Hutchings with a margin of 45 votes. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce hits the ground running as mayor

It’s been a busy few months for the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s new mayor. Charlie Pierce took over the borough mayor’s office Nov. 5 after a… Continue reading

Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship (left) administers the oath of office to Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce during a swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. Pierce won the mayor’s seat in a runoff election held Oct. 24, narrowly defeating opponent Linda Hutchings with a margin of 45 votes. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
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.

Borough releases draft comprehensive plan

Economic opportunity, freedom, natural resources, and strong community connections are among the things Kenai Peninsula residents value most about the area, according to the first… Continue reading

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.
This undated Facebook photo shows Soldotna resident Jeremy Dooley and the dog he adopted. After Dooley died suddenly in January 2016, his organs were donated and saved the lives of four people in the Pacific Northwest.

After tragic death, Soldotna man gives life through organ donation

There’s a scene that William Dooley remembers about his son Jeremy as a child. On a family visit to the Detroit Zoo, a luminous blue… Continue reading

This undated Facebook photo shows Soldotna resident Jeremy Dooley and the dog he adopted. After Dooley died suddenly in January 2016, his organs were donated and saved the lives of four people in the Pacific Northwest.

Joint board of fish, game considers meeting

The two boards regulating fisheries and game in the state are considering a joint meeting next spring. The Joint Board, which brings together the members… Continue reading

Halibut hang from the display rack at North Country Charters on the Homer Spit on Sunday, June 25, 2017 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Commission to consider cutting halibut catch quotas

Halibut fishermen may see a reduction in the total amount of fish they’re allowed to catch in 2018. Data presented to the International Pacific Halibut… Continue reading

Halibut hang from the display rack at North Country Charters on the Homer Spit on Sunday, June 25, 2017 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Aud Walaszek, Heritage Place activities coordinator introduces Bethlehem players.

A visit from Bethlehem

Revisiting Bethlehem is a local Christmas tradition that started nine years ago when Becky Moore had a Bethlehem revisited experience at a church in the… Continue reading

Aud Walaszek, Heritage Place activities coordinator introduces Bethlehem players.
Hale Holiday house on Henrich Street in Soldotna.

Lighting up the holidays

The Hale House in Soldotna on Henrich Street off Redoubt once again is over the top for holiday night lights. As an added bonus, tune… Continue reading

Hale Holiday house on Henrich Street in Soldotna.
John Walker, Commander Jerry V. Horn Memorial Post 10046 VFW places a wreath on a veteran’s grave in Soldotna.

Wreaths across America honors veterans

December 16 was the National Wreaths Across America Day. The day’s mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach, carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at… Continue reading

John Walker, Commander Jerry V. Horn Memorial Post 10046 VFW places a wreath on a veteran’s grave in Soldotna.
Orca Theatre manager Jordan Gruber makes popcorn for the next rush of movie-goers on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 at the Orca Theatre on Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas at the Orca

While the muffled sounds of lightsabers buzzing and TIE fighters screaming came through one wall of the lobby and jungle drums through the other, the… Continue reading

Orca Theatre manager Jordan Gruber makes popcorn for the next rush of movie-goers on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 at the Orca Theatre on Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Man arrested after crashing vehicle discovered to be stolen

Troopers shoot man after he pulls handgun in back of patrol car

A man was sent to Central Peninsula Hospital on Saturday after Alaska State Troopers shot him following a confrontation in the back of a patrol… Continue reading

Man arrested after crashing vehicle discovered to be stolen

Winter fun at the refuge

After all the presents are unwrapped, but before the holiday season is over and school is back in session, kids have a lot of time… Continue reading

The life-changing magic of being bad at things

The stubborn part of me keeps thinking I’ll find something I’m a prodigy at — that the first time I try, sparks will fly. Skiing… Continue reading

Caribou Hills open to snowmachine use

Caribou Hills open to snowmachine use

The Caribou Hills area within Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is now open to snowmachine use. Effective immediately, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is opening… Continue reading

Caribou Hills open to snowmachine use
Alaska Gasline Development Corporation President Keith Meyer addresses the attendees at a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Meyer explained some of the details of the recently signed Joint Development Agreement between the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and several Chinese investors to develop the Alaska LNG Project, an 800-mile pipeline and liquefaction facility terminating in Nikiski designed to monetize the natural gas reserves on the North Slope. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Despite uncertainties, state moves forward with LNG

When Alaska Governor Bill Walker spoke Tuesday to members of the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce, he wore an Alaska-shaped lapel pin marked with… Continue reading

Alaska Gasline Development Corporation President Keith Meyer addresses the attendees at a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Meyer explained some of the details of the recently signed Joint Development Agreement between the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and several Chinese investors to develop the Alaska LNG Project, an 800-mile pipeline and liquefaction facility terminating in Nikiski designed to monetize the natural gas reserves on the North Slope. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
A novel approach to ocean acidification

A novel approach to ocean acidification

Pteropods may look otherworldly, but they are a real and threatened species of minuscule marine snail whose appearance in Homer author Nancy Lord’s new novel… Continue reading

A novel approach to ocean acidification
Roberta Turner of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Na’ini Family and Social Services carries blankets donated by Girl Scouts Troop 254 to the center for its blanket drive. The girl scout troop, which includes 6th and 7th graders, collected blankets at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School and Kenai Middle School to donate to the tribe. The blankets will be available for clients in need at the Na’ini Family and Social Services building and some will be distributed at the Project Homeless Connect event in January 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Girl scout troop gathers 129 blankets to donate to homeless

The members of Girl Scout Troop 254 stepped up their Christmas giving this year with a donation of 129 blankets for those in need. The… Continue reading

Roberta Turner of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Na’ini Family and Social Services carries blankets donated by Girl Scouts Troop 254 to the center for its blanket drive. The girl scout troop, which includes 6th and 7th graders, collected blankets at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School and Kenai Middle School to donate to the tribe. The blankets will be available for clients in need at the Na’ini Family and Social Services building and some will be distributed at the Project Homeless Connect event in January 2018. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Bill Walker (right) speaks to Rep. Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski) before the beginning of a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Walker visited Kenai on Tuesday to address the chambers of commerce with updates about the Alaska LNG Project. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Governor’s budget includes paying off tax credits, payroll tax

Gov. Bill Walker is asking the Alaska Legislature to again consider new taxes to help support state spending in Fiscal Year 2019. The governor’s office… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker (right) speaks to Rep. Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski) before the beginning of a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Walker visited Kenai on Tuesday to address the chambers of commerce with updates about the Alaska LNG Project. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers to offer free academy in 2018

Alaska State Troopers to offer free academy in 2018

If you’ve ever wanted to see the law through the eyes of a State Trooper, now’s your chance. The Alaska State Troopers Soldotna Post will… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers to offer free academy in 2018