News

In this December 2016 photo, cars wend their way northward along the Seward Highway near Hope, Alaska. In response to difficulties with emergency response during accidents on the highway corridor, the Kenai Peninsula Borough is working on the logistics for a service area specifically to provide emergency services to the approximately 113 miles of highway in the borough east of Cooper Landing. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Assembly introduces ordinance for highway service area budget

A few more of the blanks are being filled in for the East Peninsula Highway Emergency Service Area, including a proposed budget. The Kenai Peninsula… Continue reading

In this December 2016 photo, cars wend their way northward along the Seward Highway near Hope, Alaska. In response to difficulties with emergency response during accidents on the highway corridor, the Kenai Peninsula Borough is working on the logistics for a service area specifically to provide emergency services to the approximately 113 miles of highway in the borough east of Cooper Landing. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
A tea ceremony in Akita with local students participating. (Photos courtesy of Yasuko Lehtinen)

Students return from Akita Sister City Youth conference

Following the amazing performance of the Kanto Performers from the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Sister City of Akita, Japan during this summer’s Progress Days, Yasuko Lehtinen… Continue reading

A tea ceremony in Akita with local students participating. (Photos courtesy of Yasuko Lehtinen)
Shayne Pond and Marjorie Dempster receive big checks from the Central Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary.

Hospital honors volunteers, awards scholarships

Central Peninsula Hospital honored its many volunteers with a summer barbecue August 16 and the auxiliary presented two CPH employees with $2,500 scholarships to continue… Continue reading

Shayne Pond and Marjorie Dempster receive big checks from the Central Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary.
Happy smiles from JBER kids who had a free day of guided fishing on the Kenai.

Hooking kids on fishing

August 16 saw nearly 100 youth from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) and Kenai Peninsula Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have the opportunity to go fishing… Continue reading

Happy smiles from JBER kids who had a free day of guided fishing on the Kenai.
Wind and waves High winds churn up the surface of Skilak Lake and blow in a mixture of clouds and blue sky Sunday in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Skilak Lake, about 15 miles long and up to four miles wide in places, is one of the largest in Alaska and can be extremely dangerous to boaters when the wind is high. From the hills above the lake Sunday, whitecapped waves appeared and large breakers were visible on the shores. The Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation advises staying off the lake when the winds are high if possible. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Wind and waves

High winds churn up the surface of Skilak Lake and blow in a mixture of clouds and blue sky Sunday in the Kenai National Wildlife… Continue reading

Wind and waves High winds churn up the surface of Skilak Lake and blow in a mixture of clouds and blue sky Sunday in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Skilak Lake, about 15 miles long and up to four miles wide in places, is one of the largest in Alaska and can be extremely dangerous to boaters when the wind is high. From the hills above the lake Sunday, whitecapped waves appeared and large breakers were visible on the shores. The Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation advises staying off the lake when the winds are high if possible. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Sterling man arrested for drug charges

A Sterling man, Dennis Backstrom, was charged with controlled substance misconduct and theft after being arrested by Kenai police Sunday morning in the parking lot… Continue reading

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