Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Zoo needs to end for national emblem
The “Eagle Zoo” on the Homer Spit is the result of uninformed good intentions generating a trail of tears that leads beyond travesty to ultimate tragedy. With the possible exception of raptor rehabilitation centers, there are no unselfish reasons to intentionally and artificially feed any eagle.

Halibut IFQs: Reader says, ‘Enough already’
The opinion piece, “Council did well in IFQ vote,” which appeared in the Peninsula Clarion (Jan. 2) is another example of how not to resolve resource allocation issues, more of the kind of rhetoric that has, for years now, divided our community over fish. Half-truths, name-calling and finger-pointing have no place in civil discourse.

Health insurance company worth another look
Don’t you guys read or listen to the news? Mega Life and Health (the insurance company offering coverage to students through Kenai Peninsula College’s new health clinic) is being investigated by 24 states, including Alaska. NAIC is heading the investigation. Mega has also been kicked out of Washington state by the insurance commissioner — Mike Kreidler and Charles D. Brown, Legal Affairs Division.

Dialogue question not simple to answer
Your letter to the editor inviting dialogue with area spiritual leaders about torture and inhumane treatment (Clarion, Dec. 27) raises several questions.

Hysterical over the wrong things
It is sad that politics have come to this, but now I think Republicans get a picture of the rage Democrats felt when the right wingers impeached their favorite president (Clinton) over personal matters. And they feel that in case everyone’s forgotten, Osama’s still sitting up in the hills — smiling his big goofy smile!

Jury selection begins in Hester murder trial
Jury selection for the trial of a Kasilof woman charged in the shooting death of her boyfriend in 2003 began Monday. The trial is beginning this week after being delayed twice last year and is expected to take about two weeks.

Photo feature: Window seat

Augustine Volcano erupts: This is kind of a throat-clearing blast,’ scientist says
It started with a whimper and ended with a bang.

Council could change tax on planes
The Soldotna City Council is slated to consider changing the way the city taxes aircraft.

Kenai considers exchange program
With the agreement of the city council, Kenai Mayor Pat Porter directed the city administration to prepare a resolution supporting participation in an exchange program with Russia Far East cities.

Photo feature: Getting there

Soldotna man charged with assault
A Kenai Middle School teacher has been arrested on a first-degree charge of sexual assault involving an 18-year-old woman from Kenai and on a charge of furnishing alcohol to two minors.

Mount Augustine Volcano erupts
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Mount Augustine Volcano erupted early Wednesday, sending an ash plume 28,000 feet into the Alaska sky.

Jury selected in Hester trial
After two days of questioning candidates, a jury of 12 people and two alternates were selected Tuesday to hear the murder trial of a Kasilof woman accused of killing her boyfriend more than two years ago.

Bill combination stops mixing
A pair of bills filed by members of the Kenai Peninsula legislative contingent would prohibit mixing zones in Alaska’s freshwater spawning areas, countering regulatory changes being considered by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

David L. Pierren Sr.
David L. Pierren Sr. died Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage of natural causes. He was 64.

Around the Peninsula
Kenai church hosts Catholic mission Kenaitze lore slated for winter series PFLAG to meet Photographers to view, discuss pictures All invited to women voters meeting Livestock specialist to speak Iditarod volunteers to meet Arctic Winter Games recyclers invited 4-H shooters to meet Thursday Board meeting set Public Invited to Action Coalition meeting Embroiderers sought for new club Fitness contest to help wrestlers Red Cross schedules first aid classes Nikiski senior board to meet Totem Tracers plan resource day VFW ladies sponsor fundraiser Caregiver training scheduled Sled rides offered to special kids T-200 seeks helpers

Around the Peninsula
Arctic Winter Games recyclers invited Fish and Game committee to elect members Livestock specialist to speak Kasilof historians to elect officers Teen nights planned in Nikiski

KPC opens campus health clinic, offers insurance for students
Author Jill Fredston to speak KPC offering personal care attendant class KRC welding students excel in certification Wheel-thrown ceramics course to be offered

Developing identity along the winding road to adulthood
Every word I say is heard and taken at face value. Every sentence overlooked be-cause of the path it has taken to reach the listening ears. Differences show in my actions, and though I speak in a voice unheard, and never receive a second glance I travel ever more looking for a way to be heard, to be seen. I travel ever more searching for an equilibrium that I hope will stand steady as a base to build my camp upon.

Around the District
Scholarship offered to high school seniors Aurora Borealis Charter School Connections Cook Inlet Academy Grace Lutheran Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science Kenai Central High Kenai Middle Kenai Montessori Kenaitze Cuya Qyut’anen Head Start Nikiski North Star Elementary Redoubt Elementary Sears Elementary Soldotna Middle Soldotna Montessori Charter Sterling Elementary Tustumena Elementary

Scholarships let classes get sea savvy
With the money available for field trips getting harder to come by, and the cost of trips always increasing, several teachers on the Kenai Peninsula received a pleasant surprise recently when the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies awarded seven $500 scholarships for classes to participate in its programs.

The Next Level
Hakkinen 45th in sprint Ghormleys play college football

Sports Briefs
Team Alaska names girls volleyball team Team Alaska names figure skating squad Team Alaska announces table tennis tryouts KPHA Midget team takes tourney King takes Knik 200; Lance Mackey second