Thursday, February 26, 2004
Big Barry bombs back
Barry Bonds teed off on Turk Wendell for accusing him of using steroids.
Boston's Garciaparra hurt by trade talk
Nomar Garciaparra was hurt by Boston's attempt to trade him during the offseason and was a little surprised to be back with the Red Sox for 2004.
Business Briefs
Area chambers set scheduleCommunity council meeting scheduledEntrepreneurial training available to fishersPresentation for teach prospective teachers slatedInstitute offers scholarships to architectural studentsBusinesses support blood bankBed and Breakfast Association meeting scheduledState reports rise in exportsCall for Exporter of the Year nominations
Flying without the frills
LONDON You got a cheap airline ticket, what else do you want?
Cape Fox shipments drawing to end
KETCHIKAN Cape Fox Corp. is shipping one of its final two shipments of logs to Asia.
Schools play big role in economy
The primary responsibility of schools may be education, but like it or not, they also are businesses.
Career center helps provide direction
The Kenai Peninsula College Career Center saw many positive changes in 2003 and is looking to improve even more in 2004.
Tight funds squeeze vocational education classes
As education funding has gotten tighter over the past several years, so too have the program offerings in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
Financial Danger Signals
Extension Home Economist Diane Helmuth of Lawrence, Kan., put together the following list of questions for families to ask themselves. If you can say yes to any of these questions it can be an indicator that you should re-evaluate your spending habits.
Students get head start on careers and college
Robin Grimm knows what she wants to do with her life.
Common sense stretches dollars
Living on minimum wage is like riding a roller coaster without a safety harness. You hold on for dear life and hope that nothing bad happens, because the only thing between you and disaster is one paycheck.
'Real world' experience
Sometimes, education is simply a matter of awareness.
Survey: Teens don't want jobs in fast-growing fields
A recent poll by the national Job Shadow Coalition shows that more than half (51 percent) of teens have no interest in pursuing the top five fastest-growing career fields, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has determined will have critical work force needs in this decade and beyond.
What does it cost to live on peninsula?
The Kenai Peninsula has a reputation for having the most diverse economy in the state, but how does the cost of living compare to other areas of the Alaska? Is the peninsula the cheapest place to live like many people believe?
What's Happening
Best BetsEvents and ExhibitsEntertainmentUpcoming EventsFilmsDown the RoadAnchorage Events
Kenai visitors center washes up natural history display
Though they jumped the gun on spring, the staff at the Kenai Convention and Visitors Center decided it was time to do some cleaning.
Writers' group invites readers to partake
Many people daydream about becoming writers. For those who get serious about it, often the best way to start is by joining a writers' group. A good group can provide the training, discipline, feedback and encouragement to not only put words on paper but even bring them to publication.
Ash Wednesday opening of 'Passion' draws many crowds
PLANO, Texas The people streaming out of the movie theater looked as if they'd just attended a wake and many said they felt as if they had.
Art Briefs
Writing submissions being acceptedPainting group to meetArts summit to be heldLogo design contest announcedStudents' stories, photos wantedContest entry deadline coming upArt workshops offeredAssault awareness writing contest heldChurch soliciting for religious art entriesStatewide poetry contest announcedWriting Web site announced
Bill would change development of natural resources
Alaska's shallow gas leasing program has led to much controversy on the lower Kenai Peninsula and the Matanuska Valley, but a senate bill that would replace its streamlined permitting process with stricter procedures akin to those used in the state's standard oil and gas leasing program, does not address the concerns of residents where leases are already in developers' hands, according to residents testifying before the Senate Resources Committee on Monday.
Kudos for sports coverage, also for Soldotna Sports Center
Just wanted to drop you a note and say thanks for all the great coverage during the state high school hockey tournament. You did a nice job of covering all the games and giving a positive perspective of youth athletics.
Great musical in town right now; don't miss opportunity to see it
Wow! If you haven't had the chance to attend this year's Kenai Performers Community Theater yet, this weekend will be your last chance!
Permanent fund earnings will be needed more in future, not today
What about the future?
Residents have 4 more chances to catch 'My Favorite Year'
Quick! Name the musical now playing at "the Hendy" (a.k.a. the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium at Kenai Central High School). Answer: "My Favorite Year."
Many make 'fortnightly' fun event
We had a great turnout to the Soldotna Middle School's February Fortnightly and we want to extend a huge thank you to Halcyon's Gina Kiel, Kathy Norgren, Janey Skuse, Summer Durst, and Signature's Carrie Hegwer for donating their talents and time for the Crazy Hair.
League appreciates Clarion stories
The Central Peninsula League of Women Voters thanks the Clarion for its consistent, thorough coverage of our local governmental meetings. We exchange information at our League monthly meetings and have found the Clarion a most helpful source of the issues being discussed.
Hospice appreciates those who help organization help others
Hospice of the Central Peninsula wants to express its thanks to the many donors, volunteers and individuals who attended and supported our Winter Wine Event, Auction and Fund-raiser on Feb. 7. The event was a resounding success in raising funds vital to our ability to serve our community. Your generosity enables us to provide care to many individuals at a difficult time in their lives, without additional financial worries. Hospice extends its thanks on behalf of those whom we have and will continue to serve.
Students say thanks for great prizes
Kenai Middle School would like to thank Ted Navarre and Arby's for sponsoring the paper airplane contest at the Kenai Middle School Family Night! Participants were excited to have a chance to win the fabulous prizes that included a snowboard, skateboard and gift certificates from Arby's! Thank you, Ted, for your time, generosity and support.
Kids show enthusiasm for reading
I wouldlike to express my thanks to all those who helped make Battle of the Books such a success at Mountain View Elementary. Although our fifth-graders did not place in the top four (we placed eighth out of 22 schools), I was very impressed with the students' dedication. Each child read all or most of the 13 books, came to practices daily the last few weeks and showed true sportsmanship, winning or losing.
Kenai Performers once again provide first-rate entertainment
"My Favorite Year" (1954) gets a first-rate performance by the Kenai Performers at Kenai Central High School.
Many contribute to winning season
The Nikiski High School Hockey Booster Club parents and players would like to thank the following sponsors for their support in making this a successful hockey season:
Community and children benefit from having cocurricular activities
Many people have the misconception that cocurricular activities are about sports only and benefit only those few who participate in sports. What many people, particularly those without children, don't realize is that cocurricular activities also are a benefit to the community and are not necessarily about sports.
Oil companies should pay fair share before fund tapped, taxes approved
Old-time carnival hustlers called them "marks." They're "square Johns" to car salesmen. By any name, slick operators love a sucker. Good reason to love Alaska, too.
Former Board of Fish member should apologize for false claims
Mr. Coffey, isn't it about time for your apology?
Soldotna businesses show support for students with test incentives
During the week of Feb. 17-20, Redoubt Elementary was busy taking the Terra Nova and Benchmark Tests. To help encourage all students to have 100 percent attendance during this testing window, the Redoubt Elementary Student Council elected to setup daily drawings for those students who were on time and in attendance throughout the week.
Points Leaders Newsmaker: Matt Kenseth Officials to look at how grid is built Racing legend teaches classes to fans Era promos take off No new ideas on budget, say area officials Community center for Nikiski moves forward Getting ready for the Games Voters to have say on activities Budget crisis forces district to look for different ways to fund activities Senate seeks appeal in fish stocking case Area businesses bring new ideas to the table at annual competition Felicidad 'Phyllis' (Purugganan) Kahakauwila BP declares GTL plant a success New exec takes helm at Forest Oil Tesoro aims to be 'fuel of choice' Unocal turns focus to onland exploration Agrium cuts back Nikiski operations, lack of gas blamed Gates going Almost gone: Area in need of new gas supplies China's growth makes mark on U.S. economy Wild places boost economy Enstar's peninsula growth continues Independents express interest in Cook Inlet Marathon Oil plans busy drilling year Natural gas authority searches for ways to meet demand ConocoPhillips remains highest Alaska producer Conference of Alaskans aftermath Assembly should be cautious about helping to fund fishing lawsuit Special section notes changes in economy Economic development everyone's job Hospital care evolves to include pleasure, not just sterile pain Shortage of workers hits construction, operation, maintenance trades Top 10 employers in the Borough Number of jobs in state increases Several agencies working to draw new businesses Native corporations make mark in all segments of economy Top 10 Taxpayers in Soldotna, Kenai Home-based business blossoms Hospital shifts focus to more out-patient care Top 10 Taxpayers in the Borough Hospital grows with peninsula Government cornerstone of economy Major road projects in the works Economy grows at steady pace Real estate moves at healthy pace n all price ranges Around the Peninsula Around the Peninsula North Star Elementary Soldotna Montessori Charter Chapman Elementary Boys and Girls Club to celebrate Dr. Seuss birthday Instructor, student bring origins of film noir to light in Soldotna Kenaitze Cuya Qyut'anen Head Start Sears Elementary Kenai Cooperative Preschool Mountain View Elementary Wings Christian Academy Signs of things to come Kalifonsky Christian Danish teens learn how to run a democracy Grace Lutheran Sterling Elementary Cook Inlet Academy Soldotna Elementary Soldotna High Redoubt Elementary Skyview High Nikiski Elementary Nikiski Middle-Senior High Kalifornsky Beach Elementary Kenai Central High Architecture scholarships available Soldotna Middle Peninsula Oilers to offer scholarships Kenai Middle Twin sisters struggle to bring education to Indonesian slums IDEA (Interior Distance Education of Alaska) Students of the Month Connections Tustumena Elementary Applications for summer internships Area skiers set to take on state's best Blues fire Quenneville, Coyotes dump Francis Zhamnov burns former team in Flyers victory Sports Briefs T-Wolves snap Nets' win streak Bailey-Portis almost done; Williams enters draft Ninilchik girls pass Bristol Bay's test Luongo stones Leafs as Panthers triumph Will Tiger be great again? Broncos re-sign linebacker Wilson St. Joe's remains perfect Nets top Raptors for 14th straight win Sports Briefs Torrid second half carries Pitt It's not all fish and fun Mixing up own recipe for success Run predictions give reason to hope Despite difficulties, peninsula tourism holds steady course Bird watching booms into big business Family hopes to breathe new life into Snug Harbor plant Entrepreneur finds his next challenge at historic cannery New plans for old site Photo feature: Sitting pretty
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3402. Matt Kenseth 333
Matt Kenseth won the 2003 championship despite winning just one race. He came into 2004 eager to prove his championship was well deserved. A victory last week at Rockingham, N.C., was the first step in that process. Kenseth talked about that victory and what it means to his DeWalt race team at Roush Racing.
ATLANTA Though NASCAR said there is no agreement with Fox, NBC or Turner Broadcasting to have a full 43-car field during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season, the sanctioning body said it's going to look at how the starting grid is built.
MORROW, Ga. There was no roll call or note-taking during a class called Stock Car 101 at Clayton College and State University.
Thirty-nine dollar round-trip airfares between Kenai and Anchorage were among the travel deals and promotions Era Aviation's marketing director described to people attending Tuesday's Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting.
Recommendations coming out of the Conference of Alaskans in Fairbanks earlier this month presented nothing new, members of the Kenai Peninsula legislative delegation said this week.
A motion asking for a public vote on the proposed conversion of Nikiski Elementary School into a community center did not receive any support from the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area board Monday night, and the motion died on the floor.
More than 6,000 people will flock to Fort McMurray, in northeast Alberta, Canada, starting this week for the 2004 Arctic Winter Games. Among them will be nearly 40 young athletes and cultural representatives from the Kenai Peninsula, as well as another 40 community members preparing to host the 2006 Games.
In the next month, Kenai Peninsula Borough voters will be asked: Do you approve of the exercise of powers necessary for the Kenai Peninsula Borough to directly fund cocurricular activities for the school district in addition to operating funds currently authorized by law?
Currently, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District contributes roughly $1.2 million to fund activities, though there are other items in the budget, such as the $80,000 to $100,000 a year paid out to substitute teachers for coaches who miss class to travel with their teams, that can boost that number to $1.3 million.
A Senate Joint Resolution being considered by the Senate Resources Committee requests the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Justice to appeal a recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals banning the long-standing practice of salmon stocking in Tustumena Lake because it amounted to a commercial activity.
Salmon isn't a traditional ingredient in Hispanic dishes or pizza toppings. However, if two of the winners at this year's Alaska Symphony of Seafood competition have their way, it will be.
Longtime Kenai resident Felicidad "Phyllis" (Purugganan) Kahakauwila died Friday, Feb. 20, 2004, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna. She was 74.
Officials with BP Exploration Alaska reported late last year that they had successfully proven the efficacy of their gas-to-liquids process being tested at their Nikiski plant, thus taking a major step toward one day making synthetic crude oil, the product of the process, a competitor on the world fuels market.
In 2003, Forest Oil Co. appointed a new senior executive for Alaska operations, Leonard Gurule, a company vice president responsible for engineering, exploration and production.
Saying it wants to be the fuel of choice for Alaska consumers, Tesoro Alaska officials said the company will target its business growth, both at its Nikiski refinery and within retail operations, to meet the growing fuel needs of consumers in a safe, reliable and environmentally conscious manner.
In 2003, Unocal began production from its joint venture with Marathon Oil Co. in Ninilchik, bringing natural gas to market through the Kenai-Kachemak pipeline.
Last year was a good year for Agrium Inc. as the Canada-based international company reported its highest third-quarter earnings in five years.
A loader moves wood chips into a pile on the Homer Spit several years ago. Gates Construction's last chip ship, the M/V Forest King, pulled out of Homer in January.
For better than three decades, natural gas drawn from reservoirs beneath the surface of the Cook Inlet Basin has fed energy-hungry residential, commercial and industrial demands throughout much of Southcentral Alaska.
ANCHORAGE Want to know what's keeping crude oil prices high, and what's behind the recent runup in zinc and copper prices? Think China.
WASHINGTON (AP) People living near the nation's 542 wildlife refuges also gain from the protected wildlife habitat, according to a government study that touts the economic benefits of the refuge system.
Enstar continues to experience what it terms normal growth on the Kenai Peninsula at an annual rate of 3 percent, adding 328 customers in 2003. It expects an additional 300 to 400 customers this year.
Three independent companies drilling for oil and natural gas or in the process of obtaining permits to do so in and around Cook Inlet this year are Northstar Energy Group Inc., Aurora Gas LLC and Pelican Hill Oil and Gas Inc., according to Bill Popp, oil and gas liaison for the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Marathon Oil Company will have another busy year on the Kenai Peninsula in 2004, with directional drilling from Nin-ilchik to offshore targets in Cook Inlet, drilling in Kenai and possible exploration drilling in the East Swanson River prospect and in the Sterling area.
In 2002, better than 138,000 Alaskans voted to create the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority to investigate the feasibility of building state-owned pipeline to ship gas from the North Slope to the port of Valdez, where it could be converted to liquefied natural gas and shipped to domestic and world markets.
Alaska's No. 1 oil and natural gas producer, ConocoPhillips has 1.7 billion barrels of oil reserves and 2.9 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves in the state.
The three days of the Conference of Alaskans in Fairbanks was a real exercise in democracy. Our purpose in calling the Conference was to explore ways to "bridge" an anticipated $4 billion gap in state revenues over the next seven years. By 2011, we expect to see significant new revenues from new oil development and the gas pipeline, but in the meantime, we need to cover that deficit.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly should consider carefully before agreeing to give a commercial fishing organization money to help finance a lawsuit against the state seeking compensation for revenue lost because of regulatory decisions.
What a difference a decade can make.
Likening a community's economy to water flowing in a river, the head of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District recently told area business leaders that economic development is like a lake in which that economy can circulate and thrive.
The wonderful smell of freshly baked bread isn't something one expects when arriving at the Central Peninsula General Hospital's Oncology Department for chemotherapy, but with the hospital's focus on patient-centered care, that's just one of the newly added pleasures people find there.
They could have hung a sign out front saying, "Wanted: A steady stream of new skilled workers in Alaska."
The most recent complete top employer statistics available from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workplace Development are for 2002. Below are ranked the top 10 Kenai Peninsula employers for the years 2002 and 2001:
Alaska has just completed its 16th consecutive year of employment growth, a new record since becoming a state in 1959, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Credit for at least some of the success shown by businesses in the Kenai Peninsula in recent years goes to several agencies whose purpose is to promote the borough as a place to do business and lure new industry here, and to lend financial and practical help to entrepreneurs launching new ventures.
One of the strengths of the Kenai Peninsula economy, and part of what contributes to its diversity, is the influence of Alaska Native corporations, which engage in a variety of enterprises from petroleum and forestry to tourism and real estate.
The following list shows the top 10 assessed property owners in Kenai and Soldotna in 2003, their type of business, total assessed value and estimated property tax based on a mill rate of 1.5 in Soldotna and 5 in Kenai.
By taking the adage, "necessity is the mother of invention" to heart, Diane Duncan of Kasilof accidentally launched herself into a home-based business.
As the health care dynamic of the Kenai Peninsula shifts from being focused primarily on in-patient treatment to out-patient, providers and facilities are adjusting to meet the change.
Below are the top 10 borough property taxpayers in the borough for 2002 and 2001 and the assessed values of their holdings.
Plans are on track to break ground in June for a $49.9 million expansion of Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna.
Government on the local, state and federal levels not only provides things like education, social services and roads, it contributes directly and substantially to the economy.
With budgets tightening at both the state and local levels, there are few large capital projects being proposed around the Kenai Peninsula. However, there are a couple significant projects and ideas that likely will change the face of the area's economy in the years ahead.
Given its petroleum, natural gas, fishing, tourism and trade industries, if there is one word to describe the Kenai Peninsula Borough economy it is diversity.
Homeowner refinancing, which was the buzz of the Kenai Peninsula Borough real estate industry a year ago, mellowed in 2003, but low interest rates that had sparked the action continued, and area real estate agents reported a good, healthy market throughout the year.
Senior Olympic Games begin todayQuilt guild to hold open sewFamily Living Center to host open houseKids invited to cheer campSenior service board meeting slatedHospital auxiliary meeting setVillage Fair seeking vendors, volunteersCharter school to hold enrollment lotteryKayak fest planned
Deadline for dance classes todayMaster gardening class plannedKPC to hold blood driveWRCC board meeting scheduled in KenaiHarley owners group getting togetherCheer clinic slatedTaco fund-raiser plannedPreschool to hold fund-raiser
Sherry Matson's fifth-grade cinnamon roll factory baked and sold more than 900 rolls. The sale was a success due to the cooperative efforts of the students and diligent volunteering of parents and other family members. Mrs. Matson and her class thank all their customers and the community for supporting this project. Proceeds from the fund-raiser support the class's four-day marine science field trip to Kasitsna Bay in May.
Mrs. Overturf's kindergarten class visited Mrs. Sotelo's class for a rock festival Monday. The older students helped the kindergartners rotate through four activities involving rocks. Students were able to sift for fossils, classify rocks, make fossil jewelry and have their pictures taken with a 500-million-year-old trilobite. These activities coordinated with the kindergarten study of the earth and space.
The Snow Rondi Mexican dinner will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday in the gym. The cost is $7 for adults or $5 for children.
The Boys and Girls Club in Kenai will celebrate Read Across America and the late Dr. Seuss's 100th birthday Tuesday.
The KPC Showcase is proud to present "Film Noir," a presentation by KPC adjunct instructor Bob Amundson and Soldotna High School senior and future filmmaker Clyde Folley. They will feature clips and commentary documenting the origins of film noir, its narrative devices and plot themes. They also will highlight the most noteworthy actors and directors of this uniquely American film genre. This presentation will be followed by one of the most famous film noirs, Billy Wilder's "Double Indemnity."
The Kenai Police Department will offer a presentation on stranger danger today.
The Read Around for Love of Reading Month is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the school. Parents and their student are invited to attend.
Last week, the preschoolers wrapped up their fairy tales unit.
Mrs. Keating's fifth-graders will journey to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Friday to participate in the Wildlife in Winter program. They will learn about wilderness survival, animal tracks and snowshoeing.
Students will go to the Soldotna Sports Center for an honor roll trip Friday for ice skating and wallyball. There also will be a pep rally at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The high school girls' basketball team will play at 6 p.m. Friday at home, and the boys' team will play at 8 p.m. at home.
Students at Sterling Elementary School are learning a new language without speaking a word.
The kindergartners and first- and second-graders have finished swimming lessons at the Nikiski pool. The students will resume their normal schedule.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark The basement of the Danish parliament is abuzz with debate: Should Denmark send 1,000 peacekeepers to civil-war torn Uranium? Perhaps young criminals should have microchip implants so they can be closely monitored. Do we allow scientists to genetically engineer apes to test new medicine for humans?
Students are back to a normal schedule after a week of standardized tests.
Jump Rope for the Heart will be held today and Friday in the gym. Mr. Chase needs to have all money and pledge sheets to him by Friday.
The staff would like to welcome Tony Jackson to the teaching staff. He is teaching seventh- and eighth-grade history and science, and ninth-grade Bible studies. Jackson is from Nikiski, has four children, and his wife, Leah, is a CIA alumni.
The staff and students thank the parents who contributed to the successful PTA bake sale and the volunteers who help at the sale last Friday.
The cross-country ski team heads to Fairbanks this weekend for the state competition.
The school will host a special Ice Cream Friday this week to raise money for the breakfast program. Ice cream will cost $1 this Friday only.
The Region III Nordic Ski Meet was held at the Tsalteshi Trails last weekend. Thirteen teams participated in some of the best racing in the state. The staff congratulates the girls for winning the tournament.
Parents are reminded the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District does not allow students to charge lunches. Remember to send a check made out to KPBSD Student Nutrition or Nikiski Elementary. The school will provide crackers and juice if your student has no money on their account. Pick up the free and reduced application at the office, fill it out and return to the office. Parents may qualify for additional help with their child's lunch expenses.
The cross-country ski team will be in Fairbanks for the state competition this weekend. The staff and students wish them good luck.
Mrs. McBee's kindergarten class has been learning how things move. Next, the students are beginning to explore how people help each other. They will look at themselves, their homes and their cultures. They also will study how objects that people made and used throughout history are a reflection of their cultures.
There is a site council meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday.
The American Institute of Architects Alaska Chapter is offering $5,000 in scholarships to deserving Alaska residents currently enrolled in at least their junior year, or the equivalent, at an accredited school of architecture. The scholarship will be awarded based on educational excellence in the pursuit of a career in architecture.
The wrestling team is looking forward to the borough tournament at 11 a.m. Saturday at SMS. Jordan Goracke and Michaela Hutchinson will defend their borough titles, and the rest of the team will look to improve upon its early season results. Students and parents are encouraged to attend.
The Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club Inc. will award a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior from Kenai, Nikiski, Skyview and Soldotna high schools.
Christi Lackey won the Agrium-sponsored Character Counts pizza drawing.
JAKARTA, Indonesia Their school has a highway overpass for a roof and a garbage dump behind the blackboard. The classroom often floods, leaving students ankle-deep in filthy water.
The staff would like to thank the parents who prepared and brought their children to testing last week.
The following students were named February Students of the Month at Kenai Middle School:
The staff would like to thank the parent volunteers who helped with the check in, organization and hall monitoring for state testing. Parent volunteers also helped make the book fair a success.
Students are competing for this year's Masonic Outstanding Student award. The award goes to a deserving sixth-grader in each elementary school in the district. Academics, attendance, citizenship and community service are considered by the selection committee. The finalists then will write an essay about themselves for evaluation. Past winners from the school are Katie Mills, 2000; Kjersten Skjold, 2001; Heidi Skjold, 2002; and Jesse Carlson, 2003. The Kenai Masonic Lodge No. 11 will conduct its annual awards ceremony April 15 at Kenai Central High School.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski is accepting applications for her summer intern program. Graduating high school seniors are eligible to apply. There are 20 available positions. Interns will perform a variety of administrative and legislative duties, shadow the senator during her daily schedule and participate in tours and social events.
When the state's high school cross-country ski teams take to the trails at Birch Hill Recreation Area in Fairbanks for the Alaska School Activities Association State Championships, at least some of the competition will have a familiar feel.
ST. LOUIS With the St. Louis Blues scrambling to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in a quarter century, general manager Larry Pleau decided it was time for a change.
PHILADELPHIA Former Blackhawk Alexei Zhamnov scored his first goal with the Flyers, leading Philadelphia to a 3-1 victory Tuesday night over Chicago.
Sather steps down as Rangers coachMilwaukee's T.J. Ford out two to three weeks
MINNEAPOLIS Troy Hudson filled the shoes of Sam Cassell just fine, helping end the New Jersey Nets' winning streak at 14 games.
The Champ Bailey for Clinton Portis deal is almost done, barring a breakdown in contract talks between Bailey and the Denver Broncos.
The Ninilchik girls high school basketball team held off a stiff challenge from Bristol Bay Tuesday, defeating the visiting Angels 58-54 in a District 3/2A game at Ninilchik.
SUNRISE, Fla. Juraj Kolnik had two goals and an assist, and Roberto Luongo made 33 saves for his second consecutive shutout to help the Florida Panthers beat Toronto 4-0 Wednesday night.
Tiger Woods had signed for his best score at Riviera and was cleaning out his locker, a process that usually includes sorting through a number of unsolicited letters.
Denver agreed to contract terms with middle linebacker Al Wilson on Tuesday, clearing the way for the Broncos to work on a deal that could bring them cornerback Champ Bailey from Washington for running back Clinton Portis.
AMHERST, Mass. Delonte West scored 23 points and Jameer Nelson added 19 and No. 2 Saint Joseph's remained unbeaten with an 83-58 victory over Massachusetts on Wednesday night.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. The New Jersey Nets won their 14th straight game Tuesday night the longest streak in the NBA this season by holding off the injury-plagued Toronto Raptors 86-74 behind Kenyon Martin's 25 points and 15 rebounds.
KPHA Squirt B drops a gameWhalers begin practiceChambers banned for two years for THGNolan Ryan rejoins Astros as adviser
WASHINGTON Carl Krauser scored 19 of his career-high 26 points in the second half, and third-ranked Pittsburgh overcame 23 turnovers and a 10-point second-half deficit Tuesday night to beat Georgetown 68-58.
Over the past 15 years, commercial sportfishing on the Kenai River has gone from a part-time pursuit to a full-blown industry, employing hundreds of peninsula residents and attracting thousands of tourists to the area.
When a customer pulls up to the window, Misty Soares engages them in a nonstop conversation while she takes their order and prepares their cappuccino or espresso freeze.
The commercial salmon industry on the Kenai Peninsula appears to be in prime position to regain global market share lost to farmed fish over the past decade.
They don't call it the Great Land for nothing. Majestic mountain ranges, temperate rain forests with towering trees and glaciers galore are just a few of the geographical features that attract visitors annually to Alaska.
A recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publication reports that 46 million bird watchers across America spent $32 billion in 2001 pursuing one of the nation's most popular outdoor activities.
For the Porter family, the cannery at Snug Harbor across Cook Inlet from Ninilchik on Chisik Island was such a large part of their lives that rather than see it disintegrate into ruins, they decided to buy it and turn it into a hub of activity once again.
'This is arguably, I think, one of the top five historic sites in all of Alaska. It dates back to 1906. There's not much history in Alaska prior to that certainly not that exists.'
Ambitious plans for bringing the abandoned Ward's Cove cannery in Kenai back to life are taking flight.
A bald eagle keeps watch over two others on a tree at the Soldotna landfill last weekend. The central Kenai Peninsula has a large accumulation of the birds this winter.