Victoria Petersen

Juneau residents line up outside of the Planet Alaska Gallery to sign an application petition to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Recall Dunleavy campaign collects over 36,000 signatures

28,501 signatures are required for phase one of the recall process.

Juneau residents line up outside of the Planet Alaska Gallery to sign an application petition to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Candidates finalized for city elections

Candidates finalized for city elections

Many elections unopposed; voters will weigh in on propositions

Candidates finalized for city elections
The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Flood advisories for Cooper Landing area may be extended

The Kenai River is not expected to crest until Sunday.

The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The updated Swan Lake Fire Map for Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Progress made on fires, Diamond Ridge evacuation notice lifted

Update 3:26 p.m.: Both lanes of the Sterling Highway, between milepost 75 and 53, are closed due to helicopter operations. This is anticipated to be… Continue reading

The updated Swan Lake Fire Map for Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Peninsula experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions

The peninsula has received little to no rain this August.

Haze from the Swan Lake Fire smoke can be seen from the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Winds pushed smoke from the fire toward the central peninsula Thursday. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Haze from the Swan Lake Fire smoke can be seen from the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Winds pushed smoke from the fire toward the central peninsula Thursday. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor declares emergency disaster

Declaration cites Swan Lake Fire near Sterling as threatening severe damage to life and property.

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, in Cooper Landing . (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Flood advisory issued for Kenai Lake, Upper Kenai River

The advisory is in effect until Friday.

The Kenai River meets Kenai Lake on Friday, Aug. 9, in Cooper Landing . (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

School starts without a new contract

If no agreement can be made the employee associations said they will be ready to strike in September

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Water can be seen on foliage after a rainstorm on July 14, 2019, in Kalifornsky, Alaska. The last significant rain to fall on the peninsula was July 26-28. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Drought persists on peninsula

After three weeks without rain, peninsula has slight chance of showers this weekend.

Water can be seen on foliage after a rainstorm on July 14, 2019, in Kalifornsky, Alaska. The last significant rain to fall on the peninsula was July 26-28. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway, Alaska, on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

1st day of school delayed for Cooper Landing

School is scheduled to open with a 2-hour delay Wednesday

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway, Alaska, on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Effort to vacate Homer easement fails at planning commission

Country musician Zac Brown was one of a handful of people seeking to remove the easement.

Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Recall Dunleavy organizers Ann Keffer, right, in hat, and Pat Cue, behind Keffer, take signatures at a Recall Dunleavy rally held on Aug. 1 at WKFL Park in Homer. At left, former Homer Rep. Paul Seaton, NP-Homer, signs a form. Seaton lost to Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, in the general election. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)

Recall Dunleavy hits, surpasses signature target

Organizers needed 28,000 signatures to apply with the state to advance the recall effort.

Recall Dunleavy organizers Ann Keffer, right, in hat, and Pat Cue, behind Keffer, take signatures at a Recall Dunleavy rally held on Aug. 1 at WKFL Park in Homer. At left, former Homer Rep. Paul Seaton, NP-Homer, signs a form. Seaton lost to Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, in the general election. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs SB 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)

‘Disappointing’, but not devastating

Dunleavy-signed capital budget includes vetoes, partial funding for local programs

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs SB 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)
Clarion reporters Brian Mazurek, left, and Victoria Petersen interview Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, at the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. Murkowski discussed issues such as the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, the Pebble Mine project and Alaska-related legislation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

A conversation with the senator

Lisa Murkowski talks PFD, Pebble and what’s happening in the Senate.

Clarion reporters Brian Mazurek, left, and Victoria Petersen interview Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, at the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. Murkowski discussed issues such as the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, the Pebble Mine project and Alaska-related legislation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

No deal reached in district contract negotiations

Negotiations between school district and associations have snagged on rising cost of health care.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, 2019, near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Kenai Peninsula suffering moderate drought

Kenai has seen a nearly 40% decrease in the average rainfall for the area from June to August.

A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, 2019, near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Filing ends Thursday for potential candidates

Filing ends Thursday for potential candidates

Those interested in running can contact their local city clerk to file for candidacy.

Filing ends Thursday for potential candidates
Alaska Department of Fish and Game                                Beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water in September 2017. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered.

Researchers receive federal funds to study Cook Inlet belugas

The grant program supports management, research and outreach campaigns for conservation of wildlife.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game                                Beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water in September 2017. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District employees hold signs for a fair contract at Thursday’s special board of education meeting, May 16, 2019, In Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Strike looms as talks continue

As labor negotiations continue, school district details impacts of work stoppage

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District employees hold signs for a fair contract at Thursday’s special board of education meeting, May 16, 2019, In Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)