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Fencing surrounds the 4th Avenue Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. Demolition will begin in August 2022 on the once-opulent downtown Anchorage movie theater designed by the architect of Hollywood’s famed Pantages Theatre. The 4th Avenue Theatre with nearly 1,000 seats opened in 1947, and it withstood the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Efforts fail to save historic Anchorage theater from demolition

Anchorage entrepreneur Austin “Cap” Lathrop opened the 4th Avenue Theatre, with nearly 1,000 seats, on May 31, 1947

  • Aug 4, 2022
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
Fencing surrounds the 4th Avenue Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. Demolition will begin in August 2022 on the once-opulent downtown Anchorage movie theater designed by the architect of Hollywood’s famed Pantages Theatre. The 4th Avenue Theatre with nearly 1,000 seats opened in 1947, and it withstood the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Mimi Israelah, center, cheers for Donald Trump inside the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska, during a rally Saturday July 9, 2022. Two Anchorage police officers violated department policy during a traffic stop last month when Israelah, in town for a rally by former President Donald Trump showed a “white privilege card” instead of a driver’s license and was not ticketed. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)

Alaska officers violated policy in ‘white privilege’ stop

The top of the novelty card reads: “White Privilege Card Trumps Everything.”

Mimi Israelah, center, cheers for Donald Trump inside the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska, during a rally Saturday July 9, 2022. Two Anchorage police officers violated department policy during a traffic stop last month when Israelah, in town for a rally by former President Donald Trump showed a “white privilege card” instead of a driver’s license and was not ticketed. (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID hospitalizations down, cases up

74 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Wednesday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion Lilly Murray, donations and communications manager at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, gives a tour of food stored at the facility in Soldotna on Thursday. Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Donations and Communications Manager Lilly Murray gives a tour of food stored at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska.

Low on fuel funds, food bank launches online fundraiser

The fuel is necessary so the food bank can maintain delivery service to 40 communities and 70 partner agencies

Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion Lilly Murray, donations and communications manager at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, gives a tour of food stored at the facility in Soldotna on Thursday. Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Donations and Communications Manager Lilly Murray gives a tour of food stored at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska.
Nick Begich and Mary Peltola answer questions at a candidate forum at the Kenai Visitor Center on Aug. 3, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/Jake Dye)

Peltola, Begich trade views at chamber forum

The two candidates are vying to fill former Rep. Don Young’s seat

Nick Begich and Mary Peltola answer questions at a candidate forum at the Kenai Visitor Center on Aug. 3, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/Jake Dye)
Parker Rose shows his pig during the senior swine showmanship round of the Kenai Peninsula 4-H Agriculture Expo at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. He was the reserved grand champion in his class. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

4-H Agriculture Expo returns to sports complex this weekend

The event will include a livestock shows Friday, a livestock auction Saturday and a horse show Sunday.

Parker Rose shows his pig during the senior swine showmanship round of the Kenai Peninsula 4-H Agriculture Expo at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021. He was the reserved grand champion in his class. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, right, listens to east side setnet fisherman at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association building on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, near Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

ADFG commissioner to setnetters: Take up closures with fisheries board

The closure was triggered when the state closed the Kenai River drainage to king salmon fishing

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, right, listens to east side setnet fisherman at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association building on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, near Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Charlie Cunningham stands behind the bar at Good Time Charlies on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Good Time Charlies closes its doors

The 50-year-old club is making way for state highway improvements

Charlie Cunningham stands behind the bar at Good Time Charlies on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Division of Elections has determined that Rep. Eastman is eligible to run for office after reviewing challenges to his candidacy. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska legislator, member of Oath Keepers, faces lawsuit challenging his eligibility for office

Members of the Oath Keepers, including the group’s founder, have been accused of crimes linked to the Jan. 6 riots

  • Aug 2, 2022
  • By James Brooks Alaska Beacon
  • State News
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. The Division of Elections has determined that Rep. Eastman is eligible to run for office after reviewing challenges to his candidacy. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Kenai Peninsula Educational Support Association President Susanna Litwiniak testifies in support of two memorandums of agreement during a meeting of the Kenai Penisula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District support staff to get pay raises

The move was approved by the school board Monday

Kenai Peninsula Educational Support Association President Susanna Litwiniak testifies in support of two memorandums of agreement during a meeting of the Kenai Penisula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Music lovers listen to a performance on the River Stage at Salmonfest on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Salmonfest to bring music, food and vendors to Ninilchik this weekend

65 bands and performers will participate in the three-day Ninilchik music festival

Music lovers listen to a performance on the River Stage at Salmonfest on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Alaska regular primary election for House District 7. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)

A race to finish 4th in Alaska U.S. Senate primary

After Murkowski, Tshibaka and Chesbro, 16 candidates vie for last spot on general election ballot

A sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Alaska regular primary election for House District 7. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)
(Black Press file photo)

Drug overdoses in state increase from 2020-2021

The Gulf Coast region, which includes the Kenai Peninsula as well as Kodiak Island and the Chugach census area, saw 30 deaths from drug overdoses in 2021

(Black Press file photo)
Congressional candidates Mary Peltola, left, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III discuss Southeast Alaska and other issues during a midday forum Monday hosted by KINY radio. The three candidates are the finalists for the special election Aug. 16 fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s term and also are competing in the primary for the general election on that date. (Screenshot / KINY radio webcast)

3 House candidates debate in Juneau

Mary Peltola, Nick Begich III and Sarah Palin make cases before Aug. 16 special election

Congressional candidates Mary Peltola, left, Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III discuss Southeast Alaska and other issues during a midday forum Monday hosted by KINY radio. The three candidates are the finalists for the special election Aug. 16 fill the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s term and also are competing in the primary for the general election on that date. (Screenshot / KINY radio webcast)
Chastity Swafford, right, gives a free backpack and school supplies to Heather Perry, left, as part of Peninsula Community Health Center’s drive-thru backpack giveaway in Kenai, Alaska on Aug. 19, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

KidFest backpack giveaway Wednesday

500 backpacks would be available, up from 400 last year

Chastity Swafford, right, gives a free backpack and school supplies to Heather Perry, left, as part of Peninsula Community Health Center’s drive-thru backpack giveaway in Kenai, Alaska on Aug. 19, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
A fisherman walks along the Kenai River near Sportsman’s Landing in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Sept. 8, 2018. (Clarion file)

Sockeye limits increased on Upper Kenai, Russian rivers

The change in regulations will be effective from 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 2 until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 20.

A fisherman walks along the Kenai River near Sportsman’s Landing in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Sept. 8, 2018. (Clarion file)
Central Emergency Services Fire Chief Roy Browning stands in the agency’s ambulance supply room on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Maxed out’ CES seeks new Soldotna station

Voters to decide on $16.5 million bond question on the Oct. 4 municipal ballot

Central Emergency Services Fire Chief Roy Browning stands in the agency’s ambulance supply room on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the lieutenant governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If voters choose to have a constitutional convention, the state’s foundational document could be rewritten entirely. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

Cost estimates for constitutional convention in Alaska range widely

Issues include the length of the session and the amount of support delegates will need

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the lieutenant governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If voters choose to have a constitutional convention, the state’s foundational document could be rewritten entirely. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Dipnetting wraps up; Kenai late-run kings still off limits

Northern Kenai fishing report

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Jonathan Parducho, a pharmacist, removes a tray of vials of of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses, in the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Friday, July 29, 2022, in San Francisco. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Alaska reports 1st case of monkeypox

Monkeypox can spread through close, personal and, often, skin-to-skin contact

Jonathan Parducho, a pharmacist, removes a tray of vials of of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses, in the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Friday, July 29, 2022, in San Francisco. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)