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Triumvirate Theatre President Joe Rizzo testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Triumvirate Theatre President Joe Rizzo testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sara Berg, right, talks with artist Brad Hughes, left, at Hughes’ Homer, Alaska, studio in June 2021 about the Loved & Lost Memorial Bench project Berg and other family and friends of Anesha Murnane commissioned to honor Murnane and other missing woman and children. (Photo by Christina Whiting)

Missing Homer woman presumed dead

A six-person jury determined Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, then 38, died of a homicide.

Sara Berg, right, talks with artist Brad Hughes, left, at Hughes’ Homer, Alaska, studio in June 2021 about the Loved & Lost Memorial Bench project Berg and other family and friends of Anesha Murnane commissioned to honor Murnane and other missing woman and children. (Photo by Christina Whiting)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Land Management Offficer Marcus Mueller testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs sale of borough land following debate

A live outcry auction is tentatively scheduled for the second week of August at Soldotna High School.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Land Management Offficer Marcus Mueller testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishers dipnet on the North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Dipnet fishery opens Saturday on the Kenai

Dipnetting is only available to Alaska residents with a current Upper Cook Inlet personal-use permit and a sport fishing license.

Fishers dipnet on the North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Hannah Lafleur, 32, of Seward defends her title in the women's Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Lafleur, Norris rack up more MMR crowns

The 3.1-mile scramble up and scream down the mountain of about 3,000 feet returned to Seward after a pandemic-forced pause in 2020.

Hannah Lafleur, 32, of Seward defends her title in the women's Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough honors July as Parks and Recreation Month

The proclamation acknowledges the role parks and recreation play in the quality of life of borough residents.

Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Tracking vaccine rates presents challenges

DHSS only last month began sorting vaccination rates at the community level.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. The group opposed to Dunleavy has yet to gather enough signatures to force a recall election, nearly two years after launching and with just over a year before the 2022 primary election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Dunleavy recall lacks signatures nearly 2 years in

The last update on the recall group’s website is dated April 26 and showed 57,897 signatures collected.

  • Jul 7, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. The group opposed to Dunleavy has yet to gather enough signatures to force a recall election, nearly two years after launching and with just over a year before the 2022 primary election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Barnadine Atchison speaks during a business luncheon at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenaitze educational hub slated for completion next spring

The Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus, meaning “the learning place,” has been in the works for more than 20 years.

Barnadine Atchison speaks during a business luncheon at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Deadline for borough CARES funding set for December

The borough has about $390,000 in remaining CARES Act funds.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Another special session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Another special session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Courtesy photo / Alaska Court System
Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, right, is sword in by Justice Dario Borghesan in Anchorage on July 1. Winfree will take over after former Chief Justice Joel Bolger retired earlier this year.

State Supreme Court has new Chief Justice

Governor announces appointment to high court.

Courtesy photo / Alaska Court System
Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, right, is sword in by Justice Dario Borghesan in Anchorage on July 1. Winfree will take over after former Chief Justice Joel Bolger retired earlier this year.
Alaska SeaLife Center
Rescuers assist an injured harbor seal pup on July 4. The pup was spotted in Resurrection Bay and taken to the Alaska SeaLife Center.

Injured seal pup admitted to SeaLife Center

The pup was rescued July 4 from Fox Island in Resurrection Bay.

Alaska SeaLife Center
Rescuers assist an injured harbor seal pup on July 4. The pup was spotted in Resurrection Bay and taken to the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks June 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)

Dunleavy OKs earnings transfer after veto error

Dunleavy last week said one of his more significant vetoes was the $4 billion transfer.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks June 17, 2021 news conference at the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)
A sign offering tips on how to recreate safely around bears can be seen on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Black bear killed in Seward

The bear reportedly scratched and attempted to bite the victim’s leg.

A sign offering tips on how to recreate safely around bears can be seen on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Rock’n the Ranch spectators listen to live music at the festival in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Carlos Pereira Jr.)

Rock’n the Ranch music festival to make noise this weekend

The annual festival raises funds for a sober living house.

Rock’n the Ranch spectators listen to live music at the festival in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Carlos Pereira Jr.)
Alaska Division of Forestry via Associated Press
Smoke from the Munson Creek Fire rises behind the Chena Hot Springs Resort as guests watch from the outdoor rock pool near Fairbanks, on Monday. Authorities on Monday advised residents and guests to evacuate immediately after a nearby wildfire intensified. The Fairbanks North Star Borough issued the evacuation order when the fire reached a point less than a mile behind Chena Hot Springs.

Firefighters defend resort from advancing wildfire

Flames were about 100 yards from the resort, where crews were spraying water on buildings.

  • Jul 6, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • State News
Alaska Division of Forestry via Associated Press
Smoke from the Munson Creek Fire rises behind the Chena Hot Springs Resort as guests watch from the outdoor rock pool near Fairbanks, on Monday. Authorities on Monday advised residents and guests to evacuate immediately after a nearby wildfire intensified. The Fairbanks North Star Borough issued the evacuation order when the fire reached a point less than a mile behind Chena Hot Springs.
Ranger Meredith Baker helps Fredrick Bryant decorate a fish mobile at the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on July 6, 2021 for Fish Week. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

‘Family fishy fun’

Kids turn out for a week of tying, casting and reeling.

Ranger Meredith Baker helps Fredrick Bryant decorate a fish mobile at the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on July 6, 2021 for Fish Week. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meet on March 2, 2021, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board grades its performance

An anonymous survey including six board members assigned letter grades between “A” and “F” to the board’s actions in the last year

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meet on March 2, 2021, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Marijuana leaves (Clarion file)

Health official picked for state marijuana regulatory board

Eliza Muse’s appointment to the Marijuana Control Board’s public health seat was effective June 25.

  • Jul 5, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
Marijuana leaves (Clarion file)