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The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from the East Fork Moose River bridge on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo courtesy Robert Kuiper)

Swan Lake Fire grows to 48,199 acres

Both lanes are open on the Sterling Highway

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from the East Fork Moose River bridge on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Photo courtesy Robert Kuiper)
Kenai Peninsula Borough resident and member of the Satanic Temple, Iris Fontana, offers an invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, which prompted borough official and attendee walkouts and a protest on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough considers abolishing invocations at assembly

The move comes after a member of the Satanic Temple provided an invocation

Kenai Peninsula Borough resident and member of the Satanic Temple, Iris Fontana, offers an invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, which prompted borough official and attendee walkouts and a protest on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A service vehicle travels along the Sterling Highway on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. The highway was closed for several hours Wednesday morning due to the Swan Lake Fire burning north of the highway.

Swan Lake Fire snarls traffic

The fire covers 42,133 acres and is staffed by 550 people from local, state and federal agencies

A service vehicle travels along the Sterling Highway on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. The highway was closed for several hours Wednesday morning due to the Swan Lake Fire burning north of the highway.
Residents line the Sterling Highway in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office to oppose Pebble Mine project on Wednesday, in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Pebble never. Bristol Bay forever’

Community members rally against mining project

Residents line the Sterling Highway in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office to oppose Pebble Mine project on Wednesday, in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
This June 14, 2019 file photo shows a welcome sign on the outskirts of Wasilla. State lawmakers have rejected Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s suggested location for a special session. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Dueling legal analyses raise questions about special session

AG: Dunleavy has the authority to call a special session, can seek a court order to compel lawmakers

  • Jun 26, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
This June 14, 2019 file photo shows a welcome sign on the outskirts of Wasilla. State lawmakers have rejected Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s suggested location for a special session. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Lindsey Bloom of Salmon State gives a speech at the “No Pebble Mine” rally. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Deadline for Pebble draft EIS comments nears

The Corps will take comments until July 1, and use them to incorporate changes into a final EIS

Lindsey Bloom of Salmon State gives a speech at the “No Pebble Mine” rally. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sarah Walters of Seward snags for sockeye salmon in the saltwaters of Resurrection Bay near Seward. Snagging for salmon is only allowed in saltwater. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Tight Lines: Fish and Game timid about king fishing

The use of bait on the late-run king salmon fishery will be prohibited starting July 1

Sarah Walters of Seward snags for sockeye salmon in the saltwaters of Resurrection Bay near Seward. Snagging for salmon is only allowed in saltwater. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Panel will discuss how food influences climate change

Attendees are invited to bring a dish featuring local ingredients to share

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The extent of the Swan Lake Fire as of Tuesday, June 25, can be seen in this map provided by Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management. (Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Crews work to keep fire from highway

Firefighters to hold second community meeting to address Swan Lake Fire

The extent of the Swan Lake Fire as of Tuesday, June 25, can be seen in this map provided by Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management. (Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission Chairman Blair Martin, Vice Chairman Robert Ruffner and Parliamentarian Rick Foster facilitate discussions on Emmitt Trimble’s Beachcomber LLC gravel pit permit application on Monday, June 24, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Controversial Beachcomber gravel pit permit approved

‘If ever a gravel pit should be denied, it would have been this one’

Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission Chairman Blair Martin, Vice Chairman Robert Ruffner and Parliamentarian Rick Foster facilitate discussions on Emmitt Trimble’s Beachcomber LLC gravel pit permit application on Monday, June 24, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Brad Conklin, Jeremy Gill, Kyle Lee, Owen Winfrey and Jerry Winfrey pose for a photo at Hope Community Resources in Soldotna, Alaska, during the First Annual Ride for Suicide Awareness and Prevention on Sunday, June 23, 2019. (Photo courtesy Kyle Lee)

Bikers ride for suicide awareness

38 motorcycles and more than 20 other vehicles drove from Soldotna to Nikiski and back again

From left, Brad Conklin, Jeremy Gill, Kyle Lee, Owen Winfrey and Jerry Winfrey pose for a photo at Hope Community Resources in Soldotna, Alaska, during the First Annual Ride for Suicide Awareness and Prevention on Sunday, June 23, 2019. (Photo courtesy Kyle Lee)
This June 14 file photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy leading state and local officials out of Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla to a news conference. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska lawmakers reject Wasilla as site for special session

Some lawmakers saw the pick as a means of intimidation or cited security or logistical concerns

  • Jun 24, 2019
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
This June 14 file photo shows Gov. Mike Dunleavy leading state and local officials out of Wasilla Middle School in Wasilla to a news conference. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
After construction workers removed siding from the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska.(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai airport to receive $1.2 million federal grant

The FAA is awarding $495 million in airport infrastructure grants

After construction workers removed siding from the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska.(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Bunches of fresh greens are displayed at the first Farmers Fresh Market of the season on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska. The market is open every 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday until Sept. 11. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank hosts Food For Thought lecture series

The series aims to engage residents in learning more about food and nutrition

Bunches of fresh greens are displayed at the first Farmers Fresh Market of the season on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska. The market is open every 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday until Sept. 11. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Wanda “Kashudoha” Loescher Culp, Tlingit activist and WECAN Tongass coordinator, speaks during a Tongass Rally to show local support for the 2001 National Roadless Rule in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday.                                <strong>Michael Penn | </strong>Juneau Empire
Wanda “Kashudoha” Loescher Culp, Tlingit activist and WECAN Tongass coordinator, speaks during a Tongass Rally to show local support for the 2001 National Roadless Rule in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Saturday.                                <strong>Michael Penn | </strong>Juneau Empire
A sign for trail closures can be seen on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Kenai Wildlife Refuge closed recreation areas, including Bottenintnin Lake, Watson Lake Campground, Egumen Lake Trail, Petersen Lake Campground, Kelly Campground, Seven Lakes Trail, Skyline Trail and Jean Lake Campground over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Swan Lake Fire prompts recreation area shutdowns

The fire grew to 32,000 acres over the weekend

A sign for trail closures can be seen on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 23, 2019. The Kenai Wildlife Refuge closed recreation areas, including Bottenintnin Lake, Watson Lake Campground, Egumen Lake Trail, Petersen Lake Campground, Kelly Campground, Seven Lakes Trail, Skyline Trail and Jean Lake Campground over the weekend. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Amy George, who used to run a bed and breakfast out of her home, started offering “glamping” experiences last year. She has two luxury tents that can sleep up to four people, as seen on June 12, 2018, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

New borough software seeks compliance with Airbnb, VRBO and other booking sites

A quick search on airbnb.com shows hundreds of home, cabins and even yurts for rent

Amy George, who used to run a bed and breakfast out of her home, started offering “glamping” experiences last year. She has two luxury tents that can sleep up to four people, as seen on June 12, 2018, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Swan Lake Fire grows to 23,000 acres

Swan Lake Fire grows to 23,000 acres

There are 335 personnel managing the fire, including five crews from the Lower 48

Swan Lake Fire grows to 23,000 acres
‘It looks bleak right now’

‘It looks bleak right now’

Oilers face financial peril, turn to community for help

‘It looks bleak right now’