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The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Judicial Council hears testimony on Kenai Superior Court candidates

Tuesday at 4 p.m., a public vote will be held by the Judicial Council to determine which candidates will be nominated for the position

The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Public Works Director Kyle Kornelis (right) answers questions from Jeff Dolifka (left) regarding the Soldotna Field House on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna finalizing field house work ahead of bond sale

Voters gave the City of Soldotna permission to incur up to $15 million debt for the project

Soldotna Public Works Director Kyle Kornelis (right) answers questions from Jeff Dolifka (left) regarding the Soldotna Field House on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek leads attendees in exercises during a “Toss A Cop” event at the All American Training Center on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Toss A Cop’ women’s safety class draws more than 70

The curriculum used during Saturday’s five-hour class was created by Homer Police Department Lt. Ryan Browning

Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek leads attendees in exercises during a “Toss A Cop” event at the All American Training Center on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State address at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Junuea, Alaska. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire)

A chance ‘to change the course of Alaska’s history’

Dunleavy to deliver first State of State of 2nd term

Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State address at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Junuea, Alaska. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rain and wintry mix expected through midweek

Freezing rain or snow covered roadways will lead to hazardous driving conditions, a special weather statement said

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
In this June 15, 2014, file photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey, a polar bear dries off after taking a swim in the Chukchi Sea in Alaska. A polar bear has attacked and killed two people in a remote village in western Alaska, according to state troopers who said they received the report of the attack on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023, in Wales, on the western tip of the Seward Peninsula. (Brian Battaile/U.S. Geological Survey via AP, File)

Rare attack in Alaska renews interest in polar bear patrols

A polar bear attack killed a mother and her 1-year-old son in Wales, a tiny, remote Alaska whaling village

  • Jan 20, 2023
  • By Gene Johnson and Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
In this June 15, 2014, file photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey, a polar bear dries off after taking a swim in the Chukchi Sea in Alaska. A polar bear has attacked and killed two people in a remote village in western Alaska, according to state troopers who said they received the report of the attack on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023, in Wales, on the western tip of the Seward Peninsula. (Brian Battaile/U.S. Geological Survey via AP, File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Arsenio “Pastor” Credo and other Alaska Native veterans listen to a presentation Thursday afternoon on how to apply for up to 160 acres of the more than 27 million acres of public land available to Alaska Native veterans who were unable to apply for their acres of in-state land due to serving during the Vietnam War.

Millions of acres are available for Vietnam-era Alaska Native veterans, but many in Southeast don’t want it

‘We want Southeast Alaska.’

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Arsenio “Pastor” Credo and other Alaska Native veterans listen to a presentation Thursday afternoon on how to apply for up to 160 acres of the more than 27 million acres of public land available to Alaska Native veterans who were unable to apply for their acres of in-state land due to serving during the Vietnam War.
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Man found dead in Seward home

Alaska State Troopers received multiple phone calls Wednesday from the man’s friends and family seeking a welfare check

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Graph showing monthly changes in employment from 2019 to 2022, by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development using data from their Research and Analysis Section. (Screenshot)

Jobs up in 2022, fall short of predictions

The department predicted that 9,800 jobs would be added in 2022, overshooting the real numbers by 53%

Graph showing monthly changes in employment from 2019 to 2022, by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development using data from their Research and Analysis Section. (Screenshot)
A map of updated marine zone boundaries, set to be put into effect on March 8, 2023. (Screenshot)

Weather Service to update marine zones for better forecasts and warnings

Changes are set to be implemented March 8.

A map of updated marine zone boundaries, set to be put into effect on March 8, 2023. (Screenshot)
A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith) , 1.17.23.

Special avalanche bulletin issued for Turnagain Pass this weekend

The bulletin is in effect 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday

A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith) , 1.17.23.
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

State health officials: COVID vaccine is safe

Alaska state health officials hosted a Public Health ECHO on Wednesday

Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Elementary School Principal Dr. Austin Stevenson walks amid natural gas pipes anchored to the outside of school on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to break up $65.5 million school maintenance bond

District leaders have long tried to draw attention to the problem of deferred maintenance within KPBSD

Soldotna Elementary School Principal Dr. Austin Stevenson walks amid natural gas pipes anchored to the outside of school on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Map showing the proposed boundary changes for Kenai Peninsula Borough districts 2 and 3. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Assembly to consider new district boundaries

Some voters who live in the City of Kenai would elect representatives to the Nikiski seat on borough legislative bodies under proposed redistricting legislation that… Continue reading

Map showing the proposed boundary changes for Kenai Peninsula Borough districts 2 and 3. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)
A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith)

High winds and heavy snowfall make for high avalanche risks

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center had recorded 11 avalanches this week

A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith)
Tuberculosis bacteria (File)

State tuberculosis case counts reach 10-year high

Active tuberculosis cases in Alaska have spiked 66%

Tuberculosis bacteria (File)
The Soldotna Landfill is seen on June 27, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is requesting about $5.5 million in federal funding for the construction of a gas collection system, which would convert landfill methane to energy when completed. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Borough to send capital project wish list to D.C.

The list includes a methane gas project at the Central Peninsula Landfill

The Soldotna Landfill is seen on June 27, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is requesting about $5.5 million in federal funding for the construction of a gas collection system, which would convert landfill methane to energy when completed. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
KDLL, Peninsula Clarion and League of Women Voters will host an election forum ahead of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election.

Clarion, KDLL to hold special mayoral candidate forum Tuesday

The special mayoral election is slated for Feb. 14

KDLL, Peninsula Clarion and League of Women Voters will host an election forum ahead of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election.
A 2022 voter information pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to no longer mail election pamphlets

A pamphlet with information about how to access an online version will be mailed for three years

A 2022 voter information pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Superior Court applicants to be interviewed Monday

The hearing will be held by the Alaska Judicial Council

The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)