Kenai Watershed Forum Education Specialist Megan Pike, left, explains how rivers impact their surroundings during a demonstration given at the Donald E. Gilman River Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘You’re in this watershed’

Demonstration table shows how water affects peninsula geography.

Kenai Watershed Forum Education Specialist Megan Pike, left, explains how rivers impact their surroundings during a demonstration given at the Donald E. Gilman River Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is photographed on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Skating recital returns after almost 2 years

The skating recital is a full-costume performance to music.

The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is photographed on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A polar bear is displayed inside of the Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Airport in final phases of sand storage project

The approximately 5,600-square-foot building is slated for completion in the spring or summer of 2022.

A polar bear is displayed inside of the Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC’s board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking ‘why?’ (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC’s board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking ‘why?’ (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the “People First Iniative,” a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous persons, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 press conference in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

‘This state should be involved in the safety of its people’

Governor unveils effort to tackle domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous persons, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness

Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the “People First Iniative,” a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous persons, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 press conference in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
This Sept. 7, 2007, file photo shows Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” docked in Seward, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a press conference Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, proposed $5 million in new funding for Alaska’s tourism industry with money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File)

State seeks to give tourism boost with federal funds

The funds, from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, will be included in the governor’s fiscal year 2023 budget.

This Sept. 7, 2007, file photo shows Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” docked in Seward, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a press conference Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, proposed $5 million in new funding for Alaska’s tourism industry with money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be rewritten entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Group highlights risks of constitutional convention

The process would be contentious and costly, the group said.

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be rewritten entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sabine Poux anchors KDLL’s evening news show on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. KDLL will add a reporter to its staff through the Report for America program. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

A new voice for the peninsula

New radio reporter to bring expanded community news coverage.

Sabine Poux anchors KDLL’s evening news show on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. KDLL will add a reporter to its staff through the Report for America program. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska reports its 1st omicron case

The case was reported in an Anchorage resident who had tested positive for the virus after traveling internationally.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
(Black Press File)

Alternatives sought for tobacco-related school suspensions

Tobacco policy violations accounted for more than 1,800 days lost from school in Alaska in the 2018-2019 school year.

(Black Press File)
Volunteers at the Alaska SeaLife Center feed a milk and electrolyte mix to a beluga calf, rescued on Sept. 30, 2017, after being stranded in Trading Bay, on Friday, Oct. 6 in Seward, Alaska. The calf, dubbed Tyonek, and a second stranded beluga sent to the Alaska SeaLife Center were featured in a study published last month in the scientific journal Polar Research. (Courtesy photo)

A tale of 2 cetaceans

Study analyzes outcomes for stranded beluga calves rehabilitated at SeaLife Center.

Volunteers at the Alaska SeaLife Center feed a milk and electrolyte mix to a beluga calf, rescued on Sept. 30, 2017, after being stranded in Trading Bay, on Friday, Oct. 6 in Seward, Alaska. The calf, dubbed Tyonek, and a second stranded beluga sent to the Alaska SeaLife Center were featured in a study published last month in the scientific journal Polar Research. (Courtesy photo)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases down statewide; uncertainty over omicron looms

On Friday, the state reported 453 new COVID cases, for a seven-day cumulative rolling average of 195 cases per day.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Maria Dixson, left, rings up a purchase by Sarah Pyhala, right, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska, on Jan. 2, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Last call for $100 shop local vouchers

The Soldotna City Council voted to set aside $350,000 in excess CARES dollars for the shop local program earlier this year.

Maria Dixson, left, rings up a purchase by Sarah Pyhala, right, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska, on Jan. 2, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Brian Prather sits with Santa at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Santa comes to town

Nikiski rec center hosts Christmas celebration

Brian Prather sits with Santa at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Dorothy Thomson stands while giving a thumbs down as Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of Alaska Address during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The 2019 convention was the last in-person convention as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the meeting to go digital for the second year in a row. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)

‘Relationships are key’: AFN Convention brings leaders to the table

This year’s convention will look back on 50 years of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Dorothy Thomson stands while giving a thumbs down as Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of Alaska Address during the 2019 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. The 2019 convention was the last in-person convention as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the meeting to go digital for the second year in a row. (Eric Engman/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner via AP)
A student pets Wilson, a therapy dog, in a hallway at French Middle School, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. The dog is one of the tools designed to relieve stresses faced by students as they return to classrooms amid the ongoing pandemic. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A student pets Wilson, a therapy dog, in a hallway at French Middle School, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, in Topeka, Kan. The dog is one of the tools designed to relieve stresses faced by students as they return to classrooms amid the ongoing pandemic. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer is seen on the floor of the Alaska House on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska. Meyer, a Republican who oversees elections in Alaska, in November 2020, announced plans for a hand-count review of votes cast on a successful ballot initiative, which would change how elections in Alaska are conducted, casting the review as a way to calm questions that had been raised about the validity of election results. The Associated Press received emails on Nov. 30, 2021, hat were received by Meyer’s office with complaints or concerns about the election, more than a year after they were requested. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Email complaints scarce before ballot review

The hand count cost around $55,750.

  • Dec 11, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer is seen on the floor of the Alaska House on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, in Juneau, Alaska. Meyer, a Republican who oversees elections in Alaska, in November 2020, announced plans for a hand-count review of votes cast on a successful ballot initiative, which would change how elections in Alaska are conducted, casting the review as a way to calm questions that had been raised about the validity of election results. The Associated Press received emails on Nov. 30, 2021, hat were received by Meyer’s office with complaints or concerns about the election, more than a year after they were requested. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in the village at the head of Kachemack Bay. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough awards contract for K-Selo design report

The bid award will cover a programming phase, value analysis and cost estimate in a not-to-exceed amount of $125,000.

One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in the village at the head of Kachemack Bay. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)