Humpback whales breach the ocean’s surface in this undated Juneau photograph. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)

To the rescue: Volunteers stand ready to help stranded marine animals

When animals need help, a network of dedicated volunteers are trained and ready to pitch in.

Humpback whales breach the ocean’s surface in this undated Juneau photograph. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)
KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Industry outlook forum kicks off next week

The annual forum is put on by the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District

KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A screenshot from around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 shows the location of reported power outages experienced by members of Homer Electric Association. (Screenshot)

Power restored in Soldotna after outage that affected 7,000

The company was still repairing some single outages Wednesday.

A screenshot from around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 shows the location of reported power outages experienced by members of Homer Electric Association. (Screenshot)
Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Soldotna Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Here to keep the promise’

New clinic serving peninsula veterans opens in Soldotna

Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Soldotna Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska reports nearly 1,000 new COVID cases

Six cases of the omicron variant have been detected in Alaska.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The sun sets on a backroad near Kalifornsky Beach Road on Dec. 21, 2021. New regulations allowing all-purpose vehicles on some roads go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New rules kick in for all-purpose vehicles Saturday

ATVS, other all-purpose vehicles allowed on certain roads starting Jan. 1.

The sun sets on a backroad near Kalifornsky Beach Road on Dec. 21, 2021. New regulations allowing all-purpose vehicles on some roads go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)

Fireworks banned in most places on peninsula

The City of Kenai allows use for a 48-hour period over the New Year’s holiday.

Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks during a press conference announcing the administration’s push for changes to the state’s election system on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, State of Alaska)

Governor proposes sweeping changes to election system

Dunleavy plans to put the “election integrity” bill before the Alaska Legislature next session.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks during a press conference announcing the administration’s push for changes to the state’s election system on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, State of Alaska)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. The Capitol will be the site of a committee hearing next month that will focus on the recent firing of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. CEO Angela Rodell. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Staff members at the Alaska SeaLife Center near Seward attend to a harbor seal pup. This summer, one of the pups in the center’s care came from Juneau. The seal received treatment at the center and was released into the wild in September. (Courtesy photo/Alaska SeaLife Center/Kaiti Chritz)

To the rescue: Marine animals get 2nd chance at SeaLife Center

Named Spaetzle, the seal pup benefited from an extensive rehabilitation that prepared him for life in the wild.

Staff members at the Alaska SeaLife Center near Seward attend to a harbor seal pup. This summer, one of the pups in the center’s care came from Juneau. The seal received treatment at the center and was released into the wild in September. (Courtesy photo/Alaska SeaLife Center/Kaiti Chritz)
An emergency worker holds a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport in Juneau, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

COVID tests at airports catch 6K cases since June 2020

The program to test travelers will stop at Alaska airports at the end of January.

An emergency worker holds a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport in Juneau, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A map shows the location of difficult road conditions on the central peninsula, as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Screenshot from Alaska 511)

Winter weather advisory issued due to ice

The advisory is in effect until 9 p.m.

A map shows the location of difficult road conditions on the central peninsula, as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Screenshot from Alaska 511)
A sign in downtown Seldovia is photographed on Sept. 27, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Seldovia looks to revamp community building

The stated goal of the project is to improve the quality of life for “low and moderate-income residents.”

A sign in downtown Seldovia is photographed on Sept. 27, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Spencer Kuan Co. (Photo by Kammi Matson)

Homer High student gets perfect score on AP Computer Science test

Spencer C0’s score puts him in top .29% of test takers worldwide

Spencer Kuan Co. (Photo by Kammi Matson)
A sign welcoms people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Soldotna scholarship application period begins

In all, scholarship committees will award up to a combined total of about $66,000.

A sign welcoms people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

More omicron cases reported

Alaska will no longer offer testing at airports in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau beginning Feb. 1.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Matanuska delayed as repair work continues

Jan. 24 sailing to Bellingham canceled.

This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council to consider additional funds for dog park

The additional $65,000 would be support design and construction needs

Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Shortest day behind us, peninsula gaining light

The central peninsula received less than six hours of daylight during the winter solstice on Tuesday, which officially marked the end of fall. While the… Continue reading