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)
The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Several thousand affected by Soldotna power outage

Homer Electric Association said the power outage was caused by a faulty cable.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional material (City of Seward)

Seward offers $50 gift cards to those getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Participating businesses include Harbor Street Creamery, Resurrect Art Coffee House, Forests, Tides Treasures and the Seward Alehouse, among others.

Promotional material (City of Seward)
Volunteers from the Juneau Raptor Center cared for this eaglet, who was found on the ground near Angoon and named Pearl. Local volunteers rescued the raptor and Alaska Seaplanes transported him to Juneau where volunteers fed him, administered fluids, and created a kennel with shredded paper to increase his comfort. Pearl is now at the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo/Juneau Raptor Center)

Putting ‘Fourth’ effort: It was a busy holiday weekend for Juneau Raptor Center

It was a busy holiday weekend for Juneau Raptor Center

Volunteers from the Juneau Raptor Center cared for this eaglet, who was found on the ground near Angoon and named Pearl. Local volunteers rescued the raptor and Alaska Seaplanes transported him to Juneau where volunteers fed him, administered fluids, and created a kennel with shredded paper to increase his comfort. Pearl is now at the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo/Juneau Raptor Center)
A sign directing people to the Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

3 new COVID deaths reported; officials encourage vaccines as delta variant spreads

On Friday, the state announced another 108 COVID cases, which included seven on the Kenai Peninsula.

A sign directing people to the Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Walt Blauvelt stands on logs near the Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘I don’t know why people didn’t see it’

Spruce bark beetle infestations overtake peninsula trees

Walt Blauvelt stands on logs near the Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Community members affiliated with local organizations participate in Kenai’s annual Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Independence on display

Community celebrates the 4th with parade, candy, celebration

Community members affiliated with local organizations participate in Kenai’s annual Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)