News

The collapsed remnants of the Triumvirate Theatre can be seen on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. The building burned down in an early morning fire on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Joe Rizzo)

Triumvirate Theatre burns down

The building is a total loss.

The collapsed remnants of the Triumvirate Theatre can be seen on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. The building burned down in an early morning fire on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Joe Rizzo)
A negative pressure room inside of the ambulance bay at Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Future uncertain for peninsula hospitals following lapse in state disaster declaration

Richards said CPH is doing OK now, but could run into trouble if there is an uptick in COVID cases

A negative pressure room inside of the ambulance bay at Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Kenai council extends disaster declaration

The city’s declaration is now set to expire on March 31

The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Becky Bohrer / Associated Press Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to Rep. Bryce Edgmon on the House floor on Thursday, in Juneau. The House, which has struggled to organize, on Thursday adopted a report setting out committee assignments, a month into the legislative session.

Alaska House organizes, but questions remain about function

Stutes earlier in the week had declared her caucus “21 strong.”

  • Feb 18, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
Becky Bohrer / Associated Press Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes speaks to Rep. Bryce Edgmon on the House floor on Thursday, in Juneau. The House, which has struggled to organize, on Thursday adopted a report setting out committee assignments, a month into the legislative session.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Judge rules against governor on appointments

The decision by Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg came in a case brought in late December by the Legislative Council

  • Feb 18, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Joel Bolger speaks from behind a plexiglass encased podium to deliver the State of the Judiciary address to state lawmakers on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Despite complications posed by the pandemic, Bolger said Alaskan courts were still able to deliver services. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Bolger says Alaska’s judge selection best in U.S.

Nonpartisan selection?

Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Joel Bolger speaks from behind a plexiglass encased podium to deliver the State of the Judiciary address to state lawmakers on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Despite complications posed by the pandemic, Bolger said Alaskan courts were still able to deliver services. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink and other state health officials address members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, Feb. 18. (Screenshot)

Over 200,000 vaccine doses administered; more than 55,000 total resident cases reported

Alaska continues to lead the nation in the percentage of the population that has received at least one dose

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink and other state health officials address members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, Feb. 18. (Screenshot)
Alaska state Rep. Ben Carpenter, center, speaks to Rep. David Eastman on the floor of the House on Monday, May 18, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Local State House reps. get committee assignments

Local lawmakers will represent the Kenai Peninsula on at least five different state House committees

Alaska state Rep. Ben Carpenter, center, speaks to Rep. David Eastman on the floor of the House on Monday, May 18, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Ben LaVigueur, 43, of Nikiski starts the Little Su 50K on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Big Lake, Alaska. LaVigueur won the run category in the event. (Photo by Andy Romang)

Back in the running

Niksiki’s LaVigueur wins Little Su 50K in return to ultramarathons

Ben LaVigueur, 43, of Nikiski starts the Little Su 50K on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Big Lake, Alaska. LaVigueur won the run category in the event. (Photo by Andy Romang)
Mike Chihuly and Crosson look for a good place to cross open water during a ptarmigan hunt in the Kenai Mountains. (courtesy)

Ninilchik author explores bird dog hunting in latest work

The book features photos and recollections of more than 40 years hunting Alaska game birds with dogs.

Mike Chihuly and Crosson look for a good place to cross open water during a ptarmigan hunt in the Kenai Mountains. (courtesy)
Peggy Clements testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly votes against Caribou Island access change

The vote to veto was unanimous

Peggy Clements testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman (right) participate in the assembly’s Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 meeting at the borough assembly chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The assembly voted Tuesday to fund 13 new positions for four fire and EMS service areas. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire and EMS service areas get additional personnel

This includes the 5 positions already slated for the new Western Emergency Services

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman (right) participate in the assembly’s Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 meeting at the borough assembly chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The assembly voted Tuesday to fund 13 new positions for four fire and EMS service areas. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19 (Image via CDC)

About 15% of borough residents have at least 1 vaccine dose

Alaska leads the nation in the percentage of the population that has received at least one dose

COVID-19 (Image via CDC)
The homepage of Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s new workforce development is seen in a screenshot from Feb. 17, 2021. (Screenshot)

KPEDD unveils workforce development website

The website aims to connect people with resources to help them start a career

The homepage of Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s new workforce development is seen in a screenshot from Feb. 17, 2021. (Screenshot)
This map shows a proposed road and gravel pad that are part of Hilcorp Alaska’s application to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas)

Hilcorp seeks to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point

Public comments accepted through March 4

This map shows a proposed road and gravel pad that are part of Hilcorp Alaska’s application to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas)
Actors portraying the Chorus of the Women of Canterbury rehearse on Monday, Feb. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Poetry, history and murder

Kenai Performers takes on T.S. Eliot in its latest show

Actors portraying the Chorus of the Women of Canterbury rehearse on Monday, Feb. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19 (Image via CDC)

Alaska leads nation in vaccine rollout

13,052 doses have been administered in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, including 8,865 initial doses and 4,187 second doses.

COVID-19 (Image via CDC)
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

1st KPBSD vaccine clinic to be held next week

The clinics are specifically for district staff

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire's offices on Feb. 16, 2021. Murkowski was in the capital city as part of an annual Presidents Day recess trip that typically includes an address to the Alaska State Legislature. Instead, Murkowski visited with state lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Murkowski: Bipartisanship is not dead

Trump still looms large.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire's offices on Feb. 16, 2021. Murkowski was in the capital city as part of an annual Presidents Day recess trip that typically includes an address to the Alaska State Legislature. Instead, Murkowski visited with state lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
In this Oct. 28, 2016, photo provided by the Maniilaq Association, Alex Whiting, left, and Cyrus Harris, right, are observed by Chris Sannito, second from left, and Brian Himelbloom, third from left, of the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center as they trim and clean seal blubber in Kotzebue, Alaska. In January 2021, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved seal oil to be served at a Maniilaq elder care home, believed to be a first for seal oil in the U.S. (Maniilaq Association via AP)

Cultural ‘big deal’: Seal oil makes menu at Alaska care home

Seal oil is back on the menu for Inupiat elders.

In this Oct. 28, 2016, photo provided by the Maniilaq Association, Alex Whiting, left, and Cyrus Harris, right, are observed by Chris Sannito, second from left, and Brian Himelbloom, third from left, of the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center as they trim and clean seal blubber in Kotzebue, Alaska. In January 2021, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved seal oil to be served at a Maniilaq elder care home, believed to be a first for seal oil in the U.S. (Maniilaq Association via AP)