Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File
Paul Gardinier, an exhibit specialist, works to install a Nathan Jackson retrospective in the gallery at the Walter Soboleff Center on March 25, 2019.

Renowned Northwest Coast artist named USA Fellow

United States Artists awards $50,000 to the Ketchikan-based artist.

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File
Paul Gardinier, an exhibit specialist, works to install a Nathan Jackson retrospective in the gallery at the Walter Soboleff Center on March 25, 2019.
Rosalie Eller pauses construction work to pose for a photo in Ionia in the summer of 2020. (Photo courtesy Eliza Eller)

Building from scratch

Youth to build tiny home in Ionia

Rosalie Eller pauses construction work to pose for a photo in Ionia in the summer of 2020. (Photo courtesy Eliza Eller)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

226 new cases statewide, 6 on peninsula

The state reported no new hospitalizations or deaths on Wednesday

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University’s programs are here to stay, president says

UA head tells lawmakers jobs are school’s priority.

University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration and Assembly meet for a joint work session with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

District, borough at odds over school budget

The school district requested about $53 million from the borough, while the borough proposed about $43 million as a minimum amount.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration and Assembly meet for a joint work session with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion 
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce gives a presentation to members of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center in Kenai on Wednesday.

Mayor: Pandemic upended borough budget

The borough expects to receive about $8 million less in revenue for fiscal year 2022 than it received in fiscal year 2019

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion 
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce gives a presentation to members of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center in Kenai on Wednesday.
Robert Gibson testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves new agriculture lease structure

Both pieces of legislation were approved unanimously

Robert Gibson testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This still image from Gavel Alaska shows Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum as he speaks to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Lawmakers questioned Crum on the legality of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's emergency disaster declarations and extensions. (Screenshot)
This still image from Gavel Alaska shows Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum as he speaks to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. Lawmakers questioned Crum on the legality of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's emergency disaster declarations and extensions. (Screenshot)

Connections enrollment doubled this year

The surge in enrollment put a strain on the home-school program.

Photos by Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion
Bill Kelley, left, hands a backpack full of supplies and towels to Dale Curtis during a Project Homeless Connect Event at the Sterling Senior Citizens Center on Tuesday.

Happy to help

Project Homeless Connect wraps up after week of outreach

Photos by Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion
Bill Kelley, left, hands a backpack full of supplies and towels to Dale Curtis during a Project Homeless Connect Event at the Sterling Senior Citizens Center on Tuesday.
Michael Wojciak stands in front of the middle and high school building of Kachemak Selo School Nov. 12, 2019, in Kachemak Selo, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

K-Selo sticking point on KPBSD project bond package

The amount of money requested for the project — $5.39 million — reflects the 35% local match the borough would need to provide

Michael Wojciak stands in front of the middle and high school building of Kachemak Selo School Nov. 12, 2019, in Kachemak Selo, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

6 peninsula cases, 140 reported statewide

The state also reported four new hospitalizations and 17 new deaths on Tuesday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at the Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district to begin budget process

FY 2022 Education funding request to formally begin with joint work session Tuesday

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at the Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Syphilis infections are surging in Alaska

A variety of forces are leading to the increased numbers.

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

Peninsula reports 1 new case

101 new cases were reported, 38 cases among nonresidents

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
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)

School district identifies almost $30M in critical projects

The 19 projects would impact 38 of the district’s 42 schools.

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)
Paul Seaton (courtesy photo)

Former lawmaker to boost vitamin D usage at assembly

Former Alaska State House District 31 Rep. Paul Seaton will give a presentation to the Kenai Peninsula Borough during its Feb. 2 meeting about the… Continue reading

Paul Seaton (courtesy photo)
Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Fish and Game issues preemptive restrictions on king salmon fishing

Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game has issued several preemptive restrictions on king salmon fishing in Cook Inlet waters in an attempt to protect the… Continue reading

Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Robert Gibson testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to vote on restructuring of agricultural leases

A public hearing is scheduled for the assembly’s Tuesday meeting

Robert Gibson testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, seen here sitting in the Speaker's chair in the Alaska House of Representatives chamber on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, presided over yet another House session where lawmakers failed to organize. Feb. 1, marked the third straight week of deadlock in the House. Lawmakers will meet again Tuesday morning. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, seen here sitting in the Speaker's chair in the Alaska House of Representatives chamber on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, presided over yet another House session where lawmakers failed to organize. Feb. 1, marked the third straight week of deadlock in the House. Lawmakers will meet again Tuesday morning. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)