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Alaska Vocational Technical Center Executive Director Cathy LeCompte presents during a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

AVTEC director plugs programming at chamber luncheon

AVTEC is about more, LeCompte said, than just checking off classes to gain certification

Alaska Vocational Technical Center Executive Director Cathy LeCompte presents during a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Dave Carey, Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, Zach Hamilton and Peter Micciche participate in a Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor candidate forum on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough mayoral candidates participate in Tuesday forum

The forum was hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM in partnership with the Central Peninsula League of Women Voters

From left, Dave Carey, Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, Zach Hamilton and Peter Micciche participate in a Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor candidate forum on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A volunteer ladles Hungarian mushroom soup donated by Odie’s at Kenai United Methodist Food Pantry in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Church food pantry marks 20 years of service

The Food Pantry at Kenai United Methodist Church opened Jan. 26, 2003

A volunteer ladles Hungarian mushroom soup donated by Odie’s at Kenai United Methodist Food Pantry in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Jan. 23, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Library Director Dave Berry and Advisory Board Chair Kate Finn participate in Library Advisory Board meeting on Tuesday Jan. 17, 2023, at Homer City Hall, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Emilie Springer/Homer News)

Homer Library Advisory Board upholds decision to retain LGBTQ+ books

A citizen’s group last year submitted a petition asking that the books be removed from the children’s section

Library Director Dave Berry and Advisory Board Chair Kate Finn participate in Library Advisory Board meeting on Tuesday Jan. 17, 2023, at Homer City Hall, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Emilie Springer/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Hospitalizations jump, 4th consecutive week of rising cases

4 patients are on ventilators and two are located in the Gulf Coast region

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Henry Smith checks out his fresh haircut courtesy of Gail Kennedy during the 2020 Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Project Homeless Connect to provide services Tuesday to combat housing insecurity

Vision screenings, job services, rental assistance applications, social services, health care, food, veterans services, immunizations, child care are among services offered

Henry Smith checks out his fresh haircut courtesy of Gail Kennedy during the 2020 Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree speaks during a public vote of the Alaska Judicial Council held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

4 nominated to fill Kenai Superior Court seat

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has 45 days to appoint one of the nominees selected by the council to the position.

Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree speaks during a public vote of the Alaska Judicial Council held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Mike Crawford, Chair of the Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee, writes the language of an amendment to Board of Game Proposal 105, passed unanimously by the committee during a meeting on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Advisory committee votes on recommendations for Board of Game meeting

Proposals discussed Monday included those related to hunting ducks, sheep, goats, moose and ptarmigan on the Kenai Peninsula

Mike Crawford, Chair of the Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee, writes the language of an amendment to Board of Game Proposal 105, passed unanimously by the committee during a meeting on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Nominations for HEA board open

HEA’s Board of Directors is responsible for creating policy, developing rates and providing organizational direction

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Judicial Council hears testimony on Kenai Superior Court candidates

Tuesday at 4 p.m., a public vote will be held by the Judicial Council to determine which candidates will be nominated for the position

The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Public Works Director Kyle Kornelis (right) answers questions from Jeff Dolifka (left) regarding the Soldotna Field House on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna finalizing field house work ahead of bond sale

Voters gave the City of Soldotna permission to incur up to $15 million debt for the project

Soldotna Public Works Director Kyle Kornelis (right) answers questions from Jeff Dolifka (left) regarding the Soldotna Field House on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek leads attendees in exercises during a “Toss A Cop” event at the All American Training Center on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Toss A Cop’ women’s safety class draws more than 70

The curriculum used during Saturday’s five-hour class was created by Homer Police Department Lt. Ryan Browning

Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek leads attendees in exercises during a “Toss A Cop” event at the All American Training Center on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State address at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Junuea, Alaska. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire)

A chance ‘to change the course of Alaska’s history’

Dunleavy to deliver first State of State of 2nd term

Gov. Mike Dunleavy gives his State of the State address at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Junuea, Alaska. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rain and wintry mix expected through midweek

Freezing rain or snow covered roadways will lead to hazardous driving conditions, a special weather statement said

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
In this June 15, 2014, file photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey, a polar bear dries off after taking a swim in the Chukchi Sea in Alaska. A polar bear has attacked and killed two people in a remote village in western Alaska, according to state troopers who said they received the report of the attack on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023, in Wales, on the western tip of the Seward Peninsula. (Brian Battaile/U.S. Geological Survey via AP, File)

Rare attack in Alaska renews interest in polar bear patrols

A polar bear attack killed a mother and her 1-year-old son in Wales, a tiny, remote Alaska whaling village

  • Jan 20, 2023
  • By Gene Johnson and Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
In this June 15, 2014, file photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey, a polar bear dries off after taking a swim in the Chukchi Sea in Alaska. A polar bear has attacked and killed two people in a remote village in western Alaska, according to state troopers who said they received the report of the attack on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023, in Wales, on the western tip of the Seward Peninsula. (Brian Battaile/U.S. Geological Survey via AP, File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Arsenio “Pastor” Credo and other Alaska Native veterans listen to a presentation Thursday afternoon on how to apply for up to 160 acres of the more than 27 million acres of public land available to Alaska Native veterans who were unable to apply for their acres of in-state land due to serving during the Vietnam War.

Millions of acres are available for Vietnam-era Alaska Native veterans, but many in Southeast don’t want it

‘We want Southeast Alaska.’

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Arsenio “Pastor” Credo and other Alaska Native veterans listen to a presentation Thursday afternoon on how to apply for up to 160 acres of the more than 27 million acres of public land available to Alaska Native veterans who were unable to apply for their acres of in-state land due to serving during the Vietnam War.
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Man found dead in Seward home

Alaska State Troopers received multiple phone calls Wednesday from the man’s friends and family seeking a welfare check

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Graph showing monthly changes in employment from 2019 to 2022, by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development using data from their Research and Analysis Section. (Screenshot)

Jobs up in 2022, fall short of predictions

The department predicted that 9,800 jobs would be added in 2022, overshooting the real numbers by 53%

Graph showing monthly changes in employment from 2019 to 2022, by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development using data from their Research and Analysis Section. (Screenshot)
A map of updated marine zone boundaries, set to be put into effect on March 8, 2023. (Screenshot)

Weather Service to update marine zones for better forecasts and warnings

Changes are set to be implemented March 8.

A map of updated marine zone boundaries, set to be put into effect on March 8, 2023. (Screenshot)
A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith) , 1.17.23.

Special avalanche bulletin issued for Turnagain Pass this weekend

The bulletin is in effect 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday

A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith) , 1.17.23.