By IAN FOLEY/Peninsula Clarion The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank advertises Pick.Click.Give on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in Soldotna.

Pick.Click.Give. provides essential funding for local non-profits

From Jan. 1 through March 31, Alaskans filing for a Permanent Fund dividend will have more opportunity to donate to charity as the Pick.Click.Give. program… Continue reading

  • Jan 1, 2015
  • By IAN FOLEY
By IAN FOLEY/Peninsula Clarion The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank advertises Pick.Click.Give on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in Soldotna.

Clarion to no longer carry Parade

Beginning with Sunday’s edition, the Peninsula Clarion will no longer be able to offer Parade magazine.Parade was recently acquired by Athlon Media Group, and the… Continue reading

  • Jan 1, 2015

Year-end emergency statistics reveal trends, anomalies

This season, Central Peninsula Emergency Services responded to little more than half the number of structure fires that they were called to last year. Between… Continue reading

Minimum wage raise could affect school bus drivers down the road

With Alaska’s minimum wage set to increase by $1 per hour Feb. 24, an 1989 state statute may eventually lead to a significant pay increase… Continue reading

  • Dec 30, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Troopers seek missing Wisconsin man

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska State Troopers are seeking the public’s help in a search for a 72-year-old Wisconsin man who disappeared in August. Troopers… Continue reading

  • Dec 30, 2014
Four-time champion Lance Mackey talks about his entry into this year's Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race at the Quest Visitor Center Fairbanks, Alaska, Monday, Dec. 29, 2014. Mackey is replacing rookie Jimmy Lebling as the driver of his Comeback Kennels dog team, which was already signed up for the race. (AP Photo/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Eric Engman)

Mackey enters Yukon Quest

FAIRBANKS (AP) — A four-time champion of the Yukon Quest sled dog race is getting back into the competition. Lance Mackey on Monday signed up… Continue reading

  • Dec 30, 2014
Four-time champion Lance Mackey talks about his entry into this year's Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race at the Quest Visitor Center Fairbanks, Alaska, Monday, Dec. 29, 2014. Mackey is replacing rookie Jimmy Lebling as the driver of his Comeback Kennels dog team, which was already signed up for the race. (AP Photo/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Eric Engman)

Legislature’s website gets a makeover

The Alaska Legislature’s website has received a makeover, just in time for the start of the new legislative session on January 20. The new user-friendly… Continue reading

  • Dec 30, 2014
  • By IAN FOLEY
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  In this Jan. 2, 2014  Maura Johnson, 19, reads the fantasy book "Shadows" by Robin McKinley at the newly revamped public library in Soldotna, Alaska.

Soldotna library expansion creates engaging space

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series looking at some of the people and events in the news in 2014.   More than… Continue reading

  • Dec 30, 2014
  • By IAN FOLEY
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  In this Jan. 2, 2014  Maura Johnson, 19, reads the fantasy book "Shadows" by Robin McKinley at the newly revamped public library in Soldotna, Alaska.
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clairon Residence Advisors Robert Goerdt and Sean McBride, desk attendant Zach Moore and Residence Life Coordinator Leslie Byrd dump buckets of ice water on  Kenai Peninsula College Associate Director of Residence Life Tammie Willis Friday, Sept. 05, 2014, at the Kenai Peninsula College Residence Hall in Soldotna, Alaska. Willis was asked by Byrd to take part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Positive growth: KPC residence hall continues to develop as a community

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series looking at some of the people and events in the news in 2014.Kenai Peninsula College’s residence… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clairon Residence Advisors Robert Goerdt and Sean McBride, desk attendant Zach Moore and Residence Life Coordinator Leslie Byrd dump buckets of ice water on  Kenai Peninsula College Associate Director of Residence Life Tammie Willis Friday, Sept. 05, 2014, at the Kenai Peninsula College Residence Hall in Soldotna, Alaska. Willis was asked by Byrd to take part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

New charges filed in 2012 teen drinking party case

The Alaska Department of Law last week filed new charges against two brothers suspected to be involved in the assault of a teenage boy at… Continue reading

Sitka gym born from college closure

SITKA (AP) — On the list of top 10 New Year’s resolutions, “staying fit and healthy” ranked fifth in a recent nationwide study.Hames Center director… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014
  • By SHANNON HAUGLAND

Militia head seeks delay in federal appeal

FAIRBANKS (AP) — The Alaska militia leader convicted of conspiracy to murder public officials is seeking a second delay for filing briefs in his appeal.The… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014

Snow businesses still keeping busy

Despite having hardly any snow on the ground this winter, many local businesses that sell winter gear and machinery are still going strong. The habits… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014
  • By IAN FOLEY

Coast Guard event looks back at freighter grounding

KODIAK (AP) — Just over 10 years ago, a ship carrying soybeans went aground in Makushin Bay on Unalaska Island in the Aleutian Chain during… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014
  • By JULIE HERRMANN
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Smoke from the Funny River Fire reached more than 8,000 feet in the air Tuesday May 20, 2014 as the fire burned more than 7,000 acres of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge land in 24 hours. The line of fire stretched more than 10 miles long from Funny River Road to Tustumena Lake on the Kenai Peninsula.

Remembering the fire

Editor's note: A woman in this article was identified by an incorrect last name. Erik Huebsch's wife is Catherine Cassidy.  When the Funny River wildfire broke… Continue reading

  • Dec 27, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Smoke from the Funny River Fire reached more than 8,000 feet in the air Tuesday May 20, 2014 as the fire burned more than 7,000 acres of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge land in 24 hours. The line of fire stretched more than 10 miles long from Funny River Road to Tustumena Lake on the Kenai Peninsula.

Business news

■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce’s annual community awards celebration is at noon Jan. 13 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. RSVP to 262-9814. Chamber… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014

Alaska court rules bison can roam freely on Kodiak

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The buffalo can roam freely again on Kodiak Island.The state Board of Game had previously decided that free-ranging bison were considered… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014

With oil prices dropping, Walker stops spending on mega-projects

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — With oil prices dropping, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has halted new spending on six high-profile projects, pending further review. Walker issued… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014
FILE -- In this March 9, 2009 file photo, freeway traffic slows to a crawl along I-5 northbound near Everett, Wash. Many of the chemicals spread on highways to help winter drivers can damage the environment. Researchers at Washington State University are working on environmentally friendly ways that use less salt to reduce snow and ice on roads. (AP Photo/The Herald, Kevin Nortz, File)

WSU studies green winter road technology

SPOKANE, Wash. — Researchers at Washington State University are working on environmentally friendly ways that use less salt to reduce snow and ice on roads.Their… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2014
  • By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
FILE -- In this March 9, 2009 file photo, freeway traffic slows to a crawl along I-5 northbound near Everett, Wash. Many of the chemicals spread on highways to help winter drivers can damage the environment. Researchers at Washington State University are working on environmentally friendly ways that use less salt to reduce snow and ice on roads. (AP Photo/The Herald, Kevin Nortz, File)
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Kenai police officers Jay Sjogren and Alex Prins demonstrate a manuever during a Teens on Target self defense class on Thursday Dec. 11, 2014 in Kenai, Alaska.

Teens on Target teaches firearm use and self-defense to teenage girls

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to note the model of assault rifle that the teens were using. It is an AR-15.  Kenai Police… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion  Kenai police officers Jay Sjogren and Alex Prins demonstrate a manuever during a Teens on Target self defense class on Thursday Dec. 11, 2014 in Kenai, Alaska.