News

Soldotna looks into unused city-owned properties

Soldotna is identifying city-owned land parcels that will eventually be purchasable by the public through a bidding process.Director of Economic Development and Planning Stephanie Queen… Continue reading

  • Jul 30, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Judge tosses lawsuit over federal refuge closures

JUNEAU — A federal judge in Alaska has dismissed the state’s lawsuit over the closure of national wildlife refuges during the partial federal government shutdown… Continue reading

  • Jul 30, 2014
  • By Becky Bohrer

Gold miners outraged at critical Nome letter

NOME (AP) — Nome gold miners are expressing outrage about a city letter citing the “negative social impacts” of their industry.Miners stormed the Nome City… Continue reading

  • Jul 30, 2014
  • By Associated Press

‘A hell of a foray’

If an Israeli high-level official were caught on a hot mic candidly commenting on Secretary of State John Kerry’s ill-fated act of Israel-Hamas peacemaking, he… Continue reading

  • Jul 30, 2014
  • By Rich Lowry

Visitors galore

With visitors to Alaska at an all-time high, tourism is growing here.Alaska tallied 1,966,700 visitors between May 1, 2013 and April 30, 2014, according to… Continue reading

  • Jul 30, 2014

Kenai shooting, heroin distribution suspect denied bail, set for August trials

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the marital status of Ashley Nelund and Dylan Rink. Nelund's attorney stated in court that Rink… Continue reading

  • Jul 29, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney
Gov. Sean Parnell speaks at Tesoro's Nikiski refinery prior to signing House Bill 287 into law. The bill extends Tesoro's contract with the State of Alaska to purchase royalty oil and gives in-state refineries a tax credit for infrastructure investment. Photo by Kaylee Osowski

Hunting, philanthropy, refinery bills signed

Changes to big game hunting regulations, Permanent Fund Dividend donations and Alaska’s refineries tax breaks were finalized Tuesday as Gov. Sean Parnell continues his bill-signing… Continue reading

  • Jul 29, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI
Gov. Sean Parnell speaks at Tesoro's Nikiski refinery prior to signing House Bill 287 into law. The bill extends Tesoro's contract with the State of Alaska to purchase royalty oil and gives in-state refineries a tax credit for infrastructure investment. Photo by Kaylee Osowski
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Tom Tougas, a representative from Big Marijuana. Big Mistake, talks about the marketing of marijuana "edibles" Tuesday July 29, 2014 at the Soldotna Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. Tougas, whose organization opposes ballot measure no. 2 which would legalize and regulate marijuana use in the state, said the marketing of "edibles" using cartoon characters and candy could be interpreted as targeting children.

Considering cannabis

A joint Kenai and Soldotna chamber luncheon was awash in marijuana slang and fresh-baked brownies Tuesday as the merits of a ballot measure to legalize… Continue reading

  • Jul 29, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Tom Tougas, a representative from Big Marijuana. Big Mistake, talks about the marketing of marijuana "edibles" Tuesday July 29, 2014 at the Soldotna Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. Tougas, whose organization opposes ballot measure no. 2 which would legalize and regulate marijuana use in the state, said the marketing of "edibles" using cartoon characters and candy could be interpreted as targeting children.

Soldotna adopts records retention schedule

The City of Soldotna finalized its retention schedule for city records and documents two years after the project was identified as a top priority. The… Continue reading

  • Jul 29, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan

Thornton challenges Olson for District 30

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of stories looking at area candidates for the Alaska Legislature.   One brings experience and the… Continue reading

  • Jul 28, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI

Parnell picks apart issues

Editor’s note: This is the second article in a two-part series detailing Republican Gov. Sean Parnell in his roles as an Alaska resident, governor and… Continue reading

  • Jul 28, 2014
  • By MATT WOOLBRIGHT
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Sonja Kjostad, 8, of Wasilla digs into a book Monday July 28, 2014 at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska.

Photo: Book nook

… Continue reading

  • Jul 28, 2014
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Sonja Kjostad, 8, of Wasilla digs into a book Monday July 28, 2014 at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska.

Safety stop puts motorist into conflict with Homer city code

Long hours of fishing near the Barren Islands over the Fourth of July weekend and a 4 a.m. arrival back in the Homer Small Boat… Continue reading

Piecing together Parnell: Governor opens up about politics, faith, pot

Editor’s note: This is the first article in a two-part series detailing Republican Gov. Sean Parnell in his roles as an Alaska resident, governor and… Continue reading

  • Jul 27, 2014
  • By MATT WOOLBRIGHT

Anglers report larger halibut

Charter anglers throughout Alaska are experiencing strong halibut fishing, with large fish landed in several of the state’s derbies, although commercial reports have been more… Continue reading

  • Jul 27, 2014
  • By Molly Dischner
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion A Nikiski lifeguard sweatshirt sits on the side of the pool during a training class, June 30, at the Nikiski Pool.

On guard: Lifeguards go through rigorous training at Nikiski pool

As the temperatures rise, and daylight extends into evening central Kenai Peninsula residents flock to their local aquatic facilities to enjoy some summer fun with… Continue reading

  • Jul 27, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion A Nikiski lifeguard sweatshirt sits on the side of the pool during a training class, June 30, at the Nikiski Pool.

Owner gives details in Nikiski house fire

Valerie Campbell, 58, was doing homework at her Aleutian Court home in Nikiski when her generator backfired Wednesday night and set the house on fire.… Continue reading

  • Jul 27, 2014
  • By KAYLEE OSOWSKI

Subsistence Alaska village fights mining road

ALLAKAKET (AP) — After another year of abysmal king salmon runs, with rain-swollen rivers making it nearly impossible to catch chum or silvers and with… Continue reading

  • Jul 27, 2014
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Shelby Hatfield, 8, and Lydia Schwartz, 7, finish a balloon race where they could not use their hands to transport it across the field, Tuesday, July 22, at the Joyce K. Carver Soldotna Public Library.

Soldotna’s Summer Reading club ends with a “boom” and a “fizz”

On the trimmed, sun soaked lawn behind the Joyce K. Carver Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday afternoon Hayden Carr, 4, watched Linda McMilin explain the… Continue reading

  • Jul 26, 2014
  • By Kelly Sullivan
Photo by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Shelby Hatfield, 8, and Lydia Schwartz, 7, finish a balloon race where they could not use their hands to transport it across the field, Tuesday, July 22, at the Joyce K. Carver Soldotna Public Library.
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion (left) Hailey, Sondra, Roy and Taylor Stonecipher watch as Carmen West, of Hatcher Pass, works on a chainsaw carving during the Soldotna Progress Days festival Saturday July 26, 2014 at the Soldotna Little League fields.

Thousands descend on Soldotna for annual Progress Days festivities

Silas Hamilton, 3, Gus Miller, 9, and Michael Greist Beltz, 7, clustered around a group of toy cars and with the single-minded determination of professionals,… Continue reading

  • Jul 26, 2014
  • By Rashah McChesney
Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion (left) Hailey, Sondra, Roy and Taylor Stonecipher watch as Carmen West, of Hatcher Pass, works on a chainsaw carving during the Soldotna Progress Days festival Saturday July 26, 2014 at the Soldotna Little League fields.