News

The Kasilof River can be seen in June 2019. (Clarion file)

Kasilof sockeye run strongest of season, report finds

The department forecast about 941,000 sockeye in the Kasilof, when the actual run was about 1.5 million

The Kasilof River can be seen in June 2019. (Clarion file)
Alaska State Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer File)

Judge weighs how to proceed on case against Eastman

A lawsuit alleges that the lawmaker’s ties to the far-right Oath Keepers group disqualifies him from holding office

  • Dec 8, 2022
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Alaska State Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer File)
Robert Winter loads duffel bags into a car, part of a donation by the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition Program on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gift to look forward to

Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors donates 40 bags to local students

Robert Winter loads duffel bags into a car, part of a donation by the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition Program on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Streets foreman Curt Wagoner drives a city sander equipped with a belly blade along the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. The City of Kenai is not responsible for maintaining state roads. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai street crew treats, clears city roads

A five-man crew is tasked with plowing and treating 80 miles of roads

Kenai City Streets foreman Curt Wagoner drives a city sander equipped with a belly blade along the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. The City of Kenai is not responsible for maintaining state roads. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer News Editor Michael Armstrong, left, and Senior Reporter Emilie Springer pose for a photo on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at the paper offices in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/Homer News)

Homer News editor Armstrong will retire

Armstrong started working at the Homer News in 1999

Homer News Editor Michael Armstrong, left, and Senior Reporter Emilie Springer pose for a photo on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at the paper offices in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/Homer News)
U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo Two crewmembers from Coast Guard Cutter Naushon and a member from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement (NOAA OLE) pose for a picture with allegedly illegally-retained halibut in Homer, Alaska, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. While conducting a boarding of a commercial fishing vessel, a Cutter Naushon boarding team member discovered a total of 117 pounds of illegally-retained halibut aboard the vessel and handed them over to NOAA OLE representatives in Homer.

USCG, NOAA seize illegal halibut

Naushon boarding crew discovers unlogged halibut.

U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo Two crewmembers from Coast Guard Cutter Naushon and a member from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement (NOAA OLE) pose for a picture with allegedly illegally-retained halibut in Homer, Alaska, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. While conducting a boarding of a commercial fishing vessel, a Cutter Naushon boarding team member discovered a total of 117 pounds of illegally-retained halibut aboard the vessel and handed them over to NOAA OLE representatives in Homer.
A mock-up of an A-Frame property that would be located across the street from the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Wynn Nature Center and used by the Homer Forest Charter School shows places for classroom yurts, a dormitory and kitchen, a parking area with bus parking and staff housing. The configuration was presented Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board of Education. (Via Homer Forest Charter School presentation to school board)

Efforts to open K-8 nature school in Homer delayed

Charter organizers proposed changing the school’s opening date from 2023 to 2024

A mock-up of an A-Frame property that would be located across the street from the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Wynn Nature Center and used by the Homer Forest Charter School shows places for classroom yurts, a dormitory and kitchen, a parking area with bus parking and staff housing. The configuration was presented Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board of Education. (Via Homer Forest Charter School presentation to school board)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai explains the ranked choice voting process as the results are tallied during an Alaska Public Media broadcast, Nov. 23, 2022, at her office in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Elections division head to step down Friday

Fenumiai made the decision to retire in September, a division spokesperson said

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai explains the ranked choice voting process as the results are tallied during an Alaska Public Media broadcast, Nov. 23, 2022, at her office in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 cases continue to spike

Cases rise in Kenai Peninsula Borough for 3rd straight week

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Gingerbread houses are displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Gingerbread houses rule

10th annual gingerbread house competition returns to Kenai Chamber of Commerce

Gingerbread houses are displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A plow truck clears snow as it moves down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Up to a foot of snow expected on Kenai Peninsula through Wednesday

Winter weather advisory is in effect

A plow truck clears snow as it moves down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas in the Park welcomes the holiday season to Soldotna

Santa headlines celebration with caroling, Nativity, cocoa and fireworks

Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children decorate Christmas cookies, part of Christmas Comes to Nikiski festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas crafts and Santa photos

Nikiski holds start of annual December celebration

Children decorate Christmas cookies, part of Christmas Comes to Nikiski festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Food Bank fundraiser to auction Legos, offer Santa photos to pets

Bark, Block n’ Bowl will take place on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seated left, and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom sign their oaths of office during the inauguration ceremony, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy, a Republican, last month became the first Alaska governor since Democrat Tony Knowles in 1998 to win back-to-back terms. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy, Dahlstrom take oaths of office

Gov. Dunleavy was reelected during the Nov. 8 general election

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seated left, and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom sign their oaths of office during the inauguration ceremony, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dunleavy, a Republican, last month became the first Alaska governor since Democrat Tony Knowles in 1998 to win back-to-back terms. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Fatal collision near Anchor Point closes highway for hours

Troopers received a call about the collision shortly after noon

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Members of the Soldotna Elks Lodge #2706, including Exalted Ruler Robert Dixon and Secretary Shannon Woodford (third and fifth from the left) stand with purchased toys and clothes for donation to local children at the lodge in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Elks to donate toys and clothes to local kids

Yearlong fundraiser brings in more than $13,000

Members of the Soldotna Elks Lodge #2706, including Exalted Ruler Robert Dixon and Secretary Shannon Woodford (third and fifth from the left) stand with purchased toys and clothes for donation to local children at the lodge in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Portions of the Kenai bluff can be seen eroding below Old Town Kenai in this undated photo. (Photo by Aidan Curtin/courtesy Scott Curtin) Portions of the Kenai bluff can be seen eroding below Old Town Kenai in this undated photo. (Photo by Aidan Curtin/courtesy Scott Curtin)

Infrastructure dollars flood peninsula

Federal infrastructure bill makes available more than $232M for peninsula projects

Portions of the Kenai bluff can be seen eroding below Old Town Kenai in this undated photo. (Photo by Aidan Curtin/courtesy Scott Curtin) Portions of the Kenai bluff can be seen eroding below Old Town Kenai in this undated photo. (Photo by Aidan Curtin/courtesy Scott Curtin)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna bumps vote on use of accessory housing as short-term rentals

An accessory dwelling unit is a subordinate, detached dwelling unit located on a lot or parcel with an existing residence

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion) Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Law enforcement to host women’s self-defense class in January

Within 48 hours of the course being advertised, 120 women had signed up to participate

Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion) Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)