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Gov. Mike Dunleavy hosts a press conference announcing new legislation to toughen penalties for drug dealers selling opioids, on Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy proposes stronger penalties for drug offenses

The governor said he would present a bill to the Legislature next session

Gov. Mike Dunleavy hosts a press conference announcing new legislation to toughen penalties for drug dealers selling opioids, on Oct. 17, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Ronald Dean Beyering. (Photo via Alaska State Troopers)

Man wanted in relation to Funny River shooting, arson incident remains at large

He is described as armed and dangerous

Ronald Dean Beyering. (Photo via Alaska State Troopers)
Kids put their new pet ghosts into bottles at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Creepy, crawling, costumed Halloween

Peninsula ramps up spooky happenings

Kids put their new pet ghosts into bottles at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Ronald Dean Beyering. (Photo via Alaska State Troopers)

Troopers searching for man in connection with Soldotna-area residential fire

The man is described as armed and dangerous

Ronald Dean Beyering. (Photo via Alaska State Troopers)
Then-Alaska State Senate President Ben Stevens, R-Anchorage, center, and Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak right, listen to Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, May 3, 2006, during a Senate floor session at the Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, died on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. He was 63. (AP Photo/Seanna O’Sullivan, File)

Ben Stevens, former state lawmaker, dies while hiking near Seward

He is the son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens

Then-Alaska State Senate President Ben Stevens, R-Anchorage, center, and Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak right, listen to Sen. Kim Elton, D-Juneau, May 3, 2006, during a Senate floor session at the Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, died on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. He was 63. (AP Photo/Seanna O’Sullivan, File)
A special weather statement for the western Kenai Peninsula has been issued by the National Weather Service. (Screenshot weather.gov)

Weather service warns of wintry mix

The wintry mix and freezing drizzle is expected to hit from midnight through 7-8 a.m on Saturday

A special weather statement for the western Kenai Peninsula has been issued by the National Weather Service. (Screenshot weather.gov)
Oregon Accreditation Alliance Executive Director Scott Hayes, monitor, and Kenai Police Chief David Ross, right, field questions from the Kenai City Council regarding the department’s accreditation during a council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai PD gets accredited, is 4th in Alaska to do so

The police departments in Juneau and Soldotna also have the accreditation

Oregon Accreditation Alliance Executive Director Scott Hayes, monitor, and Kenai Police Chief David Ross, right, field questions from the Kenai City Council regarding the department’s accreditation during a council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Director of Economic Development John Czarnezki, right, presents proposed changes to city code relating to accessory dwelling units during a work session on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council greenlights new city housing type

Accessory dwelling units are now allowed in city limits

Soldotna Director of Economic Development John Czarnezki, right, presents proposed changes to city code relating to accessory dwelling units during a work session on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. Beverley Romanin attends her first meeting as the representative for the Board of Education’s Sterling/Funny River district on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New school board member brings educational expertise to district

Beverley Romanin is Sterling and Funny River’s new representative

Dr. Beverley Romanin attends her first meeting as the representative for the Board of Education’s Sterling/Funny River district on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
2022 Alaska State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock hands out candy during the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Babcock leads local candidates in fundraising for state office, reports show

Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek are running to represent Kenai and Soldotna in Alaska State Senate District D

2022 Alaska State Senate candidate Tuckerman Babcock hands out candy during the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Abriella Werner leaps as she approaches the end of the diving board, Derrick Jones watches during a dive practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

From springboard to diving board

SoHi junior takes gymnastic experience to pool and breaks 17-year dive record

Abriella Werner leaps as she approaches the end of the diving board, Derrick Jones watches during a dive practice on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Hospitalizations see uptick; COVID cases still declining

498 new COVID-19 cases were reported statewide

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Constitutional convention debate comes to Kenai

Alaskans will be asked on the Nov. 8 general election ballot: “Shall there be a constitutional convention?”

Bob Bird (left) and Lisa Parker (right) participate in a Constitutional Convention Forum at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship swears in newly reelected assembly members Tyson Cox, Brent Johnson and Jesse Bjorkman during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election results are certified as new assembly members sworn in

Incumbents took home easy victories on both the assembly and school board

From left: Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship swears in newly reelected assembly members Tyson Cox, Brent Johnson and Jesse Bjorkman during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre, right, and his chief of staff, Max Best, participate in an assembly meeting on Tuesday in Soldotna. The meeting was Navarre’s first as mayor since being appointed last month.

Navarre attends 1st assembly meeting as mayor

Navarre took time during his first mayor’s report to address concerns voiced surrounding his appointment

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre, right, and his chief of staff, Max Best, participate in an assembly meeting on Tuesday in Soldotna. The meeting was Navarre’s first as mayor since being appointed last month.
The Soldotna Seniors Center is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna seniors to raise money for meals

The center provides meals in-house and delivers between 70 to 90 a day

The Soldotna Seniors Center is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy leads in fundraising, latest campaign filing shows

Dunleavy, along with running mate Nancy Dahlstrom, raised more than $600,000 during the most recent filing period

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, and Nancy Dahlstrom sit in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska House candidates trade views at 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: Alaska State House candidates Ron Gillham, Ben Carpenter and Justin Ruffridge participate in a candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy Photo / Gregory Chaney A 60-foot fishing vessel was grounded on Favorite Reef on Thursday evening into Friday morning when three passengers were safely rescued off the boat by JPD Chief Ed Mercer. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the ship while crews work to safely defuel it.

Juneau police chief rescues crew from grounded ship

Coast Guard continues to monitor ship.

Courtesy Photo / Gregory Chaney A 60-foot fishing vessel was grounded on Favorite Reef on Thursday evening into Friday morning when three passengers were safely rescued off the boat by JPD Chief Ed Mercer. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the ship while crews work to safely defuel it.
AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades Rep. Mary Peltola is interviewed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 12, a day before being sworn in after winning the Aug. 16 special election to fill the rest of the late Don Young’s term. The Democrat from Bethel is seeking reelection to a full two-year term in the general election against the same two Republicans she defeated in the special election.

Peltola seeks full House term in a political storm

The Alaska Native Democrat, facing likely GOP majority, says she’s ready to follow Young’s path to success

AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades Rep. Mary Peltola is interviewed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 12, a day before being sworn in after winning the Aug. 16 special election to fill the rest of the late Don Young’s term. The Democrat from Bethel is seeking reelection to a full two-year term in the general election against the same two Republicans she defeated in the special election.