News

Fat Bear Champion 747 photographed on Sept. 6 by L. Law. (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park)

Fattest bear crowned in annual competition

The final matchup brought Bear 747 and Bear 901 head-to-head

Fat Bear Champion 747 photographed on Sept. 6 by L. Law. (Photo courtesy Katmai National Park)
More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X̱aad Kíl, and Smʼalgya̱x. (Screenshot / Clarise Larson)

Celebrating learning on Indigenous Peoples Day

Community leaders talk future of Indigenous Southeast Alaska languages

More than 60 people joined in on a Zoom meeting Monday afternoon to participate in an Indigenous Language revitalization class and panel that addressed the future of Lingít, X̱aad Kíl, and Smʼalgya̱x. (Screenshot / Clarise Larson)
“Evening Jam with Chuck” by Susan Biggs, hangs with its second place ribbon during the opening reception of the Kenai Art Center Biennial Juried Show on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A community reflected in art

Kenai Art Center unveils winners in biennial juried show

“Evening Jam with Chuck” by Susan Biggs, hangs with its second place ribbon during the opening reception of the Kenai Art Center Biennial Juried Show on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election night results on track for certification

Inclusion of absentee and questioned ballots have not changed the outcome of boroughwide races

Voting booths are set up at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Roy and Ozella Williams chat with attendees at their 70th Wedding Anniversary celebration on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We just keep loving each other’

Senior center celebrates couple’s seven decades of marriage

Roy and Ozella Williams chat with attendees at their 70th Wedding Anniversary celebration on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander, left, speaks during a “State of the City” address while Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, right, looks on at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai moves forward with city manager recruitment

The city’s current city manager job description has not been updated since 2016

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander, left, speaks during a “State of the City” address while Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, right, looks on at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government.

Walker hopes voters willing to accept hard truths

Former independent governor seeking office again: “I threw myself on the permanent fund grenade.”

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Heidi Drygas, who is running for lieutenant governor, and Bill Walker, who is running for governor, smile outside the Juneau Empire’s offices after an interview this week. Walker said he’s hopeful voters will understand his decision to draw from the Alaska Permanent Fund to fund state government.
Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition Workers replace a failed log culvert with a small foot bridge over Switzer Creek in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with some materials provided by the Alaskan Brewing Company. The federal government on Thursday announced an additional $1 billion in grants is being made available during the next five years for culvert repairs in areas where fish passage is blocked.

Cash flow: $1B in fed funds for freer fish

Grants to replace culverts impeding streams available to tribal, local and state governments

Courtesy Photo / Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition Workers replace a failed log culvert with a small foot bridge over Switzer Creek in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with some materials provided by the Alaskan Brewing Company. The federal government on Thursday announced an additional $1 billion in grants is being made available during the next five years for culvert repairs in areas where fish passage is blocked.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Les Gara is photographed outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.

Gara sticks to steady message on rocky campaign trail

Former Anchorage lawmaker seeking to become first Democrat elected governor since 1998.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Les Gara is photographed outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview earlier this week. The former Anchorage lawmaker is the lone Democratic candidate in Alaska’s gubernatorial race.
From left: Alaska gubernatorial candidates former Gov. Bill Walker, former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and former state lawmaker Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce at Land’s End Resort on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Pierce stakes out positions in Homer debate

Pierce’s appearance was the second forum he has participated since announcing his bid for governor

From left: Alaska gubernatorial candidates former Gov. Bill Walker, former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and former state lawmaker Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce at Land’s End Resort on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Screenshot)
An array of “I Voted” stickers lie on a table at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Deadline to register to vote for Nov. 8 election is Sunday

Voters will elect a governor, state lawmakers and U.S. House and Senate candidates

An array of “I Voted” stickers lie on a table at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire City officials have deemed the city’s contribution to the cleanup efforts complete. Further cleanup efforts are the responsibility of property owners.

City of Juneau wraps up landslide cleanup

Remaining debris is in the hands of property owners, according to city officials.

Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire City officials have deemed the city’s contribution to the cleanup efforts complete. Further cleanup efforts are the responsibility of property owners.
Efrosinia Yakunin, a Nikolaevsk parent, testifies in support of a charter school for the area during a board of education meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

2 groups pursue peninsula charter school options

There are currently four charter schools operating as part of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Efrosinia Yakunin, a Nikolaevsk parent, testifies in support of a charter school for the area during a board of education meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A pair of Russians have turned up on a remote Alaska island in the Bering Sea, reportedly fleeing compulsory military service. (AP Graphic)

2 Russians seek asylum after reaching remote Alaska island

Thousands of Russian men have fled since President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization to bolster Russian forces in Ukraine

  • Oct 6, 2022
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
A pair of Russians have turned up on a remote Alaska island in the Bering Sea, reportedly fleeing compulsory military service. (AP Graphic)
The Kevin Bell Arena ice rink nears completion on Sept. 29, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. The Homer Hockey Association announced Wednesday that the arena was closed indefinitely due to insufficient insurance coverage. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)

Homer hockey arena closed due to insufficient insurance

The board of directors discovered that their liability insurance policy is inactive

The Kevin Bell Arena ice rink nears completion on Sept. 29, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. The Homer Hockey Association announced Wednesday that the arena was closed indefinitely due to insufficient insurance coverage. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Walker, Gara get into a bar debate

Candidates for governor talk about serving, shortages and ships during industry forum in Juneau

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara, left, discusses hospitality industry issues during a forum Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, with independent candidate Bill Walker, right, at Louie’s Douglas Inn. The forum was hosted by the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, with the organization’s president and CEO Sarah Oates acting as the moderator. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
The Homer Police Station, as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News file)

Homer teen arrested after school shooting threat

Police received a tip from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Anchorage office

The Homer Police Station, as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News file)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

27 new deaths reported; COVID cases, hospitalizations down overall

For the period of Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 554 new COVID-19 cases were reported

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A mini-library contains books at Daubnespeck Park on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Take a book, leave a book

Mini-library network looks to expand

A mini-library contains books at Daubnespeck Park on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Pumpkins submitted to the pumpkin decorating contest are seen at the 5th annual Kenai Fall Pumpkin Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Oct. 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Pumpkins — on the ground and from above — to make appearance at annual festival

The Kenai Fall Pumpkin Festival is back on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

Pumpkins submitted to the pumpkin decorating contest are seen at the 5th annual Kenai Fall Pumpkin Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Oct. 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)