News

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Special election for mayor could take place as early as January

A special election is necessitated by Charlie Pierce’s resignation — as his current term does not expire until the end of next year

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly candidates Tyson Cox and Brent Johnson listen to Don Boston speak during a forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly candidates talk borough issues

3rd Clarion/KDLL forum features candidates for Soldotna, central peninsula

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly candidates Tyson Cox and Brent Johnson listen to Don Boston speak during a forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Micciche speaks at the ceremony for the signing of Senate Bill 185 into law at Special Olympics Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (Photo courtesy Alaska Office of the Governor)

Subminimum wages for disabled workers removed from statute

The bill was sponsored by Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna

Peter Micciche speaks at the ceremony for the signing of Senate Bill 185 into law at Special Olympics Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. (Photo courtesy Alaska Office of the Governor)
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US Senate hopefuls cast net for Southeast votes

Murkowski, Tshibaka and Chesbro apply their broad themes to specific issues at Southeast Conference

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Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, accompanied by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., and family members, speaks to the media right after the ceremonial swearing-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Mary Peltola sworn in as 1st Alaska Native in Congress

“To have a seat at the table is different,” Peltola told The Associated Press in an interview Monday

  • Sep 13, 2022
  • By Farnoush Amiri Associated Press
  • State News
Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, accompanied by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of Calif., and family members, speaks to the media right after the ceremonial swearing-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Alaska Wildlife Alliance member Grace Kautek looks out over the Kenai River for signs of belugas during the third annual Belugas Count! event at Erik Hansen Scout Park in Kenai, Alaska on Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek)

Belugas, and counters, are back

Belugas Count! aims to educate the public about the beluga population in Cook Inlet

Alaska Wildlife Alliance member Grace Kautek looks out over the Kenai River for signs of belugas during the third annual Belugas Count! event at Erik Hansen Scout Park in Kenai, Alaska on Sept. 21, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Judge: Elections officials must enforce disloyalty clause

The case that could decide Wasilla Republican Rep. David Eastman’s future remains on schedule for arguments later this month

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Buzz Kelley, of Wasilla, is pictured at his home on Aug. 19, 2022, in Wasilla, Alaska. Kelley is a candidate for U.S. Senate. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Alaska US Senate hopeful drops bid, backs fellow Republican

Buzz Kelley said his motivation for suspending the campaign came after Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich lost to Democrat Mary Peltola

Buzz Kelley, of Wasilla, is pictured at his home on Aug. 19, 2022, in Wasilla, Alaska. Kelley is a candidate for U.S. Senate. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Fired Exxon Valdez skipper Joseph Hazelwood, right, sits with his lawyer Michael Chalos as a photograph of the tanker is displayed on an easel in Anchorage Superior Court, March 20, 1990. Hazelwood, the captain of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker that ran aground more than three decades ago in Alaska, causing one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history, has died in July 2022, the New York Times reported. He was 75. (AP Photo/Jack Smith, File)

Exxon Valdez Capt. Joseph Hazelwood dies at 75

The 987-foot tanker grounded on Alaska’s Bligh Reef at 12:04 a.m. on March 24, 1989

Fired Exxon Valdez skipper Joseph Hazelwood, right, sits with his lawyer Michael Chalos as a photograph of the tanker is displayed on an easel in Anchorage Superior Court, March 20, 1990. Hazelwood, the captain of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker that ran aground more than three decades ago in Alaska, causing one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history, has died in July 2022, the New York Times reported. He was 75. (AP Photo/Jack Smith, File)
Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly members convene for a special meeting on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly statement: Borough investigated harassment complaint against Pierce

The allegations were found to be ‘credible’, the borough said Sunday

Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly members convene for a special meeting on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins a wheel to determine the Magic Weight at the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at Three Bears grocery store in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Wheel of fish

Silver Salmon Derby kicks off Tuesday

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins a wheel to determine the Magic Weight at the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at Three Bears grocery store in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Waters high, turbid on Kenai River

Northern Kenai fishing report for Sept. 8

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Soldotna City Council candidates Lisa Parker, Dave Carey, Garrett Dominick and Erick Hugarte participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

3rd Clarion/KDLL forum is Monday

Monday’s forum will spotlight some candidates running for seats on the assembly

From left, Soldotna City Council candidates Lisa Parker, Dave Carey, Garrett Dominick and Erick Hugarte participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails Secretary Matthew Pyhala provides remarks at the grand opening and dedication of the trails on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Community celebrates opening of peace crane garden trails

The Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails are located on Marydale Avenue near Soldotna High School

Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails Secretary Matthew Pyhala provides remarks at the grand opening and dedication of the trails on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Amanda Triplett, at right on overhead screen, discusses the University of Alaska’s “Did You Know” program while faculty members in the background hold up signs protesting a labor contract stalemate during the Board of Regent’s meeting Friday in Juneau. The program highlights cooperative efforts the university is participating in with communities such as workplace experience and dual enrollments with other educational institutions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Title IX more than mere sport for UA leaders

Chancellors praise campus anti-discrimination programs, but board member calls changes “insidious”

Amanda Triplett, at right on overhead screen, discusses the University of Alaska’s “Did You Know” program while faculty members in the background hold up signs protesting a labor contract stalemate during the Board of Regent’s meeting Friday in Juneau. The program highlights cooperative efforts the university is participating in with communities such as workplace experience and dual enrollments with other educational institutions. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy stands at a lectern in a Three Bears Alaska store in Palmer, next to a giant, covered check containing this year’s Alaska Permanent Fund dividend amount on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Behind him stand Alaska resident Miranda Wagoner, left, and Jessica Viera, executive director, Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, who gave speeches at the event. (Faceboook live screenshot)

Dunleavy: PFD payments will be $3,284

PFD payments will be coming earlier than usual

Gov. Mike Dunleavy stands at a lectern in a Three Bears Alaska store in Palmer, next to a giant, covered check containing this year’s Alaska Permanent Fund dividend amount on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Behind him stand Alaska resident Miranda Wagoner, left, and Jessica Viera, executive director, Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, who gave speeches at the event. (Faceboook live screenshot)
Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Gara, Walker face off at chamber forum

The two, who found common ground on some issues, took aim at Dunleavy

Alaska gubernatorial candidates Bill Walker, left, and Les Gara participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner and one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)

Cancer claims 4-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey

Officials with the world’s most famous sled dog race said Iditarod Nation was in mourning

Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner and one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)
Festival producer Chris Miller on the site of Sacred Acre in Ninilchik. (Photo Courtesy David Stearns)

EDM festival debuts in Ninilchik this weekend

The Sacred Acre music festival will run Sept. 9-11 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds

Festival producer Chris Miller on the site of Sacred Acre in Ninilchik. (Photo Courtesy David Stearns)
In this July 13, 2007, photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

EPA to decide next steps on Pebble project by Dec. 2

The public comment period ended Tuesday

In this July 13, 2007, photo, workers with the Pebble Mine project test drill in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, near the village of Iliamma. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)