News

Man arrested after crashing vehicle discovered to be stolen

Troopers shoot, kill Nikolaevsk man in confrontation

A Nikolaevsk man is dead after Alaska State Troopers shot him during a confrontation Saturday. Nikolai Yakunin, 42, was pronounced dead on scene after being… Continue reading

Man arrested after crashing vehicle discovered to be stolen
Workers weigh king salmon at Coal Point Seafood Company on the Homer Spit during the annual Homer Winter King Derby on Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Homer, Alaska. More than 1,200 anglers headed out onto the waters around Homer to fish for king salmon, docking again by 6 p.m. to see where their fish landed in the rankings. The winning fish, belonging to Charlie Edwards, weighed in at 24.6 pounds. Second place went to Jerry Huff with a 20.9 pound fish, and third to Janet Donnell with a 20.75 pound fish. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Make way for the king

Though the ice is barely out, the Homer harbor buzzed with activity on Saturday as anglers hit the water for king salmon. The Homer Chamber… Continue reading

Workers weigh king salmon at Coal Point Seafood Company on the Homer Spit during the annual Homer Winter King Derby on Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Homer, Alaska. More than 1,200 anglers headed out onto the waters around Homer to fish for king salmon, docking again by 6 p.m. to see where their fish landed in the rankings. The winning fish, belonging to Charlie Edwards, weighed in at 24.6 pounds. Second place went to Jerry Huff with a 20.9 pound fish, and third to Janet Donnell with a 20.75 pound fish. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
This undated photo shows Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Manager Andy Loranger enjoying the Kenai Peninsula summer. Loranger was recently named 2018 national wildlife refuge manager of the year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association, a nonprofit supporting the federal wildlife refuge system. (Photo courtesy the National Wildlife Refuge Association)

Kenai refuge manager wins national recognition

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s manager has been selected as the best refuge manager in the country for 2018. The National Wildlife Refuge Association named… Continue reading

This undated photo shows Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Manager Andy Loranger enjoying the Kenai Peninsula summer. Loranger was recently named 2018 national wildlife refuge manager of the year by the National Wildlife Refuge Association, a nonprofit supporting the federal wildlife refuge system. (Photo courtesy the National Wildlife Refuge Association)

Soldotna to consider banning plastic bags

Soldotna may see an influx of reusable grocery totes this November, with the introduction of a new ordinance banning plastic shopping bags. The ordinance, sponsored… Continue reading

Community members walked from Christ Lutheran Church, along the Kenai Spur Highway, to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna on Saturday as part of the national March for Our Lives rally, which took place in cities and towns across the country in support of gun control laws. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Community members ‘March for Our Lives’

Talk of gun violence has graced many front, opinion and nation pages in newspapers across the country since a 19-year-old killed 17 students and teachers… Continue reading

Community members walked from Christ Lutheran Church, along the Kenai Spur Highway, to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna on Saturday as part of the national March for Our Lives rally, which took place in cities and towns across the country in support of gun control laws. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
It’s a Rock and Roll Dance weekend at the Kenai Central High School Auditorium.

Forever Dance rocks on!

By any performing arts standards across the nation the new Forever Dance Studio is amazing. The dream of Darcy and Aaron Swanson, who a few… Continue reading

It’s a Rock and Roll Dance weekend at the Kenai Central High School Auditorium.
Dresses line the walls of Soldotna Prep School Friday for Cinderella’s Closet, a program that provides free prom dresses and accessories to girls throughout the school district. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Cinderella’s Closet opens its doors

The floral printed dress with an empire waist and halter top looked great on Nikiski junior Diana Narimanidze, eliciting a chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs”… Continue reading

Dresses line the walls of Soldotna Prep School Friday for Cinderella’s Closet, a program that provides free prom dresses and accessories to girls throughout the school district. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Slushy conditions don’t dampen the luck of the Irish for CPGH.

Wearing o’ the green

The 27th annual St. Patrick’s Parade, the longest continual running St. Patrick’s Day parade in Alaska, got off to a cloudy, slushy start Saturday but… Continue reading

Slushy conditions don’t dampen the luck of the Irish for CPGH.
Chris Pepper (right) and Shaylon Cochran (left) stare into the distance during a rehearsal for Triumvirate Theatre’s production of “Forrest Guppy” on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Pepper plays Forrest Guppy, a parody of the main character from the classic film “Forrest Gump,” in the comedy parody of the film. The theater troupe last put on the dinner theater production in 2010. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Triumvirate revisits ‘Forrest Guppy’

All the actors in “Forrest Guppy” can turn accents on and off like kitchen faucets. During a rehearsal Tuesday, thick Alabama accents, bright “tourist” tones,… Continue reading

Chris Pepper (right) and Shaylon Cochran (left) stare into the distance during a rehearsal for Triumvirate Theatre’s production of “Forrest Guppy” on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Pepper plays Forrest Guppy, a parody of the main character from the classic film “Forrest Gump,” in the comedy parody of the film. The theater troupe last put on the dinner theater production in 2010. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Fish board takes on hatchery issues

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that the board of fisheries did not form a formal committe on hatcheries but rather agreed… Continue reading

Kenai Central High School senior Raleigh Van Natta was named to the 2017-2018 All National Concert Band, sponsored by the National Association for Music Educators, and is seen here in Orland, Fl. representing Alaska as the first chair alto saxophonist during the music festival in November 2017. (Photo courtesy of Sheree Efta)

Local student musician takes 1st chair

The alto saxophone is just one of Raleigh Van Natta’s musical aptitudes — a versatile instrument for a versatile student. At the end of 2017,… Continue reading

Kenai Central High School senior Raleigh Van Natta was named to the 2017-2018 All National Concert Band, sponsored by the National Association for Music Educators, and is seen here in Orland, Fl. representing Alaska as the first chair alto saxophonist during the music festival in November 2017. (Photo courtesy of Sheree Efta)
Shed the pounds from your pack: Exploring the world of ultra-light backpacking

Shed the pounds from your pack: Exploring the world of ultra-light backpacking

No matter how long the journey, hikes must be taken one step at a time. Dave Thomas takes them ounce at time. An environmental engineer… Continue reading

Shed the pounds from your pack: Exploring the world of ultra-light backpacking

State budget battles may stall amid election year

Three years into the Legislature’s budget battles, a comprehensive fix to the state’s fiscal problems doesn’t seem likely to come down this year. Though oil… Continue reading

AFS brings 8 international students to central peninsula

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Faris Khawdlden's last name. A handful of visitors have been walking the halls… Continue reading

Conflict sparks over Walker’s fish board appointment

Sportfishing groups are raising a hue and cry about Gov. Bill Walker’s proposed appointee to the Board of Fisheries. Current board member Al Cain of… Continue reading

Borough working group looks into peat

Much of the western Kenai Peninsula is covered in peatlands, and some people want the chance to harvest and sell it. The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s… Continue reading

In this July 21, 2013 photo, Roland Maw takes notes during a hearing on the Magnuson Stevens federal fisheries management act in Kenai. (File photo)

Felony indictments against Maw dismissed

Editor's note: This article has been updated to show that Roland Maw is the former executive director of the United Cook Inlet Drift Association. The… Continue reading

In this July 21, 2013 photo, Roland Maw takes notes during a hearing on the Magnuson Stevens federal fisheries management act in Kenai. (File photo)
Sallie Macy (right) and Glenna Hudson (left), students in Truman Krogel’s Zumba Gold class, follow the steps to a song during a class at the Kenai Recreation Center on Thursday, March 15, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Krogel, 74, said he first tried Zumba himself four years ago, loved it and began teaching classes of his own in January 2017. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Local Zumba instructor, 74, inspires confidence

It can be hard to say exactly what makes a group of people fun, but it’s easy to identify when you see it. Truman Krogel’s… Continue reading

Sallie Macy (right) and Glenna Hudson (left), students in Truman Krogel’s Zumba Gold class, follow the steps to a song during a class at the Kenai Recreation Center on Thursday, March 15, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. Krogel, 74, said he first tried Zumba himself four years ago, loved it and began teaching classes of his own in January 2017. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
A participant in the Kenai River Junior Classic holds up a silver salmon she caught Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 near Soldotna, Alaska. The event, organized by Soldotna-based sportfishing organization the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, brings kids from all over Southcentral Alaska to learn about fishing and boating safety followed by a fishing trip with professional guides on the Kenai River. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

UAF launches center focusing on salmon, society

The University of Alaska is diving into broad social issues tied to salmon, with the hope of finding solutions to longstanding conflicts and future challenges.… Continue reading

A participant in the Kenai River Junior Classic holds up a silver salmon she caught Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 near Soldotna, Alaska. The event, organized by Soldotna-based sportfishing organization the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, brings kids from all over Southcentral Alaska to learn about fishing and boating safety followed by a fishing trip with professional guides on the Kenai River. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

3 seats on HEA ballot

The nearly 24,000 members of Homer Electric Association will soon have their chance to extend their involvement in the utility beyond flicking their light switches… Continue reading