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Kenai council discusses dipnet vendors

Kenai council discusses dipnet vendors

As Kenai’s city government more actively attempts to make the summer dipnet fishery a boost to the local economy, beach vendors may be getting some… Continue reading

Kenai council discusses dipnet vendors
Alex Douthit, pictured in his office on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska, founded Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction in November 2016 with his wife Sarah Douthit. It took them more than a year to obtain all the permits and approvals they needed to officially begin commercial driver’s license instruction, which they are now focusing on. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

After permitting struggle, couple opens CDL training program on peninsula

When Alex Douthit started the ball rolling for a commercial driving instruction school in Kenai, he had no idea what he was getting into. The… Continue reading

Alex Douthit, pictured in his office on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska, founded Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction in November 2016 with his wife Sarah Douthit. It took them more than a year to obtain all the permits and approvals they needed to officially begin commercial driver’s license instruction, which they are now focusing on. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves ordinance allowing volunteers to serve on service area boards

Volunteers for two Kenai Peninsula service areas can also now serve on the service areas’ boards. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved an ordinance allowing… Continue reading

Borough forms gravel pit working group

A group of local government officials, members of the public and gravel pit operators will start gathering to overhaul borough laws on material extraction sites.… Continue reading

Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Bill would authorize east side setnet permit buyback

The Legislature is set to consider a buyback program for commercial fishing permits in Cook Inlet’s east side setnet fishery. The east side setnet fishery… Continue reading

Setnetters make their way back to the beach near a site on July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and Chief of Staff John Quick speak to the attendees at Pierce’s swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Mayor outlines budget strategy

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to clarify that the borough administration's plan to fix the boilers in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration… Continue reading

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce and Chief of Staff John Quick speak to the attendees at Pierce’s swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Hilcorp plans $285 million Alaska investment in 2018

Hilcorp is planning to spend about $285 million in Alaska during 2018, the oil and gas company’s Operations Manager Chad Helgeson told audiences at the… Continue reading

Mary Sattler Peltola, one of the Alaska Humanities Forum’s inaugural group of Alaska Salmon Fellows, speaks to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Salmon Fellows program seeks to broaden fish conversations

The Alaska Humanities Forum is trying to cool some of the heated tension between salmon fishermen in the state. The nonprofit, which operates a number… Continue reading

Mary Sattler Peltola, one of the Alaska Humanities Forum’s inaugural group of Alaska Salmon Fellows, speaks to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Brooke Addison Buzga stretches in the sun Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. Born on Jan. 4 at 8:29 a.m., she was the first baby of the New Year in Homer. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

First Homer baby of 2018 comes late for the New Year, early for her family

Brooke Addison Buzga has the distinction of being the first baby born in South Peninsula Hospital in the New Year. Born at 8:29 a.m. on… Continue reading

Brooke Addison Buzga stretches in the sun Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. Born on Jan. 4 at 8:29 a.m., she was the first baby of the New Year in Homer. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A timeline hanging on the wall explains the history of the “

Gathering brings #MeToo to Soldotna

On the far side of the room facing the audience stood an empty chair. The organizers of the event at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday,… Continue reading

A timeline hanging on the wall explains the history of the “

Grant allows district to reinstate petroleum career program

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has received a $20,000 grant that will help in the school district’s goal to extend their broaden their approach… Continue reading

Mike Navarre, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, speaks about the need for a stable fiscal plan for the state to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

In new state role, Navarre’s message about fiscal plan remains the same

The commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development is making rounds of the state, advocating for a stable fiscal plan. Mike Navarre,… Continue reading

Mike Navarre, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, speaks about the need for a stable fiscal plan for the state to the attendees at the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
This draft design shows just one of the many iterations that Soldotna could explore for the remodel of the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Nearly finalized designs were presented to the city council at their meeting on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Tim Dillon)

Field house designs completed

A field house for the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is one step, or kick, or throw, closer to becoming a reality. Burkhart Croft Architects of… Continue reading

This draft design shows just one of the many iterations that Soldotna could explore for the remodel of the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Nearly finalized designs were presented to the city council at their meeting on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Tim Dillon)
In this December 2016 photo, cannabis plants grow in a standard cultivation space inside Croy’s Enterprises near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Local pot business expecting slight chill from federal change

The practicalities of running a state-legal business based on a nationally-illegal product have became more complicated in some respects but unchanged in others, after U.S.… Continue reading

In this December 2016 photo, cannabis plants grow in a standard cultivation space inside Croy’s Enterprises near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
Pink salmon mill in the shallows of Resurrection Creek near its confluence with Cook Inlet on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in Hope, Alaska. Pink salmon can return to the river in large numbers in the late summer and early fall. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

A look at the salmon habitat ballot initiative

The deadline for a ballot initiative to revise Alaska’s salmon habitat permitting laws is approaching, with deep divides remaining even among fishermen. The Stand for… Continue reading

Pink salmon mill in the shallows of Resurrection Creek near its confluence with Cook Inlet on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 in Hope, Alaska. Pink salmon can return to the river in large numbers in the late summer and early fall. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association leader to retire

The executive director of Cook Inlet’s regional hatchery organization is planning to step down. Gary Fandrei, the executive director of Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, announced… Continue reading

Kenaitze Indian Tribe Executive Director Bart Garber poses for a photograph at the tribe’s administration building Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Garber, who grew up in Tyonek and Anchorage and worked with the Tyonek Native Corporation and the Toghotthele Corporation in Nenana, took over the position with Kenaitze this fall. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

New Kenaitze executive director envisions active tribal engagement

Although it’s a new office and staff, taking the job as the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s CEO is in some ways a homecoming for Bart Garber.… Continue reading

Kenaitze Indian Tribe Executive Director Bart Garber poses for a photograph at the tribe’s administration building Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. Garber, who grew up in Tyonek and Anchorage and worked with the Tyonek Native Corporation and the Toghotthele Corporation in Nenana, took over the position with Kenaitze this fall. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Owners Scott and Dena Cunningham are loving their new McDonald’s in Soldotna.

A galaxy far far away? No, it’s Soldotna

Not since McDonald’s opened its first restaurant on the Kenai Peninsula in Soldotna has there been such excitement about a new McDonald’s. The location of… Continue reading

Owners Scott and Dena Cunningham are loving their new McDonald’s in Soldotna.
The open house featured a live conversation with Sen. Dan Sullivan from D.C.

Alaska’s U.S. Senators open new offices

Alaska’s Congressional delegation had much to celebrate as 2017 drew to a close. A bill that included the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge… Continue reading

The open house featured a live conversation with Sen. Dan Sullivan from D.C.
Kailey Mucha, left, and April Kaufman search for a beacon in the snow outside of the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center during an avalanche training class on Saturday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mucha said she was interested in the course after spending some time snowmachining. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Avalanche course treks on despite warm weather

Despite unusually warm weather, Avalanche Observer Alex Mclain wants the community to be prepared. Mclain, who works with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center,… Continue reading

Kailey Mucha, left, and April Kaufman search for a beacon in the snow outside of the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center during an avalanche training class on Saturday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. Mucha said she was interested in the course after spending some time snowmachining. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)