news

Bill Howell, assistant professor of process technology, shows Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, training equipment at the Career and Technical Education Center at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski tours KPC workforce development programs

It’s an issue that’s come up multiple times as she has traveled around Alaska, Murkowski said

Bill Howell, assistant professor of process technology, shows Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, training equipment at the Career and Technical Education Center at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Alaska Senate District D candidates Tuckerman Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State Senate candidates talk fiscal stability, energy security at Monday forum

The forum was the seventh of nine forums being hosted by The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM

From left: Alaska Senate District D candidates Tuckerman Babcock, Jesse Bjorkman and Andy Cizek participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)