News

The 4-H kids of the Kenai Peninsula smile for a group photo at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Living the fair life

Residents enjoy weekend of pig races, fish throwing, and livestock auctions in Ninilchik

The 4-H kids of the Kenai Peninsula smile for a group photo at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

As firefighters mopped up an almost 60-acre wildland fire on the south end of North Fork Road, attention shifted on Wednesday to a fire near… Continue reading

Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer bikers ride for suicide prevention, awareness

What started in the central peninsula when a small group of community members got together and decided to do something to thrust the issue of… Continue reading

Fire information is posted outside of Wildmans in Cooper Landing on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire crews battle Swan Lake Fire after weekend of expansion

Crews are working to create new control lines and keep the fire away from the highway

Fire information is posted outside of Wildmans in Cooper Landing on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Candidates announced for Oct. 1 municipal elections

There are a number of open seats on the Borough Assembly, the School Board and Service Area boards.

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)

New fire flares up near Caribou Lake

In the midst of wildland fires at the south North Fork Road and along the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing, firefighters on Monday, Aug. 19,… Continue reading

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)
Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Crews get dozer line around North Fork Fire; Diamond Ridge, North Fork areas still on ‘Ready’ alert

Update at 1:40 p.m.: A link to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management website with information on the Level-1 alert status has been… Continue reading

Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Effort by Homer neighbors to vacate easement fails at planning commission

An effort by a group of Homer residents to close off a pedestrian easement running by their properties was shot down at a Monday planning… Continue reading

Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer Farmers Market: Small touches make Market family friendly

Last weekend you could hear the KP Brass Band playing at the Homer Farmers Market even if you were standing on the far side of… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Voters to weigh in on city manager, sales tax cap

The decision to put the measures on the ballot was approved at Tuesday’s assembly meeting.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Military, oceans, domestic violence: Sen. Sullivan visits Empire, talks issues

Sullivan stops by the Empire to talk bills.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska Board of Regents chairman John Davies speaks at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, where Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced he would support a $25 million cut this year to the University of Alaska system. That is a sharp reversal from the $135 million cut Dunleavy earlier endorsed. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Dunleavy signs ‘step-down’ compact with University of Alaska

Plan will introduce cuts over three years rather than one

University of Alaska Board of Regents chairman John Davies speaks at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, where Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced he would support a $25 million cut this year to the University of Alaska system. That is a sharp reversal from the $135 million cut Dunleavy earlier endorsed. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water in September 2017. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered.

Researchers receive federal funds to study Cook Inlet belugas

The grant program supports management, research and outreach campaigns for conservation of wildlife.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water in September 2017. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered.
Clarion reporters Brian Mazurek, left, and Victoria Petersen interview Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, at the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. Murkowski discussed issues such as the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, the Pebble Mine project and Alaska-related legislation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

A conversation with the senator

Lisa Murkowski talks PFD, Pebble and what’s happening in the Senate.

Clarion reporters Brian Mazurek, left, and Victoria Petersen interview Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, at the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. Murkowski discussed issues such as the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, the Pebble Mine project and Alaska-related legislation. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

No deal reached in district contract negotiations

Negotiations between school district and associations have snagged on rising cost of health care.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and two employee associations — The Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Education Support Association — negotiate for a new contract on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, at the Soldotna High School Library, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Hansen-Cavasos files to run for Homer City Council

Another city resident has thrown her hat into the ring to run for one of two open Homer City Council seats in the October municipal… Continue reading

Ordinance to compel mayor to break ties fails at Homer council meeting

An ordinance that would have compelled the mayor to use his ability to vote in the case of a tie did not make it past… Continue reading

Pigs run through a circular course, chased by a young volunteer, during the pig races at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, on Aug. 18, 2018 at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Kenai Peninsula Fair returns with family fun

The annual Kenai Peninsula Fair is headed to the Ninilchik Fairgrounds this weekend, and it’s packed with a full and fun schedule. From Friday through… Continue reading

Pigs run through a circular course, chased by a young volunteer, during the pig races at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, on Aug. 18, 2018 at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Astronaut Rex Walheim on the International Space Station in July 2011. (Photo provided)

Visiting astronaut encourages children to ‘follow your dreams’

On July 30, Homer Public Library ended its summer reading program, “A Universe of Stories,” with a special guest, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim. Walheim spoke… Continue reading

Astronaut Rex Walheim on the International Space Station in July 2011. (Photo provided)
Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, near Skilak Lake between Sterling and Cooper Landing.

Kenai Peninsula suffering moderate drought

Kenai has seen a nearly 40% decrease in the average rainfall for the area from June to August.

Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News A plume of smoke rises from the Swan Lake fire area as vehicles head south on the Sterling Highway on July 18, near Skilak Lake between Sterling and Cooper Landing.