News

Mariah Schloeman wipes down the counter at East Rip in Kenai on Wednesday. The store has implemented more stringent cleaning protocols, including wiping down surfaces after every transaction, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Trends: Pot industry looks for stabilization amid market, global uncertainty

“One thing that’s certain is that people want their cannabis.”

 

HEA rates hike goes into effect

Residents facing financial hardships due to the pandemic will not see their electricity shut off.

 

Aspen Hotel chain Owner George Swift cuts a ribbon officially opening the most recent building in Homer, Alaska, during a grand opening ceremony on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Trends: Tourism industry takes hit from COVID-19

‘Completely decimated travel in Alaska’

 

FILE - In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. A woman in the San Francisco Bay Area who became ill after returning from a trip to China has become the ninth person in the U.S. to test positive for a new virus, health authorities said Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. (CDC via AP, File) In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). (CDC via AP, File)

SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19

Business owners encouraged to take peninsula-wide survey

FILE - In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. A woman in the San Francisco Bay Area who became ill after returning from a trip to China has become the ninth person in the U.S. to test positive for a new virus, health authorities said Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. (CDC via AP, File) In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). (CDC via AP, File)

Seawatch: Seafood industry feels impact from coronavirus

As the global pandemic of the novel coronavirus disrupts all sorts of industries around the world, the seafood industry is already feeling the impact. Diversified… Continue reading

Seawatch: Report claims mining harms fish

As many Alaskans confront a governor who, according to CNN, lobbies foreign mining companies to invest in Pebble Mine, the environmental group Earthworks has released… Continue reading

Halibut charters get new regulations

The guided halibut charter fleet for Area 3A, including Homer, had its allocation set at 1.71 million pounds for the 2020 season at International Pacific… Continue reading

Seward High School students (from left) Tayten Barhaug, Lindy Guernsey and Akilena Veach demonstrate their Caring for the Kenai project, drones to help map the flood planes of Seward, during the Industry Outlook Forum in Seward on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Forum discusses peninsula’s 2020 economic outlook

Industries gather at forum to discuss growth and opportunities

Seward High School students (from left) Tayten Barhaug, Lindy Guernsey and Akilena Veach demonstrate their Caring for the Kenai project, drones to help map the flood planes of Seward, during the Industry Outlook Forum in Seward on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)
Beth J. Harpaz / Associated Press file Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” is docked in Seward on Sept. 7, 2007.

Report: 2020 job trends modest

The Gulf Coast Region saw a 0.7% increase in jobs between November 2018 and November 2019.

Beth J. Harpaz / Associated Press file Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” is docked in Seward on Sept. 7, 2007.
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.

Can a public corporation save the Marine Highway System?

The ferries are in trouble, remaking the system could be the answer

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
In this file photo from June 25, 2019, Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Final impact statement for Pebble Mine delayed for three months

Army Corps of Engineers says it will take the time to review public comments.

In this file photo from June 25, 2019, Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dunleavy responds to Pebble Mine report

Report contains strong allegations.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Seawatch: Report: 60% of comm-fish jobs are Alaskan

The McDowell Group, a consulting and research firm based in Alaska and Seattle, has released its annual industry update, and in spite of localized ups… Continue reading

Seine fishermen work to catch chum salmon during a six-hour opening outside of Amalga Harbor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Pebble Mine opponents troubled by Dunleavy’s letter

Opponents of the Pebble Mine were troubled by the governor’s actions.

Seine fishermen work to catch chum salmon during a six-hour opening outside of Amalga Harbor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Longshore workers picket sulfur ship loading

Update: This story has been updated to include a response from Chumley’s Inc. General Manager Cliff Wittmer. As dock workers with Chumley’s Inc. of Kenai… Continue reading

Rick McGlasson, who bought Kassik’s Brewery in Nikiski with his wife Michelle, held a meet and greet event last week at the brewery’s taproom, on Dec. 13, 2019, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Community meets Kassik’s Brewery new owners

15 years after they started their brewery, the Kassiks are set to retire to be closer to family.

Rick McGlasson, who bought Kassik’s Brewery in Nikiski with his wife Michelle, held a meet and greet event last week at the brewery’s taproom, on Dec. 13, 2019, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer’s first marijuana cultivator granted license

Almost two years after it first applied for a standard cultivation permit, Alaska Loven It — the first operation to apply for a license to… Continue reading

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes new general surgeon

South Peninsula Hospital has hired Dr. Jeffrey Larsen, board certified general surgeon, to be on its active medical staff, the hospital announced in a press… Continue reading

Bay Welding receives small business award

Bay Welding Services of Homer received the Alaska Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year award, the Homer Chamber of Commerce… Continue reading

AP Photo/Mark Thiessen Alaska marijuana grower Dane Wyrick poses for photos at his Danish Gardens cultivation and retail location in Anchorage, Alaska, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Wyrick said the future of his business is hazy, in part because of the tax the state of Alaska places on cultivators, which bear the burden of the taxation in the market.

Alaska’s licensed marijuana growers cite tax concerns

Alaska marijuana grower Leif Abel considers his business successful but still feels like he’s living “paycheck to paycheck” much of the time. A greenhouse expansion… Continue reading

AP Photo/Mark Thiessen Alaska marijuana grower Dane Wyrick poses for photos at his Danish Gardens cultivation and retail location in Anchorage, Alaska, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Wyrick said the future of his business is hazy, in part because of the tax the state of Alaska places on cultivators, which bear the burden of the taxation in the market.
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