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P E N I N S U L A
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 49, Issue 56
In the news Official: Former Alaska legislator Bettye Davis dies JUNEAU — An official with the Anchorage School Board says Bettye Davis, the first black woman elected to the Alaska House and Senate, has died. Anchorage School Board President Starr Marsett says the board was informed of Davis’ passing Monday morning in an email from her family. During her career, Davis worked in family services, including as a social worker and foster care coordinator with the state The Democrat’s political career began on the school board and went on to include service in both the Alaska House and Senate. She returned to the school board after losing her 2012 Senate re-election bid. Alaska Public Media reports she resigned from the board earlier this year for medical reasons. Marsett says Davis was an outspoken advocate for children.
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Dunleavy sworn in as governor Peninsula By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
JUNEAU — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy was sworn into office Monday, taking his oath in a school gym in the western Alaska city of Kotzebue after poor weather forced a change in plans the morning of the ceremony. Dunleavy, a former teacher and school administrator who lived for years in Kotzebue, praised those who pulled together the “fantastic” ceremony on short notice. In rural Alaska, he said, “you make things work.” Dunleavy had planned to be sworn in in the tiny Inupiat Eskimo community of Noorvik, which he said was chosen because it’s his wife Rose’s hometown and the two have fond memories of the years they spent living in rural Alaska. He even initially planned to fly into Kotzebue and make a Mike Dunleavy, left, is sworn into office as Alaska’s governor by Superior Court Judge Paul 65-mile trek by snowmobile to Roetman in Kotzebue on Monday. Poor visibility forced Dunleavey’s swearing-in ceremony to Noorvik. be held in Kotzebue instead of Noorvik, his wife’s hometown. (Stanley Wright/Alaska GoverSee GOV, page A2 nor’s Office via AP)
reports minimal quake damage By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Peninsula sustained minor damage and no life-threatening injuries after Friday’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake. In a statement released Monday, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce said the peninsula experienced damage to roads, especially in Nikiski along the Kenai Spur Highway. Some borough buildings and schools had minimal damage, but most of the immediate issues were resolved on Friday, See QUAKE, page A3
NYSE, Nasdaq to close Wednesday to honor Bush NEW YORK — Major U.S. stock markets will close Wednesday in honor of former President George H.W. Bush, who died Friday at 94. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq said over the weekend that they will close trading Wednesday in observance of a national day of mourning for Bush. The federal government will also be closed. The NYSE also said it will display the U.S. flag that flies above the New York Stock Exchange at half-staff in honor of the former president. U.S. traders also observed a moment of silence before markets opened on Monday in honor of Bush. The last time U.S. markets closed outside of a holiday was on two consecutive days in late October 2012 because of Hurricane Sandy. The last closure due to the death of a U.S. president was Jan. 2, 2007, when the markets observed a national day of mourning for President Gerald R. Ford. — Associated Press
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An aerial photograph from “The Kenai River: An Aerial Perspective” by Homer photographer Ian Reid. Reid released the book, which is available on demand, in November. (Photo courtesy Ian Reid)
Bird’s eye view
Homer man releases Kenai River aerial photography book By JEFF HELMINIAK Peninsula Clarion
From a Homer man’s passion for flying comes a book for those passionate about the Kenai River. Last weekend, Ian Reid of Eagle Eye Gallery in Homer
released “The Kenai River: An Aerial Perspective.” The 110-page book has extensive aerial shots of the Kenai River, starting with its exit from Kenai Lake and ending with the river’s mouth teeming with dipnetters. While Reid said he under-
stands why people are so passionate about the Kenai River, he does not hide the fact that this book does not come from that same passion. “I’m inspired that people are challenged to get out there and enjoy the wilderness and nature through fishing, hiking and
hunting,” Reid said. “Those are healthy things. “But for me, it’s a means to generate income from flying. How do we justify our hobbies? We’re always trying to find a way to do that.” Reid came to the United States from New Zealand in
1977. He married Linda Reid, who is originally from California. While working at a Texas ranch from 1992 through 1994, he did photography and game counting from a helicopter and became hooked on flying. But how to pay for it? Reid See PHOTOG, page A3
Celebrating Hanukkah with latkes Habits change month after plastic bag ban By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
Hanukkah, which began Sunday, is an eight-day event celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C., when the Maccabees claimed victory over the Syrian army. Jewish congregations across the world light candles, exchange gifts and played dreidel, which is a four-sided spinning top game, to celebrate Sunday night. An important tradition of the holiday is eating fried food, which pays homage to the day’s worth of oil that miraculously See LATKES, page A2
By KAT SORENSEN Peninsula Clarion
A member lights a candle on their menorah at the Briat Elohim Jewish Congregation Hanukkah party on Saturday in Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A month after banning singleuse plastic bags in Soldotna, consumers and retailers throughout the community have adjusted to the change. “In my personal interactions with people, trying to gauge the reaction when I’m out and about, I haven’t sensed that anyone was in crisis or having a tough time figuring it out,” said Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen. “It’s going okay. We’ll continue to be flexible, keep track of ques-
tions and address them as they come up.” Under the ordinance, stores may offer paper bags for free or for an additional price at the discretion of the business. Not all plastic bags are banned, though. Bags used to purchase bulk or produce items, contain dampness or leaks, like with frozen foods or flowers, or used to protect prepared and baked goods are still allowed. Also newspaper, laundry, dry cleaning bags and garbage bags are still allowed. See BAG, page A2