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P E N I N S U L A
Tuesday, November 27, 2018 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 49, Issue 50
In the news
Trump proposes ‘worldwide network’ to counter CNN overseas NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is raising the possibility of starting “our own Worldwide Network” to counter news spread internationally by CNN. Trump said via Twitter on Monday that CNN “has a powerful voice portraying the United States in an unfair and false way. Something has to be done.” It wasn’t immediately clear what he meant. The U.S. government already operates Voice of America, which last year reached some 275 million people worldwide with news reports from the United States available on television, radio, online and social media. CNN had no immediate comment about the new criticism by the president. The president has frequently criticized CNN and its reporters. His administration recently backed down from its effort to ban reporter Jim Acosta from the White House. It wasn’t known why he was focusing on CNN’s worldwide reach. CNN International is the most widely distributed television news network overseas, with BBC World News second. Trump said he wanted a worldwide network “to show the World the way we really are. GREAT!” The president’s favorite news network, Fox News Channel, is available in nearly 100 countries, although not distributed as widely as CNN. The president has complained about being in hotel rooms abroad and having no alternative to CNN. Voice of America, which began operating during World War II, is also determined to show the United States as it really is, but not through the prism of any particular political leader. The agency’s charter, signed into law in 1976, says VOA “will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.” Voice of America had no comment on the president’s tweet.
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Borough votes to lease Anchor Point parcels to Hilcorp By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
At last week’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, the assembly voted to lease parcels in the Anchor Point area to Hilcorp for oil and gas subsurface rights. At the Oct. 23 assembly meeting, assembly member Willy Dunne took the ordinance off the consent agenda for further discussion in Anchor Point. The ordinance will lease oil and gas rights at 12.5 percent royalty, which is the minimum royalty under borough code. One of the lease areas is near Chapman Elementary School on a site that’s used as a solid waste and recycling transfer site. The well site will sit on land off of the Old Sterling Highway. At last Tuesday’s meeting, Dunne said he’s received a lot of feedback regarding the ordinance. “There still are problems with this,” Dunne said. “I’m not ready to support it in its current form. We heard lots of people talking about the inability to sleep at night because of the lights and the
By JESSICA GRESKO Associated Press
This map shows the site of a proposed Hilcorp well pad off the Old Sterling Highway. (Illustration provided)
noise.” Assembly member Kelly Cooper said she would support the ordinance to ensure the borough has a seat at the
table. “I spent a great deal of time talking to people on both sides of the issue, as well as those participating,” Cooper
said. “When we talk about the community meeting in Anchor Point. This is not an easy decision for us, especial-
See LEASE, page A3
Warm Alaska waters may be clue to fewer Humpback whale sightings By CALEB JONES Associated Press
HONOLULU — Researchers are convening this week to compare clues about a significant decline in the number of sightings of North Pacific humpback whales in their traditional breeding grounds off Hawaii. Fewer sightings doesn’t necessarily mean the iconic giants are dying off, or that they’re not still migrating to the islands. But the apparent disappearance of many whales from a historically predictable location is causing concern and some researchers believe there’s a link between warmer ocean temperatures in Alaska and the effect that has on the whales’ food chain. While scientists say it’s too early to draw any conclusions
Justices weigh free speech case involving ‘Arctic Man’ WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday waded into a freedom of speech case resulting from an arrest at Arctic Man, a snowmobile and ski race event that draws thousands to a remote campsite in Alaska. Justices heard arguments in a case with the potential to affect people who might sue police over claims they were arrested as retaliation for something they said or wrote that’s protected by the First Amendment. Justice Samuel Alito described the possible cases as ranging from someone who is arrested after insulting an officer arriving at the scene of a dispute to a journalist who writes a story critical of a police department and is later pulled over for speeding. Alaska resident Russell Bartlett was arrested at the 2014 Arctic Man, a dayslong event held annually in Alaska’s remote Hoodoo Mountains. See ARCTIC, page A3
State lowers after-hours snow removal fee at airports
KETCHIKAN (AP) — State transportation officials have reduced fees for after-hours snow and ice removal at Alaska airports after concerns were lodged from officials on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities reduced fees after officials at the Klawock Airport expressed concern about the expense of In this Jan. 23, 2005, file photo, a humpback whale leaps out of the water in the channel off the keeping snow off their runway. town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, file) The department also added an about the phenomenon, the de- Wednesday in Honolulu to com- sightings is estimated at 50 per- hour to regularly scheduled cline has sparked enough inter- pare data and attempt to better cent to 80 percent over the past hours at Klawock to keep costs down, the Ketchikan Daily est that a consortium of whale understand what’s happening and four years. See FEE, page A3 experts will meet Tuesday and what to do about it. The drop in See WHALE, page A2
Mayor’s chief of staff to join Ballot investigated Dunleavy administration in tied House race By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
Alaska Gov.-elect Mike Dunleavy has offered Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Mayor’s Office chief of staff, John Quick, the position of commissioner for the Department of Administration. Quick said he interviewed for the position last week and received the news on Thanksgiving. “I was pleasantly surprised,” Quick said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity.” The Department of Administration provides centralized administrative services to state agencies in matters of finance, personnel, labor relations, leasing of space, central mail distribution, property management, risk management, procurement,
Chief of Staff John Quick, left, attends Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce’s swearing-in ceremony at the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building in November 2017 in Soldotna. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
retirement and benefits pro- in Juneau, Anchorage, Nome, grams, information and tele- Palmer and Fairbanks, accommunication systems, and cording to the state’s website. operation and maintenance Quick will begin his new of 18 state-owned buildings See QUICK, page A3
JUNEAU — State election officials said Monday they are trying to determine whether a ballot apparently marked for Democrat Kathryn Dodge in a tied state House race should be counted. The race between Dodge and Republican Bart LeBon was certified as a tie Monday. But Josie Bahnke, the director of the Division of Elections, told reporters the ballot could still be counted, based on an investigation into its origin. She said the ballot appears to have been marked for Dodge. It was in a bin with so-called questioned ballots though it was determined that the ballot itself was not a questioned ballot, she said. Voters in certain situations are asked to vote a questioned ballot, including if their name is not on the precinct register. They must fill
out an envelope, which their voted ballot is placed into. Information provided on the envelope is used to determine the voter’s eligibility. A recount is scheduled for Friday. Dodge and LeBon are vying to replace Fairbanks Democratic Rep. Scott Kawasaki, who won a state Senate seat. The outcome of the House race will be critical in deciding control of the chamber. LeBon said he has questions about how the ballot was handled. Questions about other ballots also could be raised during the recount, he said. He expects the results of the recount, should one of the two lose, to be challenged, he said. Bahnke said officials asked the precinct chair Monday for a written response to some questions and hope to speak with precinct workers about any recollections they have about the ballot.