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Soldotna wrestlers topple Bulldogs
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P E N I N S U L A
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 49, Issue 45
In the news Officials warn of weak ice in Lower Kuskokwim River BETHEL — Winter weather is slow to arrive along the Lower Kuskokwim River, with open water complicating Thanksgiving holiday travels. KYUK reports that section of the Kuskokwim is facing another late freezeup. Bethel Search and Rescue officials say the river is still not safe for travel. Officials say weak, irregular ice has formed in the river and multiple open holes remain. Numerous tundra lakes in the area also remain open. Officials recommend that people setting nets or going ice fishing walk with an ice pick and check the ice before each step. Search and Rescue officials also often recommend people wear life jackets or float coats when going out on the ice during freeze-up.
People line up in Fairbanks for Costco opening FAIRBANKS — Fairbanks shoppers lined up early Tuesday morning to check out the new Costco warehouse store when it opened for business. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports people started showing up more than an hour before the doors opened. The new store fills a void left by the closure of Sam’s Club in January. Dave DeLany was among the early arrivals. He dressed warmly to wait in line, but got there early enough to wait in the entryway. The two big items on his list? Pumpkin pie and rotisserie chicken. — Associated Press
Inside “Whatever the scope of the President’s authority, he may not rewrite the immigration laws to impose a condition that Congress has expressly forbidden ...” ... See Nation A5
Index Opinion................... A4 Nation..................... A5 World...................... A6 Foods.......................A7 Sports......................A9 Classifieds............ A10 Comics.................. A13 Check us out online at www.peninsulaclarion.com To subscribe, call 283-3584.
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Men’s recovery home moves closer to reality Freedom House receives anonymous $250,000 donation By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
Jennifer Waller said she was completely shocked when a local husband and wife came into her office at Freedom House earlier this week and offered to donate the $250,000 needed for Freedom House to purchase a home for the men’s installment of the Freedom House mission. Waller is the founder of Freedom House, a faith-based women’s recovery home. Since August, she’s been actively pursuing funding and resources to create a recovery home for men. She said she’s been applying for grants and fundraising, and was even getting ready to take out a loan this week for the purchase of Soldotna home that Waller envisioned as the men’s Freedom House location. “This was the time,” Waller said. ”We literally have men dying on the streets of overdoses.” Waller said the purchase of the home should be wrapping up in the next couple of weeks, and she anticipates renovations to begin next month. She said she is hoping for an early 2019 opening. Freedom House founder Jennifer Waller, left, discusses her vision to create a men’s recovery home similar to sober-living See HOME, page A14 women’s facility during a community open house Aug. 30. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Christmas tree-cutting opens in refuge By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is open for Christmas tree-cutting from Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22, through Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25, according to a Tuesday press release. With a limit of one per household, trees are free and may not be taller than 20 feet. Residents can cut a tree anywhere on the refuge land, except anywhere within 150 feet of a road, lake, stream, trail, campground or picnic area. The refuge asks that people cut the stumps as close to the ground as possible, with hand tools. No trees can be cut at the Refuge Headquarters or Visitor Center and along Ski Hill Road. Questions and additional information can be directed to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office, 907- The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is open for Christmas tree-cutting from Thanksgiving to Christmas. (Photo courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) 262-7021.
Pebble launches postelection outreach campaign ANCHORAGE (AP) — The company behind a proposed copper and gold mine near a major salmon fishery in southwest Alaska has launched a new marketing campaign after voters defeated a ballot measure aimed at protecting salmon habitat and elected a Republican governor. The proposed Pebble Mine in the Bristol Bay region still faces opposition and regulatory hurdles, but Pebble Limited Partnership is seeking to reach out to residents, KTVATV reported Monday. “We have a lot of outreach on deck within the reSee PEBBLE, page A3
Freezer Food Series trades Davidson considers her political future darkness for daylight By JEFF HELMINIAK Peninsula Clarion
The Freezer Food Series has come out of the darkness and into the light. Last year’s maiden voyage of the running, biking and skiing races at Tsalteshi Trails was held at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. This year, the series moves to 2 p.m. Sundays. “By making it happen during daylight we’re making it warmer and we’re hoping there’s more interest,” said Jordan Chilson, a board member of the Tsalteshi Trails Association. “It won’t be happening in the freezing cold and darkness.” The goal of the series is to See FOOD, page A14
BETHEL (AP) — Alaska Lt. Gov. Valerie Davidson said she hasn’t ruled anything out about continuing her political career when the new administration enters office next month. While on a trip to Bethel last week, Davidson told KYUK-AM that becoming governor was a high school ambition, noting that she still has time to possibly pursue that career goal at a later date. “If I’m interested in running for governor, if that’s going to be a four-year time frame, whether that’s eight years or 12 years, I have time,” Davidson said. “I’m 51, so I’m going to kind of see what that is.” Joel Todd crests a hill during Fat Freddie’s Bike Race and The state’s first female Alaska Ramble on Feb. 10 in the Caribou Hills. The Freezer Food Se- Native lieutenant governor enries will include four weeks of fat biking this year. (Photo by Jeff tered the role under Gov. Bill Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion) Walker after Byron Mallott re-
signed in October. Davidson previously served as the commissioner of the state Department of Health and Social Services after working about 18 years in the health care field. She will leave office when Republican Gov.-elect Mike Dunleavy becomes Alaska’s top elected official Dec. 3. “People have asked me, you know, what are you going to do next, and my immediate plan is I am going to sleep,” Davidson said. “I’m probably going to enjoy my first full night of sleep that I’ve had in about four years.” Before leaving, Davidson expects her next couple of weeks to be consumed by certifying election results. She said she hopes that DunSee LT. GOV, page A3