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P E N I N S U L A
Thursday, September 20, 2018 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 48, Issue 303
In the news Alaska getting more than $10M to fight opioid problem ANCHORAGE — Officials say Alaska is receiving more than $10 million to help fight its opioid problem. The $10.4 million announced Wednesday is among more than $1 billion distributed to states by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For Alaska, about $4 million will go toward medication-based treatments. Nearly $6.4 million will go toward community health centers, rural organizations and academic institutions for increased access to services. In Alaska, overdose deaths involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl and related synthetic opioids more than quadrupled last year — from eight deaths in 2016 to 37 in 2017. Authorities say that given the state’s small population — estimated at just under 740,000 last year — Alaska also has had one of the nation’s highest per-capita death rates for prescription opioid overdoses since 2012. — Associated Press
State of Alaska sends warning about hurricane scammers The Alaska Division of Banking and Securities is warning people to be wary of investment or charitable scams related to Hurricane Florence. “Natural disasters bring out the best and worst in people. While news stemming from Hurricane Florence has rightfully focused on the tireless efforts of first responders and neighbors helping neighbors, we know from experience that financial predators are lurking to attempt to profit from the misfortune of others,” Patrice Walsh, acting director of the Division of Banking and Securities, said in a Sept. 19 press release. Scammers often contact potential victims through unsolicited email, social media messages, telephone calls or crowdfunding pitches. Common hurricane-related scams include investment pools or bonds to help storm victims, water-removal or purification technologies, electricity-generating devices, and distressed real estate remediation programs, according to the release. Those who are thinking of donating or investing in the wake of the storm should do their homework before handing over money, the release said.
City Council candidates take on issues, share platforms at Kenai Chamber forum By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum to get residents better acquainted with the three people running for the two empty seats on the Kenai City Council. Robert Peterkin, Teea Winger and Bob Molloy are running for Kenai City Council. Elections are Oct. 2. Peterkin couldn’t attend the forum but submitted a video with his introductory statement, where he focused on quality public safety and protection and asked residents to contact him if they had any questions. Molloy introduced himself to the crowd as a small business owner, who has been operating a law practice in the area for more than 37 years. He said he is a registered nonpartisan and looks at the job of a city council member as a way to help people and businesses deal with issues in their city government. “In matters that come before the council I work to be informed, listen to comments and keep in mind the best interest of the city and serve citizens of Kenai,” Molloy said. “Kenai is an awesome play to live, raise a
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Bob Molloy and Teea Winger discuss issues in the city of Kenai Wednesday, at the Kenai Chamber Luncheon at the Kenai Visitors Center in Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
family and do business.” Winger introduced herself at the forum as a born-and-raised member of the community. She said she lives in the fam-
ily home her grandparents, the McBrides, homesteaded. She previously owned a restaurant and said she’s always been active in the community. She said
she is passionate about disaster preparedness and sharing lifesaving skills with the community. “I’m here to be passionate
Residents talk K-Selo at assembly By MEGAN PACER Homer News
While no major action was taken at Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, held in Homer, community members still had a lot to say. Assembly President Wayne Ogle joked at the end of the meeting that they had set a record for the number of comments on an item on the consent agenda. He was talking about an ordinance that was on the consent agenda to be introduced, not voted on, that would authorize the borough to go out to bond to the tune of about $5.5 million for a new school in Kachemak Selo. Since the ordinance was on the consent agenda, it was introduced along with several other measures when the consent agenda was approved. The public hearing for the ordinance is on Oct. 9. Assembly members
Homer area residents listen to the Tuesday Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting at Homer City Hall in Homer. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
said they were introducing it now so that everything will be in order if the ballot proposition to allow the borough to bond for the school passes in the Oct. 2 borough election.
Among the community members who had something to say about the Kachemak Selo school issue were two members of the school board, the school’s principal, Mike
Wojciak, Homer City Council member Heath Smith and state Rep. Paul Seaton. Most commenters voiced their support of the ordinance and the community at the head of Kachemak Bay getting a new school. The approximately 50 students get a K-12 education in three separate buildings the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District reports have outlived their function. Others said the price tag of about $15.5 million for the school, with about $5.5 coming from the borough and the rest from a state grant, is too much for the number of students that would use it. They asked the assembly to think of other creative ways of solving the issue. Smith, the council member, said that something ought to be done in the future to see if there can be some flexibility to state regulations when it comes to See K-SELO, page A3
Kava-not protesters demonstrate at Capitol By JAMES BROOKS Juneau Empire
— Staff
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Kava-not protesters gathered in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday night in the latest of what have become regular demonstrations against the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Thirty-eight protesters (and two dogs) stood in dwindling daylight and urged U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, to vote against Kavanaugh’s appointment. The event followed a similar gathering last month and numerous smaller demonstrations in front of the senators’ Juneau office. “What do we want our sena-
tors to be? Be Alaska senators and not Trump senators,” protest organizer Kate Troll said. Troll said the “unite” rally was intended to bring Alaska Native interests, labor interests and women’s interests together to express their opinions. It also came as Kavanaugh confronts allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman at age 17. Kavanaugh and his accuser are expected to testify about the matter under oath in front of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Nancy Barnes led a Nisga’a prayer song to open the protest, which lasted approximately 15 minutes. As Barnes explained, Native organizations across Alaska — including the Alaska Federation of Natives — have
Protesters listen to Kate Troll during a rally against President Donald Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza on Tuesday in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
announced their opposition to Speaking to the crowd over Kavanaugh, and she feels it’s a small loudspeaker, Barnes important to be involved. said she expects Murkowski “If we don’t pay attention, will be listening to Alaskans. things are just going to hap“You’re our senator, and See CAPITOL, page A5 pen,” she said.
and make a difference,” Winger said. Qualifications The first question asked what qualifications Winger and Molloy had for the position of city council member. Molloy, who has been serving on the council since 2005, said he has ample experience working on a team with a lot of divergent views. “I’m a committed hard worker,” Molloy said. “I study the issues and I’m willing to listen to both sides of the issue.” Winger said she doesn’t have any political experience, but that she is very active in the community. “I feel that I could work well with Bob and Robert, and I look forward to bringing forward fresh ideas.” Challenges The next question was what is Kenai’s greatest strength and greatest challenge? Winger said Kenai’s greatest strength is its people. “We live in a great community,” Winger said. “It makes a big difference in our economy and our growth.” Winger said weaknesses in Kenai can be attributed to See FORUM, page A2
3 hackers sentenced in Anchorage federal court By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
ANCHORAGE (AP) — Three young computer hackers whose “botnet” known as Mirai virtually paralyzed chunks of the internet two years ago have received light sentences after helping the FBI with cybercrime and cybersecurity. Paras Jha, 22, of Fanwood, New Jersey; Josiah White, 21, of Washington, Pennsylvania; and Dalton Norman, 22, of Metairie, Louisiana, were sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation and 62½ workweeks of community service in U.S. District Court in Anchorage. The three men, who pleaded guilty to computer fraud charges in December, also were ordered to pay $127,000 in restitution and gave up what authorities said was a significant amount of cryptocurrency. Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess handed down the sentences after the men cooperated extensively with the FBI on cybercrime investigations and broader defensive efforts, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office in Alaska. Terms of their sentences include the expectation they will keep helping the FBI. “Cybercrime is a worldwide epidemic that reaches many Alaskans,” Bryan Schroder, the U.S. attorney for Alaska, said in the release. “The perpetrators count on being technologically one step ahead of law enforcement officials. “The plea agreement with the young offenders in this case was a unique opportunity for law enforcement officers and will give FBI investigators the knowledge and tools they need to stay ahead of cybercriminals around the world,” he said. See HACK, page A3