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P E N I N S U L A
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 48, Issue 290
In the news Alaska volcano restless again
$1 newsstands daily/$1.50 Sunday
Begich refuses to withdraw from race By James Brooks Juneau Empire
ANCHORAGE — One of Alaska’s largest and most active volcanoes is restless again, prompting scientists to issue an aviation advisory. Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists increased the threat level of Mount Veniaminof from yellow to orange Tuesday. That color designation indicates that sudden explosions could send ash above 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) and threaten international air planes. The observatory’s coordinating scientist, David Fee, says the 8,225-foot (2,500-meter) volcano became active Saturday. Fee says small and sparse ash emissions seen rising to the 10,000-foot (3,050-meter) level prompted the threat level change. The volcano erupted for several months in 2013. Other recent eruptions occurred in 2005 and between 1993 and 1995. Veniaminof is 480 miles (772 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage on the Alaska Peninsula. Fee says Cleveland Volcano in the central Aleutian Islands is Alaska’s most active volcano, with the last explosion in May.
Mark Begich is staying in the 2018 general election. In a brief ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Begich confirmed that Alaskans will choose from three main options for governor in November. “I’m in the race to win. It’s a three-way race, so get used to it,” he said to the cheers of supporters in his Anchorage campaign office. The former U.S. Senator, who has been out of politics since his 2014 loss to Republican challenger Dan Sullivan, won the Democratic nomination for governor unopposed. Despite Tuesday’s announcement, he faces major challenges before the Nov. 6 statewide general election. Democrats are divided about his candidacy, with many preferring the “unity ticket” headlined by incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. An August poll commissioned by the AFLCIO found only 51 percent of Democrats prefer Begich in a three-way race. Walker and Begich are expected to split the votes of Alaska’s moderate and progressive voters, leaving the state’s large conservative voting block to Republican Mike Dunleavy, who now becomes the presumptive
4 dead after crash on Parks Highway near Cantwell
Micciche, Carpenter claim narrow victories
ANCHORAGE — Four people have died following a crash on the Parks Highway near Cantwell. Alaska State Troopers say those killed in the Monday afternoon crash were 40-yearold Cary Taylor-Bloomquist of Palmer, her 5-year-old daughter Adeline “Addy,” and a Fairbanks couple, 63-year-old Jeffrey Esley and 60-year-old Charlene Esley. Troopers say TaylorBloomquist was southbound in a Subaru Outback when she veered over the center line and struck two motorcycles. Taylor-Bloomquist died in the crash, and her critically injured daughter was flown to an Anchorage hospital, where she died. The Esleys, on one motorcycle, died in the crash. The driver of the other motorcycle, 62-year-old David Fulton of Fairbanks, sustained critical injuries and was flown to Anchorage area hospital. Fulton’s wife, 50-year-old Heidi Fulton, was driving a pickup truck behind the motorcycles and crashed into the Outback. She was not seriously injured.
By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
Two, too-close-to-call primary races on the central peninsula have come to an end with official election results released by the Alaska Division of Elections Friday afternoon. For the Senate District O race, incumbent Sen. Peter Micciche won by 57 votes. For House District 29, Ben Carpenter won by 12 votes. After the Aug. 21 election, the Alaska Division of Elections conducted a 10-day count of absentee and questioned ballots. Last Friday, the Alaska Division of Elections said they needed the holiday weekend to wait for more election materials, the Clarion reported last week. “While the Division’s goal was to certify (results) this weekend, we are working to
Mark Begich, Democratic candidate for Alaska governor, announces in a Facebook video Tuesday that he will not withdraw from the race for governor, setting up a three-way general election contest between himself, Republican Mike Dunleavy and independent incumbent Gov. Bill Walker. (Screenshot)
favorite. Polls throughout the summer have found Dunleavy leading a three-way contest. Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Billy Toien will also appear on the general election
ensure we give every detail the attention it needs to make sure Alaskans can feel fully confident in our final tally of the results,” said State Elections Director Josie Bahnke in the Aug. 31 Alaska Division of Elections release. The two central peninsula primary races couldn’t be called until all votes were accounted for. The morning after the primary election, incumbent Sen. Peter Micciche was only nine votes behind Ron Gillham in the Republican primary race for the Senate seat in District O. With no other contenders for the Senate seat, Micciche will be unchallenged in the Nov. 6 general election. Micciche has been serving in the Alaska State Senate since 2013 and served as the Senate majority leader this legislative session. He was not immedi-
ballot but has not been included in most polls. In a statement provided to the Empire after Begich’s announcement, the Walker campaign said “a three-way race is
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks during an interview Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, about his bill, SB 63, to prohibit smoking in public places.
ately available for comment. “I thought it was going to Gillham said he was in awe be a close election, and it was,” of the way the election came Gillham told the Clarion Tuesout. day afternoon. “Congratula-
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tions to Peter.” Initial results in House District 29 — which encompasses the northern peninsula, including Nikiski, Hope and Seward — showed Republican candidate Wayne Ogle of Nikiski leading by only three votes over Ben Carpenter, also of Nikiski. Carpenter and Democratic nominee, Shawn Butler of Hope, will vie to fill the seat of Mike Chenault — who was House Speaker for eight years — in November’s general election. Carpenter said he wanted to thank residents for coming out to vote. “We’re obviously happy with the results,” he said. “Now we begin the task of communicating the message of our conservative values.” Carpenter said he hopes to balance the budget, improve seSee TALLY, page A2
Volunteers bring a smile and support to peninsula hospital By ERIN THOMPSON Peninsula Clarion
— Associated Press
Index
a race to 40 percent.” the Walker statement said. “Regardless of how many In a prepared statement, the candidates are in the race, this Dunleavy campaign said the election will come down to the three-way race resulted “after decisions made on the PermaSee GOV, page A6 nent Fund and the fiscal plan,”
Whether patient or visitor, those walking through the doors of Central Peninsula Hospital can count on one thing — a smile from someone seated at a greeting desk. “When we’re at the desk we’re pretty much the first faces they see when they walk into the doors,” volunteer Suzette Baty said. “And so just greeting them with the ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ or a smile or any assistance that can help them, it just makes their day a little easier and maybe brighter.” Baty, who has been donating her time to the hospital for about three years, works the hospital’s greeting desk, fills coffee and tea stations, and does special projects like giving tours to children. She is one
Donna Franzmann, left, and Suzette Baty volunteer at Central Peninsula Hospital’s greeting desk on Thursday, Aug. 23 in Soldotna. Greeters welcome patients and visitors as part of the hospital’s volunteer program. (Photo by Erin Thompson/ Peninsula Clarion)
of approximately 200 people cated to providing support to who volunteer for Central Pen- the hospital and its residential insula Hospital’s Auxiliary — facilities. an independent nonprofit dediVolunteers with the Auxilia-
ry work as greeters, run the gift shop, help stock coffee and tea stations, provide toys or books to children, visit residents and or keep patients company by playing a game of cards, or simply take the time to have a conversation. “A lot of them will come to the desk and they’ll stand there for a little while and we’ll just talk,” volunteer Donna Franzmann said. Franzmann, who began volunteering one day a week at the information desk in April, said she joined Auxiliary ranks because she had the time, and “I just like to make people smile.” She enjoys the opportunity to meet new people and interact with the community. “A lot of times the same patients come in — once a week — and you just kind of get to know them, and make them feel
comfortable,” she said. Altogether Auxiliary volunteers donate about 20,000 hours to the hospital. By comparison, a single person working 40 hours a week accumulate approximately 2,000 hours per year. Eve Thompson, who handles purchasing at the gift shop, has logged more than 10,000 hours in the 15 years she’s worked as a volunteer at the hospital. Thompson got involved at a time she was struggling with her own health. “Years ago, I was in a lot of pain from a missed surgery,” she said. “And I would get depressed and I was in pain all the time. And there were times I wouldn’t even leave my house. And then a friend of mine said they need volunteers down at the hospital and there’s (a job) See CPH, page A6