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Fragrant Columnist appreciates regained sense of smell Community/C-1
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Fast A good season start for Allie Ostrander Sports/B-1
CLARION P E N I N S U L A
APRIL 6, 2014 Soldotna-Kenai, Alaska
Vol. 44, Issue 159
Speaking from the
Photos by Kelly Sullivan/ Peninsula Clarion Left: Sandra King, a teacher on leave from the Lower Kuskokwim school district, talks to Jayne Hanna, 14, during the 6th annual Alaska Native Oratory Society regional open-mic session. Bottom: Gabriel Stone kneels and briefly enacts a traditional dance at the Alaska Native Oratory Society, March 28, at Kenai Peninsula College, Kenai River Campus in Soldotna.
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Alaska Native Oratory Society brings the healing power of a story to Kenai Peninsula College By RASHAH MCCHESNEY Peninsula Clarion
There’s an innate power in storytelling — especially when the narrative wraps culture, struggle, tragedy and triumph into the tale. For the sixth year, the Alaska Native Oratory Society, or AkNOS held a regional open-mic
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50 cents newsstands daily/$1.00 Sunday
See STORY, page A-2
See CROSS, page A-2
Soldotna planning paths for skating By KELLY SULLIVAN Peninsula Clarion
Clarion file photo
In this Aug. 10, 2008, file photo two observers watch a young brown bear fishing for red salmon.
Spring is the time for bear awareness Around the Kenai Peninsula, thawing layers of ice, snow can read like a fossil record. The emerging preserved trash, excrement and occasional carcasses are sending a message out to the hungry creatures
By DAN BALMER Peninsula Clarion
A contentious resolution surrounding a Latin cross embedded in a veteran’s memorial on public land has been tabled indefinitely by the Kenai City Council. After nearly an hour of discussion, the group voted to halt progress on a resolution affirming its support of the Veteran’s Memorial in Leif Hansen Memorial Park at its meeting Wednesday. At the March 19 council meeting, veterans packed the council chambers and many voicing their desire to see the memorial be left alone, after concerns circulated that the council had considered moving the monument because of the cross. Council member Tim Navarre sponsored the resolution, which reads, “The city council of Kenai supports veterans and respects the public testimony presented by the veterans that spoke in support of the veteran’s memorial.” He said he wanted to show support for the veterans who “spoke from the heart.” He said when he looks at the war memorial he doesn’t see it as a religious symbol. “I see a soldier kneeling paying respect to another soldier who died,” he said. “People who look at the monument and see religion will make their point to you. The fact that it is called a veteran’s memorial – it is what it is.” The council voted 5-3 to table the resolution, with council members Terry Bookey, Mike Boyle,
event and this year about 25 people gathered in the commons at Kenai Peninsula College, Kenai River Campus in Soldotna. Emcee Jack Dalton, who will also be leading the statewide gathering in Anchorage, kept the crowd entertained as “Gruncle Jerome.”
Angeline Gooden laughs as a storyteller mimes being seasick a boat while fishing near Nunivak Island. Gooden, a student at Alaska Christian College, told her own story about her freshman year at the college. Right: Marvin Kiokun puts on his kuspuk, which serves several purposes but, on March 28, 2014 was his “armor outfit for storytelling” at the Alaska Native Oratory Society open-mic event.
By KELLY SULLIVAN Peninsula Clarion
Kenai tables talk of cross
waking from hibernation; lunch is in town. Kenai Wildlife Refuge Park Ranger Candace Ward said with an early break up this year it is time for everyone on the peninsula to and prepare for the heightened activity of springtime wildlife. See BEAR, page A-2
This upcoming winter season the City of Soldotna is moving forward with it’s plans to turn areas of Soldotna Creek Park walking trails into skating paths. The city is currently in a period of nailing down logistics, Soldotna parks and recreation director Andrew Carmichael said. Some measurements are needed before any developments next winter, he said. “We want to get people to thrive in winter, as opposed to hunker down and bare it,” said Carmichael. See SKATE, page A-2
Wife sues over missing Mount Marathon runner ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The wife of a 65-yearold Anchorage man who disappeared while participating in the 2012 Mount Marathon extreme mountain race in Seward has sued the organization that hosts the yearly Independence Day event. Peggy LeMaitre is seeking a $5 million settlement in her lawsuit against the Seward Chamber of Commerce, saying the organization showed outrageous conduct and was negligent in its duty of care toward her husband, Michael LeMaitre, and herself. The lawsuit claims the breach of duty by the chamber was a “direct and proximate” cause of Michael LeMaitre’s death. The lawsuit, which was filed last summer, also alleges that Peggy LeMaitre suffered emotional distress in the way she learned of her husband’s disappearance. C
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The Chamber of Commerce wants the lawsuit dismissed, saying in court documents that the circumstances of Michael LeMaitre’s “presumed death” have never been determined. The case is scheduled for a jury trial in October, but the trial venue is in dispute. The chamber is opting for Seward and
the plaintiff wants Anchorage. On Friday, no one answered a phone listed for Peggy LeMaitre’s attorney, W. Sherman Ernouf. A receptionist for chamber attorney Laura Eakes said the lawyer had no comment. Michael LeMaitre was a rookie in the race on the 3,022See SUED, page A-5
Today’s Clarion Obituaries..................... A-3 Opinion......................... A-4 Alaska........................... A-5 Nation........................... A-7 World............................ A-8 Cops/courts................ A-10 Sports........................... B-1 Community................... C-1 Weddings...................... C-1 Dear Abby..................... C-2 Crossword..................... C-2 Horoscope.................... C-2 Classifieds................... C-3 Mini Page...................... C-9 TV...................... Clarion TV
Rain and Snow 43/28 For complete weather, see page A-12 Check us out online at www.peninsulaclarion.com To subscribe, call 283-3584.