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P E N I N S U L A
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Vol. 49, Issue 174
In the news State revises psychiatric hospital contract JUNEAU — The state plans to seek bids for the long-term operation of the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. State health commissioner Adam Crum says an agreement was reached with Wellpath Recovery Solutions to amend a February contract that included two phases. The first phase was to run through June and the second was to run for five years, starting in July. He says the revised contract extends the duration of the first phase to Dec. 31, 2019. He says Wellpath will provide services until then. The state says a service provider for the second phase would be determined through a process of seeking proposals. Crum says that’s intended to ensure trust in government, noting questions surrounding the initial contract. He says a feasibility study underway will inform the process for seeking proposals.
Coast Guard service members face drug charges KODIAK — Coast Guard service members face criminal drug charges in Alaska stemming from an internal investigation. The Kodiak Daily Mirror reported Monday that the investigation beginning in fall 2018 has produced charges of cocaine and marijuana distribution, possession and use. The Coast Guard did not identify those charged, but documents indicate they include eight aviation electrical technicians and aviation maintenance technicians at Base Kodiak, Air Station Kodiak and Air Station Barbers Point. The ninth is a seaman aboard Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley. The Coast Guard announced in February it had initiated criminal proceedings against 12 service members. Three of those entered plea agreements earlier this month and no longer face criminal charges. The Coast Guard says 31 service members have faced punishment as a result of the ongoing investigation. — Associated Press
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Farmers market season around the corner By VICTORIA PETERSEN Peninsula Clarion
In the next several weeks, farmers markets across the peninsula will be popping up with fresh local food. The Alaska Food Hub, an online farmers market with several pickup locations, will begin May 1 in Homer, May 15 in Soldotna and May 22 in Seldovia. The food hub runs until October. To see what’s available for order, residents can visit alaskafoodhub.org. The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Farmers Market, which was formally the Farmers Fresh Market, will begin 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11. The market will take place every Tuesday until September 10 at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank on K-Beach Road. Down in Homer, the Homer Farmers Market begins 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25. The market is both 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednes-
Dale Cocklin, of Two Peas in a Pod Farm, sells an abundance of root vegetables like beets, kohlrabi, carrots and more at his stand at the Farmers Fresh Market at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank on Aug. 28, 2018. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
days and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays from May 25 to Sept. 28 on Ocean Drive.
Ninilchik is hosting its farmers market from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays from June
2 to July 28 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds. The Soldotna Saturday
Farmers Market, the area’s oldest market, will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays from June 1 to Sept. 28. Running for the last 24 years, the market sits near the historic Soldotna Post Office on the Kenai Spur Highway and E. Corral Avenue. Elaine Howell has been managing the market in Soldotna with her husband, Bill, for two years now. She said residents and visitors can expect more at this year’s farmers market. Howell said they invited food trucks to park at the market. “We have a quite a few more vendors and a couple of new farmers,” Howell said. “We’re hoping to bring more awareness to the market.” Howell said they’ve already begun planning for next year, for the market’s 25th birthday. Also in Soldotna, the Soldotna Wednesday Market will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 5 to Aug. 28 at Soldotna Creek Park.
Trump, business organization sue Democratic House chairman By ERIC TUCKER and JONATHAN LEMIRE Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and his business organization sued the Democratic chairman of the House oversight committee on Monday to block a subpoena that seeks years of the president’s financial records. The complaint became the latest front in the intensifying battle between the president and the Democrats who control the House of Representatives and are committed to investigating Trump and his finances. The complaint, filed in federal court in Washington, said
Congress to try to stain the president’s standing. “Instead of working with the President to pass bipartisan legislation that would actually benefit Americans, House Democrats are singularly obsessed with finding something they can use to damage the President politically,” the lawsuit states. Cummings, a Maryland Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on President Donald Trump, right, waves as he and first Oversight and Reform, islady Melania Trump board Air Force One prior to depar- sued the subpoena earlier ture from Palm Beach International Airport, Sunday, in this month to Mazars USA, West Palm Beach Fla. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Mon- an accountant for the president and Trump Organizasivais) tion. He said Monday that the subpoena from Rep. Eli- and accuses Democrats of the complaint “reads more jah Cummings “has no legit- harassing Trump and wield- like political talking points imate legislative purpose” ing their new majority in than a reasoned legal brief,
and it contains a litany of inaccurate information.” “The President has a long history of trying to use baseless lawsuits to attack his adversaries, but there is simply no valid legal basis to interfere with this duly authorized subpoena from Congress,” Cummings said. “The White House is engaged in unprecedented stonewalling on all fronts, and they have refused to produce a single document or witness to the Oversight Committee during this entire year.” The lawsuit accuses Cummings of failing to consult with Republicans on the panel before issuing the See SUE, page A2
Court of Appeals upholds sexual assault conviction By Michael Armstrong Homer News
The Alaska Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of a Fairbanks man who sexually assaulted a Homer woman in August 2011, but sent back to the Superior Court and
a three-judge sentencing pannel issues of sentencing. The man had appealed his case in 2015. The Court of Appeals discussed its findings in an opinion released on April 3. A jury in 2013 convicted Jeffery K. Holt, now 58, of one count of
first-degree sexual assault and four counts of second-degree sexual assault. A three-judge sentencing panel found Holt had “extraordinary potential for rehabilitation” and sentenced him to 21 years in jail with five years suspended on the first-degree
sexual assault conviction and four years with three years suspended for each of the second-degree sexual assault convictions, for a composite sentence of 28 years with eight years suspended or 20 years to serve. At trial, a jury found
Holt guilty of sexually assaulting a Homer woman at her home while she was incapacitated from drinking. The two had known each other from when she lived in Fairbanks. Holt had come to visit her in Homer while fishSee COURT, page A2
South Peninsula Hospital CEO Woodin resigns By Michael Armstrong Homer News
Just over a year as he came onboard as Chief Executive Officer for South Peninsula Hospital, Joe Woodin announced his resignation on Tuesday, April 16. In a press release from the hospital on Wednes-
day, Woodin cited “unanticipated circumstances that prevent him from remaining in the position.” The SPH Operating Board has appointed Noel Rea of NetworxHealth, a consulting division of Virginia Mason Medical Center, as the interim CEO effective immediately, according
to the press release. “South Peninsula Hospital is more than just a community hospital,” David Groesbeck, President of the Board of Directors, said in the press release. “It has grown quickly to become a regional medical center and leading employer in the community. Joe made great
progress on numerous priorities during a critical transition time for the organization, and we thank him for his service. We anticipate continued progress under the leadership of Mr. Rea, who brings expertise in working with rural, independent health care facilities in Alaska.”
Woodin was appointed by the SPH Operating Board in February 2018 to replace former CEO Bob Letson, who had been CEO for 10 years. Woodin started work in March 2018. He came to Homer from Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Massachusetts, where he had See SPH, page A3
Thieves steal UAF trail US authorities: Marijuana involvement imperils citizenship maintenance equipment By ASTRID GALVAN Associated Press
PHOENIX — Immigration authorities on Friday said that anyone with any involvement with marijuana, regardless of whether it’s legal in the state where they live, can be denied citizenship because the drug is still illegal under federal law. The announcement comes weeks after offi-
cials in Colorado, where recreational marijuana is legal, began warning residents that working for a dispensary or manufacturing operation could jeopardize their citizenship bids — even if those jobs are state-sanctioned. The updated guidance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services states that people who use marijuana or are involved with it in any way fail to
have “good moral character,” a prerequisite for people who have legal permanent residence to gain American citizenship. About two-thirds of states allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and 10 allow recreational use. Washington, D.C., also allows recreational use. “U.S. Citizenship and See POT, page A3
FAIRBANKS (AP) — Equipment value at thousands of dollars has been stolen from an Alaska university trail maintenance building, according to an employee. University of Alaska Fairbanks trail groomer Jason Garron reported the theft Wednesday on a social media page for the school’s north campus, The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported Sunday. An unknown number
of thieves broke in through the back door of the building near Hess Village early Wednesday morning, Garron said. The theft included two generators, two chainsaws, a pole saw, working lights from a snowmachine, trail maintenance hand tools, and the keys to a university truck. The truck was also stolen but recovered at a lot near campus, Garron said. The stolen property’s See THEFT, page A3