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Vol. 49, Issue 242
In the news Man defends himself in assault case, gets 17 years
ANCHORAGE — A 28-year-old rural Alaska man who acted as his own attorney in a felony domestic violence case, and cross-examined his ex-girlfriend on the stand for more than eight hours, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison. Michael Redfox of Emmonak at a March trial in Bethel was convicted of three felony assault charges. Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Peters sentenced him Wednesday. State prosecutors say Peters noted that Redfox’s prospects for rehabilitation were poor based on past criminal history. Prosecutors presented evidence that Redfox choked his girlfriend several different times during the attack and at one point, she stabbed Redfox in the forehead with a screwdriver to make him stop. Redfox at sentencing said he was a strong candidate for rehabilitation because he had completed substance abuse programs.
Coaches
Trumps chides supporters for ‘go back’ chant
A roundup of changes at Peninsula schools
Nation / A5
Sports / A7
CLARION
67/54 More weather, Page A2
W of 1 inner Awa0* 201 Exc rds fo 8 e r Rep llence i n * Ala o r t i n ska g!
P E N I N S U L A
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Friday-Saturday, July 19-20, 2019 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
— Associated Press
By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
Alaska Division of Forestry has lifted ban on campfires on state, private and municipal lands in Southcentral Alaska. Restrictions on federal lands, including the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, remain in effect. Cooler, moister weather
along with decreased fire activity prompted officials to lift the ban Thursday morning, according to a release from the Department of Natural Resources. Campfires under 3 feet in diameter are now allowed in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Copper River Basin and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. A similar ban
was lifted for the northern half of Alaska on Sunday. The lifting of the state campfire closure does not affect burn suspensions issued by local state forestry offices, and people must check with their local office daily to determine if there is a burn suspension in effect in their area. Campfires under 3 feet in diameter are allowed during
a burn suspension, but opendebris burning and the use of burn barrels are prohibited. As of Wednesday, burn suspensions remained in effect for the Copper River, Fairbanks, Kenai and Mat-Su areas. There were 205 active wildfires burning in Alaska with more than 2,100 firefighting personnel working to contain
Much ado about fish
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them as of Wednesday. On the peninsula, 430 personnel are managing the Swan Lake Fire east of Sterling, which covered 101,016 acres as of Thursday, according to the latest update from the Eastern Area Incident Management Team. For the latest on the Swan Lake Fire and on burn suspensions in the area, visit kpboem.com.
No-cost measles vaccines available Health and Social Services is holding a clinic Saturday in response to measles case. By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion
David Fink, a volunteer with the Student Conservation Association, dissects and displays the anatomy of two fish for curious children Thursday during the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s annual Fish Week near Soldotna. The refuge is offering a number of fish-related activities and tutorials throughout the week, including workshops on stream ecology, fish cleaning, casting, dipnetting, smoking and canning.
Can-do crew takes on the boys in blue By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
Alaska State Troopers and local law enforcement will square off against the Nikiski Firefighters Friday night in the third annual Guns and Hoses Charity Baseball Game. The game, which will be held at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, will start at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for a donation at the door. Proceeds for the event support the Nikiski Children’s Fund, which is a nonprofit that provides school supplies and financial assistance to students
Courtesy Joe Rizzo
Firefighters and law enforcement officials pose during the first Guns and Hoses charity baseball game at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai in this undated photo.
attending Nikiski Middle/ High School and Nikiski North Star Elementary.
Through the nonprofit, a debit card is available at both schools that allows teachers
to purchase anything from See game, Page A2
In response to the recently identified measles case in Soldotna, officials from Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services will have a vaccine clinic set up at the Kenai Public Health Center this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Public Health Nurse Amanda McKinley said that the clinic is open to everyone, adults and children, and the measles vaccinations will be administered at no cost to anyone who has not been immunized to the disease. Vaccinations will be first come, first served, and anyone who attends the clinic but does not receive a vaccination will have the opportunity to schedule a follow-up appointment with Kenai Public Health. Anyone interested is encouraged to bring their immunization records and to call ahead if they are already experiencing symptoms, which include high fever, runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes and a rash on the head and face. Call 907-395-7976 or 907-395-7969 for more information about the clinic, and visit the DHSS epidemiology webpage at http://dhss.alaska. gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/ measles/default.aspx for more information about the measles virus.
2nd Disability Pride Celebration starts Saturday Peninsula Clarion
Local . . . . . . . . . . A3 Opinion . . . . . . . . A4 Nation & World . . . . A5 Religion . . . . . . . . A6 Sports . . . . . . . . . A7 Classifieds . . . . . . A10 Comics . . . . . . . . A13
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Campfire ban lifted for state lands
By Brian Mazurek
Index
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Anchorage man indicted for attack on woman using walker ANCHORAGE — An Anchorage grand jury has indicted a man suspected of stabbing a 74-year-old woman as she used her walker near a park. Twenty-eight-yearold Rigoberto Walker was indicted Wednesday on counts of attempted murder and felony assault. Walker is represented by the Alaska Public Defender’s Office, which does not comment on pending cases. The office did not return an email request for comment Thursday. Prosecutors say that on July 4, the injured woman was outside along a street behind Centennial Park. Prosecutors say Walker approached with a large kitchen knife and attacked her. The woman suffered multiple stab wounds. Two people came to the woman’s aid. Prosecutors say Walker threatened them with the knife. Police arrested Walker a short time later. He is in custody at the Anchorage jail.
Mostly cloudy
Having a disability shouldn’t prevent anyone from having a great time. This Saturday at Soldotna Creek Park, the folks at Frontier Community Services and the Independent Living Center will be hosting the peninsula’s second annual Disability Pride Celebration. From noon to 4 p.m., people can visit the park to enjoy free food, face painting, live music from local band Hot Mess and a number of games and activities that will be accessible to all, regardless of ability. The event is aimed at
connecting the community with those who live with disabilities for a day of fun and freedom for everyone. “We really just want people to come hang out and see that people with disabilities, they’re just regular people, man,” organizer Nikki Marcano said. “We want the day to be as inclusive as possible.” Marcano, employment specialist for Frontier, and Maggie Winston, systems advocate for the Independent Living Center, organized the event for the first time last year. Marcano said she was originally planning the event See pride, Page A2
Elizabeth Earl / Peninsula Clarion
Kids slip and slide at the Disability Pride event at Soldotna Creek Park on July 21, 2018, in Soldotna.