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Vol. 49, Issue 274
5.0 earthquake rumbles Juneau, but doesn’t do any harm No damage from the earthquake reported By Michael Lockett Juneau Empire
Juneau experienced a 5.0 magnitude earthquake at 8:32 p.m. Saturday night, but no damage was reported. The epicenter was located more than 60 miles northwest of Juneau at a depth of less than a mile. This earthquake was the largest of more than half a dozen earthquakes centered in the same region in the last month, according to data provided by the United States Geological Survey. The other earthquakes, all centered 45 miles west of Haines, were less than 3.0 magnitude. “I felt it! I was in my driveway and my vehicle was shaking,” Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Travis Mead told the Empire. “I thought my kid was doing it.” Mead said CCFR did not receive any reports of damage or injury from the quake. “We didn’t get any calls,” he said Monday. “Just the way we like it.” The Juneau Police Department did not receive any such reports either, according to the dispatch center. Southeast Alaska is no stranger to powerful earthquakes. According to USGS data, there have been more than 20 earthquakes as strong or stronger than the quake Saturday in the last three decades. Alaska was also unwilling host to the second-most powerful earthquake in recorded history, a magnitude 9.2 “Good Friday” earthquake that shattered Anchorage in 1964. All these earthquakes come from interaction between the Pacific Plate and North American Plate, part of the ‘Ring of Fire’ around the Pacific Ocean that’s home to the vast majority of the world’s earthquakes and volcanoes.
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Master
Dorian causes historic flooding in Bahamas
Verlander throws 3rd career no-hitter
Nation / A5
Sports / A7
CLARION
Clouds, sun 63/45 More weather, Page A2
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Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
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$1 newsstands daily/$1.50 Sunday
Despite winds, containment lines hold Winds reached up to 45 mph along some isolated areas of the Sterling Highway By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
Strong winds hit some parts of the Swan Lake Fire Sunday, but the fire did not grow significantly and all containment lines held. According to the latest update from the Great Basin Incident Management Team,
the winds on Sunday were the strongest they have been since the flare-up two weeks ago that caused the fire to jump across the Sterling highway. Sustained winds of about 10 mph were reported on Sunday, and winds reaching up to 45 mph along some isolated areas of the Sterling Highway, incident meteorologist Tony Fuentes said. Numerous fire-weakened trees along the highway and southwest flank of the fire were knocked down by the strong winds but presented
no immediate concern. Activities inside the fire perimeter were limited on Sunday so that firefighters were not put into hazardous situations. Rough waters limited boat travel to some locations on the south flank. Operations Section Chief Rocky Gilbert said in a live update Monday morning that turbulence and rough waters also prevented aerial operations, including water drops from fixed-wing aircraft. Some pockets of fuel along the southwest flank See fire, Page A3
Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion
Trees burned by the Swan Lake Fire and knocked down by gusts of wind can be seen here along the Sterling Highway on Friday.
Going the distance Cucumber makes it past the Swan Lake Fire to break the Alaska State Fair record By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
This year’s grand prize cucumber at the Alaska State Fair shattered the state record for length, but it almost had to travel through fire to get there. Richard Link of Soldotna knew that he had a recordbreaker on his hand when he harvested his 14-pound, 37 3/8-inch (44 inches when measured by the curve) cucumber earlier this year. A problem arose, however, when the Swan Lake Fire — which has been burning on the Kenai Peninsula since June 5 — jumped across the Sterling Highway two weeks ago and led to multiple road closures and delays. The Sterling Highway is part of the only road route to Palmer from Soldotna, so Link and his cucumber were essentially stranded on the Kenai Peninsula. Even though Link had already looked up the previous record and knew that he had it beat, the road closures had him ready to throw in the towel. Luckily his wife, Ludy, was determined to get that cucumber to Palmer. Ludy contacted her sister in Anchorage and made a plan See fair, Page A3
Courtesy Ludy Link
Soldotna resident Richard Link and his prize-winning Armenian cucumber are seen here in this August 2019 photo. The 14-pound, 37 3/8-inch cucumber took home a grand prize at the 2019 Alaska State Fair.
Anchor River Bridge replacement on horizon By Delcenia Cosman Peninsula Clarion
With luck, by this time next year, visitors and residents in Anchor Point will be crossing a shiny new two-lane bridge to access the Old Sterling Highway and Anchor Point State Recreation Area. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, along with representatives from Solstice Alaska Consulting Inc., hosted a public open house Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Anchor Point Senior Center to garner discussion and public opinion on the Anchor River Bridge replacement project. The project is in its very beginning stages, with the open house serving as the kickstart to ongoing public involvement throughout the process that may influence the final construction result. “We are just gaining
momentum with this project,” said Galen Jones, project manager and DOT&PF representative. “We are here to get comment and feedback before we even put plans together.” According to its preliminary concept, the new Anchor River Bridge will be uncovered, have two 11-footwide traffic lanes, and add 6-foot-wide shoulders that will allow pedestrians and non-motorized users to cross over the bridge more safely. Because the new bridge will be built according to modern design standards, it will also no longer impose height or weight restrictions, which will better allow access to large trucks, vehicles towing boat trailers and school buses. Recently, school buses have been forced to take a detour route to transport students living on the Old Sterling Highway, as they are
unable to cross the existing bridge due to the height and weight restrictions. The new bridge may also benefit Anchor Point and the greater Homer area by serving as a backup route in the event that the Sterling Highway experiences an emergency shut down. The preliminary bridge concept is based on standard designs and available funding and is subject to change, particularly as the project members apply for necessary permits. Environmental documentation began approximately in January of this year and is expected to continue through the fall. The design and engineering stage began around March and will continue through the winter, possibly into January 2020. “We’re probably at about 50-60% of our design right See Bridge, Page A3
Brews for all seasons
Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion
Soldotna artist Kaitlyn Vadla (left) and Kenai River Brewing owner Doug Hogue present the first batch of the brewery’s “Moose Gallop Ale” on Tuesday in Soldotna.
Kenai River Brewing partners with Tsalteshi for new beer series By Joey Klecka Peninsula Clarion
Kenai River Brewing is rolling out its latest assortment of specialty brews — this time partnering with Tsalteshi Trails Association to produce
recreation-themed beers that raise funds for the nonprofit. “Tsalteshi is near and dear to my heart,” Brewery owner Doug Hogue said. “It’s something we wanted to support.” The series includes four beers. The first of the series — the “Moose Gallop Ale” — made its debut at a See brew, Page A3