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Vol. 49, Issue 276
In the news
Women killed in Kenai Spur Highway collision A Nikiski woman has died as the result of a collision on the Kenai Spur Highway, according to a dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers. Kim Lee, 73, of Nikiski, was killed Tuesday, after her car collided with another at Mile 18 of the Kenai Spur Highway between Miller Loop Road and Industrial Avenue in Nikiski. According to the dispatch, troopers on the scene determined that George Delano, 82, of Nikiski — who was driving a 2007 Chevy Silverado — crossed over the center lane and struck Lee’s 1994 Ford pickup. Lee was pronounced deceased on scene, and next of kin have been notified. Delano was transported to Central Peninsula Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash, troopers reported. Both drivers were wearing seat belts. Investigation is ongoing. — Brian Mazurek
Groups sue, say rules could harm belugas JUNEAU — Conservation groups are suing a federal agency over rules they say could harm beluga whales and other marine mammals in Cook Inlet. An attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, which is challenging the rules along with Cook Inletkeeper, said the lawsuit was filed Wednesday against the National Marine Fisheries Service, also known as NOAA Fisheries. The lawsuit seeks to block rules that would allow certain oil and gas operations by Hilcorp Alaska with the potential to injure or disrupt marine life through noise exposure. The agency has said it is requiring a mitigation plan to reduce effects on the Cook Inlet belugas and other marine mammals to the “lowest level practicable.” It also has said its analysis indicates the rules will not contribute to or worsen the observed decline of the Cook Inlet beluga whale population. Based on the analysis of See news, Page A3
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Week 1
Local artists auction work at Kenai art center
Pigskin Pick ‘Em returns with gusto
Arts & Entertainment / A8
Sports / A7
CLARION
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W of 1 inner Awa0* 201 Exc rds fo 8 e r Rep llence i o n rt * Ala ska P i n g ! res
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Thursday, September 5, 2019 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
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Borough to look at election reform options By Victoria Petersen Peninsula Clarion
The borough clerk will explore how the borough could implement voting reform measures suggested by an election stakeholders group, after a joint resolution at Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting recognized the group’s recommendations. The Election Stakeholders Group — established by the borough Jan. 8, and tasked with researching ways to increase voter participation while conserving public resources — offered six recommendations to the borough assembly in their final report
published in July. The recommendations include upgrading equipment to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, implementing a hybrid vote-by-mail and ranked-choice voting process, updating guidelines for the voter pamphlet, creating public outreach methods and changing how area service board positions are filled. The joint resolution, which includes the borough and the borough’s incorporated cities, originally said the resolution “supports” the recommendations but was amended at Tuesday’s meeting to say the resolution “recognizes” the recommendations. The See reform, Page A2
Assembly approves cost of printing for ballot information By Victoria Petersen Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly appropriated $1,500 for the costs of printing and distributing information about an upcoming ballot proposition at their Tuesday meeting. The funds — approved by all assembly members except for Dale Bagley — provide educational information regarding the
upcoming ballot initiative that asks voters if the borough’s sales tax cap increase should be raised from $500 to $1,000. The information relating to the ballot proposition is intended to be factual and objective, and borough code prohibits the use of public funds, facilities, equipment or supplies purchased with public funds and services of public See ballot, Page A2
Promoting the power of pollinators Soldotna youth scientist Anna Devolld created a buzz at Industry Appreciation Day A young By Soldotna Brian Mazurek scientist is looking to savePeninsula the peninsula’s Clarionpollinators, one seed packet at a time. Anna Devolld is a 14-year old home-school student with the Connections Homeschool, and for the past year she has been developing a project known as P.O.P. — Promote our Pollinators. In an interview with the Clarion, Devolld said the purpose of P.O.P. is both to educate the public about the importance of pollinators and provide a solution to the problem of pollinators’ dwindling population. The pollinators that Devolld is targeting with her project are butterflies, bees, bats, ladybugs and hummingbirds. The seeds of P.O.P. were first planted last October when Devolld was brainstorming on what sort of project to submit for the annual Caring for the Kenai competition — an event that challenges peninsula students to come up with unique approaches to conservation and environmentalism. Devolld said that she’s always loved to garden, and one day while admiring the sunflowers in her yard she noticed that they were covered in bees. After finding out that some pollinators were at risk of dying out, Devolld decided she was going to do something about it. Devolld’s initial idea was to create pollinator packets of mixed seeds that could be distributed to and planted outside homes, schools and businesses on the peninsula. After doing some research on the local plants that would best attract pollinators and would also grow well in close proximity to each other, Devolld eventually settled on six plants to include in her Pollinator Packs: calendula, aster, salvia, zinnia, nasturtium and alyssum.
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion
Anna Devolld (right) presents her Promote Our Pollinators project to attendees of Industry Appreciation Day at the Kenai Park Strip in Kenai on Aug. 24.
Over the course of April and May of this year, Devolld said that she planted and distributed 20 Pollinator Packs to local businesses and individuals. As Devolld worked on the project, however, it quickly grew to be much more comprehensive than she could have imagined. Beyond just distributing her pollinator packs, Devolld has created educational fliers and activity books, held “make-and-take” presentations in schools and senior centers and designed promotional items like tote bags, buttons and
Minimal fire growth clears partial reopening of boating The Swan Lake Fire is currently at 162,328 acres — an increase of only 149 acres since Tuesday. By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
The Swan Lake Fire experienced another night of minimal growth thanks to cooler and wetter conditions on the peninsula. The fire is currently at 162,328 acres — an increase of only 149 acres since Tuesday, according to the latest update from the Great Basin Incident Management Team. Fire managers anticipated little growth Wednesday, however, warmer and drier conditions are forecast over the next few days, which could lead to an increase in activity later in the week. Minimal activity from the Swan
Lake Fire prompted fire managers to reopen a portion of the Kenai River to the public Wednesday. The river will be open to boating between the Cooper Landing Boat Launch and Sportsman’s Landing from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Law enforcement will be ticketing anyone who passes Sportsman’s Landing. On the southwest and southern portions of the fire, mop-up operations continue along existing containment lines. Crews are also clearing trees that have been blown down along the Skilak Lake Road. Skilak Lake Road is anticipated to be closed for the foreseeable future due to firefighting efforts along the road and danger from falling trees. The Sterling Highway is now open without pilot car operations. North of Cooper Landing, fire See fire, Page A3
stickers. She has also started working with the City of Soldotna and Soldotna Parks and Recreation to design and install permanent pollinator garden signs in community spaces. P.O.P. now has a website, Facebook page and Twitter profile, and recently Devolld set up shop at Kenai’s Industry Appreciation Day with help from the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District to spread the word about her dynamic new project. Over the life of this project, Devolld said she has had to teach
herself all sorts of new skills, from graphic and web design to marketing and public speaking. Devolld said that learning the intricacies of the technology side — specifically making a YouTube video as part of one of her presentations — was a little difficult, but that she has had a lot of fun learning how to do graphic design. Devolld’s mom, Shona, said she couldn’t be prouder of the initiative and growth she’s seen out of her See pollEn, Page A2
Reduced funds close road maintenance station By Victoria Petersen Peninsula Clarion
A maintenance station responsible for winter plowing on the Seward Highway is closing due to reduced fuel tax revenue, according to a Wednesday press release from the Alaska Department of Transportation. The Silver Tip Maintenance Station, located at the Junction of the Seward and Hope Highways, maintains the Seward Highway through Turnagain Pass. The maintenance duties of Turnagain Pass will now fall on both the Girdwood Maintenance station and the Crown Point station south of Moose Pass. The release said plowing Turnagain Pass during the winter will be prioritized. The closure is due to cuts triggered by lower than expected
revenue from the Motor Fuel Tax, which supports the department’s maintenance workers and stations. In addition to the station’s closure, five operator positions were cut from the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities central region, the release said. The station’s closure and lack of heavy equipment operators will have an impact on the hours snow and ice removal occurs through Turnagain Pass, and drivers may notice reduced service in evening and early morning hours. During winter storms, the department will approve extended working hours, according to the release. The Silver Tip Maintenance Station covered the Turnagain Pass area between two 10-hour shifts. The Crown Point and Girdwood stations will cover the Silver Tip region from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.