KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH NEWS
Seward Schools Update
Open HouseOpen House for all Seward Schools is Thursday, September 2nd!Elementary           5:30-6:30 with chili feed sponsored by the PTSAMiddle School        6:30-7:00High School          7:00-7:30Volunteer requirements at all KPBSD schoolsAfter initiating a pilot program at four schools during the 2008-2009 school year, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District launched a districtwide yearly volunteer screening program last fall [...]
Book Signing "The Ghost of Fannie Guthry-Baehm"
 Drop by the Van Gilder Hotel at 308 Adams St, Seward and meet the author and share a “Fannie” ghost story on Labor Day, Monday, September 6th, from Noon until 2:00 PM. Coffee and cookies will be provided plus a guided tour of the hotel.Homer, Alaska based Hotelier, Jon Faulkner, has just released his first novel: [...]
Giving Back to Get Ahead - A Volunteer Follows...
In today's economy, hands-on internships can make a real difference for young professionals - and those same young people can make a real difference through national service. That's why Gregory Kolenda, an intern with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), has arrived at Kenai Fjords National Park to combat invasive plant infestations.Kolenda, 23, of Warren, Pennsylvania [...]
Local Troops Earn Girl Scout Ranger Patch in Kenai...
Girl Scouts from the Moose Pass and Seward area joined Kenai Fjords National Park rangers Fiona Ritter-Davis, Rebecca Taylor, and Luke Rosier on a two-day adventure to earn their Scout Ranger patches. The first day featured a wildflower-themed scavenger hunt along the Harding Icefield Trail. Scouts spent six hours climbing from temperate rainforest to high [...]
SEWARD/BEAR CREEK FLOOD SERVICE BOARD MEETING
The Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area will hold its next regular board meeting on Monday, August 30, 2010 at the Seaview Plaza Building, in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Annex Office, Suite 122 at 7:00PM. As always, the public is invited to attend. Agenda's are available at the SBCFSA Office at 302 Railway, [...]
Kenai Crewsers Win Gold
Our local rowing club, the Kenai Crewers, hosted the 'Head of the Kenai Regatta' this past Saturday on Kenai Lake at Quartz Creek Campground. Participating clubs from Anchorage and Kenai/Soldotna participated. It was a beautiful day, however the wind was fairly strong and the 3 mile course had to be adjusted a couple times [...]
Assembly approves Bear Creek grant
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approves $100,686 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the Bear Creek Fire Service Area
UNITED WAY CRUISE & AUCTION
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE UNITED WAY FOX ISLAND DINNER, CRUISE & AUCTION, SATURDAY, August 28, 2010, Departs 3pm - Returns 9:45pm.  Please check-in at 2:30pm. Tickets $50/person; Corporate Sponsored Table, $500.  Purchase tickets at Kenai Peninsula United Way, Seward Senior Center and Wells Fargo Bank.  To reserve tickets or for more information contact Kenai Peninsula [...]
Exit Glacier Road Closed Due to Flooding
For the second time in two years, Kenai Fjords National Park has closed the park portion of the Exit Glacier Road to vehicle traffic due to flooding conditions along Exit Glacier Creek. The morning flood conditions did not coincide with any high water on the Resurrection River as one would expect. It was noted that [...]
Dinner Cruise to Fox Island - Labor Day Weekend
Start your Labor Day weekend with a Dinner Cruise to Fox Island!Support Volunteer Firefighters$50 donation for Cruise & DinnerKenai Fjords Sightseeing Cruise to Fox IslandPrime Rib & Salmon Dinner on Fox IslandNo Host Bar - Alaskan Beer & WineOutcry & Silent Auctions*      *Credit cards accepted Bring your piggy bank [...]
Walk-in registration at KPC Resurrection Bay...
Enrollment is still open for fall classes at the Kenai Peninsula College Resurrection Bay campus in Seward. Walk-in registration ends Tuesday, Aug. 17.
Sea Otter Heads to New Home
The Alaska SeaLife Center reported today that Tazo, a 2 1/2 month old Northern Sea Otter is being transported to his new home the New York Aquarium.Tazo arrived at the Alaska SeaLife Center in early June after being found orphaned in Homer, Alaska.  Upon his admittance, he weighed under four pounds (1.8 kg) [...]
Kenai Fjords National Park warns of potential...
In August 2008, Kenai Fjords National Park issued a press release notifying the public of a reported Glacier Lake Outburst Flood that affected Bear Glacier Lake (http://www.nps.gov/kefj/parknews/bear-glacier-outburst-flood.htm). Aerial reconnaissance in late July 2010 of the suspected source of this flood revealed that the source lake is again full of water and there is potential for [...]
Novice crewsers bring home gold
Kenai Crewsers compete at the Moose Nugget Regatta in Wasilla and novice crews push for the gold
Kenai Fjords National Park Celebrates Completion...
Kenai Fjords National Park invites you to celebrate the completion of the Exit Glacier Pavilion, the first of several planned improvements for the Exit Glacier area. The park will be honoring the companies and organizations that participated in the tour boat booklet program, which generated half of the revenue used for Exit Glacier area improvements. [...]
Kenai boaters rescued from burning vessel
Three adults and two children were rescued from a burning boat in Kachemak Bay by a good Samaritan vessel.
Unknown man fell into Kenai River
Troopers seek information about a report of an unknown man who fell into the Kenai River Wednesday.
The Green Beet: Dip Netting Frenzy
The red runs on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers are in full swing, and the Soldotna/Kenai area is flooded with Alaska visitors ready to net their share of fish for the 2010 season. I've dip netted for years, sometimes coming home with my limit, other times with only a fraction of what the state says [...]

Another Barnwell skis her way into top 10
Another Seward standout named Barnwell tasted success at the Region III cross-country skiing championships.Except this time it was Mackenzie Barnwell.With older sister and accomplished skier Allison Barnwell on a student exchange in Portugal, the younger Barnwell seized the opportunity to make a name for herself.She was the only Seward skier to earn a top-10 finish en route to placing 19th overall in the two-day championships at Skyview High, putting her on track for a solid result at the ASAA state championships this week in Fairbanks.Barnwell was the biggest bright spot for the Seahawks. She was 10th in Friday’s 5-kilometer classical race in 18 minutes, 33 seconds. Overall, she finished with a 10-K combined time of 40:32. Soldotna’s Kailey Mucha won the girls title in 35:03.Seward captain Meghan O’Leary was 32nd in 43:05, followed by teammates Samantha Feemster 35th in 43:48 and Amanda Olsen 56th in 54:06. The team finished 11th.The Seward boys fared a little better, placing eighth and beating fellow small schools Susitna Valley, Grace Christian and Valdez.Captain Mike Zweifel bagged the top result, crossing the line with a combined two-day time of 48:31 to place 33rd overall. Andrew Ferkinoff was 36th in 48:44, Joe Nyholm 46th in 51:30, Gabe Esposito 56th in 58:35 and James Logan 62nd in 1:28:39.Lars Arneson of the Cook Inlet Academy won the boys crown in 40:34.The ASAA state championships begin Thursday with individual classical races (7.5-K for boys, 5-K for girls). The meet continues Friday with individual skate races (10-K for boys, 7.5-K for girls) and wraps up Saturday with 4x3-K relays for boys and girls.Van Williams can be reached at 907-348-2452 or 800-770-9830, ext. 452.
Arbor Day Celebration
The Boys & Girls Club held an Arbor Day Celebration at Seward Elementary School. They unveiled a new mural the children had made, designed and realized by Justine Pezuchal. They performed songs about trees, and school officials and Mayor Willard Dunham dug a hole on the school lawn where a tree will be planted in [...]
A splash of thanks
The Seward Tsunami Swim Club hosted the Candy Cane Splash, our first swim meet in Seward in more than 10 years on Dec. 13. Various swim clubs from Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula participated, and the event was considered to be very successful—good competition and good fun.We received financial help from 16 local businesses. The generosity of our local sponsors was overwhelming. To each one represented by the following businesses, on behalf of the Seward Tsunami swimmers, our sincere...
New joint sales tax return forms and training
The Kenai Peninsula Borough will hold public training on the new Joint Sales Tax Return Form in the Soldotna, Seward and Homer areas.A sign-up sheet will be available, and after a brief presentation representatives of the sales tax and audit department will be available to work one-on-one with individuals seeking tax help.The dates and locations are as follows: Seward: 7-9 p.m. Feb. 18 and 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 19, Seward Community Library, 238 Fifth Ave. Soldotna: 2-4 p.m. Feb. 24 and 7-9 p.m....
Tax-Aide site saves time and money
Residents befuddled by tax return options can find free help at two Tax-Aide sites around town.Volunteers with IRS training will be on hand to calm nerves and prepare basic tax returns for most low- and middle-income taxpayers from Feb. 9-April 15. Emphasis will be on senior citizens and disabled taxpayers. According to Nancy Osborne, local Tax-Aide coordinator, Seward area residents saved $25,000 in tax preparation fees by having their returns prepared by Tax-Aide volunteers.In 2007, Tax-Aide...
Pay boost may follow vice-mayor's higher profile
Vice-mayor Willard Dunham may soon be in for a pay raise.Council member Marianna Keil introduced a resolution at the Jan. 12 Seward City Council meeting to temporarily increase Dunham’s stipend.According to non-code Ordinance 2009-001, the vice-mayor would assume additional mayor responsibilities during the upcoming year due to current medical and other issues impacting the mayor’s availability. Mayor Clark Corbridge co-sponsored the ordinance.“Vice-mayor Dunham has gone above...
Lottery includes bonanza for ticket vendors
What organizers billed as the state’s first $500,000 lottery didn’t just benefit the lucky winner. Groups and individuals around the state made money by selling the tickets. Sellers also had a chance to win $20,000 if they sold the winning ticket, which was announced last Friday. Nobody won the $20,000 prize. Lottery organizer Abe Spicola sold the winning ticket out of his business, Lucky Times Pull Tab in Anchorage. As the event organizer, he won’t collect the vendor’s...
Beals finishes third in Clam Shell sled dog race
Seward musher Travis Beals recently placed third at the Clam Shell 36 race on Jan. 3 in Kasilof.Beals, 17, covered the first leg of the two-day, 80-mile race in just over three hours.He ran with eight dogs.“Everybody (his dogs) looked good on the first day,” he said. The second day, however, one of his dogs, a 60-pounder named Zeus, had to be picked up.“His attitude was off,” he said. “He just wasn’t having fun and you have to make it fun for...
Foundation well on its way to $50,000 goal
The Seward Community Foundation is $10,000 richer, thanks to a contribution approved by the Seward City Council at the Dec. 8 budget meeting. Fifty percent of the funding will be endowed; the remainder will be made available for granting to local nonprofits later this year.The foundation promotes philanthropy through the support and growth of permanent endowment, according to its new mission statement. It also assists local needs and works to enhance Seward area quality of life.The 11-member...
Donation gives Sea View a $7,500 holiday boost
The Sea View Community Center is $7,500 richer, thanks to a holiday contribution by Frank Dahl, owner of the Pit Bar in downtown Seward.The funds will be used to help needy families through the center’s quality of life department.Dahl, who owns the Ale House plus Blues Central up in Anchorage, feels it’s his duty to help support the community.“We’re very fortunate that our businesses are profitable and successful and we are able to live a good life, which is why we feel...
Seventh-grader knows her way around the world
Rachel Tougas, a seventh-grader at Seward Middle School, won the school-level competition of the national geography bee on Dec. 16, along with an opportunity to compete for a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 21st annual National Geographic Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society.Rachel knew the answers to such questions as: “Which U.S. state bordered on the east by the Connecticut...
Legion's 'Old Bar' opens with a new floor
American Legion members and guest can cozy up at 7 p.m. Saturday for Christmas Cabaret at the legion’s Post 5.Local musician and recording artist Steve Lemme will be backed by Arlene Carpenter on piano. Jo Ellen Abbott, also of Seward, will provide additional guitar and vocals. Port City Players cast members will be on hand to perform holiday mini-sketches.“The Cabaret will give those attending a chance to see the recently remodeled ‘Old Bar,’ where much of...
Christmas Open House at Museum
The Resurrection Bay Historical Society will hold its annual Christmas open house from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Seward Museum, Third Avenue and Jefferson Street. With Christmas decorations throughout the museum, the traditional model train running around the Christmas tree, refreshments, numerous door prizes, friendly conversation and the ever-popular “Count the Teddy Bears Contest,” the open house provides fun for the whole family.There will be a program of traditional...
Like it was Yesterday
It’s Dec. 5, 1974, and there’s a lot of happening.Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth’s home run record. Anne Sexton commits suicide.Serial killer Ted Bundy is on the loose.A skeleton from the hominid species is discovered and named Lucy.Stephen King publishes his first novel, “Carrie.”Impeachment hearings are opened against President Richard Nixon; he later resigns.Things in Seward, however, were a little less bleak. In fact, the town was almost giddy after the appointment...
Seward historic landmark listed as endangered...
The Alaska Association for Historic Preservation recently included the Jesse Lee Home as one of the state’s Most Endangered Historic Properties for 2008.The home is in the midst of a $13 million renovation.The list is intended to bring public awareness to Alaska’s threatened historic properties. Heightened awareness can lead to increased support for conservation of endangered properties, which offer tourism, economic development and cultural heritage to Alaska.Other properties on the...
Seems like yesterday
It was 1989, and the country was reeling from the San Francisco earthquake that killed 67 people and injured over 3,000.Alaska reeled from the after shocks the 11 millions gallons of crude oil Exxon Valdez dumped in Prince William Sound.Bette Davis died.The Berlin Wall came down.And the top record was “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerin.In Seward, a lot was happening, at least according to the Nov. 22, 1989 Log.The 1986 rape and kidnapping conviction of Chris N. Nelson was...
Vaccination practice arms for future
Ninety-four volunteers from the community were on hand to ensure that the 350 participants made it through the various vaccine stations. The exercise was intended to test first-responders’ ability to handle a large influx of people, such as you’d find during a health emergency or natural disaster. “Unfortunately, the system was never really taxed,” said event organizer Eddie Athey, Seward’s deputy fire chief. “We had hoped to see this many people per hour....
A shot in the arm for emergency preparation
What is all this talk about a mass dispensing exercise and why is it important to you? First let’s talk about what it is not. This is not about the Seward Fire Department, nor is it exclusive to the City of Seward. This exercise is all about you. That’s right: You, the Seward area residents. This exercise will demonstrate how we (the emergency responders in the Eastern Kenai Peninsula) can better prepare you and our responders for an emergency or disaster. The purpose of this...
Parents recognized for playground
Parents Advocating Recreational Kids Stuff (PARKS) received the Golden Apple Award on Oct. 20 from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District board. KPBSD bestows Golden Apple Awards to district employees, volunteers and community organizations that go to extra lengths to support and advance education.The award reads: PARKS believes that every child deserves a playground that engages muscles and minds, and that every child deserves to live in a community that will build one for them. PARKS made...
Rep. Seaton presents flag to Seward
With the approach of the 50th anniversary of this great state, it is a time for celebrations and speeches, gifts and commemorations.It was in this spirit of unity that state Rep. Paul Seaton arrived at the Seward Community Library on Oct. 19 to present to the citizens of Seward a beautifully framed, 49-star flag in honor of Irwin L. Metcalf, Seward’s delegate to the Alaska Constitutional Convention.The 49-star flag has a history of its own, as one of thousands originally purchased by J.C....
Fire Department gets grant
The Bear Creek fire service has received a Public Safety Interoperable Communications grant in the amount of $233,110 from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.The grant focuses on three areas: development of a communications plan and standard operating procedures for interagency communication on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula; implementation of the National Incident Management Systems; and inter-operational communication equipment including portable radios, mobile...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is time for...
Providence Seward Medical Center proudly recognizes October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Early detection and education is our best defense against breast cancer. Our goal is to work with our patients and physicians to help detect this disease in its earliest stages. Digital mammography, the newest technology, is recommended for women age 50 and under with fibrocystic dense breasts. With advancement in technologies and if we all work together, we can fight breast cancer.Here...
Voters add new face, alter budget
Jean Bardarson, Marianna Keil and Willard Dunham snagged Seward City Council seats in Tuesday’s municipal elections.Bardarson led the charge, with Keil close behind, followed by Dunham. John French, the fourth candidate, lost by a margin of approximately 50 votes.In other results, Proposition 1 was shot down by just over 15 percent. The proposition would have exempted municipal officials from the requirements of the state financial disclosure laws while establishing new forms and...
Musical kids club starts meeting at Seward...
God’s Heroes and Daughters of the King club started last week in the Seward Elementary School music room.According to Ada Sparks of Marathon Ministries, the clubs offer a fun and engaging atmosphere for children to learn how to apply the principles from Bible stories to their own lives.God’s Heroes, led by Dustin Boeshart and Ada and Daniel Sparks, is for boys ages 8-10 and focuses on learning about how God’s power can help build them into strong leaders. God’s Heroes...
Simulation to test Seward readiness for flu...
Whether it’s a pandemic flu or a flood disaster, preparedness requires practice. The City of Seward is planning a pandemic flu vaccination exercise that will include community members. How fast can we dispense vaccines, food, or medication? The goal is 500 people per hour. Anchorage did it. Valdez did it. Kodiak did it. Can Seward?Get information about disaster preparedness and receive a free flu shot while supplies last. If a flu strain develops into a pandemic, a large percentage...

  Seward Site Council for schools wants help
Welcome to YOLONE,
your local news source!
Follow the latest
Seward, AK news on