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CLARION P E N I N S U L A
Vol. 50, Issue 59
In the news
Aleutian volcano erupts Associated Press
ANCHORAGE — A short eruption of a volcano in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands sent an ash cloud soaring into the sky Thursday near a lightly populated area. Shishaldin Volcano erupted for about three minutes at 7:10 a.m., the Alaska Volcano Observatory announced. It produced an ash cloud that reached up to 25,000 feet. The village of False Pass, with a population of 39, is on the eastern shore of the island about 22 miles east of Shishaldin’s summit. The village was not affected because winds of 52 mph pushed the ash cloud northwest into the Bering Sea. Observers recorded a tremor that lasted for the duration of the eruption and three lighting strikes. Ongoing volcanic activity at Shishaldin already had resulted in an aviation alert watch. That level remained in effect afterward. The National Weather Service issued an advisory about the cloud height to aircraft so they could avoid it. Shishaldin remains at a heightened level of unrest, the observatory said, and additional explosions may occur with little warning. Shishaldin is near the center of Unimak Island, the largest island in the Aleutian chain. The island is about 645 miles southwest of Anchorage. The volcano is a symmetric cone with a base diameter of about 10 miles. It rises to 9,373 feet. A funnel-shape crater at the summit is about 660 feet wide. It typically emits a a steam plume and occasional small amounts of ash, according to the observatory. Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutians. It has had at least 54 episodes of unrest and more than 24 confirmed eruptions since 1775, according to the observatory. Most eruptions are small but an eruption in 1999 generated an ash column that reached 45,000 feet. The observatory is made up of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and a state agency, the Alaska Division of Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.
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Friday-Saturday, December 13-14, 2019 Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
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$1 newsstands daily/$1.50 Sunday
Local lawmakers react to budget By Victoria Petersen and Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a budget Wednesday that avoided last year’s massive cuts, but tasked the Legislature with finding ways of reducing spending in the long-term. The budget includes mostly flat funding for fiscal year 2021, and would pay
each Alaskan a $3,170 dividend from the Alaska Permanent Fund. It includes $4.532 billion unrestricted general funds (UGF), $969 million designated general funds (DGF), $760.3 million other state funds, and $3.9 billion federal funding. The budget increases for resources to the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Law and the
Alaska Court System, according to the budget summary provided by the office of the governor. The budget pulls about $1.5 billion from the state’s Constitutional Budget Reserve, which is a 30-yearold savings account that held an account balance of $2.16 billion at the end of November, according to the Department of Revenue.
“The budget’s going to rely on the (Constitutional Budget Reserve) this year,” Dunleavy said in his live press conference Wednesday afternoon. “About a $1.5 billion draw from the CBR, which leaves a balance of $540 million.” Dunleavy said in the press conference that he wants the Legislature to pass laws changing how much programs are funded,
Snow and rain transform trails By Joey Klecka Peninsula Clarion
The winter’s first big snow dump arrived early last week, followed by Monday’s monsoon that turned the peninsula’s streets and roads into disarray. The unpredictable weather also turned local ski and biking trails into a mess, at least for one day. The slightly cooler temperatures that followed Monday’s spike have helped keep nordic ski trails functional for skiers. Cycling, running and walking paths have also been spared the destruction. The network of outdoor recreation trails around the central peninsula are returning to usable shape, according to those who maintain them. At the Tsalteshi ski trails, most of the 20-plus kilometers of groomed trails have been worked back into skiable shape, thanks to the hard work and experience of those who have prepared for such a wild winter scenario. Tsalteshi Trails Association board member Jenny Neyman said the efforts of TTA groomers Bill Holt, Tom Seggerman and Dan Skipwith have all played a significant role in keeping the trails alive, even after the 45-degree temperatures and rain hit the course hard. “The main thing to know is we survived the monsoon, even though it looked terrible,” Neyman said. “Even though the
See budget, Page A2
Borough to hold special meeting Officials will consider funding for winter storm damage. By Victoria Petersen Peninsula Clarion
The annual holiday concert started off small in 2000 with the name “Evening of Classics,” according to Vollom-Matturo, who said
The borough is considering how they’ll pay for damages from a series of winter storms that came through the Kenai Peninsula early this week causing power outages, late-starts for the school district, landslides and flooding in some areas. A special Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting, taking place at 3 p.m. on Friday, will look at both extending the emergency disaster declaration the borough enacted last Friday and appropriating funds in response to damages caused by the recent winter storms. Emergency disaster declarations are valid for seven days unless they are extended. The assembly will look at a resolution extending that declaration for 30 more days to allow for a more complete response, according to the resolution. The declaration calls upon the state for assistance, as the borough has expended significant resources in response to the storm damage, the resolution said. The state is currently processing the borough’s request for assistance, Thursday’s Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Situation Report said. The state Department of Transportation is also in the process of compiling response and repair costs to several roads on the Kenai Peninsula, according to the situation report. While the state processes requests for assistance, the assembly will consider an emergency ordinance appropriating $280,000, which would enable the borough to immediately repair the damage to public infrastructure associated with storm-caused flooding and debris. The disaster declaration was enacted by Mayor Charlie Pierce Dec. 6, the same day the city of Seldovia issued their own declaration after winter storms caused widespread damage and power outages, impacting backup power generators. The declaration also highlighted the imminent
See concert, Page A3
See storm, Page A3
Joey Klecka / Peninsula Clarion
The Tsalteshi Trails, seen here on Dec. 3, are open for nordic skiing only, with most of the trail system groomed.
conditions around town looked bad, that (snow) base held up more than we thought. We were pleasantly surprised.” The trails are still under winter rules, meaning the main groomed areas are restricted only to crosscountry skiing. That means
no runners, walkers, bikers or snowshoers allowed. Those activities, however, are allowed on the Tsalteshi single track trails and the Slikok trail system, located just south of Tsalteshi across Isaak Road. Neyman cautioned that those wishing to get out
and enjoy the ski trails must be aware of the soccer fields adjacent to Skyview Middle School, which by all standards are unfit for skiing. “If you’re parking at Skyview, be prepared to See trails, Page A2
Bringing the sounds of Christmas By Joey Klecka Peninsula Clarion
The combination of strings and voices returns tonight for the 17th annual “Evening of Christmas” concert in Kenai. A fundraiser for the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, the evening features the Redoubt Chamber Orchestra and the Kenai Peninsula Singers in what KPO director Tammy Vollom-Matturro calls one of the most highly anticipated music events on the peninsula. “It’s always one of our most popular concerts, it’s always well-attended,” Vollom-Matturro said. “Every year I try to throw in a couple pieces that are challenging for the orchestra.” Vollom-Matturro leads the orchestra, while Kenai Central High School choir teacher Simon Nissen will head up the singing. Nissen
including by looking at programs with funding determined by formulas. He also wants an amendment for a constitutional spending limit, the Juneau Empire reported Wednesday. Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, said in an email Thursday that the proposed budget “effectively continues the unfinished conversation
Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion
Redoubt Chamber Orchestra Conductor Tammy Vollom-Matturro leads the Kenai Peninsula Singers during a rehearsal on Dec. 11, 2017. The choir and orchestra will perform together in the 2019 Evening of Christmas on Friday.
founded the Kenai Peninsula Singers six years ago and in the first year joined the KPO for “Evening of Christmas.” “So many people have such a strong nostalgia tied to holiday music,” Nissen
said. “It takes them back to their childhood or time in their life where they were celebrating Christmas with certain people. It’s something familiar and comfortable.”