A classic
Pick ‘Em
‘A Christmas Story’ is staged at the Triumvirate
Week 16 of NFL sharpens playoff race
Arts & Entertainment / A6
Sports / A7
CLARION
25/8 More weather, Page A2
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
P E N I N S U L A
Vol. 50, Issue 63
In the news
Mayoral election to be certified Dec. 30 The City of Soldotna’s Canvass Board will meet in a public session next week to work on official election results from Tuesday’s mayoral election. The board will judge the applicability of absentee and questioned ballots, and tally the total votes cast for the Dec. 17 special election. The board will meet at 1 p.m., Dec. 23 and 24. Unofficial results show former Soldotna Mayor Pete Sprague holds almost 70% of the vote. The official results will be certified at a special Soldotna City Council meeting at 2 p.m. Dec. 30.
No clear answers for cause of 2018 sightseeing crash ANCHORAGE — Federal investigators couldn’t determine why a sightseeing plane crashed in Denali National Park and Preserve last year, killing all five people on board, because they couldn’t access the crash site. The plane went down on a steep, hanging glacier at over 10,000 feet in elevation. The glacier calved last winter, burying the plane in up to 6,000 tons of ice, Anchorage TV station KTUU reported. The National Transportation Safety Board, in its final report on the August 2018 crash, lists the probable cause as “impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered due to the inaccessible nature of the accident site.” Typically, toxicology reports are conducted on pilots and mechanical assessments are done on the wreckage, but that wasn’t possible in this case. Forty-eight minutes into the plane’s flight, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received an alert from its emergency locator. Moments later, personnel from the plane’s operator, K2 Aviation, received a call from the pilot reporting the plane had “run into the side of a mountain.” Poor weather conditions hampered initial efforts to locate the plane. An eventual assessment of the scene indicated a wing had hit the snow while the airplane was flying in what was likely reduced See news, Page A2
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Thursday, December 19, 2019 • Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
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TRUMP IMPEACHED By Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday night, becoming only the third American chief executive to be formally charged under the Constitution’s ultimate remedy for high crimes and misdemeanors. The historic vote split along party lines, much the way it has divided the nation, over a charge that the 45th president abused the power of his office by enlisting a foreign government to investigate a political rival ahead of the 2020 election. The House then approved a second charge, that he obstructed Congress in its investigation. The articles of impeachment, the political equivalent of an indictment, now go to the Senate for trial. If Trump is acquitted by the Republican-led chamber, as expected, he still would have to run for reelection carrying the enduring stain of impeachment on his purposely disruptive presidency. “The president is impeached,” Pelosi See impeach, Page A12
Associated Press
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi addresses reporters Wednesday at the Capitol in Washington after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump on two charges. She is joined by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif. (left), House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass. Top, Trump speaks Wednesday during a campaign rally at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Bicycles built for 62 By Victoria Petersen Peninsula Clarion
Kenai’s Alaska Waste team is in the spirit of giving this holiday season. The group raised money to purchase 62 bikes and scooters for local families in need. The waste services company held its Christmas Promise Bike Build for the second year in a row earlier this season. The money raised allowed the team to buy 62 bikes and scooters and 62 helmets, which will be distributed to area families through nonprofit Love Inc. The bikes were delivered to Love Inc. Dec. 11. Kenai’s Walmart gave discounts to Alaska Waste to support the bike
build, Laurel Andrews, who works in community outreach for Alaska Waste, said. Employees raised more than $4,000 with donations and fundraisers from the employees. About 15 employees volunteered to build the bikes last week, Andrews said. Andrews said the Kenai team’s success has inspired the Anchorage Alaska Waste team to hold its own bike build. “In Anchorage we purchased 77 bikes (and helmets), which will be distributed to families in need by the Salvation Army,” Andrews said. Last year’s bike build, provided 30 bikes, eight scooters and four tricycles to local children.
Josue Rivera-Cruz / Alaska Waste
The Alaska Waste team in Kenai built more than 60 bikes to give to area children this holiday season.
Plenty of ways to keep kids entertained during break By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
Winter break starts next week for Kenai Peninsula schools, and some parents might be scrambling for a way to keep their kids busy while they’re not in class. Here’s a list of youth events happening around the peninsula during the holidays. Schools will be closed from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3. On Monday, Dec. 23, the Kenai Community Library will be kicking
off the break with a Santa-themed Story Time session featuring a special appearance from Mrs. Claus. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., kids and parents can stop by the library for songs, games and arts and crafts. Kids can also get their photo taken with Mrs. Claus. No registration is required. Starting the day after Christmas, the Kenai Library will also be hosting a Winter Fun Scavenger Hunt. Kids can come in any time from Thursday, Dec. 26 to Monday,
Dec. 30 to follow clues hidden throughout the library, complete a puzzle and a prize. No registration is necessary, but children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. The Kenai Library will be closed at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and closed all day for Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Soldotna Public Library will also be hosting a number of events over winter break, including a holiday-themed story time taking place on Christmas Eve at 10:30
a.m. Toddler Story Time takes place every Tuesday at this time, and every Thursday is a story time geared towards preschool-aged kids. On New Year’s Eve, parents can bring their kids to the Soldotna Library to ring in the new year without making them stay up all night. Starting at 11:15 a.m., the library will be hosting their fourth annual Noon Year’s Eve Story Time, See break, Page A2
Deadline near for 2020 State Trooper Citizen Academy By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
After taking a hiatus last year, the Alaska State Trooper Citizen Academy will be returning in 2020, and the deadline to register is only a week away. The Citizen Academy is a series of weekly classes that run from Jan. 14 to March 17 and provide citizens with an in-depth look at what life is like for an Alaska State Trooper. Lt. Michael Zweifel, deputy commander for the Soldotna State Troopers, said the academy shows people some of the training that troopers go through, as well as the various responsibilities
Lt. Michael Zweifel / Alaska State Troopers
Capt. Maurice Hughes (left), Amanda Millay and retired Lt. Dane Gilmore celebrate Millay’s completion of the Alaska State Trooper Citizen Academy in this undated photo.
they have on a day-to-day basis. “This is a way to show that there’s
a lot more to the job than just the car on the side of the highway that you see handing out tickets,” Zweifel said. The Citizen Academy is open to anyone over the age of 16, although Zweifel said that applicants under the age of 18 will require parental approval. The application and participation in the academy are free of charge, but the application process does include a background check. “There’s no cost to the academy except three hours of your day every Tuesday,” Zweifel said. The academy will have classes every Tuesday between Jan. 14 and March 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. Zweifel said
that classes will cover topics like rural law enforcement, the roles of wildlife troopers and crash and crime scene investigation. One of the classes will take place on a Saturday, Zweifel said, and will focus on the aerial resources available to troopers with a special appearance by one of their A-Star 350 helicopters based out of Anchorage. Applications for the academy can be found online at the Department of Public Safety’s website or picked up at the Soldotna State Trooper Post on Kalifornsky Beach Road. Applications must be submitted in person, and the deadline to register is Dec. 27 at 4:30 p.m.
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Peninsula Clarion
Thursday, December 19, 2019
AccuWeather® 5-day forecast for Kenai-Soldotna Today
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Mostly cloudy
Mainly cloudy
Sunny and very cold
Mostly sunny and very cold
Cold with times of sun and clouds
Hi: 25
Hi: 17
Lo: 8
Lo: 1
Hi: 14
RealFeel
Lo: 3
Lo: 7
Hi: 16
Kotzebue -7/-12
Lo: 11
Sun and Moon
The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature® is an exclusive index of the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body.
10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m.
16 20 21 18
Today 10:10 a.m. 3:52 p.m.
Sunrise Sunset
New Dec 25
First Jan 2
Daylight Day Length - 5 hrs., 42 min., 4 sec. Daylight lost - 0 min., 36 sec.
Alaska Cities Yesterday Hi/Lo/W 37/33/c 24/22/pc 0/-2/s 7/6/s 38/37/c 42/34/sn 9/6/pc -5/-13/sn 27/22/pc 41/37/sh -2/-8/s -15/-16/s 13/-17/sn -4/-19/sf 32/26/sn 37/35/sn 38/34/sn 41/40/r 3/-7/s 21/21/sn 41/39/r 43/40/r
City Adak* Anchorage Barrow Bethel Cold Bay Cordova Delta Junction Denali N. P. Dillingham Dutch Harbor Fairbanks Fort Yukon Glennallen* Gulkana Haines Homer Juneau Ketchikan Kiana King Salmon Klawock Kodiak
Hi: 12
Moonrise Moonset
Full Jan 10
City Kotzebue McGrath Metlakatla Nome North Pole Northway Palmer Petersburg Prudhoe Bay* Saint Paul Seward Sitka Skagway Talkeetna Tanana Tok* Unalakleet Valdez Wasilla Whittier Willow* Yakutat
Unalakleet -3/-5 McGrath -16/-33
Albany, NY Albuquerque Amarillo Asheville Atlanta Atlantic City Austin Baltimore Billings Birmingham Bismarck Boise Boston Buffalo, NY Casper Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Charlotte, NC Chicago Cheyenne Cincinnati
36/23/sn 41/18/pc 56/13/s 42/26/s 48/31/s 43/32/s 60/24/s 41/30/sf 48/35/c 49/28/s 41/9/pc 35/22/pc 38/31/c 27/24/sn 37/22/pc 51/44/s 29/25/sn 50/31/s 18/10/pc 48/22/pc 30/22/pc
20/8/s 42/23/pc 51/23/s 48/26/s 51/33/s 32/20/s 60/41/pc 33/20/s 44/32/pc 52/31/s 25/12/c 41/37/sn 26/17/s 22/16/sf 32/20/pc 50/28/s 37/23/s 47/26/s 36/24/pc 41/23/pc 39/24/s
City
Precipitation
From the Peninsula Clarion in Kenai
Anchorage 21/10
Glennallen 18/4
Cleveland 27/23/sf 31/21/s Columbia, SC 50/39/s 49/24/s Columbus, OH 29/21/sf 32/19/s Concord, NH 33/26/pc 18/8/s Dallas 59/27/s 59/38/pc Dayton 28/19/pc 33/19/s Denver 57/24/pc 46/24/pc Des Moines 32/11/pc 42/27/pc Detroit 22/19/sf 30/22/pc Duluth 4/-15/pc 21/16/pc El Paso 49/24/s 53/31/pc Fargo 15/-15/pc 21/14/pc Flagstaff 38/15/pc 42/15/s Grand Rapids 18/15/sf 31/25/pc Great Falls 47/32/pc 42/34/pc Hartford 35/26/sn 23/12/s Helena 33/15/pc 37/29/pc Honolulu 84/75/pc 84/73/pc Houston 59/32/s 61/41/pc Indianapolis 25/19/pc 36/19/s Jackson, MS 51/27/s 54/29/s
Jacksonville Kansas City Key West Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Louisville Memphis Miami Midland, TX Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York Norfolk Oklahoma City Omaha Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix
Valdez 24/11
Juneau 38/30
National Extremes (For the 48 contiguous states) High yesterday Low yesterday
Kodiak 36/27
80 at Key West, Fla. -38 at Ely, Minn.
High yesterday Low yesterday
Yesterday Today Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W
58/44/pc 38/15/s 79/73/sh 50/35/pc 53/26/s 65/46/c 30/25/pc 45/26/s 80/73/c 52/23/s 17/7/pc 13/-2/pc 37/25/pc 56/39/s 36/31/sn 48/39/s 55/22/s 36/15/s 68/55/sh 39/31/sf 67/50/pc
58/43/s 47/31/pc 75/71/c 54/37/s 54/29/pc 67/49/s 44/27/s 51/30/s 74/69/c 53/29/pc 34/26/pc 28/22/pc 48/26/s 56/41/s 27/22/s 38/26/s 55/34/pc 42/25/pc 68/58/pc 31/23/s 63/38/s
From Page A1
which will feature stories, crafts and a balloon drop after counting down to noon, rather than midnight. On Jan. 3, kids aged 10 to 14 are invited to the Soldotna Library for their Tween Tie-Dye event. Starting at 1:30 p.m. kids can bring whatever item of clothing they’d like to be tie-dyed with the help of library staff. The Soldotna Library will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, but on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve the library will be open until 6 p.m. For residents of Nikiski, the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area has plenty of activities planned throughout the break. A Winter Break Camp will take place at the Nikiski Community Recreation
Ketchikan 43/36
47 at Sitka -35 at Arctic Village
Today’s Forecast
City
Pittsburgh Portland, ME Portland, OR Rapid City Reno Sacramento Salt Lake City San Antonio San Diego San Francisco Santa Fe Seattle Sioux Falls, SD Spokane Syracuse Tampa Topeka Tucson Tulsa Wash., DC Wichita
Yesterday Today Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W
27/22/sn 34/28/sf 43/32/sh 52/18/pc 45/23/pc 56/42/sh 37/21/pc 59/28/s 65/41/pc 59/49/sh 43/13/s 45/39/sh 30/9/pc 34/26/c 30/24/sn 61/54/pc 39/11/s 63/44/s 55/21/s 44/32/pc 47/15/s
28/20/s 23/11/pc 52/50/r 43/22/pc 49/30/c 59/41/c 37/25/c 61/43/pc 66/45/s 59/48/pc 38/18/pc 49/47/r 34/19/pc 36/34/sn 18/8/sf 67/56/s 48/28/pc 62/32/s 57/34/s 35/26/s 50/29/pc
City
Yesterday Today Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W
Acapulco Athens Auckland Baghdad Berlin Hong Kong Jerusalem Johannesburg London Madrid Magadan Mexico City Montreal Moscow Paris Rome Seoul Singapore Sydney Tokyo Vancouver
90/70/s 64/46/s 65/59/pc 67/43/s 52/47/pc 76/69/pc 60/41/s 78/60/t 50/34/pc 48/39/pc 7/-5/sn 62/45/pc 27/25/sf 41/32/r 52/41/pc 63/52/pc 40/28/s 86/77/c 80/63/s 61/48/pc 46/43/r
85/74/pc 65/57/pc 70/60/pc 67/45/s 51/41/s 71/60/c 61/43/s 83/64/c 54/46/sh 57/49/sh 7/-6/sn 69/46/pc 11/6/s 39/29/c 58/51/pc 60/48/sh 38/23/s 85/77/pc 97/68/s 52/46/r 46/42/r
Heavy rain and heavy mountain snow are in store for the Northwest today. Rain will linger in South Florida and erupt later in the day over Texas. Snow showers will accompany Arctic air in the Northeast.
Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation
Cold -10s
Warm -0s
0s
Center on Dec. 31, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring arts and crafts, gym activities and swimming at the Nikiski Pool. The camp will be divided into two age groups, one group for kindergarten through fifth grade and another geared towards middle school-aged kids. NCRC Shift Supervisor Teri Langston said that they will even break out the sleds and hit the hills outside, if weather permits. The camp is $10 per day to participate, and parents can either pre-register at the community center or arrive before the start of each day to sign up. For more information, call 907-776-8800. Langston said that the community center also still has a lot of children’s winter coats leftover from their winter coat giveaway earlier this year, and anyone in need can still pick up the coats through winter break. The community center will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Kenai Peninsula’s award-winning publication (USPS 438-410) The Peninsula Clarion is a locally operated member of Sound Publishing Inc., published Sunday through Friday. 150 Trading Bay Road, Suite 1, Kenai, AK Phone: (907) 283-7551 Copyright 2019 Peninsula Clarion
Who to call at the Peninsula Clarion News tip? Question? Main number ................................................................................ 283-7551 Fax................................................................................................ 283-3299 News email ........................................................ news@peninsulaclarion.com
General news Erin Thompson Editor............................ ethompson@peninsulaclarion.com Jeff Helminiak Sports & Features Editor..... jhelminiak@peninsulaclarion.com Victoria Petersen Education...................................................... vpetersen@peninsulaclarion.com Joey Klecka Sports/Features ................................................. jklecka@peninsulaclarion.com Brian Mazurek Public Safety ..................................................bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com
Circulation problem? Call 283-3584 If you don’t receive your newspaper by 7 a.m. and you live in the Kenai-Soldotna area, call 283-3584 before 10 a.m. for redelivery of your paper. If you call after 10 a.m., you will be credited for the missed issue. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. General circulation questions can be sent via email to circulation@peninsulaclarion.com. The circulation director is Randi Keaton.
For home delivery Order a five-day-a-week, 13-week subscription for $57, a 26-week subscription for $108, or a 52-week subscription for $198. Use our easy-pay plan and save on these rates. Call 283-3584 for details. Weekend and mail subscription rates are available upon request.
Want to place an ad? Classifieds: Call 283-7551 and ask for the classified ad department between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email classifieds@peninsulaclarion.com. Display: Call 283-7551 and ask for the display advertising department between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Stationary 10s
20s
Showers T-storms 30s
40s
50s
Rain
60s
70s
Flurries 80s
Snow
Ice
90s 100s 110s
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2019
Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.
Break
Sitka 45/38
State Extremes
World Cities City
24 hours ending 4 p.m. yest. . 0.00" Month to date .......................... 0.90" Normal month to date ............ 0.83" Year to date ........................... 18.26" Normal year to date ............... 17.69" Record today ................ 0.39" (1997) Record for Dec. ............ 3.96" (1988) Record for year ........... 27.09" (1963) Snowfall 24 hours ending 4 p.m. yest. ... 0.0" Month to date .......................... 15.1" Season to date ........................ 18.1"
Seward Homer 34/19 33/19
Kenai/ Soldotna Homer
Dillingham 16/2
National Cities City
Fairbanks -17/-31
Talkeetna 22/8
Bethel -2/-9
Today Hi/Lo/W -7/-12/s -16/-33/s 44/37/r 3/-4/s -17/-32/pc -1/-11/sf 22/7/c 41/33/r -9/-22/c 38/32/c 34/19/sf 45/38/r 35/24/sn 22/8/c -12/-28/s -1/-15/sf -3/-5/s 24/11/sf 24/8/c 34/19/sf 17/2/c 36/30/sn
High .............................................. 32 Low ............................................... 27 Normal high ................................. 27 Normal low ................................... 11 Record high ....................... 41 (1993) Record low ...................... -27 (2001)
Kenai/ Soldotna 25/8
Cold Bay 38/32
Yesterday Today Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W
Almanac From Kenai Municipal Airport
Tomorrow 2:21 a.m. 2:09 p.m.
Unalaska 38/33 Yesterday Today Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W
Internet: www.gedds.alaska.edu/ auroraforecast
Anaktuvuk Pass -14/-20
Nome 3/-4
Last Jan 17
Yesterday Hi/Lo/W 1/0/s -8/-16/s 43/43/r 7/3/pc 0/-4/s 0/-10/sf 23/15/pc 41/36/r 8/3/pc 36/33/sn 39/36/sn 45/42/r 34/30/sn 26/10/s -2/-9/s 0/-12/sf 12/10/pc 29/21/sn 25/20/pc 35/33/sn 24/18/pc 42/36/r
Today’s activity: ACTIVE Where: Auroral activity will be active. Weather permitting, active auroral displays will be visible overhead from Barrow to Anchorage and Juneau, and visible low on the horizon from King Salmon and Prince Rupert.
Prudhoe Bay -9/-22
Temperature
* Indicates estimated temperatures for yesterday Today Hi/Lo/W 43/30/r 21/10/c -4/-13/c -2/-9/s 38/32/c 36/20/sf -3/-19/c -10/-24/c 16/2/s 40/36/c -17/-31/pc -19/-40/s 18/4/sf -2/-9/sf 32/25/sn 33/19/c 38/30/sn 43/36/r -17/-21/s 9/-4/s 44/38/r 36/27/pc
Aurora Forecast
Readings ending 4 p.m. yesterday
Tomorrow 10:11 a.m. 3:53 p.m.
Today 12:48 a.m. 2:00 p.m.
Utqiagvik -4/-13
Joey Klecka / Peninsula Clarion
Santa Claus gives a young fan a high five Nov. 29 at the Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center.
News From Page A1
visibility, the report states. The National Transportation Safety Board said the aviation company did not use a formal risk assessment process, instead relying on conversations between pilots and the flight follower in Talkeetna or Anchorage. “This could lead to an oversight of actual risk associated with a particular flight route and weather conditions,” the report states. K2 Aviation’s base chief pilot said routes for glacier tour flights were subject to change at the pilot’s discretion based on the weather at the time of the flight to provide the best tour experience, according to the report. That individual also stated that pilots were expected to report to base operations when changing a planned route, but this was not a requirement in the company’s general operations manual, the report states. The company’s operators were out of country Wednesday and unavailable for comment, KTUU reported.
State argues grounds listed by recall group insufficient JUNEAU — Legal arguments made by the group seeking to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy fall short and give the recall effort the appearance of a “political gambit” based on policy differences, according to a court filing by the state. Assistant Attorney General Margaret PatonWalsh, in a recent filing, contends the Recall Dunleavy group’s statement of grounds and a motion it filed “are heavy on hyperbole and short on the basic process requirements of recall.” She wrote the statement of grounds “fails to state with particularity conduct that
meets the statutory criteria of cause.” Last month, Gail Fenumiai, director of the state Division of Elections, rejected the group’s bid to advance the recall effort. She said her decision was based on a legal opinion from the attorney general that found the reasons listed for recall were “factually and legally deficient.” The recall group argues Fenumiai erred in not allowing the effort to proceed to a second signature-gathering phase and is seeking to have that decision overturned. Among its claims, the recall group said Dunleavy violated the law by not appointing a judge within a required time frame, misused state funds for partisan online ads and mailers and improperly used his veto authority to “attack the judiciary.”
Warrant issued for suspect in fatal Anchorage shooting ANCHORAGE — An Alaska judge has issued an arrest warrant for a suspect in a fatal Anchorage shooting at an east-side gas station. Tierre Eady, 43, is wanted on warrants for counts of first- and second-degree murder in the death of Jerry Sales, 42, Anchorage police said Tuesday night. Police shortly after 10 a.m. Monday received a call of shots fired at a Holiday gas station across the street from Mountain View Lions Community Park. Officers found Sales with life-threatening injuries. He died as emergency responders attempted to give him aid. The shooting followed an altercation between Eady and Sales, police said. Eady is 6-feet tall with short, cropped black hair and brown eyes. Police warned that he is considered armed and dangerous and that he should not be approached. — Clarion staff and Associated Press
Peninsula Clarion
Thursday, December 19, 2019
A3
Longshore workers picket sulfur-ship loading By Michael Armstrong Homer News
As dock workers with Chumley’s Inc. of Kenai on Tuesday began loading a ship to haul 22,000 metric tons of sulfur to Mexico, members and supporters of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Alaska Division and Homer - Unit 234 held an informational picket at the Homer Harbor to protest what the ILWU called substandard industry wage and benefit conditions. Called an “area standards” picket, about 20 people held signs at the corner of Deep Water Dock Road and the Homer Spit Road reading “Chumley Unfair to Homer Dock Workers.” The workers came from around Alaska, including Homer, Juneau and Kodiak, for the picket. The M/V Iberian Bulker moored at the Deep Water Dock late Monday night to begin taking on super sacks of sulfur stored at the Homer Harbor on the old chip pad that had been hauled down from the Marathon Oil Refinery in Nikiski. Sulfur is part of a refinery process to remove the polluting chemical from fuels, and the byproduct can be used to make fertilizer and other chemical
compounds. For the past few months, trucks hauling big white sacks on trailers could be seen driving through town and out to the Spit. HJ Baker of Shelton, Connecticut, is the buyer, according to Alissa Smith, a spokesperson for HJ Baker. In an email, she said the sulfur will be shipped to a customer in Mexico for use in the production of phosphate fertilizer. HJ Baker made the arrangements for transportation, loading and shipping, said Homer Harbormaster Bryan Hawkins. The City of Homer manages the Port of Homer, but the city does not dictate who should be hired so long as stevedore companies meet insurance, licensing and other requirements, Hawkins said. “We are an open port,” he said, “We’re organized and managed as an open port.” The buyer organized every aspect of the sulfur purchase from bagging it to shipping it by truck, Hawkins said. “They’re paying all those bills, wharfage, dockage — all labor costs,” he said. In an email, Smith said that since Homer is an open port, it conducted a competitive bid process and chose Chumley’s Inc. to handle the loading
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge events ■■ Little PEEPS (preschool program for ages 2-5) will occur this Thursday, Dec. 19 in the the Visitor Center Multipurpose room. Start times 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. ■■ Visitors are welcome to come watch a movie (choose from our list) when we are open provided there isn’t already something occurring in the multi-purpose room. We do light the fire at noon so feel free to warm up or enjoy the comfy sofas in front of the fireplace in the afternoons. ■■ Ski trails currently lacking sufficient snow. Snowshoeing or taking a walk wearing cleats is advised. ■■ The Wilderness First Aid Class is happening Jan. 11-12. Of the 18 spaces, there are five spaces still available. Register at the Visitor Center. Cost is $185 + $40 for optional CPR. Half cost is due at registration. Class is through SafetyEd (out of Eagle River) but will be in our Environmental Education Center. The Kenai Refuge Visitor Center is open Tuesday- Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. We will be closed the following extra days due to the holidays: Dec. 24 and 25 as well as Dec. 31 and Jan 1.
Grant writing workshop Learn the ins and outs of writing effective grants. The City of Soldotna is co-sponsoring a workshop on Jan. 27 with expert Meredith Noble, founder of LearnGrantWriting.Org and author of the book “How to Write a Grant.” Participants will discover 100+ new grants and learn to filter the grants without endless web searching, guessing what the founder wants, and wondering if you have a chance of winning. Registration is $90 per person. If you’re interested in attending, the registration page is live www.learngrantwriting.org/kp
100 + Women Who Care Soldotna/Kenai The Soldotna/Kenai 100+ Women Who Care group will be meeting Thursday, Dec. 26 from 6-7 p.m. at the Triumvirate Theatre in North Kenai. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m., meeting starts promptly at 6 p.m. All members in good standing will have a chance to pitch for a cause or nonprofit they support. Three names will be drawn, those three will make their pitch, and the group will vote, the winning nonprofit will receive $100 from every member of the group, just under $10,000. All the money stays local, if you are a member, bring a friend! For more information find us on Facebook.
Fireweed Fiber Guild meeting Fireweed Fiber Guild meeting will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the two-story gray metal building behind the Soldotna State Farm Office. The public is invited to join us as we do our last minute Christmas crafts and share Christmas cheer. January’s meeting will be held at the Soldotna Library with the date and time to be posted later.
Freezer Food switches gears for December Tsalteshi Trails continues its Freezer Food Series of community races. November was running month, December is biking and January will be skiing. Races are held at 2 p.m. Sundays at the trails. Check Tsalteshi Trails on
Love and Care for you Children
Trust and Respect
Acknowledge children’s right to have own feelings, friends, activities and opinions Promote independence Allow for privacy Believe your children. For more information contact The LeeShore Center at 283-9479. The LeeShore Center is proud to be a United Way agency
of sulfur out of Homer. She said HJ Baker is unaware of the rates Chumley’s pays its workers. Chumley’s General Manager Cliff Wittmer told the Clarion on Wednesday that he pays his workers “standard” roustabout wages but declined to give a specific hourly rate. In a press release, the ILWU Alaska Division and Homer - Unit 234 said the longshore work, such as the loading of the Iberian Bulker, has been performed by union workers for more than 50 years. “Our contract provides the local registered and casual longshoremen with decent wages, health and welfare benefits, and pension benefits,” according to the press release. Similar cargo operations have provided wages and benefits to Homer workers upwards of $150,000, the press release said. On the picket line, ILWU Alaska Division President Dennis Young said workers get about $30 an hour and could have expected five or six days of work. Longshore work might be worth from 600 to 800 hours total a year. For the Iberian Bulker load alone, that would be about 200 hours of labor for the Homer work force. ILWU Homer workers also do
longshore work for cruise ships in the summer. “It’s all about local hire,” said Grant Lane, a longtime Homer ILWU member. Wittmer said that about 30% of Chumley’s workers for this job are based out of the Anchor Point and Ninilchik area, along with about half of their truck drivers. “Not one person inside our company lives outside of the peninsula,” Wittmer said. The decision to not use union was a result of the bidding process, Wittmer said, and added that the longshoremen that were contracted bid on the project individually. “We’re trying to do a job here and there’s a lot of information in the public bashing us and saying things that aren’t true,” Wittmer said. “I don’t like the attention being drawn, and it feels like if you engage in it you’re stooping to their level. I know where the company’s heart is and I know what we’re doing is right.” Young said the picket was not to force Chumley’s to hire union workers, but to pay its dock workers comparable wages and benefits. In the press release, the ILWU said it contacted Chumley’s to find out if its wages and benefits
around the peninsula
equaled longshore contractual wages, but had not heard back from the company and “therefore believe that Chumley’s wages and benefits are below area standards.” “If they prove to us they’re paying area standards, we’d stand down,” Young said. Hawkins said the sulfur hauling and loading represents a boost to the Kenai Peninsula economy. The city stands to reap $85,000 in wharfage fees — the per-ton fee paid to freight that goes across the Deep Water dock — as well as $2,582 a day for moorage, Hawkins said. HJ Baker also paid a storage fee of $26,521 to store the sacks of sulfur for about two months before shipping. The last time sulfur was hauled out of Homer was in 2008. “I was very pleased to see the project come together, especially in the off season like this,” Hawkins said. “It’s good solid jobs for a few months in the fall. We hope to do more. There’s more material to be shipped. Hopefully the markets make sense enough to put a deal together.” Reach Michael Armstrong at marmstrong@homernews.com. Peninsula Clarion reporter Brian Mazurek contributed to this story.
Kenai Kennel Club will be offering Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Canine Good Citizen Advanced (CGCA) tests on Saturday, Jan. 18 beginning at 1 p.m. For more information about the CGC program, go to AKC.org and look for CGC Test Items to find out what your dog will need to know. Cost is $25 per dog to take the test. If you would like to pre-register please email kenaiobedience@gmail.com. Sign up soon!
■■ Daily Gym Activities and Fitness Classes. Fitness classes currently being offered are Yoga, Body Blast, Zumba Strong, Senior Stride and Spin Class. Gym activities include tot time and home-school gym time, and pickle ball is held twice a week in the evenings. Full Swing Golf is available Monday through Saturday. For more information, please contact Jackie at 776-8800. ■■ Swim Lessons and Tiny Tot Classes. Group lessons include beginners, advanced beginners, and intermediates. Semi-private and private lessons are offered for all levels. For more information, contact Nigel at 776-8800. ■■ The Nikiski Pool will be offering free programs this fall. Water volleyball will be offered Thursdays 6:45 p.m., for those 15 and older. Log Rolling will be offered Tuesday evenings at 6:45 p.m. This is for participants 5 years and older. An Aqua Hiit Class is currently being offered that will focus on heart and lung health. All of these are free. For more information, contact Nigel at 776-8800.
Alcoholic Anonymous
Kenai Senior Center activities
Alcoholic Anonymous meetings take place seven days a week. Call 907-283-5722 or visit aakenaipeninsula.org for more information.
The Kenai Senior Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, and are open until 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Community meals are served Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost for lunch is $7 suggested donation for individuals 60 or older, $14 for those under 60. Call 907-2834156 for more information. ■■ Wii Bowling: Every Thursday in December, 1-2 p.m. ■■ Carol sing with Donna: Donna will play Christmas carols to sing along to Fridays in December, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. ■■ —Birthday lunch: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 11:30 a.m. $7 suggested donation or free if your birthday is in December and you are more than 60 years old. ■■ KSC Christmas Party: Friday, Dec. 20, 11:30-12:30 p.m. ■■ Jim & Elena, lunchtime entertainment: Monday, Dec. 23, 11:30 a.m. ■■ Breakfast with Santa: Monday, Dec. 23, 8-10 a.m. Pancakes, juice and coffee. Donations accepted. Parents and children are welcome. ■■ Closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas ■■ Kenai Senior Connection Board Meeting: Friday, Dec. 27, 9:30 a.m. ■■ New Year’s Brunch & Talent Show: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ■■ Close Wednesday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day ■■ Christmas choir practice, every Monday through Christmas
Facebook for each week’s race route and trailhead. Register online at tsalteshi.org or in person at 1:30 p.m. before each week’s race. Bring a nonperishable food donation for a discounted race fee. For more information, email tsalteshi@ yahoo.com or call 252-6297.
Canine Good Citizen tests
SCC Christmas on Ice Please join the Sterling Community Center for a magical evening on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m.Weather permitting, bring your skates! Even if it’s too warm for ice, show up! With or without the ice, we will still be celebrating the holiday season with Christmas music, games, bonfire, s’mores, a one-dish cook off competition, and much more.
First Annual SCC Community Casserole Cook-off! Everyone loves a good casserole! After all, it’s Christmas time and that means FOOD! Have an old family recipe? Have a modern day one? Have one that’s so absurd that you just HAVE to enter it? The details: Saturday, Dec. 21. Must be a one-dish casserole. Judging will be by popular vote and will be conducted by the public. Winner will receive a certificate, gift basket, and bragging rights. All registrations to enter must be received by Dec. 18. To register for the cookoff, please email your name, phone number, and casserole dish name to Michelle Hartley at scc@acsalaska.net. You will receive a confirmation email when your registration has been received.
North Peninsula Recreation Service Area events ■■ Nikiski Youth Basketball, for first and second grade, coaches needed for Tuesday night games. Season starts Jan. 7. ■■ Youth volleyball, for fourth to sixth grade co-ed teams, registration deadline Dec. 27. ■■ Other activities include Home School Gym, Tot Time, Yoga, Full Swing Golf, Senior Stride and Table Tennis. For more information, contact Jackie at 776-8800. ■■ Team registration for Women’s Basketball League. Women’s League runs on Wednesday and Friday nights starting in January. Registration Deadline is Dec. 27! Ladies sign up your basketball team today! ■■ Are you looking for an activity for the kids over Christmas Break? Send them to North Peninsula Recreation’s Day Camp: Dec. 31, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center. Boys and Girls in Kindergarten through eighth grade are welcome. Two different age group camps available. For more information, contact NCRC staff at 776-8800.
Specializing in the evaluation and management of skin cancer • Mohs Micrographic Surgery • Board-certified dermatology 180 E Beluga Ave, Soldotna, AK 99669 Monday - Thursday 8am-5pm (12-1 Closed) Friday 8am-12pm Saturday - Sunday Closed
Mathew M. Cannava, MD | Soldotna | 907-262-7546
Nikiski Senior Center Lunch is everyday from 11:30-1 p.m. Members $8, nonmembers $9, kids 6-10 year $4, kids 5 and under are free. Yoga is offered from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, and pilates is offered on 10 to 11 a.m. on Mondays. The Nikiski Coloring and Craft Club meets to color over coffee and conversations after lunch on Wednesdays. Thursdays: Pinochle, 12-30-3:30 p.m.; Bible study, 1-3 p.m. Game night potluck will be hosted weekly, in the downstairs area of the center. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite dish to share. 5:30 p.m., every Friday, Nikiski Senior Center. Games of Cribbage will be help upstairs weekly. 1 p.m., every Saturday.
Kenai Community Library December ■■ Christmas Jam Workshop: Thursday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Come to this interactive workshop and learn how to make a delicious Raspberry and Blackcurrant Christmas Jam! All participants will go home with their own jar of jam that we make during the class. Class size is limited to 12 people. Sign up at the front desk or call Ryanna at 283-8208! ■■ Make Your Own Ugly Sweater!: Friday, December 20 at 4 p.m. Come to the library and help us celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day! Bring your own sweater or sweatshirt and we provide the supplies. Bring the whole family and let everyone decorate! Just remember to bring your own sweater or sweatshirt and children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. ■■ Christmas Melty Bead Ornament: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. A family craft that’s sure to please! Ornaments with melty Perler Beads! Fun for the whole family, come in and make an ornament that you can hang on your tree. Patterns available or design your own! All materials provided. ■■ Mrs. Claus Story Time: Monday, Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m. Join us for a Holly, Jolly Santa Themed Story Time with Mrs. Claus! Enjoy songs, games, and an arts and craft project. Also, get your photo taken with Mrs. Claus! No registration required. ■■ Winter Fun Scavenger Hunt: Thursday, Dec. 26 to Monday, Dec. 30 during Library Hours. Come in any time Thursday- Monday for a fun scavenger hunt the whole family can enjoy. Follow the clues hidden throughout the library. Complete the puzzle and win a fun prize. No registration necessary. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. ■■ Vision Boards: Thursday, Jan. 2 at 4 p.m. Start the year off right with this fun goal setting program designed for teens and adults! Take a moment and plan for 2020! Limited space available so sign up today. For more information please contact Elizabeth at 283-4378 or visit us on Facebook.
Opinion A4
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Peninsula Clarion
CLARION P
E N I N S U L A
Serving the Kenai Peninsula since 1970 Jeff Hayden Publisher ERIN THOMPSON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor RANDI KEATON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Circulation Director FRANK GOLDTHWAITE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Production Manager
The opinions expressed on this page are solely those of the authors and do not represent the views of The Peninsula Clarion or its parent company, Sound Publishing.
letter to the editor
Hilcorp helps boost our economy, community With the holiday season in full swing, like many, I reflect on the things in my life that I’m grateful for. Family, friends, good health and a host of other things come to mind, including the great people of Kenai I have the privilege of serving. I’ve called Kenai home for decades and there are few places in the world quite like it. It’s a small community that both balances and benefits from diverse interests and backgrounds. My family moved to the central Kenai Peninsula from Detroit, Michigan, in 1968 when I was 7 years old (thanks mom and dad). My father was a young man back then and I never asked him what his motivation was for moving to Alaska until recently. His answer was simply that he was a sportsman and he loved the outdoor opportunities that the Kenai Peninsula had to offer. He was an electrician by trade, and the recent discovery and development of oil and gas at that time in the Cook Inlet Basin provided the economic means to support our large family and remain in the area. That is still the case today. The industry’s presence in our community over the years is definitely a blessing. Hundreds of Kenai families rely on the industry. Let’s face it, we work here to stay here. It has been a reliable source for good paying jobs for more than 50 years on the peninsula, and thanks to Hilcorp that remains true today. It was not that long ago that declining gas production in Cook Inlet was a major concern. For nearly eight years Hilcorp has been part of our local landscape, but back in 2011 the announcement that Hilcorp was buying out Chevron facilities in the Cook Inlet certainly came by surprise. Since then, Hilcorp has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the Cook Inlet basin. Because of their efforts, the decline in production in Cook Inlet was not only arrested but reversed. As we look forward to the New Year, and consider changes that will take place, I am confident that Hilcorp will continue to responsibly increase production in our oil and gas sectors to the benefit of all Alaskans. The confidence that I have in Hilcorp is mostly derived from their past performance in Cook Inlet, but more importantly, my interactions with their employees. A litmus test for me is how employers treat their employees and I can say that every employee that I have spoken to, many personal friends, truly enjoy working for Hilcorp. They feel valued, empowered, and respected. As the mayor of a small town I hear a lot, I see a lot and what I’ve seen from Hilcorp and its people is something Alaska needs more of, more investment, more production and more energy, period. Hilcorp has contributed generously to our schools, our seniors and numerous community organizations. They employ hundreds of Alaskans, support thousands of contractor jobs and continue to increase production here and on the Slope. I’m grateful to have Hilcorp in our community. While change can sometimes be hard, I’ll be ringing in the New Year with good cheer for Hilcorp and the many returns they’ll bring for Alaskans. Brian Gabriel Mayor, City of Kenai
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peninsulaclarion.com
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Thursday, december 19, 2019
What others say | The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 11
Dems using impeachment as political tool
S
o that’s it? That’s all there is? After all the talk of obstruction of justice, collusion with Russia, bribery, extortion, profiting from the Presidency, and more, House Democrats have reduced their articles of impeachment against President Trump to two: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Honey, we shrunk the impeachment. u u u At least (Andrew) Johnson was impeached for violating a specific statute, the Tenure of Office Act, by firing Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War. There was wide agreement that Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton violated criminal statutes. In this case Democrats don’t even try to allege a criminal act. Whatever happened to bribery and extortion? Democrats spent weeks talking them up as the crimes of Mr. Trump’s Ukraine interventions. They had turned to those words after focus groups with voters found them more compelling than “quid pro quo.” Yet suddenly they’re gone. Have Democrats concluded that Mr. Trump’s actions aren’t illegal under statutes that have specific meaning? Democrats have retreated instead to charge “abuse of power,” a phrase general enough for anything Congress wants to stuff into it. They don’t even pretend any more to prove a quid pro quo. Instead they assert that Mr. Trump, in his phone call with Ukraine’s president, “solicited the interference of a foreign government” in the 2020 election “in pursuit of personal political benefit.” They also assert that this “compromised the national security of the United States and undermined the integrity of the United States democratic process.”
Their problem is that Mr. Trump didn’t withhold military aid to Ukraine, and even if he had he would have merely been returning to Barack Obama’s policy of denying lethal aid. How would that have jeopardized national security? Every President also solicits actions from foreign leaders that he hopes will help him politically at home. We don’t condone Mr. Trump’s mention of Joe Biden in his call to Ukraine’s President, which was far from perfect and reflects his often bad judgment. But “abuse of power” on this evidence is a new and low standard for impeachment that will come back to haunt future Presidents of all parties. As for corrupting the 2020 election, even if Ukraine had announced an investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden, Mr. Trump couldn’t know how effective it would be, how long it would take, or whether it might even exonerate them. The election is still a year away. If the mere announcement of a foreign government’s investigation into corruption can poison a U.S. election, then American democracy must be weaker than even its enemies think. The second Democratic article is weaker in that it amounts to impeaching Mr. Trump because he is resisting their subpoenas. “Without lawful cause or excuse, President Trump directed Executive Branch agencies, offices and officials not to comply with those subpoenas,” the article charges. His lawful cause is defending his presidential powers under the Constitution. Every modern President has to some extent or another resisted Congressional or special-counsel subpoenas. Nixon and Mr. Clinton did until they lost at the Supreme Court.
House Democrats are refusing even to fight in court, claiming impeachment gives them plenary power to see all documents and any witnesses they want. This ignores that the Constitution stipulates co-equal branches that each have the right to defend their powers. If Democrats are right in their claim, then every President essentially works for Congress. We should skip elections and let Congress choose the President. Democrats also claim the emergency of time, and as usual Rep. Adam Schiff puts this case in the least credible way. “The argument ‘why don’t you just wait?’ amounts to this: Why don’t you just let (Mr. Trump) cheat in one more election? Why not let him cheat just one more time?,” Mr. Schiff told the press as the articles were unveiled. But Mr. Trump didn’t cheat to win in 2016, as Robert Mueller’s Russia collusion investigation demonstrated after two years of looking. As for 2020, the Constitution includes no clause for pre-emptive impeachment to prevent acts that a President might commit. u u u Democrats wrap these charges in high-toned rhetoric about “this solemn day” and quotes from Benjamin Franklin. But they are essentially impeaching Mr. Trump because they despise him and the way he governs. This is the classic standard of “maladministration,” which the Founders explicitly considered but excluded from the Constitution as grounds for impeachment. They did so because they feared that partisan Congresses would too easily impeach Presidents of the opposite political faction on this subjective basis, rather than for serious offenses.
What others say | The Denver Post, Dec. 18
Impeachment is justified and necessary
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t is with a solemn sense of responsibility to the U.S. Constitution and a deep love of this country that we call for Congress to exercise its power of impeachment. The Denver Post editorial board does not take this position lightly. President Donald Trump was elected to serve this nation in a legitimate election, and to recommend that the Senate remove him from office is a severe and consequential undertaking that has only occurred two other times in U.S. history. But we have determined — based on hours of sworn testimony, text messages, emails and the president’s own words — that Trump has so abused the power of his office that for him to remain in the White House is a threat to our democracy. All Americans, regardless of their political affiliation, should be deeply troubled by Trump’s actions. Standing up now as a nation and declaring that this U.S. president and future presidents cannot behave with such blatant disregard for honesty and integrity is essential. We cannot tolerate this behavior. We urge all seven members of Colorado’s congressional delegation to support the two articles of impeachment that have been approved by the House Judiciary Committee: First, that he abused the high powers of his office to solicit “the interference
of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 United States Presidential election.” Second, that he obstructed Congress by directing “the unprecedented, categorical, and indiscriminate defiance of subpoenas issued by the House of Representatives pursuant to its sole power of impeachment.” Over the course of several months beginning in late April, Trump attempted to force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, who is one of Trump’s possible political rivals for 2020. It’s possible that other presidents have wielded foreign policy for domestic political gains with such disregard for election integrity and the rule of law, but never have Americans been presented with such clear evidence of it. Compromising his own stated foreign policy objectives, the interests of a close U.S. ally and our democratic process, Trump demanded that Zelensky announce an investigation into Biden’s actions and a debunked conspiracy that it was Ukraine and not Russia that interfered in the 2016 election. This was an orchestrated and multi-pronged effort that makes us deeply uncomfortable. No number of assurances from Zelensky that he did not feel pressure can outweigh what we have learned from a whistleblower’s accusations that a House
investigation has verified and expounded upon. A timeline of events, constructed by this board using original reporting from the hearings and a timeline created by The Washington Post, is damning. To the extent that questions remain unanswered, it is because Trump has barred key witnesses from testifying. This wasn’t one phone call or one official gone rogue. It began with the late-April ouster of U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s private attorney, was working the back channels while European Union Ambassador Gordon Sondland and Kurt Volker, former special envoy to Ukraine, applied pressure directly from the U.S. government. The White House placed a freeze on congressionally appropriated aid to Ukraine as early as July 3 over the objections of employees in the Office of Management and Budget, two of whom resigned at least in part because of the aid. A Trump appointee took over the approval process to personally place the aid on hold. Ukrainians likely knew the White House was withholding aid as officials were demanding the investigations, and we believe it has been proved that the quid pro quo was expressed to Ukraine. On July 9, Vice President Mike Pence is told that the aid is on hold to prepare him for a meeting with Ukrainian officials. On July
25 — the same day Zelensky and Trump talk on the phone — State Department officials receive an email from the Ukrainian Embassy expressing concern about the hold on security assistance. And after the phone call, days and days of explicit requests for an investigation into Biden and the 2016 election are relayed to Ukrainians. On Sept. 1, in a meeting in Warsaw, Sondland said he pulled a Ukrainian aide aside. Sondland told Congress he said “that I believed that the resumption of U.S. aid would likely not occur until Ukraine took some kind of action on the public statement that we had been discussing for many weeks.” (It must be noted the Ukrainian official, Andriy Yermak, says this did not happen. However, a White House aide confirmed that he saw Yermak and Sondland talking and then Sondland told him the conversation was about opening the Burisma investigation.) Aid was released on Sept. 11 and Trump denied the quid pro quo to Sondland, but this is after the White House became aware of the whistle-blower complaint and a separate House investigation. Trump’s actions, if they go unpunished, will pave the way for foreign prosecution powers to become proxy tools of aggrieved presidents seeking to secure a political victory at any cost. “This is precisely the thing that the founders feared — foreign
interference in our elections. (George) Washington was strong about it in his farewell address,” Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Arvada, told The Post editorial board last week as we considered an editorial on impeachment. “I hesitated and I’ve been reluctant … but this goes to the heart of freedom, and independence, and fair elections.” Indeed, President George Washington, upon retiring after two terms for the good of the fledgling nation, warned that “foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.” Despite Trump’s assurances that he was only interested in stopping corruption in Ukraine, that is not what the record supports. Trump and his staff were clear they wanted two things mentioned in a planned press conference: Biden and the 2016 election interference. Trump asked Zelensky directly on July 25, according to a not-verbatim transcript of the call, to look into “talk about Biden’s son, that Biden stopped the prosecution, and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great. Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it … It sounds horrible to me.” We cannot imagine that our founders would shrug their shoulders at such a request made with the full force of the president’s official powers.
Nation & World A5
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Peninsula Clarion
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peninsulaclarion.com
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thursday, december 19, 2019
Part of ‘Obamacare’ ruled invalid, more review needed By Rebecca Santana and Mark Sherman Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — The “individual mandate” of former President Barack Obama’s health care law is invalid, but other parts of the law need further review, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The 2-1 ruling handed down by a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans largely sidestepped what happens to some of the most popular parts of the Affordable Care Act such as protections for those with pre-existing conditions, Medicaid expansion and the ability for children under the age of 26 to remain on their parents insurance. The panel agreed with Texasbased U.S. District Judge Reed
O’Connor’s 2018 finding that the law’s insurance requirement, the so-called “individual mandate,” was rendered unconstitutional when Congress, in 2017, reduced a tax on people without insurance to zero. The court reached no decision on the big issue — how much of the Affordable Care Act must fall along with the insurance mandate. The Act has remained in place while the question of its future has been litigated in court. “It may still be that none of the ACA is severable from the individual mandate, even after this inquiry is concluded. It may be that all of the ACA is severable from the individual mandate. It may also be that some of the ACA is severable from the individual mandate, and some is not,” Judge Jennifer Elrod wrote.
“O’Connor has to be more specific about which parts of the law can’t be separated from the mandate, and also must take into account Congress’s decision to leave the rest of the law essentially unchanged when it reduced the penalty for not having insurance to zero,” Elrod wrote. In dissent, Judge Carolyn Dineen King said her colleagues were prolonging “uncertainty over the future of the healthcare sector.” King would have found the mandate constitutional, although unenforceable, and would have left the rest of the law alone. “Without any enforcement mechanism to speak of, questions about the legality of the individual ‘mandate’ are purely academic, and people can purchase insurance—or
not—as they please,” King wrote. “No more need be said; it has long been settled that the federal courts deal in cases and controversies, not academic curiosities.” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who is leading state efforts to defend the law, promised a quick appeal to the Supreme Court. “For now, the President got the gift he wanted — uncertainty in the healthcare system and a pathway to repeal — so that the healthcare that seniors, workers and families secured under the Affordable Care Act can be yanked from under them,” Becerra said in a statement. The court’s ruling ensures “Obamacare” will remain a political issue during the 2020 election campaign, giving Democrats a line of attack against President Donald
Trump and congressional Republicans. With the health law’s ultimate fate still in doubt, Democrats will argue that Republicans are trying to strip coverage away from 20 million Americans. All the Democratic presidential candidates favor expanding coverage to the remaining 27 million uninsured, although their ideas range from building on the Obama health law to replacing America’s mix of private and public insurance with a single plan run by the government. The decision comes after the conclusion of sign-up season for ACA coverage for next year. Technical glitches over the weekend had led to an extension until early Wednesday. That means the court ruling will not affect enrollment for 2020.
Musharraf: ‘Personnel vendetta’ behind conviction By Munir Ahmed Associated Press
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s ailing former dictator on Wednesday said the death sentence given to him by a court in a treason case is based on a “personnel vendetta”. it was Pervez Musharraf’s first reaction to Tuesday’s court verdict, which had already been denounced by the country’s powerful military. Musharraf’s supporters have held small rallies across the country in his support since the court sentenced him to death after finding him guilty of imposing an emergency in violation of the constitution. In the video released by his party, Musharraf said “there is no example of such a decision in which neither the defendant and nor his lawyer was given permission to say something in his defense.” He said the court that held his trial in intervals from 2014 to 2019 rejected his request to record a statement in Dubai, where he has
been living since 2016, when he left the country to receive medical treatment. Musharraf’s health has witnessed ups and downs, and he was again taken to a hospital this month. He said the court verdict against him was questionable and that the supremacy of rule of law was not maintained. “I will say that there was no need to hear this case under the constitution but this case was taken up and heard because of personnel vendetta of some people against me and one person was targeted in this case,” he said. Without citing names, he said that those who acted against him “are enjoying high positions and they misuse their office”. He praised the people and armed forces of Pakistan for standing by him after the court sentenced him to death for imposing the state of emergency in his tenure as president when he was also holding the position of the army chief.
Musharraf said he would take a decision about his future after consulting his lawyers and that he expected and hoped that justice will be done. His laweyrs have already said that he will challenge death sentence. Hours earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan consulted his advisers to decide how to handle the situation arising from the sentencing. Pakistan and the UAE have no extradition treaty and Emirati authorities are unlikely to arrest Musharraf. The military earlier said it received the court verdict “with a lot of pain and anguish,” saying that Musharraf, “who has served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defense of the country can surely never be a traitor.” Musharraf seized power in 1999 by ousting the elected government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In 2007 he imposed an emergency and placed several key
Fareed Khan / Associated Press
Supporters of former Pakistani military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf protest a court’s decision Wednesday in Karachi, Pakistan. The Pakistani court sentenced Musharraf to death in a treason case related to the state of emergency he imposed in 2007 while in power, officials said.
judges under house arrest in the capital, Islamabad, and elsewhere in Pakistan. Later, when he was back in office, Sharif accused Musharraf of treason in 2013. The general was
formally charged in 2014. Sharif again came into power in 2013 but a court ousted him from the office in 2017 on corruption charges. Sharif is currently receiving treatment in London after being release d on bail.
Study estimate: Half of U.S. adults will be obese by 2030 By Marilynn Marchione Associated Press
There’s no way to sugarcoat this news: Nearly half of American adults will be obese within a decade and one-quarter will be severely so, a new report predicts. It corrects for a weakness in previous estimates that may have made the problem seem not as big as it really is. Those estimates often relied on national health surveys and people tend to understate their weight in those. The new work used a
decades-long federal study in which weight was measured to get a more accurate picture of trends and to project into the future. “It’s alarming,” said a nutrition expert with no role in the study, Dr. Lawrence Appel of Johns Hopkins University. “We’re going to have some pretty awful problems” medically and financially because so many people weigh too much, he said. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study Wednesday. It was led by scientists at Harvard and George Washington universities.
Obesity raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and other health problems. It’s gauged by body mass index, or BMI, a measure of weight relative to height. Underweight or normal is a BMI under 25; overweight is 25 to 30, moderately obese is 30 to 35 and severely obese is 35 or over. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 40% of U.S. adults are obese. The new research predicts that by 2030, about 49% of U.S. adults will be obese. In 29 states, more than half will be.
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Washington governor wants to spend $300M to help homeless SEATTLE — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday he wants to spend more than $300 million from the state’s emergency budget reserve to add 2,100 shelter beds and provide other help to combat homelessness. In unveiling his supplemental spending plan in Olympia, Washington for the state’s current $52.4 billion two-year budget, Inslee said Washington must do more to find housing for people. The state has the fifth-highest per-capita rate of homelessness of all U.S. states. “This homelessness problem touches every part of the state,” said Inslee, a Democrat. In addition to adding shelter beds, Inslee wants to give rental and other housing assistance to more than 3,000 people. His plan would cost $146 million during the 20192021 two-year budget cycle and ultimately cost $300 million over three years. The state currently has about $2.5 billion in its emergency fund.
Ukraine, separatists fail to agree on prisoner exchange MINSK, Belarus — Ukraine and Russiabacked separatists failed Wednesday to reach an agreement on a prisoner exchange and troops pullback after several hours of tense talks on the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the separatist rebels met in the Belarusian capital Minsk to discuss conditions for a prisoner swap following a tentative agreement reached during peace talks in Paris last week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy,
who met the leaders of Russia, France and Germany on Dec. 9, had hailed the prospective exchange as a key result of the Paris talks. He said he expected all 72 Ukrainian prisoners held by the separatists to return home before the year’s end.
UN: Israel has advanced 22,000 housing units in West Bank UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Mideast envoy said Wednesday that Israel advanced or approved plans for over 22,000 housing units in West Bank settlements and east Jerusalem in the three years since the Security Council adopted a resolution condemning settlements in lands the Palestinians want for their future state. Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council that in addition, Israel issued tenders for some 8,000 housing units since the December 2016 resolution, which also declared that the settlements have “no legal validity.” He said the numbers “should be of serious concern to all those who continue to support the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.”
Police probe Mar-a-Lago incident
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Police say they are investigating an incident Wednesday at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. They did not immediately say what happened or why it prompted an investigation. Palm Beach police spokesman Michael Ogrodnick said in an email, “There is an open investigation. As soon as we have something, I will put it out.” The president is not at the club nor is any member of his immediate family believed to be there, but they are expected to arrive for the weekend and spend the holidays there. — Associated Press
About 24% will have severe obesity, which is “poised to become as prevalent as overall obesity was in the 1990s,” the authors write. Severe obesity will become the most common weight category among women (28%), blacks (32%) and low-income adults (32%). It may seem like a contradiction, but often people who can least afford food weigh the most. Severe obesity will be the most common weight category in 44 states where average annual household income is under $20,000, but in only one state where income is over $50,000.
The study was funded by the JPB Foundation, which focuses on poverty and societal problems. Despite this bad news, there have been some other hopeful signs. In May, the CDC reported that even though obesity rates were rising, new diabetes cases are declining, suggesting progress on recognizing and treating early signs of the disease. In June, the CDC reported declining obesity rates among preschoolers on government food aid. Obesity among these young children fell from 16% in 2010 to around 14% in 2016.
Today in History Today is Thursday, Dec. 19, the 353rd day of 2019. There are 12 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Dec. 19, 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice (he was subsequently acquitted by the Senate). On this date: In 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, Gen. George Washington led his army of about 11,000 men to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to camp for the winter. In 1946, war broke out in Indochina as troops under Ho Chi Minh launched widespread attacks against the French. In 1950, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was named commander of the military forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 1960, fire broke out on the hangar deck of the nearly completed aircraft carrier USS Constellation at the New York Naval Shipyard; 50 civilian workers were killed. In 1974, Nelson A. Rockefeller was sworn in as the 41st vice president of the United States in the U.S. Senate chamber by Chief Justice Warren Burger with President Gerald R. Ford looking on. In 1975, John Paul Stevens was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1986, the Soviet Union announced it had freed dissident Andrei Sakharov (SAH’-kah-rahv) from internal exile, and pardoned his wife, Yelena Bonner. Lawrence E. Walsh was appointed independent counsel to investigate the Iran-Contra affair. In 1997, James Cameron’s epic film “Titanic” opened in U.S. theaters. In 2001, the fires that had burned beneath the ruins of the World Trade Center in New York City for the previous three months were declared extinguished except for a few scattered hot spots. In 2002, Secretary of State Colin Powell declared Iraq in “material breach” of a U.N. disarmament resolution. In 2003, design plans were unveiled for the signature skyscraper — a 1,776-foot glass tower — at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. In 2008, citing imminent danger to the national economy, President George W. Bush ordered an emergency bailout of the U.S. auto industry. Ten years ago: A U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen ended with a nonbinding accord to show for two weeks of debate and frustration; the deal was brokered by President Barack Obama, who attended the conference on its final day. A snowstorm paralyzed much of the eastern U.S. on the last holiday shopping weekend. Five years ago: President Barack Obama said Sony Pictures Entertainment “made a mistake” in shelving “The Interview,” a satirical film about a plot to assassinate North Korea’s leader; Sony defended its decision, saying it had no choice but to cancel the film’s Christmas Day theatrical release because the country’s top theater chains had pulled out in the face of threats. One year ago: President Donald Trump announced that all 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria would be leaving that country, a move that sparked alarm and outrage from Republican lawmakers and prompted the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis; Trump explained the decision by declaring victory against the Islamic State group. The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate for the fourth time in 2018 to reflect the economy’s continued strength, but signaled that it expected to slow its rate hikes in 2019. Today’s Birthdays: Former game show contestant Herb Stempel is 93. Actress Elaine Joyce is 76. Actor Tim Reid is 75. Paleontologist Richard E. Leakey is 75. Musician John McEuen is 74. Singer Janie Fricke is 72. Jazz musician Lenny White is 70. Actor Mike Lookinland is 59. Actor Scott Cohen is 58. Actress Jennifer Beals is 56. Actor Robert MacNaughton is 53. Magician Criss Angel is 52. Rock musician Klaus Eichstadt (Ugly Kid Joe) is 52. Actor Ken Marino is 51. Actor Elvis Nolasco is 51. Rock musician Kevin Shepard is 51. Actor Derek Webster is 51. Actress Kristy Swanson is 50. Model Tyson Beckford is 49. Actress Amy Locane is 48. Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp is 47. Actress Rosa Blasi is 47. Actress Alyssa Milano is 47. Actress Tara Summers is 40. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal (JIH’-lihn-hahl) is 39. Actress Marla Sokoloff is 39. Rapper Lady Sovereign is 34. Journalist Ronan Farrow is 32. Actor Nik Dodani is 26. Thought for Today: “He that jokes confesses.” — Italian proverb.
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Holiday classic comes to Triumvirate By Joey Klecka Peninsula Clarion
For its holiday season, Triumvirate Theatre North is tackling a well-known classic. “A Christmas Story” — best known as the 1983 movie based on a story written by Jean Shepherd — debuts this weekend with 7 p.m. showings Friday and Saturday, and continues next weekend with performances Dec. 27 and 28. The story follows the holiday happenings in the Parker household and is centered around the young Ralphie Parker, whose adult voice narrates the story throughout. Shepherd’s writings were inspired by his childhood in the Midwest (the Parker family lives in Indiana), when the object of Ralphie’s attention is a special Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. As Ralphie’s parents pop in and out of the picture with their own clumsy antics, the young boy is persistent in making no secret of his dreams to receive a Red Ryder rifle for Christmas.. He is continually met by a familiar refrain, however, that “You’ll shoot your eye out!” The show’s director, Carla Jenness, is making her fourth outing as a director at Triumvirate, as she typically works behind the scenes in production. Jenness said the show had been in consideration by the theater company for several years, but this holiday season proved to be the best chance to do it, particularly since the leading role of young Ralphie went to Jenness’ 12-year-old son Kincaid. “I love the movie. I love the story,
Joey Klecka / Peninsula Clarion
Tyler Payment (left) acts out a scene with a young actor Tuesday during a rehearsal of “A Christmas Story” by the Triumvirate Theatre North in Kenai.
my whole family’s in this thing,” Jenness said. “Joe said we should do it this year and Kincaid should be Ralphie. I said we’d better do it this year, because Kincaid will be too old (next year).” Carla Jenness has been a part of Triumvirate theater since the beginning, around 18 years ago. Appropriately she plays the role of Ralphie’s mother, while her husband, Chris, also stars in the show as Ralphie’s father, the Old
Man, whose crowning achievement in the play is the lamp trophy he won in a contest that depicts a woman’s leg, complete with fishnet stockings. Jenness said her occasional appearances as director make her appreciate the juggling act it is to produce and act as well. “What I’ve discovered very quickly is, directing a show you’re in is very difficult,” Jenness said. “Clint Eastwood does it in movies, and it’s like, ‘How does he do it?’”
The story flows along in vignettes that feature comedic and entertaining situations in the family and in Ralphie’s quest for the Red Ryder rifle. Kincaid Jenness is already a veteran of the stage, having been cast in productions since age 4, when he part of a tap dancing routine for a production of “Georgette.” “A Christmas Story” is Kincaid’s ninth show for Triumvirate, but it’s one of his most important roles. “I don’t have a lot of lines myself, but I’m in almost every single scene,” he said. “I don’t say a lot but things that I do can impact the show. If I’m up there and not doing those things, then it doesn’t work.” In one scene, Ralphie meets the Higbee’s mall Santa Claus, played by Nikiski’s Tyler Payment, who has been in around a dozen productions for Triumvirate. The scene typically brings out the laughter with the mall Santa going through the routine of sitting hundreds of children on his lap before sending them on their way down a slide. The role of Santa is tailor made for Payment, who is already quite familiar with the story line. “I’ve seen this movie every year since I was a kid,” Payment said. “It’s my Christmas Day movie.” Payment said the Santa scene is one of his favorite, explaining that the version of Santa that kids see is in many ways different than what it’s intended to be. “He’s so deranged,” Payment said. “Jean Shepherd does such a good job of showing how kids view Santa in a lot of ways — He’s this man that no one knows, you have
to sit on his lap for some reason, you tell him your most intimate secrets as a child, and then he gives you things made in China. “Some kids are great with him but other kids are just terrified.” Payment credited Jenness for creating an ideal environment to work in, which he owes to her experience in the field of stage production. “Carla’s just done so many shows,” Payment said. “She’s a treat to work with.” Jenness, who teaches English at Nikiski High School, said her philosophy as director has always been to keep the mood light and playful. That way the cast is ready to go and attack a role. “I have to remind myself, it’s supposed to be fun,” Jenness said. “They’ve been in school all day, they love to come to the theater and play tag for 10 minutes before rehearsal. I’m not the kind of director that yells a lot, or is the bad cop.” Jenness praised the help from Triumvirate’s Joe Rizzo, Hannah Tauriainen, and her husband, Chris Jenness, for lending their expertise to the show. Tauriainen joins the cast as Ralphie’s school teacher Miss Shields. Both Payment and Jenness said one of the biggest challenges of the production is all the moving pieces, set changes and abundance of props, which include a vintage radio, stove top and a real front bumper and grille from a 1957 Buick. Jenness said set designer Doug McAuliffe built a platform above the stage where many of the scenes play out, with additional help from Payment on a slide that drops kids down to ground floor.
‘Star Wars’ finale plays it safe to please picky fans By Robert Horton Herald movie critic
When I saw “Star Wars” at Seattle’s UA 150 theatre in the summer of 1977, my friends and I took notice of a brief shot during the climax, of the film’s heavy-breathing villain, Darth Vader, spinning off into who-knows-where. Hmm, he’s still alive. Does this mean there’ll be a sequel? Ah, it was all so innocent then. I doubt that even “Star Wars” creator George Lucas could’ve guessed
that in 2019, his sci-fi saga (now owned by Disney) would formally conclude its nine-film cycle, having generated billions of dollars of revenue and an army of near-religious fans across multiple generations. But here we are, as “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker” takes its place in the firmament. Here, the final threads of the Luke Skywalker-Han SoloPrincess Leia story are tied up, and the Rebellion finishes its business. The heroes of this trilogy reunite under the leadership of Leia
Poet’s
Corner The Wreath Advent, the season the christians are waiting takes four Sundays use this time for prayer, penance and sacrifice the results will be amazing. Celebrate the birth of Jesus as well as His Second Coming for after all, this Latin word means coming, all this happiness brings on the humming. The first Sunday, the first candle is lit. This foretells of Jesus’ birth, it’s called “Prophecy Candle” it’s color is purple which means hope; with Jesus it’s easier to cope. The second Sunday, the second purple candle is lighted this tells of the journey of Mary and Joseph because of this it’s called “Bethlehem Candle” the place of Jesus’ birth. He’ll save this earth. The third Sunday the third candle which is pink is lit, which symbolizes joy, This is the “Shepard’s Candle” for many years age this birth brought great joy, with the arrival of this
baby boy. The fourth Sunday, the fourth purple candle was lighted. This meant peace and is called “Angels Candle” Peace entered earth via a virgin to some this is hard to handle. On Christmas Eve there’s a white candle in the center of the wreath that’s lit. This is the “Christ Candle” representing the life of Christ and white for purity of the sinless pure Savior called Christ. The Light of the world for us His life was sacrificed. The wreath is made of laurel meaning victory over persecution and suffering, pine, holly and yew means immortality while cedar signifies strength and healing. Pine cones decorate and mean life and resurrection. The wreath is to remind us of the immortality of the soul and Gods’ promise of everlasting life to us through Christ. Always remember it was for us he died. — Bonnie Marie Playle
— embodied here, as ever, by Carrie Fisher, albeit in some combination of old footage and digital trickery (Fisher died in 2016). Rey (Daisy Ridley) is still in Jedi training, while Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac) ready themselves for the big fight to come. Rey continues to mind-talk with that fan of the Dark Side, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), whose fancy new mask-helmet makes him Darther than ever. Lightsaber duels and spaceship flotillas ensue. The movie’s got some surprises that are not terribly surprising — but they certainly qualify as “fan service” to the devoted faithful. Director J.J. Abrams, who made Episode VII in the series, backs away from some of the cooler possibilities put forward in Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII, “The Last Jedi.” That film was the best “Star Wars” picture since the first one, a giddy romp that put new life in the franchise. Diehard fans didn’t like it, however, so Disney and Abrams dial back to more familiar characters and references. There’s nothing in “The Rise of Skywalker” that will take your breath away, and nothing to trouble you, either.
“Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker” HHH The nine-part saga that began in 1977 officially closes out with this very safe conclusion, in which the usual lightsaber battles alternate with surprises that aren’t especially surprising. Everything’s in place, and the cast is having fun, so credit director J.J. Abrams for steering the thing into a secure conclusion, despite the lack of giddy fun that its predecessor, “The Last Jedi,” generated. Rating: PG-13, for violence Abrams allows the tiniest bit of political commentary to sneak in, although nothing as pointed as Lucas’s “Revenge of the Sith.” Mostly the story settles on standard heroes and villains, with the notable exception of Driver’s disheveled Kylo, who deserves a more ambitious scenario around him. While playing it safe and keeping track of the legacy, Abrams lets the logic go slack. This is one of those films where characters blithely pop back from the dead, random chance saves the day, and supernatural powers (which would be handy if deployed elsewhere) emerge only when they will look the most spectacular. Give Abrams credit for the chemistry between the actors — they really look like they’re having
fun here — and for the usual impeccable technical excellence. Things generally go off without a hitch. I enjoyed the movie, but then I don’t have especially high demands for these things. I don’t go into a “Star Wars” movie with the fear that my childhood will be ruined if the moviemakers give Boba Fett the wrong color headpiece, so for me “The Rise of Skywalker” (dumb title, by the way) played just fine as a sci-fi spectacle. But the electricity that flared up in “The Last Jedi” is sorely missed — Disney won’t make the mistake of allowing their franchise to exhibit any wayward impulses again. In the meantime, this particular saga is at long last at an end, and it feels more like relief than exultation.
calendar Events and exhibitions ■■ Fireweed Fiber Guild meeting will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the two-story gray metal building behind the Soldotna State Farm Office. The public is invited to join us as we do our last minute Christmas crafts and share Christmas cheer. January’s meeting will be held at the Soldotna Library with the date and time to be posted later. ■■ SCC Christmas on Ice: Please join the Sterling Community Center for a magical evening on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. Weather permitting, bring your skates! Even if it’s too warm for ice, show up! With or without the ice, we will still be celebrating the holiday season with Christmas music, games, bonfire, s’mores, a one-dish cook off competition, and much more. ■■ Everyone loves a good casserole! After all, it’s Christmas time and that means FOOD! Have an old family recipe? Have a modern day one? Have one that’s so absurd that you just HAVE to enter it? The details: Saturday, Dec. 21. Must be a one-dish casserole. Judging will be by popular vote and will be conducted by the public. Winner will receive a certificate, gift basket, and bragging rights. All registrations to enter must be received by Dec. 18. To register for the cook-off, please email your name, phone number, and casserole dish name to Michelle Hartley at scc@acsalaska.net. You will receive a confirmation email when your registration has been received.
Entertainment ■■ The Flats Bistro in Kenai presents live dinner music Thursday and Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., featuring Garrett Mayer on Thursdays and Mike Morgan & Matt Boyle on
Fridays. For reservations (recommended) please call The Flats Bistro at 907-335-1010. Please watch this space for more music at The Flats this winter. ■■ Don Jose’s Restaurant in Soldotna presents “All-YouCan-Eat Tacos” and live music every Thursday from 6-9 p.m. Please call 907-262-5700 for reservations and info. ■■ Veronica’s Cafe in Old Town Kenai has Open Mic from 6-8 p.m. Friday, and V’s annual Christmas Carol Sing-Along with Mike Morgan on Saturday, Dec. 21, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended. ■■ Acapulco, 43543 Sterling Highway in Soldotna, has live music at 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. ■■ A bluegrass jam takes place on the first Sunday of the month at from 1-4 p.m. at the Mount Redoubt Baptist Church on South Lovers Loop in Nikiski. ■■ Veronica’s in Old Town Kenai has Open Mic from 6-8 p.m. Friday. Call Veronica’s at 283-2725. ■■ The Alaska Roadhouse Bar and Grill hosts open horseshoe tournaments Thursday nights at the bar on Golddust Drive. For more information, call 262-9887. ■■ An all acoustic jam takes place every Thursday. The jam takes place at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna on the first Thursday of the month, and at the Kenai Senior Center during the rest of the month. Jam starts at 6:30 p.m. ■■ Odie’s Deli in Soldotna has live music Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Pub Quiz night every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. ■■ AmVets Post 4 has reopened in its brand new building on Kalifornsky Beach across from Jumpin’ Junction. Eligible veterans and their families are invited to stop by to find out more about AmVets and their involvement in the Veteran community. ■■ The Bow bar in Kenai has karaoke at 9 p.m. Thursdays.
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Jaguars fire Coughlin amid turbulent season By Mark Long AP Sports Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars fired top executive Tom Coughlin on Wednesday, parting ways with the two-time Super Bowl-winning coach a little more than a day after the NFL Players Union took a sledgehammer to his reputation. Coughlin served as executive vice president of football operations since 2017. It was his second stint with Jacksonville, the expansion franchise he helped build from the ground up in the mid-1990s. The unbending taskmaster had been in trouble for weeks because of the team’s sagging record and several questionable roster moves. The NFLPA seemingly
forced owner Shad Khan’s hand after an arbitrator’s decision to undo millions in fines imposed by Coughlin himself. The NFLPA said Monday that more than 25% of player grievances filed in the last two years have been against the Jaguars. The union’s take: “You as players may want to consider this when you have a chance to select your next club.” “I determined earlier this fall that making this move at the conclusion of the 2019 season would be in everyone’s best interests,” Khan said in a statement. “But, in recent days, I reconsidered and decided to make this change immediately. “I thank Tom for his efforts, not only over the past three years but for all he did from our very first season, 25 years ago, to put the Jacksonville
Jaguars on the map.” Khan said general manager Dave Caldwell and head coach Doug Marrone will each report directly to him on an interim basis. “My expectations, and those of our fans, for our final two games and the 2020 season are high,” Khan added. The NFLPA grievances are a product of Coughlin’s peccadillos, many of which come from a good place — that of an old-school coach who always believed that football was more than just a business. But the rules that once seemed trifling — no sunglasses, all meetings start 5 minutes early — took a more sinister tone since Coughlin’s return. He was still basking in the glow of two Super Bowl titles during his in-between stay as coach of the
New York Giants that painted him as a man who had truly changed his ways. He fined defensive end Dante Fowler more than $700,000 in 2018 for missing “mandatory” appointments at the facility during the offseason. Problem was, the appointments weren’t really mandatory — a reality cooked into the rule book after some hard-fought wins by the union in collective bargaining about how much time players were obliged to spend at team headquarters in the offseason. Coughlin and the Jaguars have been on the wrong end of other high-profile battles against players — involving running back Leonard Fournette, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and now-retired defensive
end Jared Odrick. All involved fines or criticism of players who didn’t act the way Coughlin liked, or failed to show up to voluntary sessions that the old coach always believed weren’t really voluntary. The pushback against Coughlin was as much a sign of the attitudes of players in the late 2010s as it is of their willingness to blindly follow a leader who hadn’t proven himself to them — regardless of whatever message those Super Bowl rings might have delivered. As much as creating a mindset, ultimately, Coughlin was brought back to build a championship roster. In his first year back, it was trending that way, much the same as it was in the late 1990s, when he took the expansion franchise to the AFC title game twice in four years.
Heat nix Sixers’ streak PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kendrick Nunn scored 26 points to help the Miami Heat hand the Philadelphia 76ers their first home loss of the season, 108-104 on Wednesday night. The 76ers had been 14-0 at home, including a 113-86 victory over the Heat last month. Tobias Harris buried a 3-pointer for the Sixers with 25.5 seconds left that made it 106-104 and they had sudden life when Nunn missed twice at the free throw line. Al Horford, though, missed an open 3-point attempt from the wing and the Heat escaped in a thriller. Bam Adebayo scored 23 points and Duncan Robinson had 15 for the Heat. Robinson made a pair of 3s in the fourth that stretched the lead to 14 points, and Nunn buried a 30-footer for a 99-83 lead. Joel Embiid, who missed Sunday’s rout by the Nets with an upper respiratory illness, had 22 points and 19 rebounds. Harris scored 20 points. Jimmy Butler scored 14 points for the Heat and was pretty much a non-factor until late in his second game back in Philadelphia.
PELICANS 107, TIMBERWOLVES 99 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brandon Ingram scored 34 points and New Orleans snapped its 13-game losing streak with a win over
short-handed Minnesota. Jrue Holiday had 18 points and Lonzo Ball added 10 points, six rebounds and six assists off the bench for New Orleans, which was coming off a 108-101 overtime loss at home to Brooklyn a night earlier. Playing without leading scorer and rebounder KarlAnthony Towns, Minnesota lost its seventh straight game after shooting 38% from the field. Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves with 27 points.
RAPTORS 112, PISTONS 99 DETROIT (AP) — Kyle Lowry had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple-double and Toronto had an 11-0 run in the third quarter on its way to a win over Detroit. The Raptors were without guard Fred VanVleet because of right knee injury. Then center Marc Gasol left in the first quarter with a left hamstring strain. Toronto still had enough firepower to handle the Pistons.
CAVALIERS 100, HORNETS 98 CLEVELAND (AP) — Collin Sexton scored 23 points, Cedi Osman had 18 and Cleveland held off a late Charlotte comeback. Cleveland, which had lost 16 of 18, led the entire game but nearly squandered a 24-point lead in the third
Devils win 1st game since Hall transaction NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmeiri scored in the second period in New Jersey’s first game since linemate Taylor Hall was traded and the Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 on Wednesday night. Sami Vatanen also scored and Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves as the Devils gave interim coach Alain Nasreddine his second straight win. It marked only the fourth time this season New Jersey has won consecutive games.
AVALANCHE 4, BLACHAWKS 1 CHICAGO (AP) — Ian Cole
and Mikko Rantanen each had a goal and an assist, and Colorado beat Chicago. Nathan MacKinnon and Andre Burakovksy also scored for the Avalanche, who are 9-1-1 in their last 11 games. Pavel Francouz made 31 saves for Colorado. The Avalanche, who lost 5-2 at St. Louis on Monday, are 3-0 against the Blackhawks this season and have outscored their Central Division rival 16-5.
BLUES 2, OILERS 1 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brayden Schenn scored, Jake Allen made 35 saves and St. Louis edged Edmonton for its fourth straight win.
No. 2 Gonzaga sends Tar Heels to 4th straight loss SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Corey Kispert scored 26 points, Filip Petrusev added 20 and No. 2 Gonzaga rolled past North Carolina 94-81 on Wednesday night, handing the Tar Heels their fourth straight loss. One of the most highly
anticipated games ever inside Gonzaga’s gym was a party for most of the night for the home team. The Bulldogs (12-1) won their fourth straight since suffering their only loss of the season against Michigan in the final of the Battle 4 Atlantis.
quarter. Terry Rozier scored a career-high 35 points for Charlotte and hit five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, the last coming with 21 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 100-98. Sexton dribbled the ball off his foot and out of bounds with 16 seconds left. Rozier popped open at the top of the key for a wide-open 3 with three seconds to go, but the shot hit off the rim and Sexton grabbed the rebound to finally secure the victory for the Cavs.
BULLS 110, WIZARDS 109 WASHINGTON (AP) — Wendell Carter Jr. made a layup with 9.1 seconds left in overtime, completing Chicago’s rally from an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Washington. Zach LaVine capped a 21-3 Bulls run with three free throws that tied the game at 96 with 5.5 seconds left in the fourth. Bradley Beal hit a jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining to put Washington ahead 98-96, but LaVine was fouled on the ensuing inbound play and hit two free throws to force OT.
THUNDER 126, GRIZZLIES 122 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Dennis Schroder scored 31 points, and Oklahoma City overcame a 24-point deficit
scoreboard BASKETBALL
NBA Standings EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Boston 18 7 .720 — Toronto 19 8 .704 — Philadelphia 20 9 .690 — Brooklyn 15 12 .556 4 New York 7 21 .250 12½ Southeast Division Miami 20 8 .714 — Orlando 12 16 .429 8 Charlotte 13 18 .419 8½ Washington 8 18 .308 11 Atlanta 6 22 .214 14 Central Division Milwaukee 24 4 .857 — Indiana 19 9 .679 5 Detroit 11 17 .393 13 Chicago 11 19 .367 14 Cleveland 7 21 .250 17 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB Dallas 18 9 .667 — Houston 18 9 .667 — San Antonio 10 16 .385 7½ Memphis 10 18 .357 8½ New Orleans 7 22 .241 12 Northwest Division Denver 18 8 .692 — Utah 16 11 .593 2½ Oklahoma City 13 14 .481 5½ Portland 12 16 .429 7 Minnesota 10 16 .385 8 Pacific Division L.A. Lakers 24 4 .857 — L.A. Clippers 21 8 .724 3½ Sacramento 12 15 .444 11½ Phoenix 11 16 .407 12½ Golden State 5 24 .172 19½ Wednesday’s Games Chicago 110, Washington 109, OT Cleveland 100, Charlotte 98 Miami 108, Philadelphia 104 Toronto 112, Detroit 99 New Orleans 107, Minnesota 99 Oklahoma City 126, Memphis 122 Denver 113, Orlando 104 Boston 109, Dallas 103 Portland 122, Golden State 112 Thursday’s Games Utah at Atlanta, 3:30 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Milwaukee, 4 p.m. Brooklyn at San Antonio, 4:30 p.m. Houston at L.A. Clippers, 6:30 p.m. Men’s College Scores EAST Buffalo 82, Canisius 73 Dartmouth 76, CCSU 60 La Salle 74, Wagner 60 New Hampshire 64, Marist 56 St. Bonaventure 87, Niagara 70 St. John’s 85, Albany (NY) 57 Syracuse 74, Oakland 62 UConn 66, St. Peter’s 56 UNC-Greensboro 54, Vermont 53 SOUTH Abilene Christian 77, New Orleans 71 Alabama 105, Samford 87 Ball St. 65, Georgia Tech 47 Belmont 83, Kennesaw St. 44
All Times AST
Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons, right, and Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler reach for a pass during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
and beat Memphis. Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 20 points and Chris Paul added 18 for the Thunder, who rallied from 26 points down to beat the Chicago Bulls on Monday. Brandon Clarke scored 27 points, Jonas Valanciunas scored 24 and Ja Morant added 22 for the Grizzlies.
NUGGETS 113, MAGIC 104 DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap helped fuel a 24-0 run in the third quarter and Denver rallied to beat Orlando for the eighth straight time. Murray finished with 33 points, including 13 in the pivotal third quarter. Millsap
ETSU 74, LSU 63 Howard 105, Regent University 47 Jacksonville 81, Presbyterian 58 Jacksonville St. 92, Delaware St. 80 Louisville 70, Miami (Ohio) 46 Loyola of Chicago 78, Vanderbilt 70 McNeese St. 109, Paul Quinn College 67 Mississippi St. 77, Radford 68 Nicholls 64, Texas A&M-CC 58 Richmond 62, Old Dominion 59 SC-Upstate 73, SC State 70 UCF 70, Bethune-Cookman 65 VCU 76, Coll. of Charleston 71 Valparaiso 87, High Point 72 Virginia 56, Stony Brook 44 MIDWEST Cincinnati 78, Tennessee 66 DePaul 73, Cleveland St. 65 Green Bay 126, Concordia-Chicago 64 Illinois St. 67, UIC 66 Indiana St. 78, Tennessee St. 72 Michigan St. 77, Northwestern 72 S. Dakota St. 75, Florida Gulf Coast 56 S. Illinois 75, Hampton 53 W. Michigan 84, Aquinas College 61 Xavier 74, W. Carolina 61 Youngstown St. 73, Binghamton 55 SOUTHWEST Arkansas St. 79, Louisiana-Lafayette 67 Baylor 91, UT Martin 63 Cent. Arkansas 88, Incarnate Word 82, OT Lamar 79, SE Louisiana 73, OT Oregon St. 88, UTSA 78 Sam Houston St. 92, Northwestern St. 79 Stephen F. Austin 96, Houston Baptist 68 FAR WEST California Baptist 78, Southern U. 61 Gonzaga 94, North Carolina 81 Nevada 91, Texas Southern 73 New Mexico St. 65, Ark.-Pine Bluff 40 Oregon 81, Montana 48 Pacific 74, UNLV 66 Sacramento St. 57, Cal Poly 56 Saint Mary’s (Cal) 96, Arizona St. 56 San Diego St. 92, San Diego Christian 48 Santa Clara 89, San Jose St. 84 Utah St. 76, South Florida 74, OT Utah Valley 69, Wyoming 67 Women’s College Scores EAST Dartmouth 66, New Hampshire 47 Liberty 71, St. Francis (Pa.) 52 Rider 77, Wagner 63 SOUTH Florida St. 70, North Florida 41 Lamar 65, SE Louisiana 57 Maryland 114, Georgia St. 41 McNeese St. 81, LSU-Shreveport 77 Middle Tennessee 86, VCU 63 Morgan St. 72, Texas State 62 Robert Morris 69, Norfolk St. 62 Sam Houston St. 79, Northwestern St. 69 MIDWEST Cent. Michigan 65, Oakland 47 E. Michigan 68, UIC 59 Evansville 76, Chicago St. 42 North Dakota 83, Mayville State 52 Princeton 68, Missouri 33 Purdue 67, W. Kentucky 50 Youngstown St. 83, Lake Erie 48 SOUTHWEST Abilene Christian 76, New Orleans 62 Baylor 111, Arkansas St. 43 Cent. Arkansas 47, Incarnate Word 37 Stephen F. Austin 59, Houston Baptist 42
scored 14 of his 15 points during the third in his return from a strained quadriceps. Trailing 69-50 with 9:18 left in the third, the Nuggets stormed back as they held the Magic scoreless for more than six minutes. Nikola Jokic added 18 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.
The Celtics held the Mavs 15 points below their season average, including a Dallas season-low 18 in the third quarter, with Luka Doncic’s absence felt more than in Dallas’ win Monday over Milwaukee.
CELTICS 109, MAVERICKS 103
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard had 31 points and a season-high 13 assists, Hassan Whiteside grabbed 23 rebounds and Portland beat Golden State. CJ McCollum scored 30 points and Carmelo Anthony added 17 for Portland. Whiteside also scored 16 points. D’Angelo Russell led Golden State with 26 points and seven assists.
DALLAS (AP) — Kemba Walker scored 32 points and Jaylen Brown had 26 as Boston beat Dallas. Jayson Tatum added 24 points to help Boston prevail on a night when both teams were missing key players and struggled to shoot 40% from the field.
Texas 73, Ohio 60 Texas A&M-CC 55, Nicholls 49 FAR WEST Arizona St. 70, New Mexico St. 47 BYU 75, San Jose St. 56 Ball St. 77, Loyola Marymount 72 Boise St. 75, Western Oregon 32 Long Beach St. 74, Air Force 68 New Mexico 86, Providence 68 Santa Clara 76, CS Northridge 55 Southern Cal 80, Texas Rio Grande Valley 43 Stanford 78, Tennessee 51
HOCKEY
NHL Standings EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 35 21 7 7 49 118 90 Buffalo 35 16 12 7 39 110 108 Montreal 34 16 12 6 38 108 108 Toronto 35 17 14 4 38 115 112 Tampa Bay 32 17 12 3 37 114 103 Florida 33 16 12 5 37 115 109 Ottawa 35 14 18 3 31 94 113 Detroit 36 9 24 3 21 79 141 Metropolitan Division Washington 35 24 6 5 53 125 100 N.Y. Islanders 32 22 8 2 46 95 80 Carolina 34 21 11 2 44 113 89 Pittsburgh 34 20 10 4 44 114 90 Philadelphia 34 18 11 5 41 105 100 N.Y. Rangers 33 16 13 4 36 105 106 Columbus 34 14 14 6 34 87 101 New Jersey 33 11 17 5 27 80 116 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA St. Louis 36 22 8 6 50 109 96 Colorado 34 22 9 3 47 123 92 Winnipeg 34 20 12 2 42 104 97 Dallas 35 19 12 4 42 91 82 Nashville 33 16 12 5 37 115 106 Minnesota 35 16 14 5 37 107 115 Chicago 35 13 16 6 32 95 114 Pacific Division Arizona 36 20 12 4 44 100 86 Vegas 37 19 13 5 43 112 105 Edmonton 37 19 14 4 42 109 112 Calgary 36 18 14 4 40 96 108 Vancouver 35 16 15 4 36 111 108 San Jose 36 16 18 2 34 98 125 Los Angeles 36 15 18 3 33 94 114 Anaheim 35 14 17 4 32 89 104 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs. Wednesday’s Games New Jersey 3, Anaheim 1 Colorado 4, Chicago 1 St. Louis 2, Edmonton 1 Thursday’s Games Buffalo at Philadelphia, 3 p.m. Los Angeles at Columbus, 3 p.m. Dallas at Tampa Bay, 3 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at Boston, 3 p.m. Nashville at Ottawa, 3:30 p.m. Chicago at Winnipeg, 4 p.m. Carolina at Colorado, 5 p.m. Montreal at Calgary, 5 p.m. Minnesota at Arizona, 5:30 p.m. Vegas at Vancouver, 6 p.m.
All Times AST
TRAIL BLAZERS 122, WARRIORS 112
TRANSACTIONS
BASEBALL American League KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Agreed to terms with 3B Humberto Arteaga and 2B Erick Mejia on minor league contracts. NEW YORK YANKEES — Designated RHP Chance Adams for assignment. Agreed to terms with RHP Gerrit Cole on a nine-year contract. TORONTO BLUE JAYS — Agreed to terms with RHP Tanner Roark on a two-year contract. National League MIAMI MARLINS — Agreed to terms with OF Matt Kemp, Cs Ryan Lavarnway and Brian Navarreto, 2B Gosuke Katoh and Christian Lopes and RHPs Aaron Northcraft and Josh A. Smith on minor league contracts. MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Agreed to terms with 3B Jace Peterson on a minor league contract. WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Agreed to terms with RHP Mario Sanchez on a minor league contract. FOOTBALL National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS — Placed LB Tanner Vallejo and CB Kevin Peterson on IR. Signed LB Vontarrius Dora from the practice squad, CB Andre Chachere from Carolina’s practice squad, LB Keishawn Bierria from Jacksonville’s practice squad and CB Duke Thomas and LB Jamey Mosely to the practice squad. CHICAGO BEARS — Placed LB Danny Trevathan on IR. Signed DB Michael Joseph from the practice squad and WR Alex Wesley to the practice squad. DETROIT LIONS — Signed DT Jamie Meder. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed OT Travis Vornkahl and DT Roderick Young to the practice squad. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Released S Marcus Gilchrist. Signed S Doug Middleton from the practice squad and RB Jeremy McNichols, DL Dewayne Hendrix and LB Joe Dineen to the practice squad. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Claimed DE Terrell Suggs off waivers from Arizona. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Claimed CB Janoris Jenkins off waivers from the N.Y. Giants. NEW YORK GIANTS — Signed DB Rashaan Gaulden from the practice squad and DE Kevin Wilkins to the practice squad. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Placed LB Kamu Grugier-Hill on IR. Signed DT Bruce Hector from the practice squad and LB Deshaun Davis to the practice squad. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Signed WR Jamal Custis to the practice squad. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Placed WRs Scotty Miller and Mike Evans and S Jordan Whitehead on IR. Signed WR Spencer Schnell from the practice squad, WR Cyril Grayson from Dallas’ practice squad and DB Herb Miller to the practice squad. TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed LB Nigel Harris from the practice squad and PK Greg Joseph from Carolina’s practice squad. WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Signed DB Maurice Smith from the practice squad and WR Emanuel Hall to the practice squad. HOCKEY National Hockey League ANAHEIM DUCK — Recalled C Isac Lunderstrom and LW Max Jones from San Diego (AHL). ARIZONA COYOTES — Assigned D Robbie Russo to Tucson (AHL). Recalled D Jordan Gross from Tucson. NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Activated D Connor Carrick off IR. SOCCER Major League Soccer COLUMBUS CREW — Signed D Vito Wormgoor.
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Thursday, December 19, 2019
Peninsula Clarion
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Football
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thursday, december 19, 2019
Two weeks left — So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
A
fter another middling, but positive, performance in the NFL’s 14th week, the column received a much-needed week off. The NFL season can be a grind and the accumulation of close losses and heartbreaking bad beats had taken their toll. Going into the penultimate weekend the column sits at 90-108, a disappointing mark to be sure. The possibility exists to still end the season on the plus side of the ledger, but it would take a pair of incredibly fortunate performances as we near the end of December. To quote Jim Carrey in his infamous film Dumb and Dumber, a title that would be fitting for this column, “so you’re telling me there’s a chance!”
TEXANS @ Bucs +3 Houston needs a win to stay ahead of the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South race. The Texans recently dropped a game against the Denver Broncos, a disappointing performance that should serve as a reminder that they can’t overlook bad football teams. The Bucs have done well to reach 7-7 and have a chance to finish the year above .500. Unfortunately for pirate faithful, Tampa has lost star wideout Mike Evans for the season and QB Jameis Winston is battling injuries to his throwing hand. It feels like the stars are aligning in the Texans favor. Texans win 30-23
BILLS @ Patriots -6 What happened to the Clam Chowda!? The Patriots dynasty finally, unbelievably, appears to be reaching it’s end. The offense, led by the greatest QB’s of all-time, has sputtered miserably. Even the defense, which started the year in
historic fashion, thanks in large part to the easiest schedule in the NFL, has slowed in recent weeks. It’s been a long time since an AFC East rival has had a realistic chance to unseat the Pats, but Buffalo finds themselves in that position. Can Bills QB Josh Allen get the job done? Patriots win 17-13
Rams @ 49ERS -6.5 The 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are on a collision course for a week 17 winner take all showdown. It seems the football gods are determined to have these teams at 12-3 heading into that critical matchup. The Rams are merely a pawn that must be disposed of in route to more glorious contests. If the Rams organization had any class, they would simply forfeit. 49ers win 30-14
Jaguars @ FALCONS -7 It’s hard to believe a bad Falcons team could be a touchdown favorite over anyone but that line highlights just how incredibly bad the Jaguars have been in recent weeks. The “sacksonville” defense, the envy of the NFL just two seasons ago, has completely dissolved and a damning statement issued by the NFLPA noted just how corrupt and unethical this franchise has become. Falcons win 28-13
Ravens @ BROWNS +10 The Browns bizarrely defeated this incredible Ravens team early in the season and I’m guessing history will oddly repeat itself in a shocking upset. The Browns are that team that does just enough to stay relevant. They’re bad at football, don’t get me wrong, but they always seem to conjure up an impressive victory
points. The Steelers are very bad at scoring points. Pittsburgh is an OK football team, but they’re just painful to watch. The Jets? Everything about the Jets is painful. Steelers win 23-16
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right about the time you’re ready to write them off. This feels like one of those times. Browns win 27-24
GIANTS @ Redskins -2.5
Saints @ TITANS +2.5
This is a game the United States military should consider forcing detained terrorists to watch. Name a better interrogation tactic. Any villain would give up the dirt by the middle of the second quarter just to make this degradation of American football stop. Giants win 21-14
Let’s connect the cosmic football dots. Saints QB broke a pair of Peyton Manning passing records in New Orleans in a resounding win over the Colts last week. Manning played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Manning is football in Tennessee. The Titans are also in Tennessee. Do the football gods exact revenge on Brees for breaking Manning’s mark with a critical loss on Sunday? It’s obvious. Titans win 26-21
Lions @ BRONCOS -7 I don’t have the exact numbers in front of me, but it seems like every time I side with Denver this season they lose. When I fade the Broncos, they win. This leaves me with no choice but to back the Donkeys for the remainder of the year, ensuring a miserable finish for Donkey faithful. The Seahawks are no longer in the AFC West, but old rivalries are hard to kill. Broncos win easily, without doubt, 24-3
PANTHERS @ Colts -7 Rolling the dice on the Panthers and new starting QB Will Grier. The rookie passer is getting a chance to show that he can the Panthers QB of the future after Cam Newton’s original replacement, Kyle Allen, proved not to be. The Colts, ravaged by injuries, are sputtering mightily down the stretch. You get the feeling Indy just wants the season to end. Panthers win 21-20
RAIDERS @ Chargers -7 The Raiders are another team I’ve been wrong about all season long. The AFC West as a whole has been difficult to predict. I don’t have any logic for siding with the Raiders. Seven points does seem like a big number to give for Chargers backers. San Diego QB Philip Rivers is older than me. That’s bad. Raiders win 24-21
Bengals @ DOLPHINS -1 My mother once told me if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. Dolphins win 30-28
STEELERS @ Jets +3
COWBOYS @ Eagles +2.5
The long anticipated LeVeon Bell revenge game! Be sure to DVR this slugfest. The Steelers have been winning games by preventing
This feels like a game the Cowboys have to win for a number of reasons. One, to make the playoffs a win in
Chuck Winters 42107 Kalifornsky Beach Rd, Soldotna, AK 99669 (907) 335-5466
Philly would be crucial. Two, the Cowboys are America’s average team. A win here almost secures Jason Garrett returning to coach the team again next season, continuing Dallas’ embrace with mediocrity for another 16 wonderfully painful games. The football gods decree it so. Cowboys win 21-17
Cardinals @ Seahawks -9.5 I will not be making a pick in this matchup. With the Seahawks at 11-3 and in a three-way tie for the number one seed in the NFC I can’t afford to jinx this game in any way. I have no thoughts about this game whatsoever. I am not overconfident. I respect all opponents regardless of their record. Cardinals fans are wonderful people and I have nothing but love for the entire state of Arizona.
CHIEFS @ Bears +6 The Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes throwing pristine passes (and he is getting healthier). The Bears have Mitchell Trubisky airmailing wounded ducks. That’s the pick. Mahomes is the pick. Chiefs win and send the Bears to an early hibernation 28-17
Packers @ VIKINGS -5.5 I think the Packers are a worse 11-3 team than the Seahawks. The Cheese Heads barely squeak by NFL bottom feeders and get pummeled by any team with a decent record. It’s hard to forget the beatdown the Packers took from the 49ers a few weeks ago. The Vikings are the better team and they’re at home. A Vikings win ties these teams atop the NFC North standing at 11-4. It feels like it’s destined to play out that way. Vikings win 33-24
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Bills @ Patriots Rams @ 49ers
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Jaguars @ Falcons 4
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Lions @ Broncos 4
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Raiders @ Chargers 4
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Jaguars @ Falcons
Cardinals @ Seahawks Cowboys @ Eagles 4
Jaguars @ Falcons 4
4Lions @ Broncos Raiders @ Chargers4
Steelers @ Jets
Jaguars @ Falcons 4
Jaguars @ Falcons 4
Jaguars @ Falcons4
Lions @ Broncos 4
Lions @ Broncos 4
Lions @ Broncos 4
Raiders @ Chargers 4
Raiders @ Chargers4
Raiders @ Chargers4
4 Cardinals @ Seahawks4 Cardinals @ Seahawks4 Cardinals @ Seahawks4 Cardinals @ Seahawks4 Cardinals @ Seahawks4 Cardinals @ Seahawks4 Cowboys @ Eagles 4
4Chiefs @ Bears
4Chiefs @ Bears
4Packers @ Vikings
4Packers @ Vikings
Last Week: 12 of 16 Standing: 154-224
Last Week: 11 of 16 Standing: 152-224
4Cowboys @ Eagles
Cowboys @ Eagles4
4Chiefs @ Bears
4Chiefs @ Bears
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Packers @ Vikings 4
Last Week: 11 of 16 Standing: 151-224
Last Week: 13 of 16 Standing: 150-224
Cowboys @ Eagles4
4Chiefs @ Bears Packers @ Vikings4
Last Week: 12 of 16 Standing: 138-224
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4Cowboys @ Eagles
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Last Week: 12 of 16 Standing: 137-224
Last Week: 11 of 16 Standing: 134-224
Classifieds
(1) 5 AAC 95.310 is proposed to be repealed. The purpose of this repeal is to remove the prohibition on personal watercraft use in the Fox River Flats and Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Areas. This is a SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE adding to the NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES that was issued on December 5, 2019. This supplemental notice is providing an extension to the end date of the public comment period. You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at: Rick Green, 333 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99518-1565. Additionally, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will accept comments by facsimile at 907-267-2499 and by electronic mail at rick.green@alaska.gov. Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System by accessing this notice on the system and using the comment link. The comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on January 21, 2020.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT KENAI In the Matter of the Estate of MARILEE Y. WENTWORTH (aka Lee)., Deceased. Case No. 3KN-19-00284 PR
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Rick Green at rick.green@alaska.gov or 333 Raspberry Rd., Anchorage, AK 99518-1565. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game may aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
NOTICE TO CREDITOR NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented to the undersigned Personal Representative of the estate, at DOLIFKA & ASSOCIATES, P.C., ATTORNEYS AT LAW, P.O. Box 498, Soldotna, AK, 99669. Dated this 13th day of December, 2019. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE /s/MARK BORN and LOIS BORN Pub:12/19/19, 12/26,19 & 1/2/20 884809
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Rick Green at rick.green@alaska.gov or 907-267-2228 not later than January 14, 2020, to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided. A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Rick Green at rick.green@alaska.gov or at 333 Raspberry Rd., Anchorage, AK 995181565. After the public comment period ends, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected. Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection. Statutory authority: 16.20.590
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT KENAI In the Matter of the Estate of DORIS E ENGLE., Deceased. Case No. 3KN-19-00303 PR
AS 16.05.020; AS 16.20.500; AS 16.20.580; AS
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 16.20.500 Fiscal information: The proposed regulation change is not expected to require an increased appropriation. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Section at 333 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99518-1565, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices. Date: 12/16/2019
Pub: 12/19/2019
/s/ Rick Green, Special Assistant to the Commissioner Alaska Department of Fish and Game 884829
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NOTICE TO CREDITOR NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented to the undersigned Personal Representative of the estate, at DOLIFKA & ASSOCIATES, P.C., ATTORNEYS AT LAW, P.O. Box 498, Soldotna, AK, 99669. Dated this 16th day of December, 2019. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE /s/MARILYN ENGLE COX Pub:12/19/19, 12/26,19 & 1/2/20 884791 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT KENAI In the Matter of the Estate of KENT WAYNE HACKLEMAN, Deceased. Case No. 3KN-19-00291 PR NOTICE TO CREDITOR NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented to the undersigned Personal Representative of the estate, at DOLIFKA & ASSOCIATES, P.C., ATTORNEYS AT LAW, P.O. Box 498, Soldotna, Alaska, 99669. DATED this 9th day of December, 2019. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE /s/CHERIE RENEE ARD & RACHAEL MARIE WATKINS, Co Pub:Dec 12, 19 & 26, 2019 884271 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT KENAI In the Matter of the Estate of RICHARD LEWIS SMITH, JR., Deceased. Case No. 3KN-19-00286 PR NOTICE TO CREDITOR NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented to the undersigned Personal Representative of the estate, at DOLIFKA & ASSOCIATES, P.C., ATTORNEYS AT LAW, P.O. Box 498, Soldotna, Alaska, 99669. DATED this 9th day of December, 2019. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE /s/MELISSA DAWN SMITH Pub:Dec 12, 19 & 26, 2019 884277
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NOTICE TO CREDITOR NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed Personal Representative of the above-named estate. All persons having claims against the said deceased are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or said claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented to the undersigned Personal Representative of the estate, at DOLIFKA & ASSOCIATES, P.C., ATTORNEYS AT LAW, P.O. Box 498, Soldotna, AK, 99669. Dated this 16th day of December, 2019. PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE /s/DELORES J. SMITH Pub:12/19/19, 12/26,19 & 1/2/20 884807
Insulation
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game proposes to adopt regulation changes in 5 AAC 95.310 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the prohibition of the use of personal watercraft in the Fox River Flats and Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Areas, including the following:
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT KENAI In the Matter of the Estate of OLGA H. HILLEARY., Deceased. Case No. 3KN-19-00283 PR
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SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON PERSONAL WATERCRAFT USE IN THE FOX RIVER FLATS AND KACHEMAK BAY CRITICAL HABITAT AREAS IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
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The State of Alaska requires construction companies to be licensed, bonded and insured before submitting bids, performing work, or advertising as a construction contractor in accordance with AS 08..18.011, 08.18.071, 08.18.101, and 08.15.051. All advertisements as a construction contractor require the current registration number as issued by the Division of Occupational Licensing to appear in the advertisement. CONSUMERS MAY VERIFY REGISTRATION OF A CONTRACTOR. Contact the AK Department of Labor and Workforce Development at 907-269-4925 or The AK Division of Occupational Licensing in Juneau at 907-4653035 or at www.dced.state.ak.us/acc/home.htm
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Make ALASKA Great Again hankkroll.com henrykroll.com
Where was our sun born? What took Earth out of a billion year ice age? Find the answers in Cosmological Ice Ages about the conscious enlightenment of humanity necessary to save itself from extinction.
FARM / RANCH
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APARTMENTS FOR RENT
Tullos Funny Farm
APARTMENT HOMES AT NINILCHIK HOUSE / SELDOVIA HOUSE & CHUDA HOUSE. Rental Listings for Cook Inlet Housing Authority. Please call for rental rates. 907-793-3080.
Barn Stored Quality Timothy Hay $10/bale 262-4939 T: 3.5 in 252-0937
Ninilchik House / 14635 Sterling Highway, Ninilchik, AK 99635. 65 years and older. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, Assigned parking w/ plug-in Community room, BBQ area with gazebo Quiet and manager/maintenance on-site, Accessible, Income limits apply. Contact us for rent rate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Beautifully maintained! A location like no other! Seldovia House / 350 Alder Street, Seldovia Alaska 99663Located on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, this is a special place. Family style apartments and senior housing community. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, Assigned parking Community room, Accessible, Shared greenhouse and gardens, walking distance to local businesses and beach, peaceful vibe with manager and maintenance on-site. Income limits apply. Equal Housing Opportunity. Beautifully maintained! Contact us for rent rates. Chuda House / 52394 6th Avenue #25, Kenai, AK 99611 for 62 years and older. 1 & 2 bedroom1 bathroom624-720sf, Community room, Community garden, Accessible, Quiet with manager/maintenance on-site. Income limits apply. Contact us for rent rate For more information please call 907-793-3020 or visit our main office location at 3510 Spenard Rd Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99503 to schedule an appointment with a housing specialist. Visit our website at www.cookinlethousing.org for how to apply and our mission.
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COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL SPACE FOR RENT T: 10 in
the doctor will hear you now
48 X 60 Commercial Building For Lease. Kenai Spur Highway Frontage48 X 60 Commercial Shop with two Bays GarageThree Offices on main floor2nd Floor has Open Area with Bathroom and 3 Room Crew Quarters for Out of Town Workers. $2,500 per month plus Utilities. Available Immediately(907) 398-3845
Houses For Rent
283-7551
want better health care? start asking more questions. to your doctor. to your pharmacist. to your nurse. what are the test results? what about side effects? don’t fully understand your prescriptions? don’t leave confused. because the most important question is the one you should have asked. go to www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer or call 1-800-931-AHRQ (2477) for the 10 questions every patient should ask. questions are the answer.
For Rent Home in Nikiski. Ranch style 3 bedroom 2 bath 2 car attached garage remodeled home with fireplace. All appliances included. Close to School, stores and post office. 1200.00 monthly plus utilities. Deposit required. No Smoking and pets. Available January 1st, 2020. Call or text 907-398-1707 for applications.
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Sell it in the Classifieds
283-7551
TV Guide
A10 | PENINSULA CLARION | PENINSULACLARION.COM | Thursday, December 19, 2019 THURSDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING A
B
(3) ABC-13 13 (6) MNT-5
5
(8) CBS-11 11 (9) FOX-4
4
4
(10) NBC-2
2
2
(12) PBS-7
7
7
4:30
5 PM
5:30
Family Feud ‘PG’
Family Feud ‘PG’
Family Feud ‘PG’
ABC World News
(20) QVC
137 317
(23) LIFE
108 252
(28) USA
105 242
(30) TBS
139 247
(31) TNT
138 245
(34) ESPN
140 206
(35) ESPN2 144 209 (36) ROOT 426 687
6 PM
6:30
7 PM
B = DirecTV
7:30
Jeopardy! (N) ‘G’
8 PM
DECEMBER 19, 2019
8:30
9 PM
9:30
Wheel of For- Disney Prep Prep & Land- The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition “Spice West Maple RoadNaughty and Dessert Week” Sweet and savory creations using spices. tune (N) ‘G’ &360 Landing ‘G’ ing: Birmingham, MIvs. 48009 (N) ‘PG’ 248-203-8000 Chicago P.D. “Descent” Anto- Mike & Molly Mike & Molly Last Man Last Man Law & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dateline ‘PG’ nio crosses a line. ‘14’ ‘14’ ‘14’ Standing ‘PG’ Standing ‘PG’ A man is murdered with a “Gone” Goren takes on a saw. chess master. Client: ad council Job ‘14’ #: PROB ADCO 2M 70145 Ad #: ‘14’ 7014BD The Ellen DeGeneres Show KTVA 11 CBS Evening KTVA 11 News at 6 Young Shel- (:31) The Uni- (:01) Mom ‘14’ Carol’s Sec- Evil “Let x 9” A woman’s vi(N) ‘PG’ News at 5 News Ad Description: better health care? don ondM.Act sions come to life. ‘14’ Unit:‘PG’ thin verticalcorn ‘PG’ Art Director: Limbert you now” Colors: b/w M. Soldan Last Man Standing Mike in- Prodigal Son Malcolm “the is doctor Towill Behear Announced Total Packers PackersCopywriter: Live OutdoorsFox 4 News at 9 vites Ryan to his poker game. forced to rethink his fears. ‘14’ man/Buck MAGAZINE Safety (Live): None (N) ‘PG’ McNeely B. Charette Bleed Size: None Account Coordinator: Non-Bleed Size: 3.5 in x 10 inCompetition Hopefuls Production:from T. Burland Judge Judy Judge Judy Channel 2 NBC Nightly Channel 2 Newshour (N) The 2020 Miss America all Gwen Stefani’s You Make It ‘PG’ ‘PG’ News 5:00 News With states compete. (N Same-day Tape) Feel Like Christmas ‘PG’ Report (N) Lester Holt Publication(s) & Insertion Date(s): Line Screen: 133 PBS NewsHour (N) PBS NewsHour & Politico Democratic Debate The DemocraticEngraver: primaryMcGraphics debate. Midsomer Murders “The — Route #: 3 Sword of Guillaume” A serial Studio Designer: Rex.Gustafson killer strikes. ‘PG’ Font Family: Helvetica Neue
CABLE STATIONS (8) WGN-A 239 307
A = DISH
4 PM
Print/Export Time: 3/8/07 6:36 PM
FR
10 PM 10:30 11 PM 11:30 ABC News at (:35) Jimmy Kimmel Live! 10 (N) ‘14’
(:37) Nightline (N) ‘G’ (3) A
2 Broke Girls 2 Broke Girls How I Met Pawn Stars ‘14’ ‘14’ Your Mother ‘PG’ (6) M ‘14’ KTVA 11 (:35) The Late Show With James Cor (8) C News at 10 Stephen Colbert (N) ‘PG’ den TMZ (N) ‘PG’ TMZ ‘PG’ Entertainment Two and a Tonight Half Men ‘14’ (9) F
Channel 2 (:34) The Tonight Show Star- (:37) Late News: Late ring Jimmy Fallon ‘14’ Night With (10) N Edition (N) Seth Meyers Thou Shalt Not Kill ValeAmanpour and Company (N) ria’s mother released from (12) P prison. ‘14’
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CAB
Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Married ... Married ... Married ... Married ... How I Met How I Met Elementary “The One Percent DocumentLast Name:Man 7014BD.indd (8) W Standing Standing Standing Standing Standing Standing Standing Standing With With With With Your Mother Your Mother Solution” ‘14’ (3:00) David’s Down-Home Isaac Mizrahi Live! (N) DaretoShareBeauty with Shawn “All Easy Pay Offers” A Affinity Diamond Jewelry (N) Judith Ripka Jewelry (N) Our Largest-Ever Jewelry Affinity Diamond Jewelry ‘G’ (20) Christmas (N) ‘G’ (Live) ‘G’ fresh look at beauty. (N) (Live) ‘G’horizontalcolBW_V1.eps, AClogo_blk.eps (Live) ‘G’ (Live) ‘G’ Sale (N) (Live) ‘G’ Links: AYP0705216_stethoscope_Final2_GS.eps, (3:00) “Twinkle All the Way” “Christmas a la Mode” (2019, Drama) Katie Leclerc, Ryan “A Christmas Winter Song” (2019, Drama) Ashanti, Stan (:03) “Matchmaker Christmas” (2019, Romance) Corey (:01) “A Christmas Winter (2019) Ryan McPartlin, Sarah Cooper, Caroline Portu. A woman needs a miracle in order to Shaw, Sashani Nichole. Clio forms a special musical bond Sevier, Emily Rose, Melanie Nelson. A woman volunteers to Song” (2019, Drama) Ashanti, (23) Stan Shaw. Drew. ‘PG’ save her family’s farm. with a former jazz singer. help her boss, Amanda, find a date. ‘PG’ Law & Order: Special VicLaw & Order: Special Vic(:02) Law & Order: Special (:05) Law & Order: Special Temptation Island “Final (:01) Temptation Island “The Chrisley Chrisley (:02) Temptation Island ‘14’ (28) tims Unit ‘14’ tims Unit ‘14’ Victims Unit ‘14’ Victims Unit ‘14’ Bonfire - Part 2” (N) ‘14’ Reunion” (N) ‘14’ Knows Best Knows Best Family Guy Animated. Eve- Family Guy Family Guy The Misery The Misery The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang Conan (N) ‘14’ Brooklyn Brooklyn Conan ‘14’ ning at James Woods’ man- ‘14’ ‘14’ Index ‘14’ Index ‘14’ Theory ‘PG’ Theory ‘PG’ Theory ‘PG’ Theory ‘PG’ Theory ‘PG’ Theory ‘14’ Nine-Nine ‘14’ Nine-Nine ‘14’ (30) sion. ‘14’ NBA Basketball Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks. From Fiserv Fo- NBA Basketball Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers. From Staples Inside the NBA (N) (Live) NBA Basketball Los Angeles Lakers at Milwaukee Bucks. (31) rum in Milwaukee. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Center in Los Angeles. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) From Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Studio Women’s College Volleyball NCAA Tournament: Teams SportsCenter SportsCenter With Scott Van SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter (N) (Live) SportsCenter (34) E Update TBA. (N) (Live) (N) Pelt (N) (Live) (3:00) College Basketball College Basketball NC State at Auburn. From Auburn Arena SportsCenter Coll. Football CFB 150: Always Late Around the Pardon the Now or Never Always Late UFC Reloaded (N) (35) E Wofford at Duke. (N) (Live) in Auburn, Ala. (N) (Live) (N) Live Greatest With Katie Horn Interruption (N) With Katie Tennis Supergirl Surf Pro 2019 The Immor- Red Bull Signature Series Seahawks Seahawks Graham College Basketball Maryland at Seton Hall. From Prudential Fantasy Football Hour (36) R tals Press Pass Press Pass Bensinger Center in Newark, N.J. (N Same-day Tape) ’19 (N)
Two and a Two and a Two and a Two and a Two and a “John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017, Action) Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne. Leg- “John Wick: Chapter 2” (2017, Action) Keanu Reeves, Common. Legendary (38) PARMT 241 241 Half Men (38) P Half Men Half Men Half Men Half Men endary hit man John Wick takes on deadly killers in Rome. hit man John Wick takes on deadly killers in Rome. (2:00) “Mrs. Doubtfire” “Elf” (2003, Children’s) Will Ferrell, James Caan. A man “Four Christmases” (2008) Vince Vaughn. A couple must “Love the Coopers” (2015, Comedy-Drama) Alan Arkin, John Goodman. “Charlie & (43) AMC 131 254 (1993) Robin Williams. leaves Santa’s workshop to search for his family. somehow fit in four holiday visits with family. Family members gather for a Christmas Eve celebration. Chocolate” (43) A We Bare We Bare American American Bob’s Burg- Bob’s Burg- Family Guy “Road to the Rick and Robot Chick- Black Dyna- Family Guy “Road to the American American Rick and (46) TOON 176 296 Bears ‘Y7’ (46) T Bears ‘Y7’ Dad ‘14’ Dad ‘14’ ers ‘PG’ ers ‘PG’ North Pole” ‘14’ Morty ‘14’ en ‘14’ mite ‘MA’ North Pole” ‘14’ Dad ‘14’ Dad ‘14’ Morty ‘14’ Whale Wars “Never Say Whale Wars “Counterstrike” Whale Wars “Target AcWhale Wars: Watson’s Last Stand “Last Defense” Captain Whale Wars: Watson’s Last Stand “No Second Chances” Whale Wars: Watson’s Last (47) ANPL 184 282 Die” ‘14’ (47) A ‘14’ quired” ‘14’ Hammarstedt risks everything. (N) ‘PG’ Peter struggles to maintain control. (N) ‘PG’ Stand ‘PG’ Big City Good Luck Jessie: NYC Jessie ‘G’ Sydney to the Bunk’d ‘G’ Holidays Un- Just Roll With Gabby Duran Jessie ‘G’ Coop & Cami Sydney to the Raven’s Just Roll With Jessie ‘G’ Jessie ‘G’ (49) DISN 173 291 Greens ‘Y7’ Christmas ‘G’ (49) D Max ‘G’ wrapped It ‘Y7’ Max ‘G’ Home ‘G’ It ‘G’ The Loud The Loud The Loud The Loud “Albert” (2016) Voices of SpongeBob SpongeBob “Paddington” (2014, Children’s) Hugh Bonneville, Sally Friends ‘PG’ Friends ‘PG’ Friends ‘14’ Friends ‘14’ (50) NICK 171 300 House ‘Y7’ (50) N House ‘Y7’ House ‘Y7’ House ‘Y7’ Bobby Moynihan. Hawkins, Julie Walters. (3:40) “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000) Jim Carrey. A (:20) “The Nightmare Before Christmas” “Toy Story” (1995) Voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen. Ani“Rise of the Guardians” (2012, Children’s) Voices of Chris (51) FREE 180 311 curmudgeon hates the Christmas-loving Whos of Whoville. (51) F (1993) Voices of Danny Elfman. mated. Toys come to life when people are absent. Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law. (55) TLC
183 280
(56) DISC
182 278
(57) TRAV
196 277
(58) HIST
120 269
(59) A&E
118 265
(60) HGTV
112 229
(61) FOOD 110 231 (65) CNBC 208 355 (67) FNC
205 360
(81) COM
107 249
(82) SYFY
122 244
Say Yes to the Dress ‘PG’
90 Day Fiancé “You Don’t Forget Your Past - Part 1” Anna’s Dr. Pimple Popper ‘14’ Dr. Pimple Popper ‘14’ Holiday ER ‘PG’ Untold Stories of the E.R. Dr. Pimple Popper ‘14’ (55) friends have concerns. ‘14’ “Radioactive Rocks” ‘PG’ Naked and Afraid “Stone Naked and Afraid “Melt Down Naked and Afraid “From the Naked and Afraid The Aus- Naked and Afraid “Infestation of Fear” Survivalists battle cabin fever. (N) ‘14’ Naked and Afraid “Infestation (56) of Fear” ‘14’ Cold” ‘14’ Under” ‘14’ Ashes” ‘14’ tralian outback. ‘14’ Ghost Adventures “Sharon Ghost Adventures “The Alley Ghost Adventures “PasaGhost Adventures “Unseen Residents and Demon Upstairs” Ghost Adventures (N) ‘PG’ Ghost Nation “Trail of TerGhost Adventures ‘PG’ (57) Tate Ghost” ‘PG’ of Darkness” ‘PG’ dena Ritual House” ‘PG’ Abandoned hospital; ancient entity. (N) ‘PG’ rors” ‘PG’ Forged in Fire The mystical Forged in Fire “The Sawback Forged in Fire “Kung Fu Edi- Forged in Fire: The 12 Cuts of Christmas “Top 12 Sharpest Blades” (N) ‘PG’ (:03) Forged in Fire: The 12 (58) Moro Kris Sword. ‘PG’ Hunting Sword” ‘PG’ tion” ‘PG’ Cuts of Christmas ‘PG’ Court Cam Court Cam Live PD Live PD Live PD Live PD Live PD Presents: PD Cam Court Cam Court Cam Live PD: Wanted (N) ‘14’ Live PD Live PD Live PD Presents: PD Cam ‘14’ ‘14’ Presents: PD Presents: PD Presents: PD Presents: PD The craziest chases and inter- (N) ‘14’ (N) ‘14’ Presents: PD Presents: PD The craziest chases and inter- (59) Cam ‘14’ Cam ‘14’ Cam ‘14’ Cam ‘14’ actions. (N) ‘14’ Cam ‘14’ Cam ‘14’ actions. ‘14’ Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Hunters Int’l House Hunt- House Hunt- Hunters Int’l Flip or Flop Flip or Flop (60) ‘G’ ‘G’ ‘G’ ‘G’ ‘G’ ‘G’ ‘G’ ‘G’ (N) ‘G’ ‘G’ ers (N) ‘G’ ers ‘G’ ‘G’ ‘G’ Man v. Food Man v. Food Santa’s Baking Blizzard Santa’s Baking Blizzard ‘G’ Santa’s Baking Blizzard ‘G’ Santa’s Baking Blizzard Christmas Cookie ChalHoliday Gingerbread Show- Santa’s Baking Blizzard ‘G’ (61) ‘G’ ‘G’ “Winter Wonderland” ‘G’ (N) ‘G’ lenge ‘G’ down ‘G’ Shark Tank ‘PG’ Shark Tank A guilt-free sweet Shark Tank A dissolvable pro- Shark Tank Beer-infused ice Shark Tank ‘PG’ Shark Tank A guilt-free sweet Dateline Greed tears two Dateline Greed tears two (65) treat. ‘PG’ tein pack product. ‘PG’ cream. ‘PG’ treat. ‘PG’ families apart. ‘PG’ families apart. ‘PG’ Tucker Carlson Tonight (N) Hannity (N) The Ingraham Angle (N) Fox News at Night With Tucker Carlson Tonight Hannity The Ingraham Angle Fox News at Night With (67) Shannon Bream (N) Shannon Bream (:10) The Of- (:45) The Of- (:15) The Office “Cafe Disco” (5:50) The Of- (:25) The Of- The Office The Office The Office The Office The Office The Office The Daily Lights Out-D. (:05) South (:36) South (81) fice ‘PG’ fice ‘PG’ ‘PG’ fice ‘PG’ fice ‘14’ ‘PG’ ‘PG’ ‘PG’ ‘PG’ “Mafia” ‘PG’ ‘PG’ Show Spade Park ‘MA’ Park ‘MA’ (2:30) “Edge of Tomorrow” (4:58) “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” (2017, Action) Vin “Star Trek Beyond” (2016, Science Fiction) Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto. Kirk “The Last Witch Hunter” (2015) Vin Diesel. An immortal “Resident (82) (2014) Tom Cruise. Diesel, Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone. and his crew face an alien threat on a hostile planet. warrior battles the resurrected Witch Queen. Evil”
PREMIUM STATIONS
SATELLITE PROVIDERS MAY CARRY A DIFFERENT FEED THAN LISTED HERE. THESE LISTINGS REFLECT LOCAL CABLE SYSTEM FEEDS.
! HBO
(3:55) REAL Sports With 303 504 Bryant Gumbel ‘PG’
^ HBO2
304 505
+ MAX
311 516
5 SHOW 319 546 8 TMC
12
329 554
(4:55) “The Town” (2010, Crime Drama) Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm. A woman doesn’t realize that her new beau is a bank robber. ‘R’ (3:00) “Big” (1988, Chil(4:50) “King Arthur” (2004, Historical Drama) Clive Owen, dren’s) Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Keira Knightley, Ioan Gruffudd. Arthur and his knights embark Perkins. ‘PG’ on a rescue mission. ‘PG-13’ (2:35) “Prisoners” (2013, (:10) “Rampage” (2018, Action) Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Suspense) Hugh Jackman, Harris, Malin Akerman. Three giant, mutated beasts embark Viola Davis. ‘R’ on a path of destruction. ‘PG-13’ (2:30) “I Feel “Second Act” (2018) Jennifer Lopez. A (:15) Shameless “Adios Pretty” woman uses her street smarts to wow Madi- Gringos” Frank and Liam get son Avenue. ‘PG-13’ wined and dined. ‘MA’ (3:30) “First Sunday” (2008, (:15) “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” (2003, Comedy) Comedy) Ice Cube. ‘PG-13’ David Spade, Mary McCormack. A man stays with a family to prepare for a film role. ‘PG-13’
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Watchmen “See How They (:10) “Hellboy” (2019, Action) David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, (:10) “Well Groomed” (2019, (:10) “Red Riding Hood” Fly” Everything ends for real Ian McShane. Legendary half-demon Hellboy battles a venge- Documentary) Nicole Beck(2011, Horror) Amanda Sey- ! this time. ‘MA’ ful sorceress. ‘R’ man. ‘NR’ fried. ‘PG-13’ Finding the Way Home Chil- (:10) Watchmen “See How They Fly” Every- (:20) The (9:50) “The Day After Tomorrow” (2004, Action) Dennis dren learn what it means to be thing ends for real this time. ‘MA’ Shop: Unin- Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ian Holm. Global warming leads to ^ H home. ‘PG’ terrupted worldwide natural disasters. ‘PG-13’ “Get Carter” (2000) Sylvester Stallone. (:45) “Déjà Vu” (2006, Suspense) Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Jim (10:55) “The Human Stain” A mob enforcer is determined to solve his Caviezel. A time-folding federal agent falls in love with a future murder victim. (2003, Drama) Anthony Hop- + brother’s murder. ‘R’ ‘PG-13’ kins. ‘R’ (:15) “A Bad Moms Christmas” (2017, Comedy) Mila Kunis, The L Word: Generation Q Work in Prog- Gigolos “Top “Drive Angry” (2011, AcKristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn. Three friends try to make Christ- Bette prepares for an impor- ress ‘MA’ Gun” ‘MA’ tion) Nicolas Cage, Amber 5 S mas perfect for their moms. ‘R’ tant talk. ‘MA’ Heard. ‘R’ “Orange County” (2002, Comedy) Colin “Evan Almighty” (2007) Steve Carell. God (:10) “My Father, the Hero” (1994) Gérard (:40) “Broken Hanks. A teenage writer goes to extremes to commands a newly elected congressman to Depardieu. A teen pretends her father is her Ghost” (2017) 8 get into Stanford. ‘PG-13’ build an ark. ‘PG’ lover to impress another. ‘NR’
Clarion TV
December 15 - 21, 2019
Clarion Features & Comics A11
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Peninsula Clarion
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peninsulaclarion.com
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thursday, december 19, 2019
Mom-to-be’s choice of mentor falls short on disciplining kids DEAR ABBY: My huskeep them under control? band and I were recently I feel bad shunning her matched with a child in without telling her why an adoption. I’m not exand giving her a chance perienced with children, to correct it. I’m also but my neighbor “Kara” trying to think of a way has two kids around the to change my husband’s same age as our future mind. — PLANNING son. I like Kara and reFOR PARENTHOOD ally want our child and DEAR PLANNING: me to spend time with While I think your husDear Abby her family. band’s reaction may be Jeanne Phillips a bit extreme, if you are The problem is, my husband has forbidden hoping to use Kara as a our son to hang out with Kara’s chil- mentor in raising your future son, dren because she and her husband you should choose more carefully. let them run wild. They have broken This is a woman whose children things at other people’s homes so are so poorly raised that neighbors often that some neighbors no longer refuse to have them in their homes. invite the family over. Parenting is a skill that has to Kara and her husband are good be learned. No one is ever totally with their children, except for prepared for it. Moms and dads enforcing discipline. I’d like to have learn on the job, and you will, too, Kara in my life and have her help me by spending time with other parents plan my toddler shower. Would it and reading books. As much as you be insensitive of me to tell her how like Kara, if you tell her what you my husband feels and ask if she and have in mind, she’s likely to become her husband can take more steps to defensive and highly offended, and
you may make an enemy. Because neighborhood kids tend to interact with each other, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kara’s children manage to find their way to your place. If that happens and they act up, handle it by telling them that while it may be OK for them to behave that way in their home, it is NOT permitted in yours — and that if they come over, there are certain house rules that must be followed. It would be doing them (and Kara) a tremendous favor. P.S. As to that toddler shower, ask some of your other friends or relatives to help with the planning. I’m sure they will be more than happy to assist. DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have had the same roommate, “Milo,” for four years. Two years ago, he started dating my husband’s ex-girlfriend. It was no big deal, my husband was fine with it, and Milo never brings her over. In the time they’ve been seeing each other Milo
Crossword | Eugene Sheffer
has refused to fully commit to her. He doesn’t see other people, but he doesn’t call her his girlfriend. Today my husband told me Milo won’t commit to her because he thinks it would bother me if she were around our house all the time. He’s right. It would. I’m not in love with the idea of my husband’s dropdead gorgeous ex hanging out at our house. Abby, I see in her everything I’m not. Am I being selfish? I want our roommate to be happy, and I’m not sure how to proceed. Must I just suck it up? I mean, I’m married for heaven’s sake. — SELFISH ROOMMATE DEAR ROOMMATE: I don’t think you should acquiesce to anything that makes you uncomfortable. You’re making a mistake by assuming responsibility for the fact that Milo won’t commit. He’s a grown man and responsible for his own choices. The current arrangement is working for all of you, and you should stay out of it.
Jacqueline Bigar’s Stars
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
HHH Spending goes haywire before you know it. Listen to your inner voice yet be willing to call in all the self-discipline needed. Ultimately, you will free up more choices. Your creativity emerges. Tonight: Fun does not have to be costly.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
HHHHH You perk up and feel far more relaxed, even in tense situations. You feel as if you have the wherewithal to get to where you want. You have energy and drive on your side. Tonight: Respond to an invitation.
HHHH You will be more forthright and direct than you have been for a while. Others seem to open up and enjoy the moment. Push comes to shove with a person who is closed-minded and has an impact on you. Tonight: Be your friendly self.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) HHHH Defer to others with clarity and some expectations. One specific person means a lot to you. Do not think that this situation is a one-way street. Be open to this person and worry less about being defensive. Tonight: Go with the moment.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
HHHH Defer to others knowing that the ramifications and results could be mixed. Rather than reacting, be positive and encourage greater flexibility. Extremes seem to be the nature of the day. Tonight: A force to deal with.
HHHH Others open up with ease, and you have a lot to share. You might not be sure about the best way to share your feelings around a hot-button issue. You do not want to exclude someone, yet you need to communicate. Tonight: Have a relaxed chat over a meal.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
HHH Listen to your inner voice. You have a decision to make. Others will observe carefully which way you decide to go. Your ideas and leadership are valued. Be forthright and direct in your dealings. Tonight: In the spotlight.
Wednesday’s answer, 12-18
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) HHH Look for more information in search of the right decision. Others will appreciate your research, but also your choice will be sounder. Attempt to walk in another person’s shoes. Tonight: Do not back off from a strange revelation. Listen and evaluate.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) HHHHH Speak your mind, but do not engage in a conversation that you might not be open to. Listen to what is being said. Do not feel that you need to respond yet. Flow with the moment. Tonight: Get a good night’s sleep.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) HHH One-on-one relating takes you down a meaningful path. How you deal with someone could change radically. Honor your needs yet be willing to take a risk. A friend could become contentious at the last moment. Tonight: With a favorite person.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21) HHHHH You clearly have a winning idea, or you are working with one. The feedback you get, though not all positive, supports your objectives. Listen to what is said even though you might not agree. Tonight: Where your friends are.
cryptoquip
BORN TODAY Singer/actress Edith Piaf (1915), illusionist Criss Angel (1967), actress Alyssa Milano (1972)
Conceptis Sudoku | DaveByGreen Dave Green
hints from heloise IN THE FLOW Dear Heloise: I was using a hair dryer at my sister’s house and thought that the airflow was really weak. It turns out the air intake on the back of the dryer was covered in lint and dust. This dryer had a snap-off grille that let me easily clean the intake screen, but if the grille didn’t come off, I could have used tweezers to pick out the lint. Once the intake screen was cleared, it was like a new dryer. — Pat in Illinois Readers, for safety’s sake, unplug the dryer first. — Heloise
TURKEY TIME Dear Readers: Here are the safe ways to thaw a Christmas turkey, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (www.USDA.gov): For refrigerator thawing, set the turkey in a pan so the juices won’t drip on other foods. Allow 24 hours (per 4-5 pounds) in the fridge, assuming it’s set at 40 degrees F or colder. For example, a 20-pound turkey should
Rubes | Leigh Rubin
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
thaw in four to five days. For cold-water thawing? The turkey must be in a watertight wrapper to prevent contamination and to keep the turkey from getting wet. Timewise, allow 30 minutes per pound. Sink the turkey in cold water, and replace the water with fresh water every half-hour. Cook the turkey immediately. For a quickie microwave thaw? Look to the maker of your microwave for assistance. You must cook the turkey immediately because parts of the turkey will have begun to cook in the microwave. — Heloise
OH, THAT MAKES ‘SCENTS’! Dear Readers: Want some free greenery? Head over to wherever Christmas trees are sold. The operators will probably be happy to hand you the trimmings from last-minute Christmas trees they’ve just sold. Make them into a pretty wreath, or wire them to your stairwell. A beautiful aroma, and it looks festive! — Heloise
SUDOKU Solution
5 6 3 2 1 9 7 4 8
9 7 2 3 8 4 5 6 1
8 1 4 5 6 7 9 2 3
4 9 7 6 3 5 1 8 2
3 5 1 9 2 8 4 7 6
2 8 6 4 7 1 3 9 5
6 4 5 8 9 3 2 1 7
Difficulty Level
B.C. | Johnny Hart
7 2 9 1 5 6 8 3 4
1 3 8 7 4 2 6 5 9
9
3 3 4 9 7 9 2 9 5 1 6 1 6 5 6 7 9 5 4 3 8 3 7
12/18
Difficulty Level
Ziggy | Tom Wilson
Tundra | Chad Carpenter
Garfield | Jim Davis
Take it from the Tinkersons | Bill Bettwy
7
Shoe | Chris Cassatt & Gary Brookins
Mother Goose and Grimm | Michael Peters
4
12/19
2019 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
This year, you will be more diplomatic and sensitive to your audience. Your sensitive yet social nature draws many admirers. Your friendship and encouragement also mean a lot to your friends and loved ones. If single, you might quickly change your mind about somebody after several dates. Be wise, say little and minimize expectations. If attached, living with you could never be boring because of your complex nature and ability to see the positives in nearly all situations. Your sweetie appreciates your versatility but might not share that quality. He or she has learned that you can swing from one opinion to another. LIBRA understands you particularly well. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult
HHH Be gracious about what another party volunteers. You might not agree or want to accept the offer. Know that the offer is heartfelt. Detach and you will note ideas coming in from left field. Tonight: Play it easy.
2019 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019:
A12
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Impeach From Page A1
declared after the vote. She called it “great day for the Constitution of the United States, a sad one for America that the president’s reckless activities necessitated us having to introduce articles of impeachment.” Trump, who began Wednesday tweeting his anger at the proceedings, pumped his fist before an evening rally in Battle Creek, Michigan, boasting of “tremendous support” in the Republican Party and saying, “By the way it doesn’t feel like I’m being impeached.” The votes for impeachment were 230-197-1 on the first charge, 229-198-1 on the second. Democrats led Wednesday night’s voting, framed in what many said was their duty to protect the Constitution and uphold the nation’s system of checks and balances. Republicans stood by their party’s leader, who has frequently tested the bounds of civic norms. Trump called the whole affair a “witch hunt,” a “hoax” and a “sham,” and sometimes all three. The trial is expected to begin in January in the Senate, where a vote of two-thirds is necessary for conviction. While Democrats had the majority in the House to impeach Trump, Republicans control the Senate and few if any are expected to diverge from plans to acquit the president ahead of early state election-year primary voting. Pelosi, once reluctant to lead Democrats into a partisan impeachment, gaveled both votes closed,
Peninsula Clarion
risking her majority and speakership to follow the effort to its House conclusion. No Republicans voted for impeachment, and Democrats had only slight defections on their side. Voting was conducted manually with ballots, to mark the moment. On the first article, abuse of power, two Democrats, Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, who is considering switching parties to become a Republican, and Collin Peterson of Minnesota voted against impeaching Trump. On the second article, obstruction, those two and freshman Rep. Jared Golden of Maine voted against. Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, who is running for president, voted “present” on both. What Pelosi called a sad and solemn moment for the country, coming in the first year after Democrats swept control of the House, unfolded in a caustic daylong session that showcased the nation’s divisions. The House impeachment resolution laid out in stark terms the articles of impeachment against Trump stemming from his July phone call when he asked the Ukrainian president for a “favor” — to announce he was investigating Democrats including potential 2020 rival Joe Biden. At the time, Zelenskiy, new to politics and government, was seeking a coveted White House visit to show backing from the U.S. as he confronted a hostile Russia at his border. He was also counting on $391 million in military aid already approved by Congress. The White House delayed the funds, but Trump eventually released the money once Congress intervened. Narrow in scope but broad in its
charges, the impeachment resolution said the president “betrayed the nation by abusing his high office to enlist a foreign power in corrupting democratic elections,” and then obstructing Congress’ oversight like “no president” in U.S. history. “President Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office,” it said. Republicans argued that Democrats were impeaching Trump because they can’t beat him in 2020. Said Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah: “They want to take away my vote and throw it in the trash.” But Democrats warned the country cannot wait for the next election to decide whether Trump should remain in office because he has shown a pattern of behavior, particularly toward Russia, and will try to corrupt U.S. elections again. “The president and his men plot on,” said Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., of the Intelligence Committee that led the inquiry. “The danger persists. The risk is real.” The outcome brings the Trump presidency to a milestone moment that has been building almost from the time the New York businessmanturned-reality-TV host unexpectedly won the White House in 2016 amid questions about Russian interference in the U.S. election. Democrats drew from history, the founders and their own experiences, as minorities, women and some immigrants to the U.S. spoke of seeking to honor their oath of office to uphold the Constitution. Rep. Lou Correa of California spoke in Spanish asking God to unite the nation. “In America,” said Hakeem
Jeffries of New York, “no one is above the law.” Republicans aired Trump-style grievances about what Arizona Rep. Debbie Lesko called a “rigged” process. “We face this horror because of this map,” said Rep. Clay Higgins of Alabama before a poster of red and blue states. “They call this Republican map flyover country, they call us deplorables, they fear our faith, they fear our strength, they fear our unity, they fear our vote, and they fear our president.” The political fallout from the vote will reverberate across an already polarized country with divergent views of Trump’s July phone call when he asked Zelenskiy to investigate Democrats in the 2016 election, Biden and Biden’s son Hunter, who worked on the board of a gas company in Ukraine while his father was the vice president. Trump has repeatedly implored Americans to read the transcript of the call he said was “perfect.” But the facts it revealed, and those in an anonymous whistleblower’s complaint that sparked the probe, are largely undisputed. More than a dozen current and former White House officials and diplomats testified for hours in impeachment hearings. The open and closed sessions under oath revealed what one called the “irregular channel” of foreign policy run by Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, which focused on investigating the Bidens and alternative theories of 2016 election interference. The question for lawmakers was whether the revelations amounted to impeachable offenses. Few
lawmakers crossed party lines. Van Drew, who is considering changing parties over his opposition to impeachment, sat with Republicans. Rep. Justin Amash, the Michigan conservative who left the Republican party and became an independent over impeachment, said: “I come to this floor, not as a Republican, not as a Democrat, but as an American.” Beyond the impeachments of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, this first impeachment of the 21st century is as much about what the president might do in the future as what he did in the past. The investigation of Richard Nixon ended when he resigned rather than face the House vote over Watergate. Rank and file Democrats said they were willing to lose their jobs to protect the democracy from Trump. Some newly elected freshmen remained in the chamber for hours during the debate. Top Republicans, including Rep. Devin Nunes on the Intelligence Committee, called the Ukraine probe little more than a poor sequel to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mueller spent two years investigating the potential links between Moscow and the Trump campaign but testified in July that his team could not establish that Trump conspired or coordinated with Russia to throw the election. Mueller did say he could not exonerate Trump of trying to obstruct the investigation, but he left that for Congress to decide. The next day, Trump called Ukraine. Not quite four months later, a week before Christmas, Trump was impeached.
Defiant Trump rallies supporters as House impeaches him By Darlene Superville, Zeke Miller and Jill Colvin Associated Press
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Defiant in the face of a historic rebuke, President Donald Trump labeled his impeachment by the House of Representatives on Wednesday “a suicide march” for the Democratic Party. “Crazy Nancy Pelosi’s House Democrats have branded themselves with an eternal mark of
shame,” Trump told the crowd at a campaign rally in battleground Michigan, where he took the stage just minutes before becoming only the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. “It’s a disgrace” It was a dramatic and discordant split-screen moment, with Trump emerging from a mock fireplace like Santa Claus at the Christmasthemed rally as the impeachment debate in Washington was underway. As he spoke — seemingly
unaware of the unfolding votes for a stretch — the House voted to impeach him on two counts. The first charges him with abuse of power for allegedly pressuring the president of Ukraine to investigate his Democratic rivals while crucial U.S. security aid was being withheld. The second charges him with obstruction of Congress for stonewalling investigative efforts. While Trump and his aides have tried to brush off the significance of the vote — noting there is little
chance he will be convicted by the Republican-controlled Senate and removed from office — allies say Trump has been fuming over the stain that impeachment will leave on his legacy. Yet even as Trump slammed his impeachment as “illegal” and accused Democrats of demonstrating “deep hatred and disdain” for voters, he spent much of his speech zigzagging through a litany of unrelated topics. He offered an extended riff on U.S. pilots being
cuter than “Top Gun” star Tom Cruise, went after Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s difficult-to-pronounce last name and reveled — yet again — in his 2016 victory. And after a day of harsh tweets, Trump at times projected a lessconcerned demeanor. “It doesn’t really feel like we’re being impeached,” he said, later adding: “I don’t know about you, but I’m having a good time. It’s crazy.”