Brian Smith

A Homer-based biologist says that whatever Asian shells and organic marine debris were attached to an oil rig destined for drilling duty in Cook Inlet likely did not survive the 30-day trip aboard a ship from Singapore.

Although a heavy-lift vessel brought the Endeavour-Spirit of Independence jack-up rig to Cook Inlet waters from Singapore, the rig itself might have carried its own unique -- and possibly living -- cargo.

Saltwater fishery officials are reporting a resurgence of a mysterious condition that's bound to turn the stomachs of anglers -- mushy halibut syndrome. Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Barbi Failor said the department is receiving more reports of mushy fish caught by sport fishermen all over Cook Inlet.

Ben Cantil is obsessed with sound. Growing up in Kenai he idolized music producers, played instruments, joined his high school's jazz band and couldn't make it through a conversation with anyone, even his own mother, without mentioning his passion.

Betty Osborn has been the secretary of the Golden Oldies senior bowling league for 20 years and the sport is a big part of her life, just as it is for many others in the league, she said.

Both times Mike Navarre has stepped into office as Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor, he inherited a disaster of sorts. This month, that disaster was the damage caused by windstorms that rocked the Peninsula.

By listening, Tim Mullet is learning more than he expected. The 34-year-old Ohio native and University of Alaska Fairbanks doctoral student has been putting his ear to the sounds echoing through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.