Santa Claus greets Gemma Germann during Christmas Comes to Kenai at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘The most wonderful time of the year ‘

Christmas is coming to the Kenai Peninsula. Here’s a roundup of upcoming festivities.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge receives national bipartisanship award

The award highlights what’s possible when leaders prioritize their communities over politics.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council streamlines city election process

The Soldotna City Council last week voted to align city and state election dates and seek additional means of public noticing.

Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

School board approves initial Nikolaevsk charter application

The application will next be forwarded to the State Board of Education and Early Development for review.

The Kenai Central High School varsity volleyball team is named the 2025 3A Volleyball State Championship Tournament, held Nov. 13-15, 2025, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Kardinals defeated the Nikiski Bulldogs 3-2 in a "rematch" championship game on Saturday, Nov. 15, securing their third state title in the last four years. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Volleyball Booster Club

Kenai Central takes home 3rd volleyball state title

The Kards defeated Nikiski in a rematch championship game on Saturday during the state tournament in Anchorage.

Soldotna High School wrestlers won six individual championships during the Lancer Smith Memorial wrestling tournament in Wasilla Nov. 14-15. Photo courtesy of SoHi Stars Wrestling on Facebook

SoHi wrestling sweeps Lancer Smith tourney, eyes state title

SoHi girls and boys took first and second place as teams, respectively.

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Monday released maps showing areas open to woodcutting by permit beginning on Nov. 19, 2025.

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to allow permitted firewood collection

Permitted individuals may gather up to five cords of wood beginning Nov. 19.

File

Minister’s Message: Will your children always want to be part of your family?

When an older pastor was asked by a father if his young children would chose to remain part of his Continue reading...

  • 2 days ago
Public photo from ancestry.com James Forrest Kalles (shown here with his daughters, Margaret and Emma) became the guardian of King David Thurman’s estate in early 1915 after Thurman went missing in 1914 and was presumed dead.

King Thurman: An abbreviated life — Part 5

AUTHOR’S NOTE: King David Thurman left his Cooper Landing-area home in late July 1914 for another season of mining. He Continue reading...

These heart-shaped chocolate sandwich cookies go perfectly with a glass of milk. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Chocolate cookies for a sweet treat

A healthy layer of frosting makes these sandwich cookies perfectly sweet and satisfying.

File photo.

Minister’s Message: Memento mori

In the early centuries of Christianity, the Desert Fathers — Christian monks who withdrew into the wilderness — practiced the Continue reading...

  • 1 week ago
News
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council streamlines city election process

The Soldotna City Council last week voted to align city and state election dates and seek additional means of public noticing.

 

Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

School board approves initial Nikolaevsk charter application

The application will next be forwarded to the State Board of Education and Early Development for review.

 

More News 
Sports
The Kenai Central High School varsity volleyball team is named the 2025 3A Volleyball State Championship Tournament, held Nov. 13-15, 2025, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Kardinals defeated the Nikiski Bulldogs 3-2 in a "rematch" championship game on Saturday, Nov. 15, securing their third state title in the last four years. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Volleyball Booster Club

Kenai Central takes home 3rd volleyball state title

The Kards defeated Nikiski in a rematch championship game on Saturday during the state tournament in Anchorage.

 

More Sports 
Opinion
A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Letter to the editor: Protecting the Kenai River dipnet fishery

The Kenai River dipnet fishery is one of Alaska’s greatest treasures. Attracting… Continue reading

  • 2 days ago

 

Charles and Tone Deehr are photographed with their daughter, Tina, near Dawson City, Yukon in 1961. Photo courtesy Charles Deehr

Red aurora rare enough to be special

Charles Deehr will never forget his first red aurora. On Feb. 11,… Continue reading

  • 2 days ago

 

More in Opinion 
Outdoors and Recreation
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney cuts a ceremonial ribbon for the Soldotna Field House during its grand opening in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Field House welcomes public during grand opening

The field house will open on Sept. 2 for regular operations.

 

Dick Hawkins speaks during a community meeting about the proposed Ninilchik Recreation Service Area at the Ninilchik Community Center in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Thursday, July 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ninilchik voters to decide on levying tax to support pool, rec services

A “yes” vote would support establishment of the Ninilchik Recreational Service Area with an emphasis on funding the pool at Ninilchik School.

 

More Outdoors and Recreation 
Life
File

Minister’s Message: Will your children always want to be part of your family?

When an older pastor was asked by a father if his young children would chose to remain part of his… Continue reading

  • 2 days ago

 

Public photo from ancestry.com James Forrest Kalles (shown here with his daughters, Margaret and Emma) became the guardian of King David Thurman’s estate in early 1915 after Thurman went missing in 1914 and was presumed dead.

King Thurman: An abbreviated life — Part 5

AUTHOR’S NOTE: King David Thurman left his Cooper Landing-area home in late July 1914 for another season of mining. He… Continue reading

 

More Life 
Arts and Entertainment
The cast of Kenai Central High School’s upcoming production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” pose for a photo on Nov. 6, 2025. The play will open on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Photo courtesy of Travis Lawson

Kenai students prepare to open ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

The play will premiere Friday at Kenai Central High School, with additional showings the following weekend.

 

A still image from Michael Walsh's "His World and it's Harms" (2025). Courtesy of Michael Walsh.

Porcupine Theater to host ‘LAT59: Filmmaker Forum,’ featuring new films from 3 local artists

The inaugeral event will celebrate the Homer filmmakers over Sept. 25, 26 and 27.

 

More Arts and Entertainment 
Business

Finding the magic of the holidays close to home in the Kenai Peninsula

Kick things off Thanksgiving weekend at the Kenai Arts & Crafts Fair

  • 2 weeks ago

 

More in Business 
Marketplace
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