The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that the final run of sockeye on the Kenai River is expected to exceed 4.6 million fish, triggering changes in the way the drift fleet is fished for the last part of the season. 

Normally, when the run exceeds what Fish and Game biologists believe to be needed for optimum escapement, the drift fleet can fish inlet-, or district-wide. However, Pat Shields, area management biologist in the commercial division, said managers wanted to provide some protection for coho and sockeye headed north.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that the final run of sockeye on the Kenai River is expected to exceed 4.6 million fish triggering changes in the way the drift fleet is fished for the last part of the season. 

Normally, when the run exceeds what Fish and Game biologists believe to be needed for optimum escapement the drift fleet can fish inlet-, or district-wide. However, Pat Shields, area management biologist in the commercial division, said managers wanted to provide some protection for coho and sockeye headed north.

An ordinance accepting grants from the state for a series of city improvements will be discussed at the Soldotna City Council meeting. 

The three grants, for a total of $2,225,000 are for a paving improvements project, a police building roof replacement project and the Centennial Park Trail Development Project. 

The $400,000 grant being offered for the trail development project was removed from the city’s five-year plan at the last capital projects meeting over concerns about the capacity of the Kenai River to handle another section of trail. 

A man was arrested by Alaska State Troopers after a trooper and Central Emergency Services responded to a fire Monday that destroyed a Soldotna home. 

Willard Hutson, 54, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson, a class A felony which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and on an outstanding warrant after he admitted to setting fire as retribution against the owner of the home according to a CES media release.