Kachemak Bay Campus 2024 graduates prepare to enter commencement at the campus on May 8, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Campus confers degrees to Class of 2024

The commencement was held Wednesday in Pioneer Hall in Homer

 

A graduate of Kenai Peninsula College gives a thumbs up as graduates proceed into the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Thursday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Never be afraid to be a new you’

KPC grads take step toward future in commencement ceremony

 

Athletes from Nikiski Middle/High School’s track and field team visit with elementary students at Nikiski North Star Elementary School. (Photo provided)

‘Building leaders’: Nikiski track and field team supports community

The team has restarted the Nikiski Talent Show, painted stars on the sidewalks at Nikiski North Star Elementary and begun to coach middle and elementary schoolers

 

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough mayor proposes flat sales tax, mill rates in $180 million draft budget

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche emphasized sustainability and affordability

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Courthouse is seen Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Man convicted in Homer-area home invasions sentenced to 18 years following probation violations

He was convicted in 2020 of nine felony charges, across five separate cases

The Kenai Courthouse is seen Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Middle/High School senior Maggie Grenier, center, participates in her final school board meeting as student representative on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Middle/High School senior Maggie Grenier, center, participates in her final school board meeting as student representative on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce speaks in support of borough and school district budget collaboration during a borough assembly meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly sets school funding floor

The roughly $56.2 million amount is less than the $58.2 million requested last month but is more than what the borough gave the district last year

Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce speaks in support of borough and school district budget collaboration during a borough assembly meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kasilof warrant arrest leads to chase, assault charges

Frank Bush was wanted for a federal firearms arrest warrant

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
From left: Donna Anderson, Betty Stephenson, Sue Stephenson and Eddie Thomas gather for a photo at Dot’s Kenai River Fish Camp in Sterling, on Saturday.

Sterling fishers seek reversal of new Kenai River bait restrictions

They say the new measure precludes some people, especially those who are older or who have disabilities, from the fishery

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
From left: Donna Anderson, Betty Stephenson, Sue Stephenson and Eddie Thomas gather for a photo at Dot’s Kenai River Fish Camp in Sterling, on Saturday.
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

HEA voters elect status-quo board

All three candidates elected are incumbents, having already served at least three years on the board

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Advocates on behalf of missing and murdered Indigenous persons hold a banner and perform a opening song during a rally in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday to commemorate the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day.

Rally seeks future where Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day is not necessary

More than 50 people gather at Capitol to share stories of missing family, efforts to address issue

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Advocates on behalf of missing and murdered Indigenous persons hold a banner and perform a opening song during a rally in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Sunday to commemorate the annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A rainbow trout is lifted into a net during the Sport, Rec and Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Saturday.

Sports show ushers in summer

Available for perusal were equipment, services and resources to prepare for summer fun

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A rainbow trout is lifted into a net during the Sport, Rec and Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Saturday.
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Draft Kenai budget proposes flat taxes, small raise for city employees

The meeting brought together various department heads for an in-depth look at the city’s spending plan

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, confers with other senators and legislative staff moments before gavelling in the start of this year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Senate’s draft operating budget includes outstanding KPBSD pandemic relief funds

Public education advocates, students and staff have doggedly lobbied lawmakers for an increase to the state’s K-12 funding formula

Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, confers with other senators and legislative staff moments before gavelling in the start of this year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Soldotna resident arrested for possession of child pornography

He was arrested “without incident” and taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility with bail set at $7,000

Alaska State Troopers logo.
The Soldotna Public Library is seen on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna library board updates facility use policy

The changes are the first modifications to the policy in more than a year and took effect April 15

The Soldotna Public Library is seen on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Students of Soldotna Montessori Charter School comb for trash along the banks of the Kenai River at Centennial Park in Soldotna on Thursday.

‘This is their playground’

KPBSD students join fishing groups to pick up trash along Kenai River

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Students of Soldotna Montessori Charter School comb for trash along the banks of the Kenai River at Centennial Park in Soldotna on Thursday.
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge discusses allotment program for correspondence students at virtual town hall

The fate of the program is in limbo following a superior court ruling handed down last month

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Student Representative Maggie Grenier speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District School Board in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly ordinance would designate meeting time for student councils

The ordinance is sponsored by Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox and assembly member Ryan Tunseth

Student Representative Maggie Grenier speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District School Board in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Construction equipment can be seen at the site of the “Future Home of Triumvirate Theatre” in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Construction starts on new Triumvirate Theatre

The start of construction came “1,162 days” after the fire that destroyed the Triumvirate’s former location

Construction equipment can be seen at the site of the “Future Home of Triumvirate Theatre” in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)