Ashlyn O'Hara

Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson, right, speaks during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council OKs insurance overhaul for city employees

The plan changes are expected to save the city and employees roughly $477,000

Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson, right, speaks during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A plane sits in brush on Fontaine Ave. at around 5:45 p.m. after a crash on Thursday, May 11, 2023, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alisha Joe)

No injuries reported after Sterling plane crash

Alaska State Troopers were notified of the crash at around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday

A plane sits in brush on Fontaine Ave. at around 5:45 p.m. after a crash on Thursday, May 11, 2023, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alisha Joe)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to meet next week in Soldotna

A community reception will be held at the Kenai River Lodge Lounge at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council questions proposed planning commission changes

The legislation would decrease the number of planning commissioners such that it matches the makeup of the borough assembly

Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves flat mill rate for upcoming fiscal year

Council member Dave Carey put forward an amendment that would have reduced Soldotna’s mill rate from 0.5 mills to 0.25

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)

Assembly backs efforts to make Cooper Landing more walkable

A pathway would follow the Sterling Highway through Cooper Landing and connect key spots in the community

Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Arraignment hearing for retired Homer judge bumped to late June

Margaret Murphy, who served as a superior court judge, is accused of perjury

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai working group seeking ways to fill city jobs

Even though Kenai’s population is increasing, the amount of working-age residents is decreasing

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Poll workers Patricia Linville, left,, and Mark Kansteiner prepare to assist voters in Seward’s special election on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward certifies special election results

Seward residents narrowly voted against the sale of the utility to Homer Electric Association

Poll workers Patricia Linville, left,, and Mark Kansteiner prepare to assist voters in Seward’s special election on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
“White Rainbow” explains the lighting on his bike at a gas station on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 near Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Everything is a treasure to me’

Meet White Rainbow, the man picking up trash — and treasure — along the Sterling Highway

“White Rainbow” explains the lighting on his bike at a gas station on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 near Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Duffield, Levine retain seats on HEA board

Dan Green, of Soldotna, secured more votes than incumbent director C.O. Rudstrom

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
A broken culvert is twisted beneath Funny River Road on Friday, May 5, 2023, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Funny River Road reopens after washout

A chunk of the road collapsed at Mile 8

A broken culvert is twisted beneath Funny River Road on Friday, May 5, 2023, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board considers capital improvement plan

Of the 13 projects included on the district’s priority list, eight are being funded through the school maintenance bond

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of Olga Ravn’s “The Employees” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Surreal, subversive, succinct

“The Employees” explores more than space in science fiction novella

A copy of Olga Ravn’s “The Employees” sits on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland, center, addresses the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a budget work session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs max school funding

The borough will contribute $54.8 million to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District for fiscal year 2024

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland, center, addresses the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a budget work session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Jurisdictions clash over Wildwood Drive repairs

The city spends between $10,000 and $20,000 annually on Wildwood Drive maintenance

Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dustin Aaronson, who owns Copy Cats Printing and Design in Kenai, speaks in support of a storefront improvement program during a Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dustin Aaronson, who owns Copy Cats Printing and Design in Kenai, speaks in support of a storefront improvement program during a Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow falls on a "vote here" sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

7 votes kill Seward utility sale

The decision not to sell the City of Seward’s electric utility to Homer Electric Association came down to just seven votes, unofficial final election results… Continue reading

Snow falls on a "vote here" sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers are seen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough assembly to resume meeings in Homer, Seward

The decision came after residents in those communities asked to be included in the body’s meeting schedule

Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers are seen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow falls on a “vote here” sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Voters weigh in on future of Seward electric utility

This story has been updated with the latest results. A majority of Seward residents on Tuesday voted in favor of the city selling its electric… Continue reading

Snow falls on a “vote here” sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)