Ashlyn O'Hara

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The 2021 Final Redistricting Map features newly drawn boundaries for Alaska State House race on the Kenai Peninsula. (akredistrict.org/Screenshot)

Assembly, school board need to be reapportioned

Some areas of the Kenai Peninsula are gaining new residents at faster rates than other areas, and it’s skewing how they’re represented on the Kenai… Continue reading

The 2021 Final Redistricting Map features newly drawn boundaries for Alaska State House race on the Kenai Peninsula. (akredistrict.org/Screenshot)
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District nixes contact tracing for schools with universal masking

When a school moves to universal masking, nurse and staff time is “no longer dedicated” to contact tracing

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Teea Winger testifies in opposition to universal masking in schools during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)

School mask policies frustrate some community members

To mask or not to mask? The question continues to cause headaches within the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, where the debate has raged almost… Continue reading

Teea Winger testifies in opposition to universal masking in schools during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)
KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent presents an update on the district’s strategic plan during a board of education work session on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)

District developing 5-year plan for schools

The plan will be informed by data collected via surveys distributed throughout the district community

KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent presents an update on the district’s strategic plan during a board of education work session on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Firm updates council on efforts to market Kenai to visitors

During 2021, the company seized opportunities to highlight local businesses and promoted relocation to Kenai

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The state of Alaska remains in high-alert level for COVID-19 cases on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

More than 3,000 new COVID cases statewide

The cases were reported over the weekend

The state of Alaska remains in high-alert level for COVID-19 cases on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alcohol industry overhaul bill heads to Senate floor

A key focus of the bill is the consolidation of Alaska’s existing licensing and permitting regulations.

Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to lobby state for $87 million for local projects

The projects include funds for a new fire station, school district relocation and flood mitigation

Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council OKs grant funds for COVID leave, testing for city employees

The grant funds were made available under the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. The glacier has receded so much the National Park Service is reconceiving its plan management. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

As Exit Glacier recedes, park seeks new management plan

The glacier has retreated by about 2,300 feet in the last 13 years

A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. The glacier has receded so much the National Park Service is reconceiving its plan management. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
An e-reader displays part of "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is a good way to pass a gloomy winter day

Maybe it’s cliche to read books about relationships for February. But, then again, maybe whether or not something is cliche doesn’t make it good or… Continue reading

An e-reader displays part of "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski ahead in campaign funds; Tshibaka brings in local money

U.S. Senate hopeful Kelly Tshibaka continues to report financial support from residents of the Kenai Peninsula, but falls behind incumbent Lisa Murkowski overall. That’s per… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly forms committee for gravel pit regs

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly voted Tuesday to further table legislation that would overhaul the sections of borough code that address the regulation of material… Continue reading

Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Oct. 8, 2021.

School district, borough begin budget talks

Fiscal year 2023 begins on July 1, 2022

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Oct. 8, 2021.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district allows some COVID-positive staff, students return after 5 days

The policy mirrors new CDC guidance on the issue

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (Courtesy photo)

Micciche ‘optimistic’ lawmakers can steady state’s financial future

Heading into the session, Micciche said his primary focus will be on passing a fiscal plan for the state

Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (Courtesy photo)
Leslie Rohr, executive director of Love INC, (left) and Kathy Gensel, president of Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc., field questions from reporters during a tour of the recently opened cold weather shelter in Nikiski, on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska.

Half of beds at Nikiski shelter are occupied

The shelter opened at the end of December 2021

Leslie Rohr, executive director of Love INC, (left) and Kathy Gensel, president of Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc., field questions from reporters during a tour of the recently opened cold weather shelter in Nikiski, on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska.
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

HEA sues Sterling man over power theft

Suit alleges more than $325,000 worth of power stolen from the cooperative since 2014.

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander (left) and Kenai Finance Director Terry Eubank (right) moderate a city council work session discussing budget goals at Kenai City Hall on Monday, Jan. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai developing budget goals

Officials aim to provide more transparency in the budget process

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander (left) and Kenai Finance Director Terry Eubank (right) moderate a city council work session discussing budget goals at Kenai City Hall on Monday, Jan. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board works to highlight students’ voices

Within the first hour of the meeting students would have up to five minutes each to address the board about any issue

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)