Ashlyn O'Hara

A screenshot from around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 shows the location of reported power outages experienced by members of Homer Electric Association. (Screenshot)

Power restored in Soldotna after outage that affected 7,000

The company was still repairing some single outages Wednesday.

A screenshot from around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 shows the location of reported power outages experienced by members of Homer Electric Association. (Screenshot)
Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Soldotna Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Here to keep the promise’

New clinic serving peninsula veterans opens in Soldotna

Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Soldotna Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska reports nearly 1,000 new COVID cases

Six cases of the omicron variant have been detected in Alaska.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The sun sets on a backroad near Kalifornsky Beach Road on Dec. 21, 2021. New regulations allowing all-purpose vehicles on some roads go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New rules kick in for all-purpose vehicles Saturday

ATVS, other all-purpose vehicles allowed on certain roads starting Jan. 1.

The sun sets on a backroad near Kalifornsky Beach Road on Dec. 21, 2021. New regulations allowing all-purpose vehicles on some roads go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)

Fireworks banned in most places on peninsula

The City of Kenai allows use for a 48-hour period over the New Year’s holiday.

Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks during a press conference announcing the administration’s push for changes to the state’s election system on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, State of Alaska)

Governor proposes sweeping changes to election system

Dunleavy plans to put the “election integrity” bill before the Alaska Legislature next session.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer speaks during a press conference announcing the administration’s push for changes to the state’s election system on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, State of Alaska)
An emergency worker holds a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport in Juneau, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

COVID tests at airports catch 6K cases since June 2020

The program to test travelers will stop at Alaska airports at the end of January.

An emergency worker holds a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport in Juneau, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A map shows the location of difficult road conditions on the central peninsula, as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Screenshot from Alaska 511)

Winter weather advisory issued due to ice

The advisory is in effect until 9 p.m.

A map shows the location of difficult road conditions on the central peninsula, as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Screenshot from Alaska 511)
A sign in downtown Seldovia is photographed on Sept. 27, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Seldovia looks to revamp community building

The stated goal of the project is to improve the quality of life for “low and moderate-income residents.”

A sign in downtown Seldovia is photographed on Sept. 27, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)
A sign welcoms people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Soldotna scholarship application period begins

In all, scholarship committees will award up to a combined total of about $66,000.

A sign welcoms people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

More omicron cases reported

Alaska will no longer offer testing at airports in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau beginning Feb. 1.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council to consider additional funds for dog park

The additional $65,000 would be support design and construction needs

Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Shortest day behind us, peninsula gaining light

The central peninsula received less than six hours of daylight during the winter solstice on Tuesday, which officially marked the end of fall. While the… Continue reading

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Soldotna to receive funds from state fish tax program

The amount of money received this fiscal year will be determined, in part, by population.

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
A graphic shows the enrollment numbers for the Kenai Peninsula School District from 2016 to 2021. (Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara)

More students return to classrooms, but home-school numbers still up

Dramatic changes are seen in the number of students who have returned in person.

A graphic shows the enrollment numbers for the Kenai Peninsula School District from 2016 to 2021. (Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

Municipalities still working to oppose EEZ closure

The waters in question run from south of Kalgin Island to about Anchor Point

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
A sign advertising job openings is seen at the Soldotna Post Office on June 27, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Region sees some economic recovery; job numbers still lag overall

The Kenai Peninsula reported 500 more jobs in November 2021 compared to November 2020.

A sign advertising job openings is seen at the Soldotna Post Office on June 27, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)
(Screenshot courtesy of the Alaska Earthquake Center)

Magnitude 5.9 quake shakes southcentral

The epicenter was seven miles west of Iliamna Volcano

(Screenshot courtesy of the Alaska Earthquake Center)
Kenai City Council members convene for a work session on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

After delay, Kenai council awards waterfront study contract

The project area runs from the city dock to Millennium Square along the Kenai waterfront.

Kenai City Council members convene for a work session on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna shop local program ends with funds fully expended

The program was made possible using federal CARES Act funds

Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)