Ashlyn O'Hara

Matt Morse is photographed on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Matt Morse is photographed on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Benjamin Miller is pictured on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Benjamin Miller is pictured on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ryan Tunks works at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn OՈara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘The first, first responders’

Dispatchers hope service isn’t lost in political dispute

Ryan Tunks works at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn OՈara/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski North Star goes to universal masks

Universal indoor masking for staff and students was instituted at Nikiski North Star Elementary School and extended for two weeks at Paul Banks Elementary School… Continue reading

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Ahlberg to take over as OEM manager

Brenda Ahlberg is the new emergency manager for the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The announcement comes after Ahlberg had been serving as interim emergency manager following… Continue reading

Candidates for Soldotna City Council attend a forum at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council candidates discuss city development, COVID response at forum

Jordan Chilson, Erick Hugarte, Dan Nelson and Micah Shields participated in the event.

Candidates for Soldotna City Council attend a forum at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the League of Women Voters wave to the crowd during the Soldotna Progress Days parade on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

3 assembly members oppose resolution commending League of Women Voters

Richard Derkevorkian, who represents Kenai, said he believes the group is not “nonpartisan,” as stated in the legislation.

Members of the League of Women Voters wave to the crowd during the Soldotna Progress Days parade on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Michael Calhoon is running for a seat on the Seward City Council in Seward, Alaska. (courtesy photo)
Michael Calhoon is running for a seat on the Seward City Council in Seward, Alaska. (courtesy photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces a tourism aid initiative at Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau, Alaska, on April 9, 2021. (Govrernor’s Office/Kevin Goodman)

Alaska to offer free vaccines to state visitors

Alaska will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to people flying into the state at four major airports starting June 1, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced during a… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces a tourism aid initiative at Wings Airways Hangar in Juneau, Alaska, on April 9, 2021. (Govrernor’s Office/Kevin Goodman)
Downtown Seward, Alaska, is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Downtown Seward, Alaska, is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A sign in front of Kenai Middle School is seen on Sept. 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The school recently suspended indoor mask requirements for students and staff. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

2 schools suspend indoor mask requirements

Kenai Middle School and Sterling Elementary Schools are no longer requiring face masks in indoor settings for students and staff.

A sign in front of Kenai Middle School is seen on Sept. 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The school recently suspended indoor mask requirements for students and staff. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to consider purchasing 2 new city vehicles

The vehicles will be used by Soldotna police and animal control.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz attends a work session of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai approves election overhaul

The new legislation more closely aligns the city with borough election code.

Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz attends a work session of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after a fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The state is seeking federal funding for a project aimed at improving safety along the Sterling Highway between mileposts 82.5 to 94, or between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

State looks to federal funding for Sterling Highway project

The project is aimed at improving highway safety between Sterling and Soldotna.

Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after a fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The state is seeking federal funding for a project aimed at improving safety along the Sterling Highway between mileposts 82.5 to 94, or between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to mull funding for water main threatened by erosion

The water main, which runs parallel to the eroding bluff, was described as an “emerging issue” by the city public works director.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Randy Wells is running for the Seward City Council in the 2021 municipal elections in Seward, Alaska. (Photo via City of Seward)
Randy Wells is running for the Seward City Council in the 2021 municipal elections in Seward, Alaska. (Photo via City of Seward)
Victoria Askin sits in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Victoria Askin

Askin said Kenai’s finances are one of the city’s greatest strengths.

Victoria Askin sits in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
James Duffield. (Courtesy photo)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate James Duffield

Duffield said development of Kenai’s business community, recreational opportunities and waterfront revitalization were issues important to him.

James Duffield. (Courtesy photo)
Deborah Sounart stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Deborah Sounart

She said the skills needed to be a successful band director would translate to those needed to be an effective member of the city council.

Deborah Sounart stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alex Douthit stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 9, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Alex Douthit

Douthit said he could bring a younger perspective to the council and that his priority would be bettering the city.

Alex Douthit stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 9, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)