Ashlyn O'Hara

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COVID-19 cases remain high in area

Every region of Alaska was considered to be at “intermediate” or “high” COVID-19 risk level, based on its respective average daily cases for the last… Continue reading

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Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion 
The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Soldotna library seeks to beef up reading programs

The Soldotna Public Library will use a $2,200 donation from the Soldotna Library Friends to bolster reading programs, pending approval by the Soldotna City Council… Continue reading

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion 
The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska.
Clayton Holland stands in his office at the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New superintendent discusses upcoming school year

Clayton Holland is ready to get to work. That’s what the new superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District made clear Thursday, when he… Continue reading

Clayton Holland stands in his office at the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander (right) address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Untapped potential:’ Kenai looks to revive waterfront, develop business community

The City of Kenai is preparing to move forward with projects aimed at revitalizing the waterfront along Bridge Access Road and encouraging economic development in… Continue reading

Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander (right) address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives Executive Director Steven Rouse testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More affordable housing coming to Kenai

More affordable housing for senior and restricted income residents is coming to the City of Kenai following the approval of a conditional donation of land… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives Executive Director Steven Rouse testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rainbow trout caught in Lone Lake. (Mike Benbow, file)

State mulls stocking Hedberg Lake

The State of Alaska is considering a proposal to stock John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski with rainbow trout starting in 2022, according to a release… Continue reading

Rainbow trout caught in Lone Lake. (Mike Benbow, file)
Aaron Rhoades and Charlie Pierce stand in a conference room in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce, new chief of staff outline policy agenda

“A problem solver.” That’s how Aaron Rhoades describes himself. He’s a lifelong Alaskan with experience in gas and municipal government. He’s also Kenai Peninsula Borough… Continue reading

Aaron Rhoades and Charlie Pierce stand in a conference room in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district uses COVID funds for summer programs

Flying drones, tie-dye and esports were among the activities offered at programs hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District this summer. The school district… Continue reading

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (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)

Area residents donate to Tshibaka

Peninsula residents are among those contributing financially to the campaign of Kelly Tshibaka, who is vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Lisa… 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)
Colette Thompson stands near a bookshelf in her office at the George A. Navarre Borough Building on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Resting her case

Borough attorney retires after more than 25 years

Colette Thompson stands near a bookshelf in her office at the George A. Navarre Borough Building on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)

COVID cases rise on peninsula

As COVID-19 vaccination rates stagnate, case numbers on the Kenai Peninsula increase and the COVID delta variant continues to spread in Alaska, Central Peninsula Hospital… Continue reading

RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)
An area cleared for the Cooper Landing bypass project can be seen below Slaughter Ridge in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 18, 2020. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Snug Harbor drivers will see delays

Travelers through Cooper Landing should expect traffic delays on Snug Harbor Road and along the Sterling Highway in Cooper Landing throughout the summer due to… Continue reading

An area cleared for the Cooper Landing bypass project can be seen below Slaughter Ridge in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 18, 2020. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Hikers look at the Harding Icefield in August 2015 in Kenai Fjords National Park, just outside of Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Hiker, 74, injured on Harding Icefield Trail

A 74-year-old man suffered suspected head, neck and spinal injuries in a fall while hiking on the Harding Icefield Trail on Thursday afternoon, according to… Continue reading

Hikers look at the Harding Icefield in August 2015 in Kenai Fjords National Park, just outside of Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Penny Vadla speaks at a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board sets goals for year

During the 2021-22 school year, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will focus on developing the district’s five-year strategic plan, building strong… Continue reading

Penny Vadla speaks at a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kyle Kornelis speaks at a public meeting about the Runway 7-25 Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna plans capital improvements

Better downtown parking, more greenspace at Riverview Park, rubber mulch at Farnsworth Park and improvements to ARC Lake are among the projects the City of… Continue reading

Kyle Kornelis speaks at a public meeting about the Runway 7-25 Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District plans to comply with Title IX

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will hold off on bringing the district into compliance with new federal Title IX guidance. The… Continue reading

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Koebryn and Summer Lazenby stand in front of camping gear at Summer's house on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘See Alaska like an Alaskan’

Mother-son team opens camping equipment rental business

Koebryn and Summer Lazenby stand in front of camping gear at Summer's house on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Plaques at Hansen memorial park are sold out

All sidewalk spaces for memorial plaques at Kenai’s Leif Hansen Memorial Park have been sold or reserved. That’s according to Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz,… Continue reading

April Orth testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

“We’re teaching history”; superintendent, school board respond to community concerns about critical race theory

Clayton Holland spent his first school board meeting as superintendent assuring a crowded room that critical race theory is not being taught in Kenai Peninsula… Continue reading

April Orth testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Kenai OKs objection to EEZ closure

The Kenai City Council unanimously passed legislation during their July 7 meeting stating their opposition to the closure.

The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)