Ashlyn O'Hara

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

A ‘blip’ in budgeting history; Soldotna crafts post-pandemic budget

The city took a smaller financial hit than initially anticipated.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

1 in 2 Alaskans 16 and older have received at least 1 dose of vaccine

44.16% of residents 16 and older in the Kenai Peninsula Borough had received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, looks out on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, May 10, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House on Monday resumed debate on a version of the state operating budget. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)

Dunleavy calls 2 special sessions

Dunleavy cited the inability of the Alaska House of Representatives to formally organize until more than one month into the regular session.

Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, looks out on the floor of the Alaska House on Monday, May 10, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska House on Monday resumed debate on a version of the state operating budget. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool)
Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on April 23 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna.

Brown Bears spectator limit boosted to 750 for Friday’s game

The spectator limit at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex has fluctuated between 250 and 750 since February.

Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on April 23 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna.
A ringed seal rescued from Dutch Harbor is held at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, on May 12, 2021. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center admits ringed seal from Dutch Harbor

Dutch Harbor is outside of the normal range for ringed seals.

A ringed seal rescued from Dutch Harbor is held at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, on May 12, 2021. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)
Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council shuts down meeting move

The legislation would have allowed council members to attend more of the city’s Wednesday night music series events.

Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A DNR map of navigable and non-navigable waters are seen on the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)

State unveils maps in effort to ‘unlock’ Alaska waters

The maps are part of an initiative to assert control of state lands.

A DNR map of navigable and non-navigable waters are seen on the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska, with a number of state legislators around him. Dunleavy discussed a proposed constitutional amendment dealing with the Alaska Permanent Fund and the Permanent Fund dividend. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Dunleavy proposes new changes to Permanent Fund

The changes are an amendment to updates he proposed earlier this year.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska, with a number of state legislators around him. Dunleavy discussed a proposed constitutional amendment dealing with the Alaska Permanent Fund and the Permanent Fund dividend. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham addresses state and Alaska Native leaders Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

State redistricting may take longer this year

State legislative districts are redrawn by a board of five people following the decennial census.

U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham addresses state and Alaska Native leaders Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Southcentral Alaska at increased risk for ‘severe’ wildfires in future

A study from researchers across Alaska said that the region should expect future fire seasons comparable to 2019.

Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Senior Elijah Royal-Reyna receives his diploma during Kenai Central High School’s Class of 2020 Graduation Parade in Kenai, Alaska on May 20, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Masks required for adults at KPBSD graduations; other protocols school-specific

Graduation ceremonies will cap the end of a school year that saw tensions rise between the district and parents.

Senior Elijah Royal-Reyna receives his diploma during Kenai Central High School’s Class of 2020 Graduation Parade in Kenai, Alaska on May 20, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council: Fire chief can appear in COVID vaccine campaign

Fire Chief Tony Prior asked to participate in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “Sleeves Up for Summer” COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Pamela Parker (courtesy photo)

Pamela Parker to resign from Soldotna City Council

Her family is moving outside of Soldotna City limits.

Pamela Parker (courtesy photo)
Kenai River Campus Valedictorian Michelle Wicker speaks during Kenai Peninsula College’s virtual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Screenshot)

‘Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments’

Kenai Peninsula College graduates honored in virtual commencement ceremony

Kenai River Campus Valedictorian Michelle Wicker speaks during Kenai Peninsula College’s virtual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Screenshot)
One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in the village at the head of Kachemack Bay. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough, school district ask lawmakers to move K-Selo money

Efforts to construct a new K-12 school building in the remote village of Kachemak Selo have been in the works for years.

One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 in the village at the head of Kachemack Bay. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
This is me standing in front of the Denali National Park and Preserve sign on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: The weekend

By the second week of March, I had pretty much forgotten about the dry cabin I’d booked for the next weekend. I’d made reservations from… Continue reading

This is me standing in front of the Denali National Park and Preserve sign on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council approves funds for small-scale purchases

Purchases include bulletproof vests, bike helmets and library materials.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A schematic of one of the options for the Jims’ Landing boat launch project scope. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Environmental impact of Jims’ Landing improvements assessed

The boat launch is located in the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, near Milepost 58 of the Sterling Highway.

A schematic of one of the options for the Jims’ Landing boat launch project scope. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Adam Kiffmeyer and Billy Adamson scale a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Task force to look at statewide broadband access

The task force will consist of 11 voting members and two ex officio members.

Adam Kiffmeyer and Billy Adamson scale a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Charlie Pierce, Jesse Bjorkman and Brandi Harbaugh attend a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly votes down $48 million school district funding floor

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce has said that he is committed to funding the school district at the district’s requested $48 million

Charlie Pierce, Jesse Bjorkman and Brandi Harbaugh attend a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)