Jacob Dye

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen in Kenai, Alaska on April 15, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Minimum wage increased by $0.88

This year’s increase is the largest adjustment since the minimum wage began to be adjusted for inflation

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen in Kenai, Alaska on April 15, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Clouds cover the beach at Lowell Point State Recreation Site on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 near Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Fee increases for State Park usage rescinded days before going into effect

The existing fees will continue to be apply “as if they were never replaced”

Clouds cover the beach at Lowell Point State Recreation Site on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 near Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork by Lynne O’Connor set for exhibition in the Kenai Art Center’s January show, “Feels Like Home,” awaits hanging at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai on Dec. 22.

Kenai Art Center looks to 2024, wants to make more people into artists

The lineup includes open call shows, a fundraiser, artist features, an exhibition for tattoo artists and the annual mural show

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork by Lynne O’Connor set for exhibition in the Kenai Art Center’s January show, “Feels Like Home,” awaits hanging at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai on Dec. 22.
An array of Christmas lights brighten up the night outside the home of Gary Hale in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A season for lights

Residents brighten up the night with elaborate Christmas decorations

An array of Christmas lights brighten up the night outside the home of Gary Hale in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Fine Art Centery as seen on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Art Center accepting submissions for January show

“Feels Like Home” is set to open on Jan. 5, and will benefit the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition program

The Kenai Fine Art Centery as seen on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion file)
Elena Corey and Jim Pate perform during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

An evening of books and song

Musicians give fireside serenades to librarygoers

Elena Corey and Jim Pate perform during Music by the Fire at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tom Blyth portrays Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray Baird in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." (Promotional photo courtesy Lionsgate)

On the Screen: ‘Hunger Games’ still has something to say

Surprisingly rich prequel interrogates contemporary politics through dystopian lens

Tom Blyth portrays Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler portrays Lucy Gray Baird in "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." (Promotional photo courtesy Lionsgate)
Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Illuminating the darkest night

StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser benefits the American Cancer Society

Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Kenai resident pleads guilty to 2020 homicide

He was sentenced to 70 years, with 35 suspended

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Santa Claus joins children for some hockey action during A Day with the Clauses festivities at Daubenspeck Park in Kenai on Monday.

Skating with Santa

Santa Claus arrived on an ATV and hit the ice himself, skating, playing hockey and greeting children

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Santa Claus joins children for some hockey action during A Day with the Clauses festivities at Daubenspeck Park in Kenai on Monday.
Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)

Department of Health urges flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines

Only 18.5% of Alaskans have received a flu vaccine as of last week

Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
A snowmachine rider takes advantage of two feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Snowmachine use closed in parts of Chugach National Forest, opened in refuge

On the refuge, all areas “traditionally open to snowmachine use” are now open

A snowmachine rider takes advantage of two feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Department of Justice Logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai woman sentenced in bankruptcy fraud case

Saray Lockwood formerly operated Kenai Dental Clinic with her late-husband Dr. Glenn Lockwood

U.S. Department of Justice Logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Blake Gillis, right, celebrates winning the final round and securing the state title alongside Kaizen Fuller and Coach Shane Lopez during their state championship match against Lathrop High School in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai wins 1st esports championship

During the final round of the Alaska School Activities Association’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fall End of Season Tournament on Thursday, Kenai Central High School’s… Continue reading

Blake Gillis, right, celebrates winning the final round and securing the state title alongside Kaizen Fuller and Coach Shane Lopez during their state championship match against Lathrop High School in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Carol Ford portrays Aunt Nancy in “Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble,” a short film by Raleigh Van Natta. (Photo courtesy Raleigh Van Natta)

Local filmmakers given spotlight at Winter Film Series

The series is an offering of short films intended to spark discussion about film in the local community

Carol Ford portrays Aunt Nancy in “Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble,” a short film by Raleigh Van Natta. (Photo courtesy Raleigh Van Natta)
The Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors sits with duffel bags of Christmas gifts donated to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition program at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Realtors donate duffel bags in annual tradition

The Students in Transition program serves students experiencing housing instability

The Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors sits with duffel bags of Christmas gifts donated to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition program at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Skis poke out of the snow minutes before the start of StarLight StarBright: A Winter Solstice Ski Event on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska.

Skiers to illuminate solstice night for annual fundraiser

The event benefits Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society

Skis poke out of the snow minutes before the start of StarLight StarBright: A Winter Solstice Ski Event on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska.
Santa and Mrs. Claus wait for children to arrive during Breakfast with Santa at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Making the most of winter break

Holiday festivities include crafting, caroling, scavenger hunts and a whole lot of Santa

Santa and Mrs. Claus wait for children to arrive during Breakfast with Santa at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Fish and Game logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Fish and Game logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Fish and Game logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Fish and Game logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Report: Adverse childhood experiences ‘common’ in Alaska

ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood

Department of Health logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)