Jacob Dye

Hip-Hop students practice their routines for Forever Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Forever Dance in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Forever Dance rings in the holidays with variety show

The show serves as a fun holiday tradition and an opportunity to get on stage early in the season

Hip-Hop students practice their routines for Forever Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Forever Dance in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Snowmachine use permitted in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge beginning Dec. 1

Areas now available include those “traditionally open to snowmachine use”

Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Image courtesy 20th Century 
Ralph Fiennes is Chef Julien Slowik and Anya Taylor-Joy is Margot in “The Menu”

On the Screen: ‘The Menu’ serves up fun twists and earnest commentary

I was plenty interested in the film I saw in the trailers, but the one I saw at the theater was so much more

Image courtesy 20th Century 
Ralph Fiennes is Chef Julien Slowik and Anya Taylor-Joy is Margot in “The Menu”
Nikiski’s Niles Broussard throws Kenai’s Delen Byrd during a dual meet on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai topples Nikiski at dual meet

The meet also served as the Kenai team’s senior night

Nikiski’s Niles Broussard throws Kenai’s Delen Byrd during a dual meet on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School Culinary Students roll out dough for Christmas cookies as part of bake sale preparation on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Guest chefs ready to help

High school culinary students will do holiday baking for you

Kenai Central High School Culinary Students roll out dough for Christmas cookies as part of bake sale preparation on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Hospitalizations fall statewide, rise locally

The state reported no new resident deaths from COVID-19 this week

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion file
Junetta Delong browses the shelves at the Soldotna Library Friends’ book and art sale at the Soldotna Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.

Library sale transforms into seasonal celebration

Baked goods, books and art will all be on offer this Saturday at the Soldotna Public Library

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion file
Junetta Delong browses the shelves at the Soldotna Library Friends’ book and art sale at the Soldotna Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.
From left, Dain Douthit, Silas Thibodeau, Roman Dunham, Cody Good and Jackson Anding participate in a practice League of Legends match on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula esports teams ready for state championships

Players contend with changing games, increased pressure, rival rematches

From left, Dain Douthit, Silas Thibodeau, Roman Dunham, Cody Good and Jackson Anding participate in a practice League of Legends match on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Wildlife Troopers and CES rescue hunter missing for 12 hours

State troopers were notified around 6 p.m. Wednesday that the hunter hadn’t returned

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Ski tracks can be seen in the snow at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna, Alaska, on March 20, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Tsalteshi hosting tree-decorating contest along Moose Loop

Anyone is welcome to decorate a tree

Ski tracks can be seen in the snow at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna, Alaska, on March 20, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa Claus is seen with a child at Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa Claus is seen with a child at Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tela O’Donnell-Bacher and Neldon Gardner hold their plaques after being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame following a duel wrestling meet on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A celebration of Kenai Peninsula wrestling

Two storied members of local wrestling community inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Tela O’Donnell-Bacher and Neldon Gardner hold their plaques after being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame following a duel wrestling meet on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Montessori Charter School kindergartners parade with balloons around the school playground on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Balloons on parade

Montessori kids put spin on traditional Macy’s parade

Soldotna Montessori Charter School kindergartners parade with balloons around the school playground on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
David Hartman, of David Hartman Signs, is seen with his product on display ahead of the Kenai Arts & Crafts Fair during early set up at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
David Hartman, of David Hartman Signs, is seen with his product on display ahead of the Kenai Arts & Crafts Fair during early set up at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Skiers from Kenai, Seward and Soldotna start the girls race during the Turkey Trot on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska.

Kenai boys, SoHi girls clock top finishes at Turkey Trot ski meet

Kenai boys took the top four finishes of the night

Skiers from Kenai, Seward and Soldotna start the girls race during the Turkey Trot on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska.
Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas trees can be taken from wildlife refuge starting Thursday

Only hand tools can be used to cut trees, which cannot be taller than 20 feet

Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A decorated truck owned by Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction participates in the “Christmas Comes to Kenai” parade on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas comes to the Kenai Peninsula

Kickoff events will be hosted in Kenai, Soldotna and Nikiski in the next two weeks offering free festive fun

A decorated truck owned by Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction participates in the “Christmas Comes to Kenai” parade on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Hospitalizations rise for 3 consecutive weeks

For the period of Nov. 13 to Nov. 19, 434 new resident COVID-19 cases were reported

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Morganette Finch is seen at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Leaving behind a legacy of ‘love for people’

Long-time food bank worker Morganette Finch retires

Morganette Finch is seen at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jill Schaefer, one of the sharks, presents Anna Mercier with a novelty check for $4000 at the Spark Soldotna Shark Tank Event on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at The Lone Moose Lodge in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sparking new ideas

Soldotna sharks award scholarship to mobile beverage cart

Jill Schaefer, one of the sharks, presents Anna Mercier with a novelty check for $4000 at the Spark Soldotna Shark Tank Event on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at The Lone Moose Lodge in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)