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Daniel Balserak and Luke Konson fish for salmon in Alaska. The pair has been traveling the country and catching every official state fish for the past 11 months. (Photo provided)

A gap year like no other

High school graduates defer college enrollment to fish in every state

Daniel Balserak and Luke Konson fish for salmon in Alaska. The pair has been traveling the country and catching every official state fish for the past 11 months. (Photo provided)
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 rescued from Harding Icefield Trail

A hiker was airlifted off of the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park on Sunday afternoon after Alaska State Troopers received a 911… 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)
COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

COVID-19 surge continues

‘They’re getting sicker this time around’

COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Weekend car accident leaves 1 dead

Alaska State Troopers reported another car accident fatality over the weekend, marking the fifth traffic death on the central Kenai Peninsula in the span of… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Lydia Jacoby of the United States swims in a heat during the women's 100-meter breaststroke at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Jacoby qualifies 3rd for Olympic 100 breaststroke final

Lydia Jacoby, a 17-year-old incoming senior at Seward High School, enters today’s finals in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo after posting… Continue reading

Lydia Jacoby of the United States swims in a heat during the women's 100-meter breaststroke at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Characters from the "Little Mermaid" wave to the crowd from the Triumvirate Theatre float during the Soldotna Progress Days parade on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Progress on parade

The Progress Days Parade was held Saturday in Soldotna.… Continue reading

Characters from the "Little Mermaid" wave to the crowd from the Triumvirate Theatre float during the Soldotna Progress Days parade on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska.

State seeks funding for Funny River boat launch

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is working to secure funding for the construction of a boat launch on the Funny River side of the… Continue reading

Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska.
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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.
Scaffolding is erected around the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 20, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Parishioners largely welcomed back to in-person church services

One serious point of contention during the coronavirus pandemic, amid many, has been the fate of in-person church services. Some have been adamant about discontinuing… Continue reading

Scaffolding is erected around the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 20, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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)
South Peninsula Hospital registered nurse Anne Garay gives Jessica Entsminger her second COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, May 7, 2021, at a pop-up vaccination clinic at the Boathouse Pavillion on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. About 25 people received vaccines in the first 3.5 hours of the 4-hour clinic. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

As COVID cases increase, officials think we’re not yet at the fourth peak

Department of Health and Social Services officials said during a Thursday press briefing that COVID-19 case trends in Alaska are likely to mimic the spikes… Continue reading

South Peninsula Hospital registered nurse Anne Garay gives Jessica Entsminger her second COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, May 7, 2021, at a pop-up vaccination clinic at the Boathouse Pavillion on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. About 25 people received vaccines in the first 3.5 hours of the 4-hour clinic. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer Electric invests millions into renewable energy project

The Homer Electric Association plans to implement a new system in October that is meant to balance the energy between renewable and nonrenewable sources, according… Continue reading

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The Challenger Learning Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on Sept. 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Progress Days gets NASA visit

The Challenger Learning Center will be hosting a Progress Days event at Soldotna Creek Park on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring a… Continue reading

The Challenger Learning Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on Sept. 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Throwback: 1980s rock star to take the mic in Soldotna this weekend

Rock stars who found fame in the 1980s are set to take center stage at Soldotna Creek Park on Friday night, in a concert event… Continue reading

Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 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)
Soldotna resident Leah McCabe receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management's walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

COVID numbers continue rising

Wednesday, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported there were another 472 positive COVID-19 cases in the state, including one new death. The… Continue reading

Soldotna resident Leah McCabe receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management's walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Ranger Scott Slavik speaks about bear safety during a presentation at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge says awareness, respect, knowledge are crucial while living in bear territory

The three pillars of safety in bear country are awareness, respect and knowledge, according to an official at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Ranger Jason… Continue reading

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Ranger Scott Slavik speaks about bear safety during a presentation at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello / 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)
The top three fish of this year’s Winter King Salmon Tournament hang on a wall before a closing ceremony announcing the winners Saturday, March 24, 2018 on the Spit in Homer, Alaska. This year’s winning fish weighed 24.6 pounds. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Sport fishing closures shut down east side setnet commercial fishery

The king salmon sport fishing closures on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, as well as Cook Inlet north of Bluff Point, have also shut down… Continue reading

The top three fish of this year’s Winter King Salmon Tournament hang on a wall before a closing ceremony announcing the winners Saturday, March 24, 2018 on the Spit in Homer, Alaska. This year’s winning fish weighed 24.6 pounds. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)