Home

Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce, left, and committee Chair Jason Tauriainen participate in the first meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Four Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce, left, and committee Chair Jason Tauriainen participate in the first meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Four Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Tustumena Lake fire, about 20 miles south of Soldotna, can be seen from above in July 2024 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)

Tustumena fire contained, cleanup continues

The fire was caused by an escaped campfire and discovered last weekend

The Tustumena Lake fire, about 20 miles south of Soldotna, can be seen from above in July 2024 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)
A harbor seal pup rescued from near the Copper River Delta is photographed at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)

2 more seals admitted to SeaLife Center

Wildlife response team is now caring for six harbor seal pups

A harbor seal pup rescued from near the Copper River Delta is photographed at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)
The Soldotna Little League proceeds down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating Independence in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Fourth of July Parade

The Soldotna Little League proceeds down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy signs Ruffridge bill expanding Alaska Performance Scholarship

The scholarship is paid out from the Alaska Higher Education Investment Fund

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
An Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulatory marker is seen at the outlet of Skilak Lake near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
An Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulatory marker is seen at the outlet of Skilak Lake near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Team Navigationally Challenged won the Alaska Relay on Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29, 2024. The relays goes from Anchorage to Seward. Left to right, Jacob Marshall, Sarah Huot, Zach Huot, Daniel Serventi, Rustin Hitchcock, Becca Hitchcock, Sean Goff, Patrick Metzger, Anna Metzger, Jake Hill and Kristin Davis. Lee Frey is not pictured. (Photo provided)

Local Navigationally Challenged squad wins Alaska Relay for 4th straight race, 5th time in 6 years

Navigationally Challenged, a team of 12 runners mostly from the central Kenai Peninsula, won the Alaska Relay on Friday and Saturday between Anchorage and Seward.… Continue reading

Team Navigationally Challenged won the Alaska Relay on Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29, 2024. The relays goes from Anchorage to Seward. Left to right, Jacob Marshall, Sarah Huot, Zach Huot, Daniel Serventi, Rustin Hitchcock, Becca Hitchcock, Sean Goff, Patrick Metzger, Anna Metzger, Jake Hill and Kristin Davis. Lee Frey is not pictured. (Photo provided)
“I Voted” stickers await Alaskan voters during in-person voting at Mendenhall Mall. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
“I Voted” stickers await Alaskan voters during in-person voting at Mendenhall Mall. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.

Kenai and Soldotna square off once more in ‘King of the River Food Drive’

Food can be donated at the food bank or at either city’s chamber of commerce

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.
The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)

Russian River Sanctuary opens early for sockeye fishing

The area will be open for fishing through July 14

The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)
The Tustumena Lake fire. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)

Tustumena Lake fire reported 25% contained

The fire was caused by an escaped campfire

The Tustumena Lake fire. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)
Council member Deborah Sounart speaks during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Council member Deborah Sounart speaks during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD reverses budget cuts after Dunleavy approves one-time funding increase

The additional funding KPBSD will receive includes around $11.4 million in per-student money and $740,000 for student transportation.

Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Peninsula Oilers catcher Brock Wirthgen celebrates after tagging out Christian Powell of the Anchorage Bucs for the final out of the game Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Oilers complete 7-3 homestand with wild victory over Bucs

Left fielder Vogelsong-Lewis throws out tying run at plate to end game

Peninsula Oilers catcher Brock Wirthgen celebrates after tagging out Christian Powell of the Anchorage Bucs for the final out of the game Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
tease

Saturday: Twins finish 3-0 in pool play, move to semis of Midseason Classic

The American Legion Post 20 Twins defeated Dimond 15-1 in six innings Saturday at the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic at Mulcahy Stadium to finish 3-0… Continue reading

tease
A map shows the location of the Tustumena Lake fire (large blue circle) near Kasilof, Alaska, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection)

Updated: Kasilof fire reported at 20 acres, nearby campgrounds evacuated

The fire near Tustumena Lake in Kasilof was discovered around 3 p.m. Saturday

A map shows the location of the Tustumena Lake fire (large blue circle) near Kasilof, Alaska, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection)
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

State correspondence allotment program to continue unchanged

Alaska Supreme Court sides with state, overturns Superior Court ruling that called program ‘unconstitutional’

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Assembly member Brent Hibbert speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly tables bed tax, will pick a date for further consideration at next meeting

The resolution says that the proposed borough tax would be “up to” 12%

Assembly member Brent Hibbert speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman talks freshman legislative session, spotlights bills passed

Bjorkman spoke at a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in June

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pictured with members of the House Majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills on June 27 in Anchorage. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe, and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy signs budget with most education funding intact

Dunleavy cut nearly $12 million that was set to go to school districts, including KPBSD, in outstanding pandemic relief funds

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is pictured with members of the House Majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills on June 27 in Anchorage. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe, and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)