Home

Lt. Ben Langham of the Kenai Police Department shares a laugh with members of the community at Ammo Can Coffee in Soldotna on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Year in Review: Crime and courts

The Kenai Peninsula dealt with several major criminal cases.

Lt. Ben Langham of the Kenai Police Department shares a laugh with members of the community at Ammo Can Coffee in Soldotna on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A firefighter from the Snake River Valley Type 2 crew points to a tree that is set to be cut down located near the containment line off of Skilak Lake Road southeast of Sterling, Alaska on Aug. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Year in Review: Fires, droughts and floods — the year in disasters

The biggest fire on the peninsula this year was the Swan Lake Fire.

A firefighter from the Snake River Valley Type 2 crew points to a tree that is set to be cut down located near the containment line off of Skilak Lake Road southeast of Sterling, Alaska on Aug. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
New Year to begin with ice and snow

New Year to begin with ice and snow

A wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain will continue causing icy conditions through New Year’s Eve.

New Year to begin with ice and snow
Pete Sprague, who was sworn in as mayor of the Soldotna Monday, Dec. 30, is seen here at Froso’s Restaurant in Soldotna on Dec. 4 . (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Official results: Sprague mayor of Soldotna

The special election had lowest voter turnout in 30 years.

Pete Sprague, who was sworn in as mayor of the Soldotna Monday, Dec. 30, is seen here at Froso’s Restaurant in Soldotna on Dec. 4 . (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)

City of Kenai allows for New Year’s Eve fireworks

Kenai is the only city in the borough exempt from a borough-wide ban.

Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Can a public corporation save the Marine Highway System?

‘There’s a lot of unknowns.’

The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A sign opposing the city of Soldotna’s efforts to annex nearby areas sits along the Kenai Spur Highway in an area the city petitioned the state to annex through the legislative process on Dec. 20, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Local Boundary Commission accepts Soldotna annexation petition

The commission will receive written comments on the petition until 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 2020.

A sign opposing the city of Soldotna’s efforts to annex nearby areas sits along the Kenai Spur Highway in an area the city petitioned the state to annex through the legislative process on Dec. 20, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Wendy Dutcher, Sarah Pyhala and Kaitlin Vadla speak to members of 100+ Women Who Care at the Triumvirate Theatre in Nikiski, Alaska on Dec. 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Caring is their calling

Women gather quarterly to raise money for peninsula.

From left, Wendy Dutcher, Sarah Pyhala and Kaitlin Vadla speak to members of 100+ Women Who Care at the Triumvirate Theatre in Nikiski, Alaska on Dec. 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
FBI, Troopers have been aiding Murnane search ‘since day 1’

FBI, Troopers have been aiding Murnane search ‘since day 1’

Anesha “Duffy” Murnane has been missing since Oct. 17.

FBI, Troopers have been aiding Murnane search ‘since day 1’
Tammie Willis is seen here at Kenai Peninsula College on Dec. 19, 2019. The bandage on her arm covers some of the cuts Willis received while being attacked at her home on Dec. 9. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

‘I don’t want it to be about me’

After series of attacks, local woman fears LGBTQ community is being targeted.

Tammie Willis is seen here at Kenai Peninsula College on Dec. 19, 2019. The bandage on her arm covers some of the cuts Willis received while being attacked at her home on Dec. 9. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy of Alaska Volcano Observatory                                Redoubt erupting April 27, 1990.

‘Like a nuclear weapon went off’

Starting Dec. 14, 1989, 30 years ago last week, Mount Redoubt erupted.

Photo courtesy of Alaska Volcano Observatory                                Redoubt erupting April 27, 1990.
Steve Walli speaks Dec. 12, 2019, at “Homestead Kids 3,” at the annual meeting of the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Homestead Kids’ remember early days

“We called her ‘hillbillies’ and we were fishermen, but she called us ‘beach rats.’”

Steve Walli speaks Dec. 12, 2019, at “Homestead Kids 3,” at the annual meeting of the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
State posts online unsolved missing persons registry

State posts online unsolved missing persons registry

Missing Persons Clearinghouse compiles data from law enforcement agencies across the state.

State posts online unsolved missing persons registry
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                 In this file photo from June 25, 2019, Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office.

Final impact statement for Pebble Mine delayed for three months

Army Corps of Engineers says it will take the time to review public comments.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                 In this file photo from June 25, 2019, Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office.
Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion                                 The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019.

Kenai police to get raises

City council made several changes to the pay structure for Kenai Police Officers.

Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion                                 The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019.
Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion                                The entrance to Soldotna Community Memorial Park off Redoubt Avenue.

Soldotna looks to expand cemetery

The city of Soldotna is looking to expand its cemetery, which is reaching maximum capacity. The Soldotna Community Memorial Park on Redoubt Avenue opened to… Continue reading

Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion                                The entrance to Soldotna Community Memorial Park off Redoubt Avenue.
Bunny Swan performs at Soldotna Creek Park on July 3, 2019 as part of the Levitt Amp Soldotna Music Series. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna gets concert series again

Kenai Peninsula residents can expect another slate of free concerts at Soldotna Creek Park this summer. On Friday morning, the Levitt Foundation announced the winners… Continue reading

Bunny Swan performs at Soldotna Creek Park on July 3, 2019 as part of the Levitt Amp Soldotna Music Series. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Resurrection Bay is photographed from Seward, Alaska, in March, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Board of Fisheries discusses aquatic plants

Two proposals were on the docket.

  • Dec 19, 2019
  • By KAT SORENSEN For the Peninsula Clarion
Resurrection Bay is photographed from Seward, Alaska, in March, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Smoke can be seen rising from areas scarred by the Swan Lake Fire on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at Mile 10 of Skilak Loop Road, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Transmission line damaged by Swan Lake Fire repaired, re-energized

The line had been out of commission since August.

Smoke can be seen rising from areas scarred by the Swan Lake Fire on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at Mile 10 of Skilak Loop Road, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Salli Sterrett receives race bibs from her daughter, Sheilah-Margaret Pothast, in Arizona in late October. Pothast is doing 50 races in her 50th year for her mother. (Photo provided by Sheilah-Margaret Pothast)

Inspired to run

Driven by her ‘Miracle Mom,’ Sheilah-Margaret Pothast nears goal of 50 races in 50th year

Salli Sterrett receives race bibs from her daughter, Sheilah-Margaret Pothast, in Arizona in late October. Pothast is doing 50 races in her 50th year for her mother. (Photo provided by Sheilah-Margaret Pothast)