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Promotional poster for 66th Annual Progress Days in Soldotna. (Photo courtesy Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)

Progress Days brings packed schedule of attractions, contests to Soldotna

Soldotna will celebrate the 66th Annual Progress Days next weekend with a fair, a parade and other festivities stretching from Friday to Sunday, July 21… Continue reading

Promotional poster for 66th Annual Progress Days in Soldotna. (Photo courtesy Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)
Cam Choy, associate professor of art at Kenai Peninsula College, works on a salmon sculpture in collaboration with the Kenai Watershed Forum during the Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Draft Soldotna plan brainstorms best way to bring more art to the city

Creation of a regional arts council, the incorporation of art projects into existing city grant programs and development of a way for the city to… Continue reading

Cam Choy, associate professor of art at Kenai Peninsula College, works on a salmon sculpture in collaboration with the Kenai Watershed Forum during the Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Northern Kenai Fishing Report for July 23: Kenai River still slow, expected to improve

A Northern Kenai Fishing report published by the Department of Fish and Game on Thursday says little has changed since last week. Fishing on the… Continue reading

A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Brent Johnson, Bill Elam, Tyson Cox and Brent Hibebrt participate in a meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. All assembly members pictured voted in favor of a resolution that supporting the separation of transgender and cisgender girl student athetes. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs resolution supporting separation of cisgender girls, other student athletes

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday voiced support for the separation of transgender and cisgender girls in high school sports. The body during its… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Brent Johnson, Bill Elam, Tyson Cox and Brent Hibebrt participate in a meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. All assembly members pictured voted in favor of a resolution that supporting the separation of transgender and cisgender girl student athetes. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Hospitalizations steady, 1 local death reported

An update to the Alaska COVID-19 Information Hub on Tuesday, the first since the platform shifted to monthly reporting, shows that COVID-19 levels have remained… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Lawyer Eric Derleth and his client Nathan Erfurth, a former Soldotna High School teacher accused of sexually abusing one of his students, submit a not guilty plea at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Former SoHi teacher pleads not guilty to sex abuse, child pornography charges

A former Soldotna High School teacher and head of the local teachers union pleaded not guilty to more than five dozen counts of sex abuse… Continue reading

Lawyer Eric Derleth and his client Nathan Erfurth, a former Soldotna High School teacher accused of sexually abusing one of his students, submit a not guilty plea at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Zen Kelly, Patti Truesdell, KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent and Jason Tauriainen participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Some KPBSD substitute support staff to get pay raises

Some of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s substitute and temporary staff will receive raises for the upcoming school year following a vote in favor… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Zen Kelly, Patti Truesdell, KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent and Jason Tauriainen participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Jason Tauriainen, Matt Morse, Virginia Morgan and Beverley Romanin participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board makes final tweaks to district budget

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday updated the district’s budget to reflect new money received from the State of Alaska… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Jason Tauriainen, Matt Morse, Virginia Morgan and Beverley Romanin participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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Spit crash that injured tourist also killed her dog

Arkansas woman suffered major injuries when driver veered into her on the Homer Spit Trail

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Jacob Cook, of Wasilla, stands in the mouth of the Kenai River with a dipnet extended on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River dipnetting off to slow start

Monday marked the first day of dipnetting on the Kenai River, but shortly after the opening’s first high tide, few could be seen with nets… Continue reading

Jacob Cook, of Wasilla, stands in the mouth of the Kenai River with a dipnet extended on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy prepares to deliver opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy signs 2 Ruffridge bills into law during Soldotna ceremony

Amid the throng of furry friends filing in and out of Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday morning were the governor of Alaska, a state… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy prepares to deliver opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members Henry Knackstedt (left) and Alex Douthit (standing) speak with Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (right) during a council meeting at-ease on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai puts new limits on marijuana facilities in residential area; bolsters public noticing

Kenai City Council members Wednesday unanimously approved changes aimed at expanding how the city notifies residents of a commercial marijuana establishment opening in their area.… Continue reading

Kenai City Council members Henry Knackstedt (left) and Alex Douthit (standing) speak with Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (right) during a council meeting at-ease on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The waters of Cook Inlet lap against Nikishka Beach in Nikiski, Alaska, where several local fish sites are located, on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Fish and Game says local setnet study may ‘solve decades-long struggle’

A study of setnet harvest selectivity for sockeye and king salmon will be conducted by the Department of Fish and Game on a Kenai Peninsula… Continue reading

The waters of Cook Inlet lap against Nikishka Beach in Nikiski, Alaska, where several local fish sites are located, on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kasilof resident survives structure fire

A Kasilof resident is alive after a Thursday structure fire rendered their residence “a total loss” the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Kachemak Emergency Services and Homer Volunteer Fire Department personnel work to extinguish a fire inside the Fritz Creek General Store east of Homer on East End Road, early Thursday morning on July 6, 2023 in Fritz Creek, Alaska. Photo by Mark Kirko

Fritz Creek general store burns

Fire damage causes loss of a longtime community hub to East End residents

Kachemak Emergency Services and Homer Volunteer Fire Department personnel work to extinguish a fire inside the Fritz Creek General Store east of Homer on East End Road, early Thursday morning on July 6, 2023 in Fritz Creek, Alaska. Photo by Mark Kirko
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Fishing report for July 6: Sockeye to improve on Kenai River, slow on Russian River

A Northern Kenai fishing report published by the Department of Fish and Game on Thursday says that sockeye fishing will improve on the Kenai River… Continue reading

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
AlaSkins poster dog Max greets attendees at an event celebrating AlaSkins being named Alaska Manufacturer of the Year on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s AlaSkins named Alaska manufacturer of the year

A local business familiar for its high-quality and authentically Alaska pet treats got a treat of its own Thursday. Soldotna’s AlaSkins, owned and operated by… Continue reading

AlaSkins poster dog Max greets attendees at an event celebrating AlaSkins being named Alaska Manufacturer of the Year on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fairbanks native David Norris wins the men's Mount Marathon Race on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Norris wins 4th title, Marvin captures 3rd at muddy Mount Marathon

Palmer’s Christy Marvin, 42 and a mother of boys 16, 14 and 11, overcame a muddy lower mountain and a gusty, cold and rainy top… Continue reading

Fairbanks native David Norris wins the men's Mount Marathon Race on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Building materials pile up at the site of the former ZipMart on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly takes down ZipMart structure

The dilapidated ZipMart building in Sterling was demolished last week, capping monthslong efforts to mitigate a structure the Kenai Peninsula Borough called a public safety… Continue reading

Building materials pile up at the site of the former ZipMart on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Voters line up to put their ballots in a ballot machine at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Resolution would ask borough voters whether to align state and local election days

A resolution up for consideration by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday would put before peninsula voters the question of whether borough elections should… Continue reading

Voters line up to put their ballots in a ballot machine at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)