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Signs supporting Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral candidates Peter Micciche and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings are staked in the snow at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs supporting Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral candidates Peter Micciche and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings are staked in the snow at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Teresa Minnich, right, waits to help voters feed their ballot into a tabulation machine at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche leads mayor’s race

Election workers reported sluggish voter turnout

Teresa Minnich, right, waits to help voters feed their ballot into a tabulation machine at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
People hold flags of the participating teams of the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in this 2023 photo. (Photo provided by Matfey Reutov)
People hold flags of the participating teams of the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in this 2023 photo. (Photo provided by Matfey Reutov)
The badge for the Kenai Police Department

Kenai man charged with murdering woman in hotel room

The man is charged with one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree

The badge for the Kenai Police Department
Sara Mahood, dressed as the Wolf, skis at the 19th annual Ski For Women on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. Mahood was part of the winning costume of "Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf." Not pictured, Leslie Boyd was Little Red Riding Hood, Sue Seggerman was the Woodcutter and Gigi Banas was Grandma. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Ski For Women sees 74 finishers

With the Wolf on the prowl, 74 finishers — even Little Red Riding Hood — stayed on the path and finished the 19th Annual Ski… Continue reading

Sara Mahood, dressed as the Wolf, skis at the 19th annual Ski For Women on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. Mahood was part of the winning costume of "Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf." Not pictured, Leslie Boyd was Little Red Riding Hood, Sue Seggerman was the Woodcutter and Gigi Banas was Grandma. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Patrons listen to live music during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Frozen RiverFest to feature drinks, music and fireworks

The annual event is family friendly, despite centering on its offering of brews

Patrons listen to live music during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in the village at the head of Kachemack Bay. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Assembly OKs project list for state funding consideration

The list outlines work for which the borough would like financial assistance from the State of Alaska

One of the two buildings used to teach elementary school children in Kachemak Selo sits on the outer edge of the village Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in the village at the head of Kachemack Bay. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Dan Robison (on screen, bottom) presents a chart showing Alaska’s 10-year trend of negative net migration during a Soldotna City Council work session on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Screenshot)

Soldotna brainstorms how to lure new employees

It took the city 12 months to hire a new city clerk and eight months to hire a new utility operator

Dan Robison (on screen, bottom) presents a chart showing Alaska’s 10-year trend of negative net migration during a Soldotna City Council work session on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Screenshot)
Homer High School students participate in Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral forum in the Homer High School Mariner Theater, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Emilie Springer/Homer News)

Students quiz mayoral candidates in high school forum

The event was organized by students in coordination with local voting advocacy groups Kenai Peninsula Votes and the League of Women Voters

Homer High School students participate in Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral forum in the Homer High School Mariner Theater, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Emilie Springer/Homer News)
University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Sean Parnell stands outside the main entrance of Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Chancellor: UAA, KPC flexing to meet workforce needs

The visit was for getting some “face-to-face” time with KPC leadership and students

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Sean Parnell stands outside the main entrance of Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Election day is Tuesday

The borough’s special mayoral election is Feb. 14

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
The first period product caddy to be installed is seen at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Jan. 30, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Chera Wackler)

Group fights war on period poverty

Peninsula Period Network makes free period supplies available in local schools

The first period product caddy to be installed is seen at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Jan. 30, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Chera Wackler)
From left, Dave Carey, Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, Zach Hamilton and Peter Micciche participate in a Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor candidate forum on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Cash pours into borough mayoral race

Campaign disclosure reports filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission show that tens of thousands of dollars have flowed into the race

From left, Dave Carey, Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, Zach Hamilton and Peter Micciche participate in a Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor candidate forum on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Luke Karpic and Oscar Marcou smile as they write their response to a question posed during Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Middle School Battle of the Books competition on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Luke Karpic and Oscar Marcou smile as they write their response to a question posed during Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Middle School Battle of the Books competition on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The boundaries of Nikiski’s Advisory Planning Commission, as petitioned by residents. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Assemby split on Nikiski land group scope

A tied vote killed efforts to reduce the geographic area of Nikiski’s advisory planning commission

The boundaries of Nikiski’s Advisory Planning Commission, as petitioned by residents. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. On Wednesday, a trio of bills seeking to increase penalties for sex and drug crimes was introduced by by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Governor targets sex and drug crimes

Bills increase penalties for sex trafficking and fatal overdoses, but effectiveness questioned

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. On Wednesday, a trio of bills seeking to increase penalties for sex and drug crimes was introduced by by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
From left, borough mayoral candidates Dave Carey, Peter Micciche, Zachary Hamilton and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participate in a candidate forum held at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, borough mayoral candidates Dave Carey, Peter Micciche, Zachary Hamilton and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participate in a candidate forum held at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Incoming Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maddy McElrea addresses attendees at a chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

McElrea named new executive director of Soldotna Chamber

She is filling the role vacated by Shanon Davis

Incoming Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maddy McElrea addresses attendees at a chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the The Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, including the release of the first round of prefile bills published Monday by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the The Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, including the release of the first round of prefile bills published Monday by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)