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LaDawn Druce asks Sen. Jesse Bjorkman a question during a town hall event on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman talks state finances, fishing permit buyback at Soldotna town hall

About 25 people filed into the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Saturday, where Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, held a town hall to brief residents… Continue reading

LaDawn Druce asks Sen. Jesse Bjorkman a question during a town hall event on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter storm watch issued for Tuesday and Wednesday

A winter storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Monday, warning of widespread snow across the western Kenai Peninsula, in effect from… Continue reading

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Aurora borealis shine over Cooper Landing on Sunday. Feb. 26, 2023, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Virginia Morgan)

Readers submit photos of weekend’s aurora

People across Alaska were treated to a dazzling display of the aurora borealis late Sunday night and early Monday morning. The display, which was visible… Continue reading

Aurora borealis shine over Cooper Landing on Sunday. Feb. 26, 2023, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Virginia Morgan)
Seanna Swanson (front) and Kelsi Curren (rear) review a recipe for pretzels during a foods class at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Hands-on’ education equips students with vocational skills

Sparks were flying Wednesday morning at Soldotna High School, where junior Kevin Steger donned protective eyewear while applying a stick welder to a long strip… Continue reading

Seanna Swanson (front) and Kelsi Curren (rear) review a recipe for pretzels during a foods class at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
David Lorring, left, helps Moriah Hodges, right, reel in her fish at Sport Lake in Soldotna as part of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s “Salmon in the Classroom” ice fishing educational program on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Fish education on ice

Nearly 700 local elementary school students are going to be out fishing next week in Soldotna and Homer. Students will be fishing at Sport Lake… Continue reading

David Lorring, left, helps Moriah Hodges, right, reel in her fish at Sport Lake in Soldotna as part of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s “Salmon in the Classroom” ice fishing educational program on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Tyonek Native Corporation CEO Stephen Peskosky testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in opposition to inclusion of Tyonek in the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Size of Nikiski planning group still unsettled after assembly delays action

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday voted 6-3 to delay action on legislation that would reduce the geographic footprint of Nikiski’s Advisory Planning Commission.… Continue reading

Tyonek Native Corporation CEO Stephen Peskosky testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in opposition to inclusion of Tyonek in the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kachemak Selo Middle-High School building sits against a backdrop of the ridge separating the village from the Kenai Peninsula Borough road system Thursday, Aug. 30 in Kachemak-Selo. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Board of Ed group will focus on district’s small schools

A newly minted Kenai Peninsula Borough School District group will focus on the needs of the district’s small schools and advise the board members on… Continue reading

The Kachemak Selo Middle-High School building sits against a backdrop of the ridge separating the village from the Kenai Peninsula Borough road system Thursday, Aug. 30 in Kachemak-Selo. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Recognizable components make up this metal face seen in a sculpture by Jacob Nabholz Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Kenai Art Center, in Kenai, Alaska, as part of Metalwork & Play. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Metalwork gets time to shine

Metal is on showcase this month at the Kenai Art Center

Recognizable components make up this metal face seen in a sculpture by Jacob Nabholz Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at the Kenai Art Center, in Kenai, Alaska, as part of Metalwork & Play. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Micciche (center) listens to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly certify the results of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election, through which he was elected mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche made borough mayor

Peter Micciche is the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s new mayor following certification of the Feb. 14, 2023, special election results by the borough assembly on Tuesday.… Continue reading

Peter Micciche (center) listens to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly certify the results of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election, through which he was elected mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A Mackey Lake voter fills out a special mayoral ballot at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Special mayor election saw 13.1% voter turnout

About 13.1% of the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s more than 54,000 voters cast ballots during the Feb. 14 special mayoral election, a report published Tuesday shows.… Continue reading

A Mackey Lake voter fills out a special mayoral ballot at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign indicates the turn for Jim’s Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Jims’ Landing Boat Launch to close for construction

Jims’ Landing boat ramp on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, near Skilak Loop’s east entrance, will be closed for construction for much of March. According… Continue reading

A sign indicates the turn for Jim’s Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Father Rick Miles applies ashes to Pastor Karen Martin Tichenor’s forehead as they prepare for Ashes to Go! on Wednesday; Feb. 22; 2023 at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna; Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Drive-thru Ash Wednesday debuts in Soldotna

A new way to participate in Ash Wednesday debuted on the central Kenai Peninsula on Wednesday. The first “Ashes to Go!” drive-thru Ash Wednesday service… Continue reading

Father Rick Miles applies ashes to Pastor Karen Martin Tichenor’s forehead as they prepare for Ashes to Go! on Wednesday; Feb. 22; 2023 at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna; Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A City of Kenai grader moves snow from a roadway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School snow removal gets financial boost

The Kenai Peninsula Borough will get an additional $390,000 for sanding and snow removal at school facilities following approval of the funds by borough assembly… Continue reading

A City of Kenai grader moves snow from a roadway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Snow and rain, hazardous driving conditions forecast

A winter weather advisory was issued Wednesday by the National Weather Service for Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Cooper Landing, in effect from 12:01 a.m. until… Continue reading

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 outside of The Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: 13 new deaths confirmed, cases and hospitalizations up statewide

Hospitalizations and statewide reported cases of COVID-19 are both up this week, according to the State Department of Health. Cases were reported down in the… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board finance group mulls budget cuts

More students per teacher and the closure of school pools and theaters are among the cuts being considered by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s… Continue reading

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Eric Thomason finishes first in the men's 20-kilometer fat bike at the 6th Annual Tour of Tsalteshi on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Skiers, fat bikers tour Tsalteshi

The 6th Annual Tour of Tsalteshi changed this year to cater more to every athlete. That didn’t mean the event at Tsalteshi Trails just outside… Continue reading

Eric Thomason finishes first in the men's 20-kilometer fat bike at the 6th Annual Tour of Tsalteshi on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A brewer from Arkose Brewery fills a tasting cup during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Frozen RiverFest sees ‘perfect’ weather, strong turnout

Hundreds turned out at Soldotna Creek Park on Saturday for the 8th Annual Frozen RiverFest, put on by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce. In lightly… Continue reading

A brewer from Arkose Brewery fills a tasting cup during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Flowers bloom at Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna offers city manager gig to Seward’s Bower

The City of Soldotna is extending an offer of employment to Janette Bower to become the next city manager following a decision by city council… Continue reading

Flowers bloom at Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School budget debate draws attention to home-school enrollment

As the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District works to fill a projected gap between revenues and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year, fresh attention is… Continue reading

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)