Delana Green fields questions from a panel of judges during a “Spark Soldotna” event at the Lone Moose Lodge on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Taking it to the next level

Local entrepreneurs take their ideas to the ‘Shark Tank’

Delana Green fields questions from a panel of judges during a “Spark Soldotna” event at the Lone Moose Lodge on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
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)

District changes substitute requirements amid shortage

The changes are focused on streamlining the application process.

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)
Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal served as a navigational beacon for generations of mariners. Local volunteers are working to preserve it for future generations of lighthouse enthusiasts. (Courtesy Photo/Matthew York)

Local volunteers work to restore, preserve and share historic lighthouse

The structure is the oldest surviving octagonal frame original lighthouse in the state.

Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal served as a navigational beacon for generations of mariners. Local volunteers are working to preserve it for future generations of lighthouse enthusiasts. (Courtesy Photo/Matthew York)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Murkowski to run in 2022; Trump backs rival

So far, she has outraised her Trump-backed opponent Kelly Tshibaka, according to fundraising reports.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases, hospitalizations down from last week

Alaska still holds the spot for the most COVID cases per capita in the country.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna seeks to create mobile recreation unit

The unit would be funded with roughly $50,000 in grant funds.

Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Associated Press
A Utah doctor is accused of lying to get a high-elevation helicopter to rescue him off the tallest mountain in North America and then destroying evidence.

Utah doctor accused of lying for Denali helicopter rescue

Dr. Jason Lance was charged Tuesday with three misdemeanors from his May attempt to summit Denali.

Associated Press
A Utah doctor is accused of lying to get a high-elevation helicopter to rescue him off the tallest mountain in North America and then destroying evidence.
Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna City Council gets rundown on new voting systems

Alaska will be the first U.S. state to hold both an open primary and a ranked choice general election in the same year.

Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran’s for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Remembering the costs of war, veterans ring bell for peace

Celebrating Armistice Day, Veterans for Peace honors those lost in wars.

U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran’s for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It’s so important that we honor our vets’

Community members gather to honor veterans’ sacrifices.

Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID deaths rise above 800

Central Peninsula Hospital had fewer than 11 COVID hospitalizations and was operating at 86% capacity.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)

New boundaries, shortened terms for local senators after redistricting

The board paired new Alaska State House Districts with Senate districts Wednesday.

The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly considers nixing in-person meetings in Homer, Seward

Members discussed if the meetings were necessary with public Zoom access available.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Leroy Keene returns home from Desert Storm in 1990 and is welcomed by his wife and daughter. (Photo provided by Leroy Keene)

Veterans to receive Quilts of Valor on Veterans Day

War affects veterans who make it home differently. For one Homer veteran, talking about what happened during his deployment to Vietnam during the height of… Continue reading

Leroy Keene returns home from Desert Storm in 1990 and is welcomed by his wife and daughter. (Photo provided by Leroy Keene)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Murkowski held a press conference Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 to promote the provisions related to Alaska included the infrastructure bill recently passed by Congress. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A win for Alaska’

Murkowski celebrates passage of federal infrastructure bill

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Murkowski held a press conference Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 to promote the provisions related to Alaska included the infrastructure bill recently passed by Congress. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Chervenak awarded assistant principal of the year

The Kenai Central High School administrator said he was flattered and grateful that the community appreciated his efforts.

Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tomorrow’ starts today

Soldotna High School returns to stage with production of musical “Annie”

The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Finishing touches

High schoolers fill last-minute spot in art center’s mural project.

Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)