It took two forklifts, a large crane, a flatbed truck a team of workers to move the Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa (totem pole) to its new location inside the atrium of the State Office Building on Oct. 15. (Michael Penn / For the Jundeau-Douglas City Museum)
It took two forklifts, a large crane, a flatbed truck a team of workers to move the Wooshkeetaan Kootéeyaa (totem pole) to its new location inside the atrium of the State Office Building on Oct. 15. (Michael Penn / For the Jundeau-Douglas City Museum)
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 Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness book, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai library fundraiser nears $14,000, will conclude next week

The fundraiser was launched in response to a move by the Kenai City Council to delay approval of a library grant.

The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness book, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska Permanent Fund saw record earnings this year and lawmakers are deeply divided about what to do with the earnings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska Permanent Fund saw record earnings this year and lawmakers are deeply divided about what to do with the earnings. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Falcon heavy-lift vessel carrying the jack-up rig Randolph Yost left Kachemak Bay on Monday afternoon, Oct. 25. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Jack-up rig leaves Homer

Oil rig was brought up to drill in upper Cook Inlet in 2016.

The Falcon heavy-lift vessel carrying the jack-up rig Randolph Yost left Kachemak Bay on Monday afternoon, Oct. 25. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A progressive pride flag hangs in Winter Marshall-Allen’s classroom at Homer High School on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 in Homer Alaska. Marshall-Allen was previously asked to take the flag and other symbols displayed in her classroom down, but was allowed to put it back up after filing a grievance with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

‘The school building needs to be a safe haven’

Union forms commission in response to accusations of LGBTQ+ censorship in schools

A progressive pride flag hangs in Winter Marshall-Allen’s classroom at Homer High School on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 in Homer Alaska. Marshall-Allen was previously asked to take the flag and other symbols displayed in her classroom down, but was allowed to put it back up after filing a grievance with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
Nicholas Begich III, middle, speaks with supporters ahead of announcing his plans to run for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Wasilla, Alaska. Begich, a Republican, plans to run for the seat that has been held since 1973 by Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Begich announces US House bid: ‘Alaska needs new energy’

Begich said his loyalties lie with the values and principles of the Republican party.

Nicholas Begich III, middle, speaks with supporters ahead of announcing his plans to run for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Wasilla, Alaska. Begich, a Republican, plans to run for the seat that has been held since 1973 by Republican Rep. Don Young. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Shopping local is back in Soldotna

The program offers $100 in vouchers to people who spent $200 on discretionary items at participating Soldotna businesses.

Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Firewood is burned at a campground at Kelly Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska in September 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Firewood available from bypass project

Logs are approximately 20 feet long and can be picked up between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. at the end of Langille Road.

Firewood is burned at a campground at Kelly Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska in September 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
Gov. Mike Dunleavy criticized state lawmakers at a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2022, for the lack of progress made during the fourth special session of the year. Dunleavy had called lawmakers to Juneau to work towards resolving the state’s long term fiscal issues but deep divisions stalled work.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
Gov. Mike Dunleavy criticized state lawmakers at a news conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2022, for the lack of progress made during the fourth special session of the year. Dunleavy had called lawmakers to Juneau to work towards resolving the state’s long term fiscal issues but deep divisions stalled work.
The Sterling Highway Bridge can be seen on June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. The city council recently approved a plan to revitalize the downtown Soldotna area from Soldotna Creek Park to the bridge. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Soldotna looks to create ‘main street’ by river

The city on Thursday applied for $360,000 from a federal grant program that would help fund a planning project.

The Sterling Highway Bridge can be seen on June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. The city council recently approved a plan to revitalize the downtown Soldotna area from Soldotna Creek Park to the bridge. (Peninsula Clarion file)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Gary Porter, owner of Bald Mountain Air Service, stands in front of his Twin Otter airplane Friday, Oct. 22. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

City Council passes aircraft flat tax rate

The Homer City Council held a public hearing for Ordinance 21-62 concerning a flat tax on aircrafts.

Gary Porter, owner of Bald Mountain Air Service, stands in front of his Twin Otter airplane Friday, Oct. 22. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Amelie Bignell, of Soldotna, drops a treat in the bucket of Hayden Jones, of Soldotna, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at a “trunk-or-treat” event at Orca Theatre on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Alaska. Jones was dressed as Vampirina. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

All Halloween all weekend

A sinister performance, pumpkin carving contest, food drive, pet microchip event and multiple trick-or-treats are on the docket.

Amelie Bignell, of Soldotna, drops a treat in the bucket of Hayden Jones, of Soldotna, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at a “trunk-or-treat” event at Orca Theatre on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Alaska. Jones was dressed as Vampirina. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Bill Elam (center) nominates Brent Hibbert to be president of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Johnson elected assembly president; Hibbert to be vice president

Prior to Tuesday, Johnson, who represents Kasilof, served as the assembly’s vice president.

Bill Elam (center) nominates Brent Hibbert to be president of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Students from Angoon donned their regalia on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, for the 139th anniversary of the bombardment of Angoon by the U.S. Navy. Despite the violence, Angoon residents say the fact the village remains is a testament to their endurance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Students from Angoon donned their regalia on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, for the 139th anniversary of the bombardment of Angoon by the U.S. Navy. Despite the violence, Angoon residents say the fact the village remains is a testament to their endurance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Homer Senior Citizen Center residents participated in a worldwide Televeda bingo event to set a Guinness world record on Friday, Oct. 22. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Homer senior citizens help break world record

The game was held to fight against social isolation in senior communities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Homer Senior Citizen Center residents participated in a worldwide Televeda bingo event to set a Guinness world record on Friday, Oct. 22. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

State hospitalizations still on the rise

Despite a decrease in cases, the state is still seeing hospitalization surge.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
The Seward welcome sign is photographed in July 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward vice mayor and council member resigns

The council accept the resignation of Tony Baclaan during its Monday night meeting.

The Seward welcome sign is photographed in July 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)