Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna shop local program ends with funds fully expended

The program was made possible using federal CARES Act funds

Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Lighted figures are displayed in the yard of Robin and Jim Allemann as part of the couple’s annual Christmas show, in Nikiski on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Light in the darkness

Nikiski couple takes Christmas lights to another level

Lighted figures are displayed in the yard of Robin and Jim Allemann as part of the couple’s annual Christmas show, in Nikiski on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Monday. (Screenshot)

Winter weather advisory in place for western peninsula

1 to 4 inches of snow and around one-tenth of an inch of ice buildup is expected.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Monday. (Screenshot)
Miss Alaska Emma Broyles, center, reacts after being crowned Miss America at Mohegan Sun, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

New Miss America 1st Alaskan, Korean American title holder

Broyles, 20, said her grandparents immigrated from Korea to Anchorage about 50 years ago, before her mother was born.

  • Dec 18, 2021
  • By MARK THIESSSEN Associated Press
  • State News
Miss Alaska Emma Broyles, center, reacts after being crowned Miss America at Mohegan Sun, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The waters of Prince William Sound are seen from Whittier, Alaska, in March 2018. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Grant would boost Alaska, peninsula mariculture

Mariculture refers to marine farming or aquaculture in marine environments.

The waters of Prince William Sound are seen from Whittier, Alaska, in March 2018. (Peninsula Clarion file)
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)

COVID hurdles prompt district to expand early release days

In all, the change will result in an additional loss of 4.5 hours of school time.

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)
Fireweed Academy kindergarteners drum along with Sankofa Dance Theatre during their residency on Thursday, Dec. 9. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Sankofa Dance Theater teaches Fireweeders traditional African culture

Sankofa Dance Theater Alaska, established in 2017, is an Anchorage-based African dance and drum group.

Fireweed Academy kindergarteners drum along with Sankofa Dance Theatre during their residency on Thursday, Dec. 9. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
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)
State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin speaks during a press briefing by the Alaska State Department of Public Health on Dec. 16, 2021. (Screenshot)

‘Yes, this pandemic will end’

But it’s going to take proactive work, health officials say

State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin speaks during a press briefing by the Alaska State Department of Public Health on Dec. 16, 2021. (Screenshot)
Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Oct. 26. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness books, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials.

Council OKs library grant at the center of censorship controversy

The new council gave unanimous approval to the legislation on Wednesday.

Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Oct. 26. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness books, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials.
Rep. Ben Carpenter facilitates a town hall in Nikiski, Alaska, about a new cold weather shelter in the community on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Organizers respond to community concerns over Nikiski shelter

The shelter is located off the Kenai Spur Highway in Nikiski and has been years in the making.

Rep. Ben Carpenter facilitates a town hall in Nikiski, Alaska, about a new cold weather shelter in the community on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen here at an Aug. 16, 2021 news conference. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Governor revisits proposal to divide DHSS

The move would create a Department of Health and a Department of Family and Community Services.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen here at an Aug. 16, 2021 news conference. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
From left, Sophia Micciche, Luci Micciche and Terri Burdick perform during the Triumvirate Theatre’s rehearsal of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lioin, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Triumvirate brings Narnia to life

The acclaimed tale follows four siblings who discover a snowy fantasy world beyond the doors of an antique wardrobe.

From left, Sophia Micciche, Luci Micciche and Terri Burdick perform during the Triumvirate Theatre’s rehearsal of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lioin, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Image via State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

‘Urgent’ need to address youth mental health in Alaska

In 2019, suicide was the leading cause of death for young adults ages 15 to 24 in Alaska.

Image via State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about the proposed State of Alaska fiscal year 2023 operating and capital budget on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy releases $11 billion budget plan

The Kenai Bluff Stabilization project is among those that would receive funding

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about the proposed State of Alaska fiscal year 2023 operating and capital budget on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Eastern peninsula COVID cases decline

COVID cases on the eastern peninsula have been rapidly declining since late September.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A GoFundMe page created to help Mathany Satterwhite after her house burned down features a photo of the log cabin on fire. (Screenshot)

House fire victims thankful to be alive

A GoFundMe is taking donations for the victims

A GoFundMe page created to help Mathany Satterwhite after her house burned down features a photo of the log cabin on fire. (Screenshot)
The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

City of Homer joins Upper Cook Inlet fishing closure litigation

City council voted to submit an amicus brief concerning the closure

The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Kenai Watershed Forum Education Specialist Megan Pike, left, explains how rivers impact their surroundings during a demonstration given at the Donald E. Gilman River Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘You’re in this watershed’

Demonstration table shows how water affects peninsula geography.

Kenai Watershed Forum Education Specialist Megan Pike, left, explains how rivers impact their surroundings during a demonstration given at the Donald E. Gilman River Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)