Snow falls on a "vote here" sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

7 votes kill Seward utility sale

The decision not to sell the City of Seward’s electric utility to Homer Electric Association came down to just seven votes, unofficial final election results… Continue reading

Snow falls on a "vote here" sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A troller fishes in Sitka Sound, Alaska on February 2, 2021. A ruling from a U.S. judge in Seattle could effectively shut down commercial king salmon trolling in Southeast Alaska — a valuable industry that supports some 1,500 fishermen — after a conservation group challenged the harvest as a threat to protected fish and the endangered killer whales that eat them. (James Poulson/Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)

Ruling might cancel Alaska commercial king salmon season

Wild Fish Conservancy, the organization that brought the lawsuit, heralded the decision

A troller fishes in Sitka Sound, Alaska on February 2, 2021. A ruling from a U.S. judge in Seattle could effectively shut down commercial king salmon trolling in Southeast Alaska — a valuable industry that supports some 1,500 fishermen — after a conservation group challenged the harvest as a threat to protected fish and the endangered killer whales that eat them. (James Poulson/Daily Sitka Sentinel via AP)
First Place Winner Paxton McKnight, of Cook Inlet Academy, is introduced by Merrill Sikorski at the Caring for the Kenai Awards Celebration held during a Joint Chamber Luncheon on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Chambers honor Caring for the Kenai finalists

The contest challenges peninsula students to devise ways to improve the environment or prepare for a natural disaster

First Place Winner Paxton McKnight, of Cook Inlet Academy, is introduced by Merrill Sikorski at the Caring for the Kenai Awards Celebration held during a Joint Chamber Luncheon on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Cases and hospitalizations stay low

15 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alaska

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Poster for Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited Fishing Gear Swap. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited)

Trout Unlimited to host fishing gear swap May 13

Gear can be dropped off and sold at the event for commission or just donated

Poster for Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited Fishing Gear Swap. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited)
Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers are seen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough assembly to resume meeings in Homer, Seward

The decision came after residents in those communities asked to be included in the body’s meeting schedule

Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers are seen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai River Sportfishing Association offices in Soldotna, Alaska, are seen on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KRSA debuts community-wide river cleanup

For years, the organization has hosted the Kid’s Kenai River Clean-Up but muddy conditions led to that event’s cancellation this year

The Kenai River Sportfishing Association offices in Soldotna, Alaska, are seen on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow falls on a “vote here” sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Voters weigh in on future of Seward electric utility

This story has been updated with the latest results. A majority of Seward residents on Tuesday voted in favor of the city selling its electric… Continue reading

Snow falls on a “vote here” sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Local state troopers among those to start wearing cameras

Ultimately every trooper, marshal and officer under the department will be issued a camera during a “full-deployment” later this year

Alaska State Troopers logo.
“The Creation,” by Elias S., is a massive structure composed of bright colors seen on Friday, April 28, 2023, part of Brick by Brick at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A bunch of bricks

Kenai Community Library hosts second annual Lego contest

“The Creation,” by Elias S., is a massive structure composed of bright colors seen on Friday, April 28, 2023, part of Brick by Brick at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/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 board briefed on remote learning opportunities

Members of the school board’s small schools committee were briefed Monday about the kinds of remote learning opportunities made available to students. The committee, officially… 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)
The Alaska Capitol is photographed in January 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file)

School funding tops district’s priority list

“Parental rights” legislation and defined benefit plans were also among concerns discussed

The Alaska Capitol is photographed in January 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, left, addresses constituents during a town hall event on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman lumber bill heads to governor’s desk

Senate Bill 87 aims to make locally milled lumber more widely available for the construction of housing in Alaska

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, left, addresses constituents during a town hall event on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

NOAA to hear public comment about Cook Inlet salmon management

The hearing will be held online as a webinar May 18

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
Harper Leck, 3, watches as her line and weight sink into the water at an Alaska Department of Fish and Game-stocked fish pond at the annual Sports and Rec Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion file)

Sport, Rec Trade Show returns this weekend

Somewhere around 120 vendors are participating this year

Harper Leck, 3, watches as her line and weight sink into the water at an Alaska Department of Fish and Game-stocked fish pond at the annual Sports and Rec Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion file)
Shonathin Hoskins opens at the season’s first Levitt Amp music series in Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Levitt AMP roster set for Soldotna music series

26 artists will perform across 13 weeks, from June 7 until Aug. 30

Shonathin Hoskins opens at the season’s first Levitt Amp music series in Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members Deborah Sounar, left, and Teea Winger review budget documents during a work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council makes headway on draft city budget

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank and Kenai Controller Lana Metcalf presented to city council members

Kenai City Council members Deborah Sounar, left, and Teea Winger review budget documents during a work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Charlie Stephens sits with a copy of his book, "Passion Over Pain" on Monday, May 1, 2023, in the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Telling his story

Local author looks back at cancer and recovery

Charlie Stephens sits with a copy of his book, "Passion Over Pain" on Monday, May 1, 2023, in the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Eric Trevino walks the length of the press on Monday, April 24, 2023, in the Peninsula Clarion pressroom in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Stopping the press

The Clarion’s printing press retired after three decades

Eric Trevino walks the length of the press on Monday, April 24, 2023, in the Peninsula Clarion pressroom in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Fishing for steelhead trout and Pacific halibut ‘just beginning’

The first Northern Kenai Fishing Report of 2023 was released Friday

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)