News

Kenai City Council member Henry Knackstedt (left), Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (center) and Kenai City Council member Teea Winger (right) debate a resolution that would have voiced the city’s support for a legislative increase in school district funding during a city council meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

After heated debate, Kenai council kills — then postpones — resolution calling for school funding increase

Resolution would have called for BSA increase

Kenai City Council member Henry Knackstedt (left), Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (center) and Kenai City Council member Teea Winger (right) debate a resolution that would have voiced the city’s support for a legislative increase in school district funding during a city council meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The American island of Little Diomede, Alaska, left, and on the right, the Russian island of Big Diomede, are seen from the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica in the Bering Strait, on July 14, 2017. The Alaska Air National Guard on April 3, 2023, traveled nearly 660 miles to rescue a pregnant woman on a small island two miles from Russia who had severe abdominal pains, a reflection of the challenges patients face in the nation’s largest state where the most remote areas have no roads and hospitals can be hundreds of miles away. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Rescue flight highlights Alaska’s unique challenges

The Alaska Air National Guard this week traveled nearly 660 miles to rescue a pregnant woman on a small island

  • Apr 6, 2023
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
The American island of Little Diomede, Alaska, left, and on the right, the Russian island of Big Diomede, are seen from the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica in the Bering Strait, on July 14, 2017. The Alaska Air National Guard on April 3, 2023, traveled nearly 660 miles to rescue a pregnant woman on a small island two miles from Russia who had severe abdominal pains, a reflection of the challenges patients face in the nation’s largest state where the most remote areas have no roads and hospitals can be hundreds of miles away. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kasilof man, 69, dies in residential blaze

Troopers were notified of the fire at around 5:30 a.m.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A visitor to the 2023 Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair speaks to representatives of Paradisos Restaurant on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at the Old Carrs Mall in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Building careers on the peninsula

Job seekers get a chance to meet prospective employers at fair

A visitor to the 2023 Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair speaks to representatives of Paradisos Restaurant on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at the Old Carrs Mall in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Department of Fish and Game Northern Kenai Peninsula Area Manager Colton Lipka speaks to the Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee during a meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Panel sets fishing proposals, asks board to return to peninsula

The Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee met Tuesday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex to hold an election and discuss their proposals to the… Continue reading

Department of Fish and Game Northern Kenai Peninsula Area Manager Colton Lipka speaks to the Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee during a meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sculpture of a guitarist is made entirely from kitchen utensils, standing on a plinth at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in preparation for the debut of the 32nd Annual Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Visual Feast. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Something to ‘feast’ your eyes on

Annual Kenai Art Center exhibit showcasing student artwork

A sculpture of a guitarist is made entirely from kitchen utensils, standing on a plinth at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in preparation for the debut of the 32nd Annual Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Visual Feast. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
All chairs for minority members of the Alaska State House except for Minority Leader Calvin Schrage are empty during Wednesday’s floor session after absent members fled the Alaska State Capitol over a dispute with the majority about an increase in education funding. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Education funding fight prompts House minority walkout

Republican-led majority revokes funding increase as minority threatens to withhold CBR vote

All chairs for minority members of the Alaska State House except for Minority Leader Calvin Schrage are empty during Wednesday’s floor session after absent members fled the Alaska State Capitol over a dispute with the majority about an increase in education funding. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank (right) and Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) present the annual “State of the City” address at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai officials report back in ‘State of the City’

Bump in taxable city sales, momentum on bluff erosion project discussed at annual address

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank (right) and Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) present the annual “State of the City” address at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic shows communities affected by the emergency order extending studded tire removal deadline. (Graphic provided by Department of Public Safety)

Studded tires allowed for 15 extra days in Kenai, Soldotna

Studded tires will be allowed on all parts of the Sterling Highway until the May 15 deadline

Graphic shows communities affected by the emergency order extending studded tire removal deadline. (Graphic provided by Department of Public Safety)
The children’s book “You Are Home With Me,” illustrated by Mitchell Thomas Watley, is shown at a bookstore in Portland, Ore. in this April 5, 2023 photo. Publisher Sasquatch books, owned by Penguin Random House, said Wednesday, April 5, 2023, it has ended its publishing relationship with Watley after he was arrested on allegations of leaving violent, transphobic notes in stores around Juneau, Alaska. Watley told police he was motivated by fear following a deadly school shooting in Nashville that sparked online backlash about the shooter’s gender identity, court records show. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)

Publisher drops children’s illustrator for anti-trans notes

The text on the notes read: “Feeling Cute Might Shoot Some Children.”

  • Apr 5, 2023
  • By Mark Thiessen and Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
The children’s book “You Are Home With Me,” illustrated by Mitchell Thomas Watley, is shown at a bookstore in Portland, Ore. in this April 5, 2023 photo. Publisher Sasquatch books, owned by Penguin Random House, said Wednesday, April 5, 2023, it has ended its publishing relationship with Watley after he was arrested on allegations of leaving violent, transphobic notes in stores around Juneau, Alaska. Watley told police he was motivated by fear following a deadly school shooting in Nashville that sparked online backlash about the shooter’s gender identity, court records show. (AP Photo/Claire Rush)
Visitors look at a peace crane statue unveiled as part of the grand opening and dedication of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peace crane garden organizers share update at assembly

The trail network is part of a Community Trail Management Agreement with the borough

Visitors look at a peace crane statue unveiled as part of the grand opening and dedication of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna High School hockey team is recognized for winning the 2023 Division II state hockey championship during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Soldtona, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi hockey team commended for Division II championship win

The resolution passed Tuesday was co-sponsored by Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox

The Soldotna High School hockey team is recognized for winning the 2023 Division II state hockey championship during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Soldtona, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Borough cases hit low not seen in years

Only 12 cases were reported this week, down from 22 last week

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved. (The Associated Press)

Oil plan foes lose 1st fight over Willow project

The court’s decision means ConocoPhillips Alaska can forge ahead with cold-weather construction work

A map shows the location of the Willow oil field project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where more than 200 drills are scheduled to be drilled during a 30-year period if approved. (The Associated Press)
Kenai Parks and Recreation Laborer Charlotte Thurman dresses up as a rabbit at an Easter event at Kenai Municipal Park on Friday, April 2, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Easter brings egg hunting and seasonal feasts to the central peninsula

There will be several opportunities for children to chase eggs and families to partake in some seasonal eating

Kenai Parks and Recreation Laborer Charlotte Thurman dresses up as a rabbit at an Easter event at Kenai Municipal Park on Friday, April 2, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on March 28 in Juneau. Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire) Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

House bill aims to boost Alaska Performance Scholarship use

The scholarship is awarded to support education after high school graduation

Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on March 28 in Juneau. Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire) Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
Community members participate in the Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Thursday, April 7, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Job fair to spotlight opportunities and tools for career development

50 vendors together to connect with job seekers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Community members participate in the Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Thursday, April 7, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The aftermath of a small grass fire off East Hill Road near Homer, Alaska is seen here on April 8, 2020. The fire was started by a discarded cigarette. (Photo by Matt James/Alaska Division of Forestry)

Wildland fire season starts; burn permits now required

Burn permits are available from the Division of Forestry Fire Prevention

The aftermath of a small grass fire off East Hill Road near Homer, Alaska is seen here on April 8, 2020. The fire was started by a discarded cigarette. (Photo by Matt James/Alaska Division of Forestry)
The Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee meets on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Advisory Committee to make proposals to change fishing regulation

The Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex to hold an election and discuss… Continue reading

The Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee meets on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students place pinwheels in snow painted a vibrant blue at The Study in Soldotna, Alaska, as they commemorate Go Blue Day on Friday, March 31, 2023, to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Go Blue Day’ kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month

“There’s no excuse for child abuse.”

Students place pinwheels in snow painted a vibrant blue at The Study in Soldotna, Alaska, as they commemorate Go Blue Day on Friday, March 31, 2023, to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)