News

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion Soldotna High School Principal Sargeant Truesdell speaks during the school’s commencement ceremony on May 18, 2022, in Soldotna.

SoHi Principal named regional Principal of the Year

The award honors educational leaders who play a pivotal role in student success

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion Soldotna High School Principal Sargeant Truesdell speaks during the school’s commencement ceremony on May 18, 2022, in Soldotna.
Peter Micciche (second from left) is sworn in as mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche reflects on taking helm at ‘rudderless’ borough

Micciche cruised to victory in the Feb. 14 Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral special election

Peter Micciche (second from left) is sworn in as mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/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)

Fish and Game releases memo on Cook Inlet escapement goals

The information is intended to be used during a board work session next year

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)
Acting Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Michele Turner, left, accepts a ballot from Richard Derkevorkian during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly considers resuming annual meetings in Homer, Seward

The assembly currently meets at the George A. Navarre Administration Building in Soldotna

Acting Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Michele Turner, left, accepts a ballot from Richard Derkevorkian during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Suwannasa Piwon, right, stands at the counter and greets guests during a soft opening held Friday, April 7, 2023, at Siam Noodles and Food in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Authenticity a catalyst for growth at local Thai restaurant

Siam Noodles and Food opens in new location, credits community support and dedication to authentic Thai food

Suwannasa Piwon, right, stands at the counter and greets guests during a soft opening held Friday, April 7, 2023, at Siam Noodles and Food in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A tripod set by the Soldotna and Kenai Rotary Clubs stands over the ice of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River Ice Classic to move forward

The classic, inspired by the annual Nenana Ice Classic, would involve guessing when the ice would move on the Kenai River

A tripod set by the Soldotna and Kenai Rotary Clubs stands over the ice of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
In this Thursday, April 6, 2023, image provided by Providence Alaska, a moose stands inside a Providence Alaska Health Park medical building in Anchorage, Alaska. The moose chomped on plants in the lobby until security was able to shoo it out, but not before people stopped by to take photos of the moose. (Providence Alaska via AP)

Moose feasts on lobby plants in Anchorage hospital building

A young moose trudging through the snow looking for a meal spotted green plants in the lobby of a medical building

  • Apr 7, 2023
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
  • State News
In this Thursday, April 6, 2023, image provided by Providence Alaska, a moose stands inside a Providence Alaska Health Park medical building in Anchorage, Alaska. The moose chomped on plants in the lobby until security was able to shoo it out, but not before people stopped by to take photos of the moose. (Providence Alaska via AP)
The plans for the Triumvirate Theater’s new building are seen in this mockup. (Courtesy of Joe Rizzo)

Assembly backs Triumvirate rebuild

Assembly backs Triumvirate rebuild

The plans for the Triumvirate Theater’s new building are seen in this mockup. (Courtesy of Joe Rizzo)
Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside of the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Several inches of snow forecast for this weekend

A “complex area of low pressure” will move into Southcentral Alaska this weekend

Snow is cleared from the road during the start of another major snowfall on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, outside of the Peninsula Clarion offices in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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)