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Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. On Wednesday, a trio of bills seeking to increase penalties for sex and drug crimes was introduced by by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Governor targets sex and drug crimes

Bills increase penalties for sex trafficking and fatal overdoses, but effectiveness questioned

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. On Wednesday, a trio of bills seeking to increase penalties for sex and drug crimes was introduced by by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
From left, borough mayoral candidates Dave Carey, Peter Micciche, Zachary Hamilton and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participate in a candidate forum held at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Candidates make final pitches at Soldotna forum

The election is Tuesday, Feb. 14

From left, borough mayoral candidates Dave Carey, Peter Micciche, Zachary Hamilton and Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participate in a candidate forum held at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Incoming Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maddy McElrea addresses attendees at a chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

McElrea named new executive director of Soldotna Chamber

She is filling the role vacated by Shanon Davis

Incoming Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maddy McElrea addresses attendees at a chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the The Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, including the release of the first round of prefile bills published Monday by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Ruffridge bill would exempt veterinarians from opioid reporting program

The bill cleared the Alaska Senate last session

Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the The Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, including the release of the first round of prefile bills published Monday by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes (left) gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district budget forums start next week

In Homer, Kenai and Seward district finance staff will provide an overview of district finances

KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes (left) gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Cases slow statewide; hospitalizations rise

61 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alaska

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Tyson Cox (right) and Richard Derkevorkian (center) discuss an amendment to legislation that raised the borough mayor’s salary at an assembly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly hikes borough mayor’s pay

The pay bump does not apply to current Borough Mayor Mike Navarre, or to whoever is elected through the special mayoral election

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Tyson Cox (right) and Richard Derkevorkian (center) discuss an amendment to legislation that raised the borough mayor’s salary at an assembly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Wood is piled near the entrance to Centennial Park on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Federal grants for wood projects accepting applications

The Wood Innovations Grant Program seeks to fund expansion of wood use projects

Wood is piled near the entrance to Centennial Park on Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings addresses the KPBSD Board of Education on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayoral candidates reiterate commitment to school funding

Dave Carey, Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, Zach Hamilton and Peter Micciche spoke to KPBSD Board of Education members

Kenai Peninsula Borough mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings addresses the KPBSD Board of Education on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Public Health Center is seen on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Report: Alaska makes progress, falls short on 2030 health goals

Healthy Alaskans 2030 tracks 30 health objectives related to a variety of health factors

The Kenai Public Health Center is seen on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Golden-yellow birch trees and spruce frame a view of Aurora Lagoon and Portlock Glacier from a trail in the Cottonwood-Eastland Unit of Kachemak Bay State Park off East End Road on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)

State parks advisory boards accepting applications

Alaska State Park advisory boards provide state park managers with recommendations on management issues

Golden-yellow birch trees and spruce frame a view of Aurora Lagoon and Portlock Glacier from a trail in the Cottonwood-Eastland Unit of Kachemak Bay State Park off East End Road on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)
A recently added port-a-potty is available in the parking lot of Slikok Multi-Use Trails on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Slikok makes sanitation upgrades

A port-a-potty was installed to due to the increased popularity of the trails

A recently added port-a-potty is available in the parking lot of Slikok Multi-Use Trails on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer Spit stretching into Kachemak Bay is seen here on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Homer woman indicted over seaplane incident

Marian Tillion Beck was indicted on charges of negligent operation of a vessel and attempted interference with the navigation of a sea plane

The Homer Spit stretching into Kachemak Bay is seen here on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Soldotna High School can be seen in this Sept. 2, 2021, photo, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)

‘Little Sweethearts’ family dance to debut at SoHi

The event will be hosted by SoHi’s freshmen student council

Soldotna High School can be seen in this Sept. 2, 2021, photo, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)
Soldotna City Council members interview city manager applicant Elke Doom (on screen) during a special city council meeting on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Doom, Bower named finalists for Soldotna manager gig

The two will visit Soldotna for in-person meetings on Feb. 7 and 13, respectively

Soldotna City Council members interview city manager applicant Elke Doom (on screen) during a special city council meeting on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The northern fur seal rescued by Alaska SeaLife Center staff is seen on Jan. 31, 2023, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

Northern fur seal pup admitted to SeaLife Center rescue program

The pup was reported by Sitka residents using the center’s 24-hour stranding hotline

The northern fur seal rescued by Alaska SeaLife Center staff is seen on Jan. 31, 2023, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
The Kenai Community Library children’s section is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Literary competition returns to local schools

Battle of the Books aims to instill in kids a love of reading

The Kenai Community Library children’s section is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Climate activists hold a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol Friday afternoon in advocacy for legislative action to improve Alaska’s renewable energy development and future sustainability.

Climate activists hold rally near the Capitol

Statewide organizations advocate for legislative action

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Climate activists hold a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol Friday afternoon in advocacy for legislative action to improve Alaska’s renewable energy development and future sustainability.
Shanon Davis, the executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, hands out candy during the Sweeny’s St. Patrick’s Parade in Soldotna on March 17, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Davis to step down as Soldotna chamber head

Davis oversaw the implementation of Soldotna’s “Holding Our Own,” shop local program

Shanon Davis, the executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, hands out candy during the Sweeny’s St. Patrick’s Parade in Soldotna on March 17, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai resident Barbara Kennedy testifies in support of allowing more city residents to own chickens during a city council meeting on Wednesday, Feb.1, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council bumps back vote on chicken ordinance

The ordinance would allow Kenai residents to keep up to 12 chicken hens on certain lots

Kenai resident Barbara Kennedy testifies in support of allowing more city residents to own chickens during a city council meeting on Wednesday, Feb.1, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)