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John Land, Christina Land, Joshua Land and Edgar Land of Grace Acres Farm show off some of their produce at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Harvest Moon fest to celebrate local food

Events at the stage, a chef tent and a demonstration tent will run between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Soldotna Creek Park

John Land, Christina Land, Joshua Land and Edgar Land of Grace Acres Farm show off some of their produce at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The official ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)

5 takeaway lessons from Alaska’s first ranked choice election

In November, Alaskans will use ranked choice voting on legislative and statewide races

The official ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara.

Alaska primary certified; local results are unchanged

Results were made official on Sept. 2

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara.
Fishers set out equipment a short distance from shore in the Tongass National Forest. The federal government on Friday announced it is awarding a $49 million grant to Alaska Mariculture Cluster, which is seeking to develop a $100 million a year sustainable seafood program in Southeast Alaska and other parts of the state. (U.S. Forest Service)

Alaska mariculture gets $49 million boost from feds

The coalition behind the project includes the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District

Fishers set out equipment a short distance from shore in the Tongass National Forest. The federal government on Friday announced it is awarding a $49 million grant to Alaska Mariculture Cluster, which is seeking to develop a $100 million a year sustainable seafood program in Southeast Alaska and other parts of the state. (U.S. Forest Service)
Screenshot from AdImpact video U.S. Representative-elect Mary Peltola talks about abortion rights in her first television ad after winning Alaska’s special election to fill the remainder of the late Don Young’s seat.

Peltola to be sworn in Sept. 13

Special U.S. House race certified; Palin, Begich repeat demands the other drop out of November election

Screenshot from AdImpact video U.S. Representative-elect Mary Peltola talks about abortion rights in her first television ad after winning Alaska’s special election to fill the remainder of the late Don Young’s seat.
From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidates Victoria Askin, Alex Douthit and Glenese Pettey participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM, in partnership with the Central Kenai Peninsula League of Women Voters are hosting a series of election forums Mondays from 6-7 p.m. through Oct. 31 at the Soldotna library. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

2nd Clarion/KDLL forum is Tuesday

The forum will spotlight candidates running for seats on the Soldotna City Council

From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidates Victoria Askin, Alex Douthit and Glenese Pettey participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM, in partnership with the Central Kenai Peninsula League of Women Voters are hosting a series of election forums Mondays from 6-7 p.m. through Oct. 31 at the Soldotna library. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A state employee changes speed limit signs along the Sterling Highway. (Photos courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities)

State ups speed limit on 20-mile stretch of Sterling Highway

The stretch of highway runs roughly between the two entrances of Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area

A state employee changes speed limit signs along the Sterling Highway. (Photos courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Coho fishing still good on Kenai River

Northern Kenai Fishing Report

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A school bus advertises driver positions outside of Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. Multiple Kenai Peninsula Borough School District bus routes will be consolidated beginning next week as it faces rising prices and a labor shortage. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district further changes bus routes

Changes were shared in a Friday post to the district’s Facebook page

A school bus advertises driver positions outside of Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. Multiple Kenai Peninsula Borough School District bus routes will be consolidated beginning next week as it faces rising prices and a labor shortage. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek stands in his office on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Mugging’ with the chief

Soldotna’s new police head brings experience, enthusiam for community outreach

Soldotna Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek stands in his office on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Defense Force Brig. Gen. Simon Brown pins a badge on Maurice “Mo” Hughes, left, who was promoted from commander of A Detachment to colonel of the Alaska State Troopers during a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers)

Peninsula trooper commander promoted to colonel

Maurice Hughes most recently served as Commander of A Detachment

Alaska Defense Force Brig. Gen. Simon Brown pins a badge on Maurice “Mo” Hughes, left, who was promoted from commander of A Detachment to colonel of the Alaska State Troopers during a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers)
Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Eastman stays on ballot for now

Anchorage judge declines to determine eligibility before printing

Alaska state Rep. David Eastman, a Wasilla Republican, is shown seated on the House floor on April 29, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
Mary Peltola celebrates her win in the U.S. after results are announced for the special election in which she won the race for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Marc Lester/AP)

Peltola steps into national spotlight

Special election victor gets call from Biden, readies for encore that may decide control of Congress

Mary Peltola celebrates her win in the U.S. after results are announced for the special election in which she won the race for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Marc Lester/AP)
Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski, Sullivan throw support behind Alaska LNG Project

The project would move gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant in Nikiski

Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A baggage carousel can be seen at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Ravn Alaska announced this week new charges for luggage. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Ravn to charge baggage fees for all passengers

Tickets purchased prior to Sept. 1 will not be subject to the revised fees

A baggage carousel can be seen at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Ravn Alaska announced this week new charges for luggage. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman (center) speaks while Aaron Rhoades (right) looks on during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough legal recommends special mayoral election

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Legal Department is recommending that assembly members call a special election to finish out the remainder of Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce’s… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman (center) speaks while Aaron Rhoades (right) looks on during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Courtesy Photo | The CDC)

COVID cases down, fewer patients on ventilators this week

The State Department of Health reported Wednesday that 80 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19. Five of those patients are on a ventilator. This is an… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Courtesy Photo | The CDC)
Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion Mike O’Brien shows off his cherries Wednesday at O’Brien Garden & Trees in Nikiski.

Harvesting knowledge

Nikiski farmer values learning over dollars

Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion Mike O’Brien shows off his cherries Wednesday at O’Brien Garden & Trees in Nikiski.
Voters cast ballots in Alaska’s special general and regular primary elections at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Register to vote in Oct. 4 election by Sept. 4

Want to vote in the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s upcoming municipal election? Make sure you’re registered to vote by Sept. 4. That’s the deadline to register… Continue reading

Voters cast ballots in Alaska’s special general and regular primary elections at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai and spokesperson Tiffany Montemayor, left, explain the first-ever tabulation of ranked choice votes as elections programming manager Brian Jackson enters updated results during a livestream Wednesday afternoon. Democrat Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican Sara Palin by willing by nearly 9% on first-choice ballots, then received enough second-choice votes from third candidate Nick Begich III to prevail by an official total of about 3%. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola makes history

With ranked choice victory, Democrat set to become first Alaska Native elected to Congress

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai and spokesperson Tiffany Montemayor, left, explain the first-ever tabulation of ranked choice votes as elections programming manager Brian Jackson enters updated results during a livestream Wednesday afternoon. Democrat Mary Peltola prevailed over Republican Sara Palin by willing by nearly 9% on first-choice ballots, then received enough second-choice votes from third candidate Nick Begich III to prevail by an official total of about 3%. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)