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)
Cook Inlet can be seen at low tide from North Kenai Beach on June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Last open house on proposed Cook Inlet lease sale is Wednesday

Do you have thoughts on a proposed oil and gas lease sale in Cook Inlet? The federal government wants to hear from you. The Bureau… Continue reading

Cook Inlet can be seen at low tide from North Kenai Beach on June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River king escapement misses key target

Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced preliminary estimated escapement numbers for Kenai River late-run King Salmon on Thursday. Currently, the total is estimated to… Continue reading

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidate Victoria Askin participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai candidates debate city’s future

The five candidates vying for open seats on the Kenai City Council convened Monday at the Soldotna Public Library for the first of nine candidate… Continue reading

From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidate Victoria Askin participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A renovated cupola was restored onto the Saint Nicholas Chapel in Kenai, Alaska on Aug. 29, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Saint Nicholas Chapel gets renovation

Saint Nicholas Chapel in Old Town Kenai, located right next to Veronica’s Cafe and across the street from the larger Holy Assumption of the Virgin… Continue reading

A renovated cupola was restored onto the Saint Nicholas Chapel in Kenai, Alaska on Aug. 29, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Anchor Point man dies of unintentional gunshot wound

An Anchor Point man has died of an unintentional gunshot wound. Kenneth Defrancesco, 80, appeared to have been killed while getting out of his vehicle… Continue reading

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A construction vehicle at the site of the new Tsalteshi Trail maintenance building at Skyview Middle School on Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Tsalteshi starts on new maintenance shed

Construction is beginning on a new maintenance building for the Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna. Trees began to be cleared a couple of weeks… Continue reading

A construction vehicle at the site of the new Tsalteshi Trail maintenance building at Skyview Middle School on Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
2022 gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce walks in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough attorney addresses Pierce resignation

Kenai Peninsula Borough Attorney Sean Kelley on Sunday addressed questions surrounding the resignation of Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce in an email sent to members of… Continue reading

2022 gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce walks in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Amy Jackman (center) and others dance to music performed by Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise on Aug. 24, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Hip-hop ‘n’ harp

Seasonal sun shines on Music in the Park

Amy Jackman (center) and others dance to music performed by Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise on Aug. 24, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Clarion, KDLL 91.9 FM partner to hold local candidate forums

Forums will be held Mondays at the Soldotna Public Library

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FILE - Registered pharmacist Sapana Patel holds a bottle of Monkeypox vaccine at a Pop-Up Monkeypox vaccination site on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Limited monkeypox vaccines now available at Kenai Public Health Center

Limited monkeypox vaccines are available at the Kenai Public Health Center for those eligible. Alaska reported its first case of the monkeypox outbreak, which was… Continue reading

FILE - Registered pharmacist Sapana Patel holds a bottle of Monkeypox vaccine at a Pop-Up Monkeypox vaccination site on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks about the National Blue Ribbon award during an assembly at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Friday, Jan 14, 2022. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Bond package could chip away at school maintenance

It’s no secret that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is in the red when it comes to school maintenance. The average lifespan of the… Continue reading

Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks about the National Blue Ribbon award during an assembly at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Friday, Jan 14, 2022. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File
A roll of I voted stickers await voters on Saturday at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau.

Special House race set for photo finish

Peltola now leads by 8% in special House race, pollster calls it ’toss-up’ due to ranked choice voting

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File
A roll of I voted stickers await voters on Saturday at the Alaska Division of Elections office in Juneau.
2022 gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce walks in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce resigns as borough mayor, will focus on gubernatorial bid

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce is stepping down as mayor, effective Sept. 30, citing plans to focus on his 2022 gubernatorial bid, the Pierce… Continue reading

2022 gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce walks in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

KPEDD urges participation in federal broadband survey

The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District is asking for people on the Kenai Peninsula to help the federal government figure out how fast internet service… Continue reading

KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Attorney Brooks Chandler (center) discussess how Soldotna Creek Park can and cannot be used by members of the public during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna drag debate heats up; city describes path forthward

Concerns over a June drag performance in Soldotna Creek Park escalated at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Soldotna City Council, where testimony on the performance… Continue reading

Soldotna City Attorney Brooks Chandler (center) discussess how Soldotna Creek Park can and cannot be used by members of the public during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis presents a quarterly update to the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Chamber: Soldotna businesses hit by worker shortages

Visitor numbers were strong, but businesses struggled with worker shortages throughout Soldotna this summer. That’s the way Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis… Continue reading

Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis presents a quarterly update to the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Fire Department resuces distressed boater Thursday morning

The City of Kenai Fire Department responded to a call made by a boater in distress and returned the operator to shore early Thursday morning.… Continue reading

The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)