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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)
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)