Business

Samantha Springer receives the Outstanding Individual in Tourism award at Industry Appreciation Day in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Individuals and businesses recognized at Industry Appreciation Day

The Kenai Softball Greenstrip was packed on Saturday, Aug. 17, as hundreds gathered to recognize local industries and also enjoy free food and games. The… Continue reading

 

Realtor of the Year Amanda Davis, center, stands with Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors President Randy Work and 2022 Realtor of the Year Natalia Aulenbacher on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo provided by Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors)

Local association names Realtor of the Year

Davis said Tuesday that she was surprised to win the award and be recognized by the people she works with

 

The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai and Soldotna Safeways may be sold under proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger

The local stores will be sold to CS Wholesale Grocers only if the merger overcomes suit from the FTC

 

Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly won’t pursue further discussion on tabled bed tax resolution

Members say they’re going to work on a new version of the idea this winter

Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly member Brent Hibbert speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly tables bed tax, will pick a date for further consideration at next meeting

The resolution says that the proposed borough tax would be “up to” 12%

Assembly member Brent Hibbert speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sparks glitter away as Grey Wilson, of Wilson’s Proper Edge, sharpens an ax at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘No point in cutting with dull knives’

Market fixture Wilson’s Proper Edge a unique mobile tool-sharpening service

Sparks glitter away as Grey Wilson, of Wilson’s Proper Edge, sharpens an ax at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Council member Alex Douthit speaks in favor of an amendment to the CIty of Kenai’s budget that would reduce funds allocated to the Storefront and Streetscape Improvement Program during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Funding reduced for City of Kenai’s storefront improvement grant program

Just over a year after the City of Kenai established its Storefront and Streetscape Improvement Grant, the city council last week reduced the amount of… Continue reading

Council member Alex Douthit speaks in favor of an amendment to the CIty of Kenai’s budget that would reduce funds allocated to the Storefront and Streetscape Improvement Program during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rylee Smith operates her lemonade stand, Lemony Smith, outside of Orange Poppy in Soldotna during Lemonade Day on Saturday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Lemonade Day sparks dozens of pop-up stands

Stands were strewn across Kenai, Soldotna, Sterling and Nikiski

Rylee Smith operates her lemonade stand, Lemony Smith, outside of Orange Poppy in Soldotna during Lemonade Day on Saturday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly member Cindy Ecklund speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly shuts down ordinances that would tax tobacco, fund child care

Ordinance 2024-15 sought to combat the lack of affordable, accessible and quality child care in the borough

Assembly member Cindy Ecklund speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Economist Sam Tappen shares insights about job and economic trends in Alaska and on the Kenai Peninsula during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum at Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (screenshot)

Kenai Peninsula job outlook outpaces other parts of Alaska

During one of the first panels of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum, held Thursday in Soldotna, Sam Tappen, an economist with… Continue reading

Economist Sam Tappen shares insights about job and economic trends in Alaska and on the Kenai Peninsula during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum at Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (screenshot)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
John and Parrisa Harris are surrounded by plants and flowers in the newly reopened Fireweed Greenhouse in Kenai on Sunday.

Fireweed Greenhouse finds renewed bloom

Parrisa and John Harris purchased the greenhouse last summer and reopened it late last month

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
John and Parrisa Harris are surrounded by plants and flowers in the newly reopened Fireweed Greenhouse in Kenai on Sunday.
Dr. Kim Thiele stands by a wall of newspaper clippings and images of family members and precursors in his office near Kenai on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A ministry for me’

Kalifornsky doctor wraps up career after 44 years

Dr. Kim Thiele stands by a wall of newspaper clippings and images of family members and precursors in his office near Kenai on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jylann Green, Aaliyah Bookey and Isabel Thomas watch Dr. Curt Wisnewski as he shows off some x-rays at Kenai Veterinary Hospital in Kenai, Alaska, on Job Shadow Day, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Michelle Duffield/Peninsula Clarion)

Local businesses host Kenai Central students for Job Shadow Day

Students are connected to local businesses to spend a day shadowing jobs paired to their career interests

Jylann Green, Aaliyah Bookey and Isabel Thomas watch Dr. Curt Wisnewski as he shows off some x-rays at Kenai Veterinary Hospital in Kenai, Alaska, on Job Shadow Day, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Michelle Duffield/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Vendors sell wares to attendees of the Vintage Collectibles and Craft Show at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tis the season of craft fairs

Across the peninsula, community organizations host holiday vendors

Vendors sell wares to attendees of the Vintage Collectibles and Craft Show at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jessica Dison stands at the counter of Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Perfectly Alaskan Creations holds grand opening

The shop features work of 50 local crafters

Jessica Dison stands at the counter of Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Joel Caldwell shows off the new Tecnam Traveller on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Aviation to add 14 weekly flights between Kenai and Anchorage

The expansion will come just over a week after Ravn Alaska discontinues service at the Kenai Municipal Airport.

Joel Caldwell shows off the new Tecnam Traveller on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

NOAA seeking comment for proposed regulation of Cook Inlet commercial fishing

Public comment is being sought by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries on a proposed rule that would implement federal management on commercial and… Continue reading

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks before the Board of Game during their Southcentral meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska.

Board of Fisheries will not move Upper Cook Inlet meeting to Kenai Peninsula

The board on Oct. 13 discussed requests received from local organizations and governments to move to the Kenai Peninsula

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks before the Board of Game during their Southcentral meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska.
The Kenai Municipal Airport is seen on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Grant to add 50 weekly flights between Kenai and Anchorage

The change will go into effect on Oct. 21, the day after the last flights to or from Kenai by Ravn Alaska

The Kenai Municipal Airport is seen on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)