Kenai

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank, right, and Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, left, present the annual “State of the City” address at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank, right, and Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, left, present the annual “State of the City” address at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/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)
A Mackey Lake voter fills out a special mayoral ballot at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A Mackey Lake voter fills out a special mayoral ballot at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members Henry Knackstedt (left) and Alex Douthit (standing) speak with Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (right) during a council meeting at-ease on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai puts new limits on marijuana facilities in residential area; bolsters public noticing

Kenai City Council members Wednesday unanimously approved changes aimed at expanding how the city notifies residents of a commercial marijuana establishment opening in their area.… Continue reading

Kenai City Council members Henry Knackstedt (left) and Alex Douthit (standing) speak with Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (right) during a council meeting at-ease on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A pavillion under construction marks the entrance to the future Kenai Dog Park on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Work underway at Kenai dog park

The city has eyed July for a grand opening

A pavillion under construction marks the entrance to the future Kenai Dog Park on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ellie and Elias Ritter run Squeeze the Day in front of Odie’s Deli in Soldotna, Alaska, on Lemonade Day, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids serve up lemonade in annual entrepreneurial event

The event was organized by the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce

Ellie and Elias Ritter run Squeeze the Day in front of Odie’s Deli in Soldotna, Alaska, on Lemonade Day, Saturday, June 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A plane operated by LifeMed Alaska is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula Air Fair on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

In the pilot’s seat

Air fair offers public opportunity to tour planes, helicopters

A plane operated by LifeMed Alaska is displayed at the Kenai Peninsula Air Fair on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank (left) and Kenai Controller Lana Metcalf (right) present budget information during a city council work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai adopts budget, staff recruitment strategies

The city expects there to be a general fund surplus of about $436,000 in fiscal year 2025

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank (left) and Kenai Controller Lana Metcalf (right) present budget information during a city council work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai cuts ties with out-of-state marketing firm

Council members expressed skepticism about the firm’s performance

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Judges Peter Micciche, Terry Eubank and Tyler Best sample a salmon dish prepared by chef Stephen Lamm of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at Return of the Reds on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Kenai City Dock in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai celebrates ‘Return of the Reds’ in food bank fundraiser

Chefs competed for best salmon recipe; fresh-caught fish auctioned

Judges Peter Micciche, Terry Eubank and Tyler Best sample a salmon dish prepared by chef Stephen Lamm of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at Return of the Reds on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Kenai City Dock in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Chief J.J. Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna, Kenai to extend animal control partnership

So far this year, the Kenai shelter has served roughly 190 animals

Chief J.J. Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees affix poppies to wreaths during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023, at Leif Hanson Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We remember’

Servicemembers honored at Memorial Day ceremonies in Kenai

Attendees affix poppies to wreaths during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023, at Leif Hanson Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai wary of extending city marketing contract

Council members on Wednesday appeared to generally agree in their dissatisfaction with Divining Point

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signage marks the entrance of the City of Kenai’s slash disposal site on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai slash disposal site to open Friday

This summer will be the second consecutive year that the city has made the site available for slash disposal

Signage marks the entrance of the City of Kenai’s slash disposal site on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai working group seeking ways to fill city jobs

Even though Kenai’s population is increasing, the amount of working-age residents is decreasing

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A broken culvert is twisted beneath Funny River Road on Friday, May 5, 2023, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Funny River Road reopens after washout

A chunk of the road collapsed at Mile 8

A broken culvert is twisted beneath Funny River Road on Friday, May 5, 2023, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Jurisdictions clash over Wildwood Drive repairs

The city spends between $10,000 and $20,000 annually on Wildwood Drive maintenance

Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dustin Aaronson, who owns Copy Cats Printing and Design in Kenai, speaks in support of a storefront improvement program during a Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dustin Aaronson, who owns Copy Cats Printing and Design in Kenai, speaks in support of a storefront improvement program during a Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members Deborah Sounar, left, and Teea Winger review budget documents during a work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council makes headway on draft city budget

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank and Kenai Controller Lana Metcalf presented to city council members

Kenai City Council members Deborah Sounar, left, and Teea Winger review budget documents during a work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to kick off budget process with Saturday work session

Infrastructure is a key theme of the City of Kenai’s draft budget

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)