Kenai

Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Beluga time

Get out your binoculars: The whales are frolicking in the Kenai River

Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
David Ross speaks before the Kenai City Council on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai police chief: Crime decreased amid pandemic

The total number of police service calls declined by more than 500.

David Ross speaks before the Kenai City Council on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Wildwood Drive to get a makeover

The drive has been called one of the “poorest rated condition roadways” in Kenai.

Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Youth members of Forever Dance Alaska take part in rehearsal Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at the Renee Hendersen Auditorium at Kenai Central High School for the company’s production of “Best of Broadway.” (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Youth dancers get back onstage

Forever Dance Alaska to perform “Moment Like This” showcase this weekend.

Youth members of Forever Dance Alaska take part in rehearsal Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at the Renee Hendersen Auditorium at Kenai Central High School for the company’s production of “Best of Broadway.” (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna City Council receives a presentation from their auditors on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, via Zoom. (Screenshot)

Seward to stop using Zoom for public meetings

The borough, in contrast, has no plans to phase out Zoom services.

The Soldotna City Council receives a presentation from their auditors on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, via Zoom. (Screenshot)
A rescued dog sits at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Over $1,000 in donations made to Kenai Animal Shelter

The money will be used to respond to equipment needs and technology improvements.

A rescued dog sits at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Police Chief David Ross. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Police Chief talks police-civilian relationships, treating people ‘with dignity’

The Kenai Police Department looks at guidelines and training that could potentially prevent inappropriate police conduct, Ross said.

Kenai Police Chief David Ross. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai’s finance director opimistic about city’s financial future

“The City of Kenai is doing very well.”

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The RavnAir kiosk stands empty at the Kenai Airport on Thursday, April 2, 2020. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Council to mull potential Kenai air carrier

Rambler Air would join Grant Aviation and Ravn Alaska in offering scheduled service between Kenai and Anchorage.

The RavnAir kiosk stands empty at the Kenai Airport on Thursday, April 2, 2020. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Kenai approves projects manager position

The manager will be responsible for capital projects “from inception to completion.”

The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai approves grace period utility payment plan

Doing nothing would have made delinquent accounts due with penalty and interest on past due amounts.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion
Dr. Peter Hansen stands in front of crane operators as they lift an antique steam donkey engine at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center, July 15, 2019, in Kenai. Hansen died March 25.

Pioneering Kenai doctor remembered

Peter Hansen died on March 25 from struggles with mesothelioma.

Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion
Dr. Peter Hansen stands in front of crane operators as they lift an antique steam donkey engine at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center, July 15, 2019, in Kenai. Hansen died March 25.
Mary Bondurant (left) and her assistant Erica Brincefield stand with an F22 pilot in front of the first F22 to land at Kenai Municipal Airport. (Photo courtesy Mary Bondurant)

Bondurant to retire as airport manager

She began working at Kenai Municipal Airport in 1998.

Mary Bondurant (left) and her assistant Erica Brincefield stand with an F22 pilot in front of the first F22 to land at Kenai Municipal Airport. (Photo courtesy Mary Bondurant)
Kenai Parks and Recreation Laborer Charlotte Thurman dresses up as a rabbit at an Easter event at Kenai Municipal Park on Friday, April 2, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Egg-stra special: Community turns out for Kenai Easter event

The egg hunt for children 5 years and younger was held in a cleared-off area, while older kids went on a “QR Code-Breaker Hunt.”

Kenai Parks and Recreation Laborer Charlotte Thurman dresses up as a rabbit at an Easter event at Kenai Municipal Park on Friday, April 2, 2021 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 departments aim to save time, money

The city’s “Efficiencies Report” details specific plans from each department on how they saved either time or money.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Kenai extends disaster declaration to end of May

The declaration was first issued on March 18, 2020 and has since been extended six times.

The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai shop local program extended 1 month

As of March 3, more than $55,000 in vouchers had already been distributed and more than 50 businesses were signed up to participate.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Benjamin Jackinsky (left) and Sarah O’Brien work at Already Read on Friday, Feb. 19 in Kenai, Alaska.

Shoppers make the most of program to boost Kenai business

598 people have already participated in Kenai’s shop local program.

Benjamin Jackinsky (left) and Sarah O’Brien work at Already Read on Friday, Feb. 19 in Kenai, Alaska.
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai debates future of utility lenience

The city’s disaster declaration is set to expire at the end of this month

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Kenai Municipal Cemetery is seen on Thursday, Feb. 25 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai, Soldotna making headway on cemetery expansion

Both cities hope to complete expansion efforts this year

The entrance to the Kenai Municipal Cemetery is seen on Thursday, Feb. 25 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)