Kenai

Staff from the Alaska SeaLife Center help release two harbor seal pups into Cook Inlet on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

SeaLife Center sends off seals at Kenai beach

Harbor seals Tuber and Darth Tater were rescued from Kenai and Nikiski earlier this year

Staff from the Alaska SeaLife Center help release two harbor seal pups into Cook Inlet on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel prepares to spin one of the wheels that determine the magic weight at the closing ceremony of the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Silver Salmon Derby returns

The event is unique among fishing derbies for its use of the “magic weight”

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel prepares to spin one of the wheels that determine the magic weight at the closing ceremony of the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tribal Council Chair Ronette Stanton and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge participate in a press conference announcing $7.5 million in federal funding designated for the Kenaitze/Salamatof Tribally Designated Housing Entity at the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Federal official announces $7.5 million for tribe’s low-income housing

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge visited Kenai on Wednesday

Tribal Council Chair Ronette Stanton and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge participate in a press conference announcing $7.5 million in federal funding designated for the Kenaitze/Salamatof Tribally Designated Housing Entity at the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Teague Vanek barbecues salmon during Industry Appreciation Day festivities at the Kenai softball greenstrip in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Industry Appreciation Day celebrates ‘pioneers’ of local economy

Hundreds gathered on the Kenai softball greenstrip Saturday

Teague Vanek barbecues salmon during Industry Appreciation Day festivities at the Kenai softball greenstrip in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The sidewalk in front of Paradiso’s Restaurant shows cracks on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to replace Paradiso’s sidewalk

Multiple large sections of sidewalk near the restaurant will be replaced

The sidewalk in front of Paradiso’s Restaurant shows cracks on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai will not bond water treatment project

The City of Kenai will not put before city voters a bond question related to the planned reconstruction of the city’s Water Treatment Plant pump… Continue reading

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Sample ballots are displayed ahead of the Oct. 4 municipal election at an absentee in-person polling place in Kenai City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sample ballots are displayed ahead of the Oct. 4 municipal election at an absentee in-person polling place in Kenai City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, 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 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)