Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna vice mayor elected head of Alaska Municipal League

The league is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization representing 165 of Alaska’s cities, boroughs and municipalities

Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maddy Olsen speaks during a color run held as part of during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Olsen resigns as director of Soldotna Chamber of Commerce

She has served at the helm of the chamber since February 2023

Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maddy Olsen speaks during a color run held as part of during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Sterling liquor store burgled, troopers say

Troopers were called around 3 a.m. Sunday

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Nikiski woman charged in 2023 overdose death

Lawana Barker was arrested after an investigation into the death of Nikiski resident Michael Rodgers

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kasilof man arrested on charges of sexual abuse, harassment of minors

Troopers arrested him Dec. 10 after an investigation that began Nov. 19

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Kelly King speaks to the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition at Kenai Catering on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Realtors donate duffel bags for 7th year

The bags are filled with holiday gifts for participants in the Students in Transition program

Kelly King speaks to the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition at Kenai Catering on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A map shows the areas, in purple and brown, where spruce beetle mitigation is planned. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service)

Spruce tree mitigation set for Seward district of Chugach National Forest

Mitigation efforts set for summer and winter through 2029

A map shows the areas, in purple and brown, where spruce beetle mitigation is planned. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service)
A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

June trial date set for troopers indicted for felony assault

Jason Woodruff and Joseph Miller Jr. are accused of assault for conduct in May arrest

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Harley St. Clair, 5 weeks old, meets Santa Claus for the first time at Christmas in the Park at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A magical, feel-good night’

Christmas in the Park brings festivities, light to Soldotna

Harley St. Clair, 5 weeks old, meets Santa Claus for the first time at Christmas in the Park at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly President Peter Ribbens speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly considers cutting an open public comment period from its meetings

There are two opportunities for open public comment during meetings of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly — one taking place toward the middle and one… Continue reading

Assembly President Peter Ribbens speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward Fire Department stands under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward adds 3rd full-time paid firefighter

Seward Fire Department is struggling to find coverage for all hours of the day, according to chief

Seward Fire Department stands under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sections of Homer Spit Road that were damaged in the Nov. 16 storm surge are temporarily repaired with gravel, as seen on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Sections of Homer Spit Road that were damaged in the Nov. 16 storm surge are temporarily repaired with gravel, as seen on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward approves raises for city staff, rejects bed tax increase

The third and final public hearing on Seward’s budget will be held on Dec. 16

Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sockeye salmon are gathered together at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai accepts funds for 2018 and 2020 fishery disasters

Disaster relief is still outstanding for 2021, 2022 and 2023

Sockeye salmon are gathered together at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank’s ‘Adopt-A-Turkey’ fundraiser extended through end of year

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank on Tuesday extended their annual Adopt-A-Turkey fundraiser through the end of the year, as the goal of raising money to… Continue reading

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School board mulls community survey for possible 4-day week

The board considered a set of surveys gauging from staff, parents and older students

Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Shannon Ferguson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Contract for Soldotna school consolidation design OK’d

The borough is seeking a consultant to create a plan to renovate existing school facilities

Shannon Ferguson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna on Monday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education Vice President Jason Tauriainen speaks during a meeting of the board in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Board of education hears from schools about more restrictive cellphone policies

Existing policy says that devices shouldn’t be used during classroom instruction or other district-supervised activities

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education Vice President Jason Tauriainen speaks during a meeting of the board in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)