Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Firm updates council on efforts to market Kenai to visitors

During 2021, the company seized opportunities to highlight local businesses and promoted relocation to Kenai

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The state of Alaska remains in high-alert level for COVID-19 cases on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
The state of Alaska remains in high-alert level for COVID-19 cases on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alcohol industry overhaul bill heads to Senate floor

A key focus of the bill is the consolidation of Alaska’s existing licensing and permitting regulations.

Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to lobby state for $87 million for local projects

The projects include funds for a new fire station, school district relocation and flood mitigation

Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Hidden, Engineer and Skilak lakes in Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area can be seen from Hideout Hill in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 17, 2021. The refuge is celebrating its 80th winter. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating in the snow

Refuge announces February activities

The Hidden, Engineer and Skilak lakes in Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area can be seen from Hideout Hill in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 17, 2021. The refuge is celebrating its 80th winter. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council OKs grant funds for COVID leave, testing for city employees

The grant funds were made available under the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. The glacier has receded so much the National Park Service is reconceiving its plan management. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

As Exit Glacier recedes, park seeks new management plan

The glacier has retreated by about 2,300 feet in the last 13 years

A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. The glacier has receded so much the National Park Service is reconceiving its plan management. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Spruce trees and covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Kalfornsky, Alaska. The National Weather Service issued another winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Thursday, citing hazardous conditions due to increased snowfall and heavy wind gusts. (Photo by Peninsula Clarion staff)

Weather service issues advisory for snow, wind

The worst conditions on Thursday were expected to be between Nikiski and Anchor Point

Spruce trees and covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Kalfornsky, Alaska. The National Weather Service issued another winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Thursday, citing hazardous conditions due to increased snowfall and heavy wind gusts. (Photo by Peninsula Clarion staff)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski ahead in campaign funds; Tshibaka brings in local money

U.S. Senate hopeful Kelly Tshibaka continues to report financial support from residents of the Kenai Peninsula, but falls behind incumbent Lisa Murkowski overall. That’s per… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly forms committee for gravel pit regs

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly voted Tuesday to further table legislation that would overhaul the sections of borough code that address the regulation of material… Continue reading

Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Gillham says he’s doing well after heart attack

The lawmaker said he began having discomfort late last Wednesday

Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
The Seward Boat Harbor can be seen on Sept. 24, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

New seafood processor to set up shop in Seward

Bornstein Seafoods has taken over Polar Seafood’s lease on the east side of Resurrection Bay

The Seward Boat Harbor can be seen on Sept. 24, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion
KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Oct. 8, 2021.
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion
KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Oct. 8, 2021.
The newly renovated historic Kenai Jail is seen at the Kenai Art Center on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Beer, bars and ink

Kenai Art Center debuts renovated jail with printmaking show and custom ale

The newly renovated historic Kenai Jail is seen at the Kenai Art Center on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital capacity steady amid statewide omicron surge

On Monday, the facility was at about 80% capacity with “a handful” of COVID patients

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kenai resident dead after Turnagain car crash

Parts of the western Kenai Peninsula have seen increased snow accumulation over the past wee

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge, who owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, filed a letter of intent to run the Alaska House of Representatives. (Courtesy photo)

Ruffridge seeks state House seat

The local pharmacy owner is challenging current representative Ron Gillham

Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge, who owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, filed a letter of intent to run the Alaska House of Representatives. (Courtesy photo)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

4 more deaths, hospitalizations top 200

The newly reported deaths come during another COVID wave driven by the omicron variant of the virus.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)