A little library at La Baleine on the Homer Spit is one of several around town, as seen here in July 2015. (Homer News file photo)

New little libraries up for discussion at Homer council meeting

If passed, five new little free libraries will be installed next spring at popular local spots.

A little library at La Baleine on the Homer Spit is one of several around town, as seen here in July 2015. (Homer News file photo)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

2 new COVID deaths reported as cases decline

The deaths pushed the total number of statewide deaths to 812 since the pandemic began.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The intersection of Willow Street and the Kenai Spur Highway shows the stoplights were out Wednesday night as approximately 2,700 people experienced a Homer Electric Association power outage. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Outage knocks out power to much of Kenai

Power had been restored by about 9 p.m.

The intersection of Willow Street and the Kenai Spur Highway shows the stoplights were out Wednesday night as approximately 2,700 people experienced a Homer Electric Association power outage. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Justin Ruffridge and Dave Carrey attend a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna tweaks mini grant program

The council limited who can participate and what programs are eligible.

Justin Ruffridge and Dave Carrey attend a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Children wave as Santa Claus arrives on top of a firetruck Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Time for the season

Kenai rolls out holiday events

Children wave as Santa Claus arrives on top of a firetruck Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association looks to put weir at Delight Creek

The borough assembly passed legislation supporting the association’s application for grant funds.

Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Carolyn Massey paints 10-year-old Kenny Smith’s hand to add to the helping hands tree at the Children’s Advocacy Center on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Helping hands

Children’s services organization celebrates World Children’s Day with outreach event.

Carolyn Massey paints 10-year-old Kenny Smith’s hand to add to the helping hands tree at the Children’s Advocacy Center on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Statewide COVID cases continue to drop; 7 new deaths

The state has an estimated rolling average of 381.9 cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. River City Books participated in the 2020 shop local program in Soldotna. The city is bringing the program back for a second time this holiday season. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna shop local returns for 2nd year

The city council set aside $350,000 in leftover CARES funds for the program.

Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. River City Books participated in the 2020 shop local program in Soldotna. The city is bringing the program back for a second time this holiday season. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Set-net rules for Cook Inlet could be eased

The board voted to deliberate on an adopted proposal to amend the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan.

A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

State Trooper arrested on charges of domestic violence

The Wasilla and Kenai police departments investigated the allegations.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough looks to tap rescue funds for projects

About $3.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act was allocated for “pay-go” infrastructure projects.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH sees fewer COVID patients as statewide cases recede

On Monday, there were only 37 total inpatients with fewer than 11 COVID patients.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

Fisherman challenge EEZ closure

The closure affects an area of Cook Inlet from south of Kalgin Island to about Anchor Point.

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
Delana Green fields questions from a panel of judges during a “Spark Soldotna” event at the Lone Moose Lodge on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Taking it to the next level

Local entrepreneurs take their ideas to the ‘Shark Tank’

Delana Green fields questions from a panel of judges during a “Spark Soldotna” event at the Lone Moose Lodge on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District changes substitute requirements amid shortage

The changes are focused on streamlining the application process.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases, hospitalizations down from last week

Alaska still holds the spot for the most COVID cases per capita in the country.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna seeks to create mobile recreation unit

The unit would be funded with roughly $50,000 in grant funds.

Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna City Council gets rundown on new voting systems

Alaska will be the first U.S. state to hold both an open primary and a ranked choice general election in the same year.

Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It’s so important that we honor our vets’

Community members gather to honor veterans’ sacrifices.

Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)