Soldotna Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek stands in his office on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Mugging’ with the chief

Soldotna’s new police head brings experience, enthusiam for community outreach

Soldotna Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek stands in his office on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Defense Force Brig. Gen. Simon Brown pins a badge on Maurice “Mo” Hughes, left, who was promoted from commander of A Detachment to colonel of the Alaska State Troopers during a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers)

Peninsula trooper commander promoted to colonel

Maurice Hughes most recently served as Commander of A Detachment

Alaska Defense Force Brig. Gen. Simon Brown pins a badge on Maurice “Mo” Hughes, left, who was promoted from commander of A Detachment to colonel of the Alaska State Troopers during a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers)
Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski, Sullivan throw support behind Alaska LNG Project

The project would move gas from the North Slope through an 800-mile pipeline to a liquefaction plant in Nikiski

Alaska LNG Project Manager Brad Chastain presents information about the project during a luncheon at the Kenai Chamber Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A baggage carousel can be seen at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Ravn Alaska announced this week new charges for luggage. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Ravn to charge baggage fees for all passengers

Tickets purchased prior to Sept. 1 will not be subject to the revised fees

A baggage carousel can be seen at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Ravn Alaska announced this week new charges for luggage. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman (center) speaks while Aaron Rhoades (right) looks on during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough legal recommends special mayoral election

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Legal Department is recommending that assembly members call a special election to finish out the remainder of Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce’s… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman (center) speaks while Aaron Rhoades (right) looks on during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion 
Mike O’Brien shows off his cherries Wednesday at O’Brien Garden & Trees in Nikiski.

Harvesting knowledge

Nikiski farmer values learning over dollars

Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion 
Mike O’Brien shows off his cherries Wednesday at O’Brien Garden & Trees in Nikiski.
Voters cast ballots in Alaska’s special general and regular primary elections at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Register to vote in Oct. 4 election by Sept. 4

Want to vote in the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s upcoming municipal election? Make sure you’re registered to vote by Sept. 4. That’s the deadline to register… Continue reading

Voters cast ballots in Alaska’s special general and regular primary elections at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Cook Inlet can be seen at low tide from North Kenai Beach on June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Last open house on proposed Cook Inlet lease sale is Wednesday

Do you have thoughts on a proposed oil and gas lease sale in Cook Inlet? The federal government wants to hear from you. The Bureau… Continue reading

Cook Inlet can be seen at low tide from North Kenai Beach on June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River king escapement misses key target

Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced preliminary estimated escapement numbers for Kenai River late-run King Salmon on Thursday. Currently, the total is estimated to… Continue reading

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidate Victoria Askin participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai candidates debate city’s future

The five candidates vying for open seats on the Kenai City Council convened Monday at the Soldotna Public Library for the first of nine candidate… Continue reading

From left, Kenai city mayoral candidates Brian Gabriel and Teea Winger, as well as council candidate Victoria Askin participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A renovated cupola was restored onto the Saint Nicholas Chapel in Kenai, Alaska on Aug. 29, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Saint Nicholas Chapel gets renovation

Saint Nicholas Chapel in Old Town Kenai, located right next to Veronica’s Cafe and across the street from the larger Holy Assumption of the Virgin… Continue reading

A renovated cupola was restored onto the Saint Nicholas Chapel in Kenai, Alaska on Aug. 29, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Anchor Point man dies of unintentional gunshot wound

An Anchor Point man has died of an unintentional gunshot wound. Kenneth Defrancesco, 80, appeared to have been killed while getting out of his vehicle… Continue reading

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A construction vehicle at the site of the new Tsalteshi Trail maintenance building at Skyview Middle School on Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Tsalteshi starts on new maintenance shed

Construction is beginning on a new maintenance building for the Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna. Trees began to be cleared a couple of weeks… Continue reading

A construction vehicle at the site of the new Tsalteshi Trail maintenance building at Skyview Middle School on Aug. 29, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
2022 gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce walks in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough attorney addresses Pierce resignation

Kenai Peninsula Borough Attorney Sean Kelley on Sunday addressed questions surrounding the resignation of Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce in an email sent to members of… Continue reading

2022 gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce walks in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Amy Jackman (center) and others dance to music performed by Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise on Aug. 24, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Hip-hop ‘n’ harp

Seasonal sun shines on Music in the Park

Amy Jackman (center) and others dance to music performed by Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise on Aug. 24, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Clarion, KDLL 91.9 FM partner to hold local candidate forums

Forums will be held Mondays at the Soldotna Public Library

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FILE - Registered pharmacist Sapana Patel holds a bottle of Monkeypox vaccine at a Pop-Up Monkeypox vaccination site on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Limited monkeypox vaccines now available at Kenai Public Health Center

Limited monkeypox vaccines are available at the Kenai Public Health Center for those eligible. Alaska reported its first case of the monkeypox outbreak, which was… Continue reading

FILE - Registered pharmacist Sapana Patel holds a bottle of Monkeypox vaccine at a Pop-Up Monkeypox vaccination site on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks about the National Blue Ribbon award during an assembly at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Friday, Jan 14, 2022. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Bond package could chip away at school maintenance

It’s no secret that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is in the red when it comes to school maintenance. The average lifespan of the… Continue reading

Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks about the National Blue Ribbon award during an assembly at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Friday, Jan 14, 2022. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
2022 gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce walks in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce resigns as borough mayor, will focus on gubernatorial bid

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce is stepping down as mayor, effective Sept. 30, citing plans to focus on his 2022 gubernatorial bid, the Pierce… Continue reading

2022 gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce walks in the 65th annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

KPEDD urges participation in federal broadband survey

The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District is asking for people on the Kenai Peninsula to help the federal government figure out how fast internet service… Continue reading

KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)