News

Soldotna City Attorney Brooks Chandler (center) discussess how Soldotna Creek Park can and cannot be used by members of the public during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna drag debate heats up; city describes path forthward

Concerns over a June drag performance in Soldotna Creek Park escalated at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Soldotna City Council, where testimony on the performance… Continue reading

Soldotna City Attorney Brooks Chandler (center) discussess how Soldotna Creek Park can and cannot be used by members of the public during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Fire Department resuces distressed boater Thursday morning

The City of Kenai Fire Department responded to a call made by a boater in distress and returned the operator to shore early Thursday morning.… Continue reading

The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Courtesy Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Invasive green crabs now present in Alaska

Alaska’s fish and game experts are keeping their eyes on a new aquatic invasive species that was newly detected in Southeast last month. Live European… Continue reading

Courtesy Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
A box collects menstruation products for the Peninsula Period Network at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New nonprofit aims to end period poverty

The Peninsula Period Network is a new nonprofit organization raising funds, collecting donations and applying for grants to end period poverty in the Kenai Peninsula… Continue reading

A box collects menstruation products for the Peninsula Period Network at the Soldotna Public Library on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship oversees the testing of voting equipment ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough gets $20k more to run Oct. 4 election

The Kenai Peninsula Borough needs about $20,000 more than expected to cover higher payroll costs and custodial services associated with this fall’s election. Borough assembly… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship oversees the testing of voting equipment ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Steven Ireland-Haight sits in his retired packraft early on in his yearlong trip to paddle and walk from Juneau to Washington, D.C., to raise money and awareness about climate change. (Photo courtesy Owen Squires)

Crossing the country for climate change: A Juneau student is paddling and walking from Juneau to Washington, D.C., for climate change awareness and action

If you told Steven Ireland-Haight a year ago he’d be two months into a yearlong journey to cross the waters and land between Juneau and… Continue reading

Steven Ireland-Haight sits in his retired packraft early on in his yearlong trip to paddle and walk from Juneau to Washington, D.C., to raise money and awareness about climate change. (Photo courtesy Owen Squires)
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Borough voters to decide on reapportionment, school maintenance in Oct. 4 municipal election

As if there isn’t enough going on with elections this year, Kenai Peninsula voters will decide this fall whether or not to support multiple ballot… Continue reading

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Leashes to lend hang from a kiosk at Mariner Park on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Pet support with the Lend-A-Leash program

Alaska Mindful Paws providing leashes for dog-walkers, among other services.

Leashes to lend hang from a kiosk at Mariner Park on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Peninsula Clarion file Participants in the 2019 Stomp Out Stigma Color Run make their way through a haze of pink chalk at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 28, 2019.

Color run set for Kenai Middle School

A color run will be held at Kenai Middle School this weekend, hosted in partnership between the KMS Sources of Strength and Change 4 the… Continue reading

Peninsula Clarion file Participants in the 2019 Stomp Out Stigma Color Run make their way through a haze of pink chalk at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 28, 2019.
Soldotna City Council members convene for a work session to discuss how the city should use federal COVID-19 recovery funds on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council to review mini grant applications next week

Soldotna City Council members will convene earlier than usual Wednesday to mull over applications submitted for the city’s mini grant program. Applications to that program,… Continue reading

Soldotna City Council members convene for a work session to discuss how the city should use federal COVID-19 recovery funds on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Division of Elections data: Primary turnout higher than previous elections

Turnout among central Kenai Peninsula voters in Tuesday’s primary election was higher than in the 2020, 2018 and 2016 state primaries, data from the Alaska… 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)
Elisif Harro, Mark Harro and Daniel Harro. (Photo courtesy John and Denise Harro)

‘We lost 2 first-class people’

Daniel, Mark Harro die in Idaho plane crash

Elisif Harro, Mark Harro and Daniel Harro. (Photo courtesy John and Denise Harro)
Two trombone players and a saxophone perform during a KCHS Marching Band practice on Aug. 18, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KCHS strikes up the band

Only a couple of days into the new school year, Kenai Central High School Band Director Christian Stephanos said he was excited to see the… Continue reading

Two trombone players and a saxophone perform during a KCHS Marching Band practice on Aug. 18, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Man wanted in relation to Amber Alert arrested; missing teenager found

A Fairbanks man wanted in connection to an Amber Alert was arrested early Thursday morning near Kasilof after a highway pursuit by Alaska State Troopers.… Continue reading

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School district extends meal program deadline amid confusion

Credit for breakfast and lunch meals will be provided as needed to students in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District through Sept. 6, the district… Continue reading

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U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the Kenai Classic Roundtable at Kenai Peninsula College on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bycatch stirs debate at fisheries roundtable

Bycatch was the issue du jour at Wednesday’s annual Kenai Classic Roundtable on Fisheries. Hosted at Kenai Peninsula College by the Kenai River Sportfishing Association,… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the Kenai Classic Roundtable at Kenai Peninsula College on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers in her office on Aug. 18, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPC to welcome back community with open house

One week before the start of the fall semester, Kenai Peninsula College is holding an open house to reintroduce the community to the university as… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers in her office on Aug. 18, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
National Weather Service radar for the Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska on Aug. 17, 2022. (Screenshot)

Rain, rain and more rain

Low pressure systems drive wet conditions in Southcentral

National Weather Service radar for the Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska on Aug. 17, 2022. (Screenshot)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Sockeye fishing still good in upper Kenai, slowing in lower

Northern Kenai fishing report

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Braeden Garrett holds signs supporting Alaska House of Representatives candidate Justin Ruffridge at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge, Babcock lead in early primary results

Unofficial preliminary primary election results showed significant margins between the first- and second-place candidates

Braeden Garrett holds signs supporting Alaska House of Representatives candidate Justin Ruffridge at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)