From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Brent Johnson, Bill Elam, Tyson Cox and Brent Hibebrt participate in a meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. All assembly members pictured voted in favor of a resolution that supporting the separation of transgender and cisgender girl student athetes. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs resolution supporting separation of cisgender girls, other student athletes

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday voiced support for the separation of transgender and cisgender girls in high school sports. The body during its… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Brent Johnson, Bill Elam, Tyson Cox and Brent Hibebrt participate in a meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. All assembly members pictured voted in favor of a resolution that supporting the separation of transgender and cisgender girl student athetes. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lawyer Eric Derleth and his client Nathan Erfurth, a former Soldotna High School teacher accused of sexually abusing one of his students, submit a not guilty plea at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Former SoHi teacher pleads not guilty to sex abuse, child pornography charges

A former Soldotna High School teacher and head of the local teachers union pleaded not guilty to more than five dozen counts of sex abuse… Continue reading

Lawyer Eric Derleth and his client Nathan Erfurth, a former Soldotna High School teacher accused of sexually abusing one of his students, submit a not guilty plea at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Zen Kelly, Patti Truesdell, KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent and Jason Tauriainen participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Some KPBSD substitute support staff to get pay raises

Some of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s substitute and temporary staff will receive raises for the upcoming school year following a vote in favor… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Zen Kelly, Patti Truesdell, KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent and Jason Tauriainen participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Jason Tauriainen, Matt Morse, Virginia Morgan and Beverley Romanin participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board makes final tweaks to district budget

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday updated the district’s budget to reflect new money received from the State of Alaska… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Jason Tauriainen, Matt Morse, Virginia Morgan and Beverley Romanin participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy prepares to deliver opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy signs 2 Ruffridge bills into law during Soldotna ceremony

Amid the throng of furry friends filing in and out of Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday morning were the governor of Alaska, a state… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy prepares to deliver opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members Henry Knackstedt (left) and Alex Douthit (standing) speak with Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (right) during a council meeting at-ease on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai puts new limits on marijuana facilities in residential area; bolsters public noticing

Kenai City Council members Wednesday unanimously approved changes aimed at expanding how the city notifies residents of a commercial marijuana establishment opening in their area.… Continue reading

Kenai City Council members Henry Knackstedt (left) and Alex Douthit (standing) speak with Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (right) during a council meeting at-ease on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kasilof resident survives structure fire

A Kasilof resident is alive after a Thursday structure fire rendered their residence “a total loss” the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
AlaSkins poster dog Max greets attendees at an event celebrating AlaSkins being named Alaska Manufacturer of the Year on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s AlaSkins named Alaska manufacturer of the year

A local business familiar for its high-quality and authentically Alaska pet treats got a treat of its own Thursday. Soldotna’s AlaSkins, owned and operated by… Continue reading

AlaSkins poster dog Max greets attendees at an event celebrating AlaSkins being named Alaska Manufacturer of the Year on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Building materials pile up at the site of the former ZipMart on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly takes down ZipMart structure

The dilapidated ZipMart building in Sterling was demolished last week, capping monthslong efforts to mitigate a structure the Kenai Peninsula Borough called a public safety… Continue reading

Building materials pile up at the site of the former ZipMart on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Voters line up to put their ballots in a ballot machine at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Resolution would ask borough voters whether to align state and local election days

A resolution up for consideration by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday would put before peninsula voters the question of whether borough elections should… Continue reading

Voters line up to put their ballots in a ballot machine at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mount Redoubt can be seen acoss Cook Inlet from North Kenai Beach on Thursday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Utilities, state lawmaker call on state to investigate Hilcorp compliance with Cook Inlet leases

A state lawmaker and the leaders of four major electric utilities are calling for the State of Alaska to investigate whether or not Cook Inlet’s… Continue reading

Mount Redoubt can be seen acoss Cook Inlet from North Kenai Beach on Thursday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly resolution would back proposed exclusion of trans girls from high school girls sports

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday will wade into the issue of transgender rights in Alaska when it considers whether to support banning trans… Continue reading

A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD Summer Work Program Coordinator Olivia Weagraff welcomes attendees to a program celebration event at Soldotna High School on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD celebrates Summer Work Program students

About 45 people gathered in the Soldotna High School commons last week to celebrate the latest group of students to complete a summer work program… Continue reading

KPBSD Summer Work Program Coordinator Olivia Weagraff welcomes attendees to a program celebration event at Soldotna High School on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai grand jury indicts former SoHi teacher on 61 counts of sexual abuse of a minor, possession of child pornography

A former Soldotna High School teacher and head of the local teachers union is facing 61 counts of sexual abuse of a minor and possession… Continue reading

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs direct visitors at Seward City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward offers city manager gig to Sorensen

Sorensen currently serves as the executive director of the Seward Chamber of Commerce

Signs direct visitors at Seward City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A mock up of the Soldotna Field House. (Photo via City of Soldotna)

Field house tops Soldotna’s capital priority list

Soldotna City Council members Wednesday got their first look at the lineup of capital projects the city expects to fund in the upcoming fiscal year,… Continue reading

A mock up of the Soldotna Field House. (Photo via City of Soldotna)
From left, Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney swears in Soldotna Police Officer Bryan Hahn while Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek looks on during a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna swears in new police officer

A new officer joined the ranks of the Soldotna Police Department during Wednesday’s meeting of the Soldotna City Council. Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney swore in… Continue reading

From left, Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney swears in Soldotna Police Officer Bryan Hahn while Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek looks on during a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign displays the logo of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Senior centers, social services suggested as stops for Kenaitze fixed-route bus

Project leaders on a proposed fixed-route bus service for the central Kenai Peninsula are requesting public input on what the scope of that service should… Continue reading

A sign displays the logo of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Baby white spruce trees sit newly potted near the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tree-for-all: Inletkeeper tree-planting campaign underway

From a white truck parked at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, David Knight hauled a large bag full of sawed-off plastic containers. Dropping… Continue reading

Baby white spruce trees sit newly potted near the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs direct visitors at the City of Seward’s city hall annex on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward City Council ponders path forward for electric utility

Seward-area residents interested in serving on a newly formed city committee that will help plan the future of the city’s electric utility will have two… Continue reading

Signs direct visitors at the City of Seward’s city hall annex on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)