Sterling Elementary School Principal Denise Kelly speaks at a surprise assembly held at the school to celebrate her being named Alaska Elementary Principal of the Year on Monday, May 2, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. On the right, Kelly’s daughter, Freya, attends. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sterling Elementary School Principal Denise Kelly speaks at a surprise assembly held at the school to celebrate her being named Alaska Elementary Principal of the Year on Monday, May 2, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. On the right, Kelly’s daughter, Freya, attends. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issues a community alert about the relationship between fentanyl and fatal drug overdoses at a press conference at the True North Recovery and Wellness Center in Wasilla, Alaska, on May 4, 2022. (Screenshot)

Dunleavy spotlights dangers of fentanyl

The governor calls for harsher punishments for dealers as overdose deaths rise

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issues a community alert about the relationship between fentanyl and fatal drug overdoses at a press conference at the True North Recovery and Wellness Center in Wasilla, Alaska, on May 4, 2022. (Screenshot)
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)

Board OKs raises for more district admin

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s coordinators and assistant superintendent will get raises

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)
Teslas charge at Alaska’s first Tesla Supercharger station on Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tesla Supercharger brings high-speed EV charging to Soldotna

Teslas from around the state charged at the Soldotna station on Saturday

Teslas charge at Alaska’s first Tesla Supercharger station on Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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 brainstorms use of federal relief funds

Re-treeing and a boost for local arts programs were among the ideas floated Wednesday

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)
Spruce trees infested with beetles can be seen on July 2, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Beetle kill work to shut down Soldotna campgrounds beginning Sunday

Centennial and Swiftwater campgrounds will be closed to the public while hazard trees are removed

Spruce trees infested with beetles can be seen on July 2, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge attends a city council meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna voices support for Triumvirate fundraising efforts

The move comes weeks after a veto of financial backing from the city for the show

Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge attends a city council meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly participate in a meeting on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly participate in a meeting on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai chamber announces new director

Brett Perry has lived in Soldotna for five years

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The sun sets on a backroad near Kalifornsky Beach Road on Dec. 21, 2021. New regulations allowing all-purpose vehicles on some roads go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kalifornsky land group at risk of becoming ‘inactive’

The Kalifornsky Advisory Planning Commission currently only has one active member

The sun sets on a backroad near Kalifornsky Beach Road on Dec. 21, 2021. New regulations allowing all-purpose vehicles on some roads go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference announcing legal action related to the state’s ownership of submerged lands on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Jeremy Cubas/Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy pushes state ownership of submerged lands

Governor announces new legal action related to state navigable waters

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference announcing legal action related to the state’s ownership of submerged lands on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Jeremy Cubas/Office of the Governor)
The Soldotna City Council convenes on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council voices support for continued use of Zoom

The city implemented two-way video conferencing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Soldotna City Council convenes on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Renewable IPP CEO Jenn Miller presents information about solar power during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Proposed solar farm could receive tax exemptions

The assembly will consider whether or not to offer tax exemptions for independent power producers

Renewable IPP CEO Jenn Miller presents information about solar power during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Republican Party endorses Pierce/Grunwald ticket

The party has also endorsed incumbent Gov. Mike Dunleavy

Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022, in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Steve M. Schoonmaker recites poetry as part of the opening of his show “Symbiotic Symphony: Alders and Salmon” at Cook Inletkeeper’s Community Action Studio on Friday, April 22, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘The giving of self’

Community art show celebrates symbiosis in nature

Steve M. Schoonmaker recites poetry as part of the opening of his show “Symbiotic Symphony: Alders and Salmon” at Cook Inletkeeper’s Community Action Studio on Friday, April 22, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/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)

Assembly opposes making mayor’s assistant full time

The borough was looking to bring on the mayor’s former chief of staff for the special assistant role

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)
Crystal Locke speaks in support of the donation of an additional .53 acres of land for a community dog park during a presentation to the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More land donated for planned Kenai dog park

Organizers say more space will make the park more accommodating

Crystal Locke speaks in support of the donation of an additional .53 acres of land for a community dog park during a presentation to the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Chain link fencing outlines the site of the former Jesse Lee Home on April 3 in Seward.

Contaminated materials at Jesse Lee Home site delay park construction

City administrators gave project updates during a special meeting of the Seward City Council

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Chain link fencing outlines the site of the former Jesse Lee Home on April 3 in Seward.
Larry Opperman sings the “Green Acres” theme song as part of a radiothon pledge during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Fundraiser brings ‘Green Acres’ theme to assembly

The fundraiser was hosted by KSRM for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Larry Opperman sings the “Green Acres” theme song as part of a radiothon pledge during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
(From left) Mike Frost, Monica Frost, Tara Sweeney and Sue Carter attend a campaign meet and greet at Addie Camp on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Sweeney is running to fill the seat of former U.S. House Rep. Don Young, who died in March. (Photo courtesy Karina Waller)

Sweeney brings Congressional campaign to the central peninsula

She is one of 48 candidates vying for Alaska’s vacant U.S. House seat

(From left) Mike Frost, Monica Frost, Tara Sweeney and Sue Carter attend a campaign meet and greet at Addie Camp on Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Sweeney is running to fill the seat of former U.S. House Rep. Don Young, who died in March. (Photo courtesy Karina Waller)