Nikiski

Sarah Chesser works a Nikiski Fire Department hose during Family Fun in the Midnight Sun on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Families enjoy Nikiski community event

Family Fun in the Midnight Sun is hosted by the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area

Sarah Chesser works a Nikiski Fire Department hose during Family Fun in the Midnight Sun on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska SeaLife Center staff treat a harbor seal pup at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

Nikiski harbor seal rescued, 4th in a week

The female seal pup was seen on a crowded fishing beach

Alaska SeaLife Center staff treat a harbor seal pup at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara

Assembly takes in boundaries of Nikiski advisory group

The western boundary of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission now follows the eastern shore of Cook Inlet

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara
Nikiski Middle/High School graduates prepare to receive diplomas at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Opportunity to forge our own path’

Nikiski celebrates 2023 commencement

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates prepare to receive diplomas at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A map shows what Native-owned land parcels fall within the current boundaries of the Nikiski Fire Service Area. The assembly is considering excluding those parcels from the coverage area of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission, which currently has the same boundaries as the fire service area. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Assembly again bumps vote on Nikiski planning commission boundaries

The ordinance was first introduced by assembly members in December 2022

A map shows what Native-owned land parcels fall within the current boundaries of the Nikiski Fire Service Area. The assembly is considering excluding those parcels from the coverage area of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission, which currently has the same boundaries as the fire service area. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)
A map shows what Native-owned land parcels fall within the current boundaries of the Nikiski Fire Service Area. The assembly is considering excluding those parcels from the coverage area of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission, which currently has the same boundaries as the fire service area. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Assembly to reconsider Nikiski land group boundaries Tuesday

West-side residents say they were not consulted and have historically managed their land independently

A map shows what Native-owned land parcels fall within the current boundaries of the Nikiski Fire Service Area. The assembly is considering excluding those parcels from the coverage area of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission, which currently has the same boundaries as the fire service area. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)
A map shows what Native-owned land parcels fall within the current boundaries of the Nikiski Fire Service Area. The assembly is considering excluding those parcels from the coverage area of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission, which currently has the same boundaries as the fire service area. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Assembly bumps vote on size of Nikiski planning group to mid-April

Assembly members last fall approved the creation of a Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission that includes communities on the west side of Cook Inlet

A map shows what Native-owned land parcels fall within the current boundaries of the Nikiski Fire Service Area. The assembly is considering excluding those parcels from the coverage area of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission, which currently has the same boundaries as the fire service area. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)
Tyonek Native Corporation CEO Stephen Peskosky testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in opposition to inclusion of Tyonek in the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Size of Nikiski planning group still unsettled after assembly delays action

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday voted 6-3 to delay action on legislation that would reduce the geographic footprint of Nikiski’s Advisory Planning Commission.… Continue reading

Tyonek Native Corporation CEO Stephen Peskosky testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in opposition to inclusion of Tyonek in the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission during an assembly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The boundaries of Nikiski’s Advisory Planning Commission, as petitioned by residents. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Assemby split on Nikiski land group scope

A tied vote killed efforts to reduce the geographic area of Nikiski’s advisory planning commission

The boundaries of Nikiski’s Advisory Planning Commission, as petitioned by residents. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)
Acting Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Michele Turner helps newly sworn-in assembly member Peter Ribbens set up assembly materials on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly names Ribbens to fill Bjorkman’s seat

He is a senior environmental professional and a former emergency response coordinator with Tesoro Alaska

Acting Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Michele Turner helps newly sworn-in assembly member Peter Ribbens set up assembly materials on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough River Center Manager Samantha Lopez presents information at a meeting discussing the potential boundaries of a Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly considers making Nikiski planning group area smaller

Organizers pushed for the boundaries of Nikiski’s advisory planning commission to match other Nikiski area designations

Kenai Peninsula Borough River Center Manager Samantha Lopez presents information at a meeting discussing the potential boundaries of a Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly candidates Dil Uhlin, left, and Jesse Bjorkman participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Both candidates are running for the assembly’s Nikiski seat. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski assembly candidates talk borough issues at final municipal election forum

There are three candidates running for the assembly’s District 3 - Nikiski seat

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly candidates Dil Uhlin, left, and Jesse Bjorkman participate in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Both candidates are running for the assembly’s Nikiski seat. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Camille Broussard testifies in support of an advisory planning commission in Nikiski during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves advisory planning commission for Nikiski

The commission area as petitioned and approved covers just over 3.5 million acres

Camille Broussard testifies in support of an advisory planning commission in Nikiski during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Robert Ruffner fields questions from attendees at a meeting to discuss the potential boundaries of a Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Seeking more local say, Nikiski residents pursue advisory planning commission

A group of Nikiski residents are pushing for more local say in borough land decisions that affect their community. Residents have successfully petitioned to create… Continue reading

Robert Ruffner fields questions from attendees at a meeting to discuss the potential boundaries of a Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Project stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Stakeholders celebrate opening of Nikiski shelter

The shelter officially opened last December

Project stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates laugh during teacher Jesse Bjorkman’s 2022 commencement address at Nikiski Middle/High School on Monday, May 16, 2022 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates 31 students

The commencement ceremony was held Monday in the school gym

Graduates laugh during teacher Jesse Bjorkman’s 2022 commencement address at Nikiski Middle/High School on Monday, May 16, 2022 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign along the Kenai Spur Highway welcomes travelers to Nikiski, Alaska, in January 2019. (Clarion file photo)

Task force seeks input on potential extension of Kenai Spur north of Nikiski

The proposal would expand on the North Road Extension Project

A sign along the Kenai Spur Highway welcomes travelers to Nikiski, Alaska, in January 2019. (Clarion file photo)
Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Election changes dominate town hall

Carpenter addressed ranked choice, legislation aimed at voter fraud

Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Fire Station No. 3 is seen on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Project will treat water at Nikiski Fire Station #3

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved additional funds for the project this month

Nikiski Fire Station No. 3 is seen on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Leslie Rohr, executive director of Love INC, (left) and Kathy Gensel, president of Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc., field questions from reporters during a tour of the recently opened cold weather shelter in Nikiski, on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska.

Half of beds at Nikiski shelter are occupied

The shelter opened at the end of December 2021

Leslie Rohr, executive director of Love INC, (left) and Kathy Gensel, president of Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc., field questions from reporters during a tour of the recently opened cold weather shelter in Nikiski, on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska.