Soldotna

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Soldotna man charged with possession, distribution of child sex abuse material

The man allegedly uploaded child sex abuse material to a messaging app.

 

Students and hosts stand for a photo during a luncheon at the end of SoHi’s first Job Shadow Day, Wednesday at Soldotna Prep School. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna High launches 1st Job Shadow Day

SoHi students spread across community on Wednesday to try out professions.

 

“Salmon Champions” present their ideas for projects to protect salmon habitat during the Local Solution meeting at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Cook Inletkeeper program to focus on salmon habitat awareness

The project seeks local solutions to environmental issues.

 

Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A bagpiper helps kick off the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade brings out the green

The annual event featured decorated cars and trucks, youth marchers and decked-out celebrants.

A bagpiper helps kick off the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A child waves from the back of a truck as the 32nd annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeds down Fireweed Street in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, March 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade set for Monday

The parade will line up on Park Avenue by Parker Park.

A child waves from the back of a truck as the 32nd annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeds down Fireweed Street in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, March 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna man arrested after police chase, multiple collisions

Aldon Burns is charged with failure to stop at the direction of a peace officer, fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest.

Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Elementary School students perform in the halls during an art show and music fundraiser at Soldotna Elementary School in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Elementary School students perform in the halls during an art show and music fundraiser at Soldotna Elementary School in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Member Jordan Chilson speaks in support of an ordinance that would establish a residential property tax exemption during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna joins call for increased school funding

The city is calling for an increase to the BSA and ongoing inflation proofing of that amount.

Member Jordan Chilson speaks in support of an ordinance that would establish a residential property tax exemption during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kimberly Powell, coach of the Soldotna High School soccer team, speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Girls soccer, Homeless Connect receive Soldotna mini grants

Both received $1,000 to assist with operating expenses.

Kimberly Powell, coach of the Soldotna High School soccer team, speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Heidi Sorrell, executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, speaks during a chamber luncheon at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sorrell named new director of Soldotna Chamber

Sorrell was introduced by Chamber Board President Chuck Winters during a Wednesday luncheon.

Heidi Sorrell, executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, speaks during a chamber luncheon at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Professor of Process Technology Jeffrey Laube explains equipment to Kachemak Bay Campus Director Brian Partridge at a showcase of Kenai Peninsula College’s career and technical education programs in the college’s Career and Technical Center in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula College showcases career programs to Board of Regents

A group of KPC students were first to speak during the full board meeting Thursday afternoon.

Professor of Process Technology Jeffrey Laube explains equipment to Kachemak Bay Campus Director Brian Partridge at a showcase of Kenai Peninsula College’s career and technical education programs in the college’s Career and Technical Center in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins speaks during a meeting at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Where does this end?’: University of Alaska to strip diversity and inclusivity language from programs, policies

The board was clear during the meeting that they were responding to pressure from the federal government.

University of Alaska Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins speaks during a meeting at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Protesters stand with signs in support of federal employees, federal lands and the U.S. Constitution stand along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna protesters call for Congress to oppose executive overreach

The local display was part of a “No Kings on President’s Day” effort orchestrated by the online 50501 movement.

Protesters stand with signs in support of federal employees, federal lands and the U.S. Constitution stand along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Syverine Bentz, coastal training program coordinator for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, displays a board of ideas during a Local Solutions meeting focused on salmon at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

In search of salmon solutions

Cook Inletkeeper hosts meeting to develop community project to help salmon.

Syverine Bentz, coastal training program coordinator for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, displays a board of ideas during a Local Solutions meeting focused on salmon at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Artwork by Anastasia Clyde is seen as part of the inaugural exhibition of “Spirit of Soldotna: Showcasing Student Art” in Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna opens student art showcase in city hall

The ongoing exhibition is a collaboration between Soldotna and the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Kenai Peninsula College.

Artwork by Anastasia Clyde is seen as part of the inaugural exhibition of “Spirit of Soldotna: Showcasing Student Art” in Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Ridgeway Rounders perform during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Ridgeway Rounders perform during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

University of Alaska Board of Regents to meet in Soldotna

The last time the board met on the Kenai Peninsula was April 2012.

The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cook Inletkeeper Energy Policy Analyst Ben Boettger presents information about retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Cook Inletkeeper to launch salmon solution community project

The program aims to address the impacts of pollution and warming temperatures in the Cook Inlet watershed.

Cook Inletkeeper Energy Policy Analyst Ben Boettger presents information about retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi jazz band and swing choir fundraiser concert set for Feb. 11

The show will feature SoHi’s jazz band, swing choir, “several vocal soloists” and a variety of cheesecakes.

Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)