Soldotna

Shanon Davis and Monique Burgin of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce hand out candy during the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Parade in Soldotna on March 17, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna chamber gears up for bustling summer season

Executive Director Shanon Davis provided a quarterly update Wednesday

Shanon Davis and Monique Burgin of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce hand out candy during the Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Parade in Soldotna on March 17, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
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)
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen (center) speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna gets green light to tackle beetle-killed trees

The work will be done independently of delayed federal funding

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen (center) speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna City Council convenes on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Veto of Triumvirate funds sustained

Divided Soldotna council upholds mayoral veto of money for the troupe’s production of ‘Tarzan’

The Soldotna City Council convenes on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A spruce bark beetle is seen on the underside of a piece of bark taken from logs stacked near Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to consider using city funds for tree removal

Legislation would pave the way for the city to use some of its own money to conduct work ahead of summer

A spruce bark beetle is seen on the underside of a piece of bark taken from logs stacked near Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021, near 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)

Tautfest appointed to borough planning commission

Her appointment caps a monthslong process to fill the vacancy

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly participate in a meeting on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital to get new CEO this summer

Shaun Keef will replace outgoing CEO Rick Davis, who plans to retire June 30

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna resident Karyn Griffin, seen here, has joined the list of candidates vying for Alaska’s newly vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat was formerly held by Rep. Don Young, who died March 18, 2022, after nearly 50 years in office. (Photo courtesy Karyn Griffin)

Soldotna resident joins bid for US House seat

Karyn Griffin said she is mostly running to raise awareness about different issues

Soldotna resident Karyn Griffin, seen here, has joined the list of candidates vying for Alaska’s newly vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat was formerly held by Rep. Don Young, who died March 18, 2022, after nearly 50 years in office. (Photo courtesy Karyn Griffin)
Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings attends a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Farnsworth-Hutchings was one of two names submitted for the Soldotna seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission after a monthslong standoff between the city and borough mayor over the appointment. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Monthslong commission delay could end next week

Tautfest’s appointment, if approved, would cap a 10-month process to fill the vacancy

Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings attends a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Farnsworth-Hutchings was one of two names submitted for the Soldotna seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission after a monthslong standoff between the city and borough mayor over the appointment. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna mayor vetoes financial support for Triumvirate production

The council voted to use up to $25,000 to support an outdoor community theater production

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna mulls parks and rec changes

Soldotna parks and rec board would get bigger, meet more often under proposal

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Joe Rizzo, Triumvirate Theatre executive director, testifies at the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna offers financial support for summer Triumvirate production

The Soldotna City Council approved the use of some federal relief funds for the summer show

Joe Rizzo, Triumvirate Theatre executive director, testifies at the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge speaks at the city council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Ruffridge, who also owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and has helped spearhead multiple COVID-19 response efforts on the central Kenai Peninsula, said it was important to acknowledge the repeal of mask recommendations for “celebration’s sake.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna fully repeals masking recommendations for city buildings

The city has changed its guidelines multiple times over the course of the pandemic

Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge speaks at the city council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Ruffridge, who also owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and has helped spearhead multiple COVID-19 response efforts on the central Kenai Peninsula, said it was important to acknowledge the repeal of mask recommendations for “celebration’s sake.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after the roadway reopened. A fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council voices support for lighting on Kenai Spur, Sterling highways

Additional lighting would be added to Kenai Spur Highway within city limits and along the Sterling Highway Safety Corridor

Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after the roadway reopened. A fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Signage hangs on the exterior of the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Ice rink closures planned for Kenai, Soldotna this summer

Both cities are planning to renovate their respective facilities

Signage hangs on the exterior of the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow collects in a lot near the Aspen Hotel on Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. The area will be the site of a new parking lot planned by the City of Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Parking lot would bring 70 spaces to downtown Soldotna

The Soldotna City Council greenlighted Wednesday the execution of a lease agreement between the city and the Aspen Hotel

Snow collects in a lot near the Aspen Hotel on Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. The area will be the site of a new parking lot planned by the City of Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Linda Farnsworth Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Farnsworth-Hutchings gets 4th nod for planning commission

The city’s seat has been the subject of a back-and-forth between Soldotna and the borough mayor

Linda Farnsworth Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen listens to a presentation from Alaska Communications during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

ACS looks to bring faster internet to the central peninsula

The company successfully piloted the mesh network technology in Anchorage in 2020

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen listens to a presentation from Alaska Communications during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman consult during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara)

Borough seeks to fill planning commission vacancies

Two new commissioners took their seats for the Monday night meeting

Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman consult during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara)
Community agencies administer social services during the Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna mini grant goes to Project Homeless Connect effort

$5 gift cards from Arby’s, Subway and Safeway were distributed to Project Homeless Connect participants

Community agencies administer social services during the Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)