Soldotna

The Soldotna City Council receives a presentation from their auditors on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, via Zoom. (Screenshot)

Seward to stop using Zoom for public meetings

The borough, in contrast, has no plans to phase out Zoom services.

The Soldotna City Council receives a presentation from their auditors on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, via Zoom. (Screenshot)
A sign directs voters to Soldotna City Hall to cast their ballots, Dec. 17, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

City clerk explains election system

Soldotna City Clerk Shellie Saner spoke during a Wednesday city council work session about how city elections work and emphasized how collaboration between her office… Continue reading

A sign directs voters to Soldotna City Hall to cast their ballots, Dec. 17, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Todd Duwe hands a food box to Brad Nyquist as Mark Larson looks on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska. The church volunteers were distributing food from the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program, delivered by the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Weekly food bank distribution transitioning to monthly

Food bank will return to monthly boxes as CARES funding dries up.

Todd Duwe hands a food box to Brad Nyquist as Mark Larson looks on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska. The church volunteers were distributing food from the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program, delivered by the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign is posted directing drivers to a vaccine clinic held at Beacon Occupational Health in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to offer walk-in vaccine clinic with state grant funds

The state has about $37.5 million available for the program and is requiring 10% of the funds from each grant to be used to address health equity.

A sign is posted directing drivers to a vaccine clinic held at Beacon Occupational Health in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign indicates the future site of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Marydale Avenue on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Community seeks to weigh in on peace garden resolution

A resolution encouraging the state to approve a grant application for the project was up for consideration by the council.

A sign indicates the future site of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Marydale Avenue on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Pamela Parker (center) and Shanon Davis present at a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna chamber looks back at 2020

The chamber also named its people of the year and gave updates on relief spending.

Pamela Parker (center) and Shanon Davis present at a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Live music returning to Soldotna this summer

The series will kick off with performances by Zen Trembles and opener Shonathin Hoskins.

Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Ana Scollon and Kaitlin Vadla collaborate at The Goods store in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, April 9, 2021. They are hosting an Earth Day celebration at the zero-waste store Thursday, April 22, 2021 through Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Photo by Camille Botello)

‘Part of something much bigger than myself’

Group organizes sidewalk sale, discounts and art gallery for Earth Day.

Ana Scollon and Kaitlin Vadla collaborate at The Goods store in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, April 9, 2021. They are hosting an Earth Day celebration at the zero-waste store Thursday, April 22, 2021 through Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Photo by Camille Botello)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna identifies hazards in mitigation plan

The city last adopted a hazard mitigation plan in 2016.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Ryanna Thurman (right) speaks to a library employee at the Soldotna Public Library on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna library plans read by the river installation

The library hopes to install a “StoryWalk” in Soldotna Creek Park this summer

Ryanna Thurman (right) speaks to a library employee at the Soldotna Public Library on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dogs are seen playing at 3 Friends Dog Park on Tuesday, March 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Not if, but when’

All of the trees at 3 Friends Dog Park must be removed, report says

Dogs are seen playing at 3 Friends Dog Park on Tuesday, March 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 30th Annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Back in green

St. Patrick’s Day parade returns 1 year after COVID-19 cancellation.

Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 30th Annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to welcome 41 new trees

The move is part of a yearslong effort

A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Bunny Swan performs at Soldotna Creek Park on July 3, 2019 as part of the Levitt Amp Soldotna Music Series. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna planning for summer events

City Manager Stephanie Queen said she was repealing a “large gathering” policy implemented last year

Bunny Swan performs at Soldotna Creek Park on July 3, 2019 as part of the Levitt Amp Soldotna Music Series. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Kenai Municipal Cemetery is seen on Thursday, Feb. 25 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai, Soldotna making headway on cemetery expansion

Both cities hope to complete expansion efforts this year

The entrance to the Kenai Municipal Cemetery is seen on Thursday, Feb. 25 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Shayne Monahan controls the puck early in the third period as 1,113 fans watch Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Brown Bears to return after council loosens sports center mitigation

The resolution increases the number of spectators allowed at events to 750

Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Shayne Monahan controls the puck early in the third period as 1,113 fans watch Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna departments reflect on COVID response

Library, parks and rec, emergency services and IT gave feedback on 2020 performance.

Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Orange Poppy, one of several businesses that have improved their storefront with the help of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program, is photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. The improvement program awards grants to local businesses wanting to beautify their building’s exterior. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Orange Poppy, one of several businesses that have improved their storefront with the help of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program, is photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. The improvement program awards grants to local businesses wanting to beautify their building’s exterior. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis (courtesy)

Soldotna chamber, shop local program get praise from city

The program resulted in an overall economic impact of around $876,750, chamber says

Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis (courtesy)