Soldotna

The Progress Days Parade proceeds down Marydale Lane in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Progress Days Parade proceeds down Marydale Lane in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

King of the River food drive extended, Kenai takes lead

The winning city’s mayor will throw the opening pitch at a Peninsula Oilers game

Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Former Soldotna police officer acquitted of 2023 assault allegations

He was found not guilty following a five-day trial in late June

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai and Soldotna Safeways may be sold under proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger

The local stores will be sold to CS Wholesale Grocers only if the merger overcomes suit from the FTC

The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s city council appropriates funds for FY 2025 capital projects

Improvements are described for streets, police facility, Soldotna Creek Park and Soldotna Community Memorial Park

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Ben Meyer, environmental scientist and water quality coordinator for the Kenai Watershed Forum, teaches children about young salmon freshly pulled from Soldotna Creek during the Kenai River Fair at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 7, 2024.

Kenai River Fair debuts with array of activities and education

Previously called the Kenai River Festival, the newly refocused fair featured booths and activities dedicated to education about the outdoors, wildlife and ecosystems

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Ben Meyer, environmental scientist and water quality coordinator for the Kenai Watershed Forum, teaches children about young salmon freshly pulled from Soldotna Creek during the Kenai River Fair at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 7, 2024.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy pictured with members of the House majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy pictured with members of the House majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)
“I Voted” stickers await Alaskan voters during in-person voting at Mendenhall Mall. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
“I Voted” stickers await Alaskan voters during in-person voting at Mendenhall Mall. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.

Kenai and Soldotna square off once more in ‘King of the River Food Drive’

Food can be donated at the food bank or at either city’s chamber of commerce

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.
The Two-Spirit March, part of Soldotna Pride’s Pride in the Park, proceeds along Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, June 22<ins>, 2024</ins>. (Photo by Michele Vasquez, provided by Soldotna Pride)

‘We just want to exist’

Soldotna Pride growing, evolving to create community on the Kenai Peninsula

The Two-Spirit March, part of Soldotna Pride’s Pride in the Park, proceeds along Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, June 22<ins>, 2024</ins>. (Photo by Michele Vasquez, provided by Soldotna Pride)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Assembly approves $1.4 million contract for roof repair

An ordinance redirecting toward the project unused federal grant funding was approved by the assembly in May

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Julia Hanson, design manager for the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements project, answers questions and takes feedback during a town hall event at the Sterling Community Center in Sterling, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sterling Safety Corridor project leads hear from Sterling residents at 1st town hall

The corridor stretches from near Whistle Hill in Soldotna past Swanson River Road in Sterling

Julia Hanson, design manager for the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements project, answers questions and takes feedback during a town hall event at the Sterling Community Center in Sterling, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sparks glitter away as Grey Wilson, of Wilson’s Proper Edge, sharpens an ax at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘No point in cutting with dull knives’

Market fixture Wilson’s Proper Edge a unique mobile tool-sharpening service

Sparks glitter away as Grey Wilson, of Wilson’s Proper Edge, sharpens an ax at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Girl Scout Troop 210, which includes Caitlyn Eskelin, Emma Hindman, Kadie Newkirk and Lyberty Stockman, present their “Bucket Trees” to a panel of judges in the 34th Annual Caring for the Kenai Competition at Kenai Central High School on Thursday, April 18.

Caring for the Kenai winners receive EPA award

Winning team of the 34th annual Caring for the Kenai was selected for the President’s Environmental Youth Award

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Girl Scout Troop 210, which includes Caitlyn Eskelin, Emma Hindman, Kadie Newkirk and Lyberty Stockman, present their “Bucket Trees” to a panel of judges in the 34th Annual Caring for the Kenai Competition at Kenai Central High School on Thursday, April 18.
Marchers walk from the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex to Soldotna Creek Park as part of Soldotna Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pride in the Park, other Pride celebrations set for Saturday

The event starts with the Two-Spirit March, which meets at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex at 11:30 a.m.

Marchers walk from the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex to Soldotna Creek Park as part of Soldotna Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Design Project Manager Steve Noble and Public Involvement Lead Stephanie Queen appear to discuss the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements project during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sterling Safety Corridor project to get ‘reintroduction’ at community meetings this month

The corridor begins near Whistle Hill in Soldotna and ends shortly after Swanson River Road in Sterling

Design Project Manager Steve Noble and Public Involvement Lead Stephanie Queen appear to discuss the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements project during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Council member Dave Carey speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna explores its water and sewer expansion fees

The fees are a single charge to people who are newly or differently demanding or utilizing the services of the city’s water and sewer system

Council member Dave Carey speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rylee Smith operates her lemonade stand, Lemony Smith, outside of Orange Poppy in Soldotna during Lemonade Day on Saturday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Lemonade Day sparks dozens of pop-up stands

Stands were strewn across Kenai, Soldotna, Sterling and Nikiski

Rylee Smith operates her lemonade stand, Lemony Smith, outside of Orange Poppy in Soldotna during Lemonade Day on Saturday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Emily Musgrove emerges from a cloud of orange powder during a color run as part of the opening night of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna on Wednesday.

Music and color return to Soldotna Creek Park

Soldotna Music Series kicks off with celebration under rainfall

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Emily Musgrove emerges from a cloud of orange powder during a color run as part of the opening night of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna on Wednesday.
Emerson Kapp, second-place winner of the 2023 Caring for the Kenai competition, shows participants how to use her project, the Kenai Peninsula Maze Board, during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River Fair to offer education, fun for free on June 8

Kenai Watershed Forum’s annual summer event gets new name, renewed focus on education

Emerson Kapp, second-place winner of the 2023 Caring for the Kenai competition, shows participants how to use her project, the Kenai Peninsula Maze Board, during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)