Soldotna

Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek, left, presents Officer David Bower with a Lifesaver Award during a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna police officer recognized for lifesaving actions

Police Chief Gene Meek presented Bower with a “Lifesaver Award” during Wednesday’s meeting of the Soldotna City Council

Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek, left, presents Officer David Bower with a Lifesaver Award during a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen is recognized for her contributions to the city during a council meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A privilege to do this work’

Stephanie Queen closes out term as Soldotna city manager in emotional council meeting

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen is recognized for her contributions to the city during a council meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna City Council convenes on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bump in sales tax revenue, raises for city employees elements of Soldotna draft budget

The document will be Soldotna’s second biennial budget

The Soldotna City Council convenes on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai seeks to boost city workers

A work session is set to brainstorm ways to increase the number of people applying for vacant positions with the City of Kenai

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Soldotna Public Works Director Kyle Kornelis speaks during a Soldotna City Council meeting in December 2022.

Soldotna to consider Kornelis as interim city manager

If appointed, Kornelis would officially serve from April 29 to May 14

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Soldotna Public Works Director Kyle Kornelis speaks during a Soldotna City Council meeting in December 2022.
Donna Weeks volunteers at the Central Peninsula Hospital Gift Shop in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital volunteer program struggles to bounce back

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the volunteer program at Central Peninsula Hospital boasted a team of around 250.

Donna Weeks volunteers at the Central Peninsula Hospital Gift Shop in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Suwannasa Piwon, right, stands at the counter and greets guests during a soft opening held Friday, April 7, 2023, at Siam Noodles and Food in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Authenticity a catalyst for growth at local Thai restaurant

Siam Noodles and Food opens in new location, credits community support and dedication to authentic Thai food

Suwannasa Piwon, right, stands at the counter and greets guests during a soft opening held Friday, April 7, 2023, at Siam Noodles and Food in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A tripod set by the Soldotna and Kenai Rotary Clubs stands over the ice of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River Ice Classic to move forward

The classic, inspired by the annual Nenana Ice Classic, would involve guessing when the ice would move on the Kenai River

A tripod set by the Soldotna and Kenai Rotary Clubs stands over the ice of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Visitors look at a peace crane statue unveiled as part of the grand opening and dedication of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peace crane garden organizers share update at assembly

The trail network is part of a Community Trail Management Agreement with the borough

Visitors look at a peace crane statue unveiled as part of the grand opening and dedication of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building is seen on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough looks to mitigate flooding around Big Eddy Road

The Kenai Peninsula Borough wants to better mitigate flooding around Big Eddy Road near Soldotna that stems from gravel pit operations. Kenai Peninsula Planning Director… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building is seen on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A mock up of the Soldotna Field House. (Photo via City of Soldotna)

Soldotna designates field house funds

Construction of a field house in Soldotna took a step forward last week, when the Soldotna City Council formally designated money it plans to use… Continue reading

A mock up of the Soldotna Field House. (Photo via City of Soldotna)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna moves ahead with staff recruitment strategies

Soldotna City Council members last week gave city administration a thumbs up to move forward with new strategies meant to make it easier for the… Continue reading

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
State representatives Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, offering competing amendments to a bill increasing the per-student funding formula for public schools by $1,250 during a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday morning. McKay’s proposal to lower the increase to $150 was defeated. Story’s proposal to implement an increase during the next two years was approved, after her proposed amounts totalling about $1,500 were reduced to $800.

Borough, Soldotna call on Legislature to increase school funding

The City of Soldotna last week became the latest entity to call on the Alaska Legislature to increase school funding when it passed a resolution… Continue reading

State representatives Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, offering competing amendments to a bill increasing the per-student funding formula for public schools by $1,250 during a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday morning. McKay’s proposal to lower the increase to $150 was defeated. Story’s proposal to implement an increase during the next two years was approved, after her proposed amounts totalling about $1,500 were reduced to $800.
Audre Hickey testifies in opposition to an ordinance that would implement a citywide lewdness prohibition in Soldotna during a city council meeting on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council kills citywide lewdness ordinance

The decision followed lengthy public comment

Audre Hickey testifies in opposition to an ordinance that would implement a citywide lewdness prohibition in Soldotna during a city council meeting on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna OKs donation of portable shower, restroom facilities to homelessness coalition

The city purchased the portable restroom and shower trailer for about $182,000 in October 2020

Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Children walk and wave 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)

Community turns out for St. Patrick’s parade

The parade included dozens of participating groups

Children walk and wave 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)
Soldotna City Council members and Soldotna Planning and Zoning commissioners meet for a joint work session on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna considers new commercial zoning district for downtown corridor

The zone would prioritize walkability, ‘visually pleasing’ aesthetics

Soldotna City Council members and Soldotna Planning and Zoning commissioners meet for a joint work session on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Susan Smalley (right) testifies before the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. Smalley, who attended the 2022 Pride in the Park event questioned what would and would not be considered inappropriate under the proposed legislation. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna delays action on lewdness, park legislation

The trio of ordinances is the product of months of work by city administrators to review city code

Susan Smalley (right) testifies before the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. Smalley, who attended the 2022 Pride in the Park event questioned what would and would not be considered inappropriate under the proposed legislation. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna awards $3,000 in grants to community groups

The city’s mini grant program distributes $4,000 in grants annually

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow collects in a lot near the Aspen Hotel on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The lot is the site of a planned parking lot by the City of Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna OKs downtown parking lot contract

Efforts to boost parking capacity in Soldotna come as the city looks to create a new “main street” parallel to the Kenai River

Snow collects in a lot near the Aspen Hotel on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. The lot is the site of a planned parking lot by the City of Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)