Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Change of plea hearing set for Calderwood

A sentencing date and location will be determined at the next hearing on Feb. 5.

 

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Carts filled with food collected during the Freedom from Hunger community food drive are displayed at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska grocery store supports Kenai Peninsula Food Bank

Three Bears Alaska’s annual ‘Shop with a Purpose’ event raised nearly $112,000 for 14 communities in Alaska and the Lower 48.

Carts filled with food collected during the Freedom from Hunger community food drive are displayed at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank near Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna High School varsity football team receives certificates of achievement, presented on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026,  by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (right) and KPB Assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, for winning the Division II State Championship in October 2025. Photo courtesy Joe Rizzo

Assembly commends Kenai, Soldotna teams

The Soldotna High School football team and Kenai Central High School marching band and girls’ volleyball team received recognition for their accomplishments in 2025.

The Soldotna High School varsity football team receives certificates of achievement, presented on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026,  by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (right) and KPB Assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, for winning the Division II State Championship in October 2025. Photo courtesy Joe Rizzo
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Bjorkman prefiles 2 bills ahead of session

The second regular session of the 34th legislature begins Jan. 20.

This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Retired Biologist and former manager of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge will “Looking Back, Looking Forward,” a talk about his solo trip on the Yukon River, on Tuesday evening at the Refuge headquarters in Soldotna. The Homer-based nonprofit organization Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges is hosting a virtual watch party in Homer. Photo courtesy of Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges

Looking back, looking forward

Robin West will give a talk about his 30-year career Tuesday evening at the Kenai refuge headquarters and virtually.

Retired Biologist and former manager of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge will “Looking Back, Looking Forward,” a talk about his solo trip on the Yukon River, on Tuesday evening at the Refuge headquarters in Soldotna. The Homer-based nonprofit organization Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges is hosting a virtual watch party in Homer. Photo courtesy of Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges
Snow covers a branch hanging over Watergate Way in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Update: District-wide schools and activities closure in effect Friday through Saturday, Jan. 16-17

All Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools and Kenai Peninsula College campuses are closed due to rain and freezing temperatures expected overnight.

Snow covers a branch hanging over Watergate Way in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough updates public noticing requirements

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved an ordinance last week effectively ending requirements to publish notices in a newspaper of general circulation.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.

Community discusses state forest proposal at Homer meeting

The public comment period on the proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest closes Jan. 16 at 5 p.m.

A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation helped a Nikiski resident dispose of over 43 tons of contaminated soil after a home heating oil spill in November<ins> 2025</ins>. DEC on Friday launched a program to help eligible homeowners cover cleanup costs relating to home heating oil spills. Photo courtesy of the Department of Environmental Conservation

State launches home heating oil spill cleanup program

The Department of Environmental Conservation formally announced the program statewide on Friday.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation helped a Nikiski resident dispose of over 43 tons of contaminated soil after a home heating oil spill in November<ins> 2025</ins>. DEC on Friday launched a program to help eligible homeowners cover cleanup costs relating to home heating oil spills. Photo courtesy of the Department of Environmental Conservation
Sterling resident Jonny Reidy walks 11 miles from his dry cabin to his part-time job at Fred Meyer on Dec. 15, 2025. Reidy aims to walk 1,000 miles by midsummer, and he’s asking people to pledge donations to food banks for every mile he travels. Photo courtesy of Jonny Reidy

Sterling man is walking 1,000 miles for hunger awareness

Jonathan Reidy asks people to pledge donations to local food banks for every mile he walks.

Sterling resident Jonny Reidy walks 11 miles from his dry cabin to his part-time job at Fred Meyer on Dec. 15, 2025. Reidy aims to walk 1,000 miles by midsummer, and he’s asking people to pledge donations to food banks for every mile he travels. Photo courtesy of Jonny Reidy
Kate Rich’s play, “The Most Comfortable Couch in Town,” is performed during “Stranded: A Ten-Minute Play Festival” in August 2025 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Jennifer Norton

Homer playwright receives fellowship award

Kate Rich is revising a new play, which she hopes to take to the Valdez Theatre Conference Play Lab.

Kate Rich’s play, “The Most Comfortable Couch in Town,” is performed during “Stranded: A Ten-Minute Play Festival” in August 2025 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Jennifer Norton
Soldotna High School students learn how to prepare moose meat through the school’s annual Moose Permit Project, an educational partnership between SoHi and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades/Soldotna High School

Soldotna students get hands-on moose harvest experience

SoHi’s annual Moose Permit Project is an educational collaboration between the school and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Soldotna High School students learn how to prepare moose meat through the school’s annual Moose Permit Project, an educational partnership between SoHi and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades/Soldotna High School
A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai refuge announces snowmachine opening

All areas traditionally allowing snowmachine use in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now open.

A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A BUMPS bus waits for passengers in the Walmart parking lot in Kenai, Alaska, on Oct. 15, 2018. (File photo)
A BUMPS bus waits for passengers in the Walmart parking lot in Kenai, Alaska, on Oct. 15, 2018. (File photo)
Balloons fall on dozens of children armed with confetti poppers during the Ninth Annual Noon-Year’s Eve Party at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Out with the old, in with the new

The Peninsula Clarion looks back on 2025 in this “year in review.”

Balloons fall on dozens of children armed with confetti poppers during the Ninth Annual Noon-Year’s Eve Party at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.

Community meeting in Homer to focus on proposed state forest

The Department of Natural Resources will continue to gather community input on the potential establishment of a Kenai Peninsula State Forest during a meeting on Tuesday at Kachemak Bay Campus.

A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.