Ashlyn O'Hara

Susie Smalley demonstrates during a vigil in support of Ukraine on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy directs state agencies, corporations to divest from Russia

The move is in response to the nation’s invasion of Ukraine

Susie Smalley demonstrates during a vigil in support of Ukraine on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Former Kenai Vice Mayor Bob Molloy proposes changes to the City of Kenai’s draft Land Management Plan during a city council work session on Monday, March 7, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai finalizing comprehensive inventory of city land

The final plan is subject to approval by the city council

Former Kenai Vice Mayor Bob Molloy proposes changes to the City of Kenai’s draft Land Management Plan during a city council work session on Monday, March 7, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Cyclers race at the Soldotna Cycle Series at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on July 18, 2019. The Kenai City Council last week approved funding for a local bike repair station at Kenai Community Library. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Bike repair station coming to Kenai library

The bike repair station is expected to be installed this summer

Cyclers race at the Soldotna Cycle Series at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on July 18, 2019. The Kenai City Council last week approved funding for a local bike repair station at Kenai Community Library. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Fire Station No. 3 is seen on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Project will treat water at Nikiski Fire Station #3

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved additional funds for the project this month

Nikiski Fire Station No. 3 is seen on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A copy of Don’t Cry For Me is displayed on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: ‘Don’t Cry for Me’ a raw reflection on masculinity, black fatherhood

A central motif is the idea of masculinity and how that idea is or is not upheld by characters

A copy of Don’t Cry For Me is displayed on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Contact tracing, masking to end at schools Friday

The district announced new changes to its COVID-19 protocol on Monday

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 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)
The Kenai Peninsula’s Community Level is shown as medium on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled new metrics to assess COVID-19 risk level last week. (cdc.gov)

State COVID cases declining

The new cases come days after new masking guidelines were issued by the CDC

The Kenai Peninsula’s Community Level is shown as medium on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled new metrics to assess COVID-19 risk level last week. (cdc.gov)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Driftwood Charters vessel rescues man who floated into Cook Inlet on iceberg

Man rescued after floating in Cook Inlet on iceberg

Alaska State Troopers logo.
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)
Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Brad Walker speaks during a small group activity as part of a community vision session for the Kenai Waterfront Revitalization Project on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Community brainstorms future of Kenai’s waterfront

The City of Kenai moderated an event Thursday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center

Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Brad Walker speaks during a small group activity as part of a community vision session for the Kenai Waterfront Revitalization Project on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A map of COVID-19 Community Levels by county show the Kenai Peninsula have a “medium” community level on Friday, Feb. 24, 2022. (CDC.gov)

CDC: Many more can ditch masks, for now

The agency is now only advising universal masking in regions where community COVID level is high

A map of COVID-19 Community Levels by county show the Kenai Peninsula have a “medium” community level on Friday, Feb. 24, 2022. (CDC.gov)
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 looks to outsource grant-writing labor

The city wants to maximize funding opportunities made available through the federal government

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)
Kenai City Council members James Baisden and Teea Winger deliberate at the body’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai mulls benefit of rec center as repair costs add up

The Kenai City Council voted this month to consolidate project funding for the building

Kenai City Council members James Baisden and Teea Winger deliberate at the body’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Freezing rain creates icy conditions on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna asks for more snow removal money

The City of Soldotna estimates it will spend more than expected on snow removal services this winter. Citing above average snowfall, the city’s streets and… Continue reading

Freezing rain creates icy conditions on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Sterling Highway crash sends woman, child to Anchorage for intensive care

The Tuesday collision occurred near the Sterling Transfer Facility

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A green Little Free Library stands at the edge of Daubenspeck Family Park on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Proposal would bring more Little Free Libraries to Kenai

The proposal to expand the program came from Friends of the Kenai Library

A green Little Free Library stands at the edge of Daubenspeck Family Park on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Data from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services show that some regions of Alaska have dropped to "low" COVID alert level, while most others remain at "high" alert level, as of Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (Screenshot)

1,773 new COVID cases reported, no new peninsula deaths

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services only reports new deaths on Wednesdays

Data from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services show that some regions of Alaska have dropped to "low" COVID alert level, while most others remain at "high" alert level, as of Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (Screenshot)
Members of the Kenai City Council convene at a work session on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai seeks input on waterfront revitalization

The forum will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center

Members of the Kenai City Council convene at a work session on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Tuckerman Babcock stands in The Peninsula Clarion office on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Babcock enters state Senate race

Babcock will challenge incumbent Peter Micciche for the seat containing Kenai and Soldotna

Tuckerman Babcock stands in The Peninsula Clarion office on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)