Ashlyn O'Hara

The Homer Spit is evacuated during the July 28 tsunami warning at about 10:50 p.m. (Photo by Sarah Knapp)

UPDATE: Peninsula given all clear following earthquake, tsunami warning

An 8.2 magnitude earthquake Wednesday night spurred tsunami evacuations for coastal communities

The Homer Spit is evacuated during the July 28 tsunami warning at about 10:50 p.m. (Photo by Sarah Knapp)
A new 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 auction off surplus goods

The City of Soldotna will auction off surplus city goods, vehicles and equipment at an online auction to be held between Aug. 16 and 25.… Continue reading

A new sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Downtown Seward, Alaska is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor declares ‘Seward pride weekend’

A bonfire, a hike to Exit Glacier and a barbeque at Bronson Pavilion are all among the LGBTQ pride festivities planned for this weekend in… Continue reading

Downtown Seward, Alaska is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are likely spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska COVID numbers keep rising

Alaska saw its largest single-day COVID-19 case increase since January on Wednesday, when the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 376 new resident… Continue reading

COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are likely spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Resurrection Bay is seen from Seward, Alaska on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Seward approves construction of animal shelter

The Seward City Council approved up to $1,930,500 for the construction of a new animal shelter, a project that has been in the works for… Continue reading

Resurrection Bay is seen from Seward, Alaska on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche speaks to reporters after a Senate floor session on the opening day of the second special legislative session on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called the special session to address the budget. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Per diems add up for lawmakers

State lawmakers could make more than $85,000 in per diem payments and their annual salary for this year’s regular session, according to data from the… Continue reading

Alaska Senate President Peter Micciche speaks to reporters after a Senate floor session on the opening day of the second special legislative session on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called the special session to address the budget. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Hikers look at the Harding Icefield in August 2015 in Kenai Fjords National Park, just outside of Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Hiker rescued from Harding Icefield Trail

A hiker was airlifted off of the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park on Sunday afternoon after Alaska State Troopers received a 911… Continue reading

Hikers look at the Harding Icefield in August 2015 in Kenai Fjords National Park, just outside of Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

COVID-19 surge continues

‘They’re getting sicker this time around’

COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion 
The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska.

State seeks funding for Funny River boat launch

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is working to secure funding for the construction of a boat launch on the Funny River side of the… Continue reading

Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion 
The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska.
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COVID-19 cases remain high in area

Every region of Alaska was considered to be at “intermediate” or “high” COVID-19 risk level, based on its respective average daily cases for the last… Continue reading

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Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion 
The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Soldotna library seeks to beef up reading programs

The Soldotna Public Library will use a $2,200 donation from the Soldotna Library Friends to bolster reading programs, pending approval by the Soldotna City Council… Continue reading

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion 
The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska.
Clayton Holland stands in his office at the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New superintendent discusses upcoming school year

Clayton Holland is ready to get to work. That’s what the new superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District made clear Thursday, when he… Continue reading

Clayton Holland stands in his office at the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander (right) address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Untapped potential:’ Kenai looks to revive waterfront, develop business community

The City of Kenai is preparing to move forward with projects aimed at revitalizing the waterfront along Bridge Access Road and encouraging economic development in… Continue reading

Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander (right) address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives Executive Director Steven Rouse testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More affordable housing coming to Kenai

More affordable housing for senior and restricted income residents is coming to the City of Kenai following the approval of a conditional donation of land… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives Executive Director Steven Rouse testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rainbow trout caught in Lone Lake. (Mike Benbow, file)

State mulls stocking Hedberg Lake

The State of Alaska is considering a proposal to stock John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski with rainbow trout starting in 2022, according to a release… Continue reading

Rainbow trout caught in Lone Lake. (Mike Benbow, file)
Aaron Rhoades and Charlie Pierce stand in a conference room in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce, new chief of staff outline policy agenda

“A problem solver.” That’s how Aaron Rhoades describes himself. He’s a lifelong Alaskan with experience in gas and municipal government. He’s also Kenai Peninsula Borough… Continue reading

Aaron Rhoades and Charlie Pierce stand in a conference room in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district uses COVID funds for summer programs

Flying drones, tie-dye and esports were among the activities offered at programs hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District this summer. The school district… Continue reading

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Area residents donate to Tshibaka

Peninsula residents are among those contributing financially to the campaign of Kelly Tshibaka, who is vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Lisa… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Colette Thompson stands near a bookshelf in her office at the George A. Navarre Borough Building on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Resting her case

Borough attorney retires after more than 25 years

Colette Thompson stands near a bookshelf in her office at the George A. Navarre Borough Building on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)

COVID cases rise on peninsula

As COVID-19 vaccination rates stagnate, case numbers on the Kenai Peninsula increase and the COVID delta variant continues to spread in Alaska, Central Peninsula Hospital… Continue reading

RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)