Ashlyn O'Hara

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski talks infrastructure, outdoors and energy

Senator gives update on what else is happening in D.C.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos arrives for an event in the State Dining room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

School district crafting Title IX policies

The move is aimed at bringing the district into compliance with federal changes governing how instances of sexual harassment and discrimination are handled by administration.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos arrives for an event in the State Dining room of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Kyle Kornelis speaks at a public meeting about the Runway 7-25 Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to repave airport runway

The project will be paid for in full with federal money.

Kyle Kornelis speaks at a public meeting about the Runway 7-25 Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The site of the Sterling Highway MP 45-60 Project is seen near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Sean Holland)

Bypass project pushes ahead

People should expect traffic delays and construction noise when traveling through Cooper Landing this summer.

The site of the Sterling Highway MP 45-60 Project is seen near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Sean Holland)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Brandi Harbaugh gives a presentation during a joint work session on Tuesday in Soldotna.

Borough to present budget Tuesday

In all, the borough is anticipating almost $144 million in total revenues.

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Brandi Harbaugh gives a presentation during a joint work session on Tuesday in Soldotna.
Photo courtesy of Peter Micciche
Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) listens to testimony in Juneau in this undated photo.

Alcohol regulation bill gets hearing

Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Micciche, R- Kenai/Soldotna, has been nine years in the making.

Photo courtesy of Peter Micciche
Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) listens to testimony in Juneau in this undated photo.
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, has his picture taken by a fellow senator after being unanimously elected on the first day of the 32nd Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)

Clock ticking on local lawmakers’ bills

Some bills sponsored by local lawmakers are closer to becoming law than others.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, has his picture taken by a fellow senator after being unanimously elected on the first day of the 32nd Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)
A group of skiers make their way along a trail behind Skyview High School, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Black Stone Axe Ridge Warm Up Rally at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna lends support to Tsalteshi grant request

The trails association recently applied for a grant through the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

A group of skiers make their way along a trail behind Skyview High School, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Black Stone Axe Ridge Warm Up Rally at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign indicates the future site of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Marydale Avenue on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna city council OKs support for peace garden

The city council first considered the resolution at their April 14 meeting.

A sign indicates the future site of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Marydale Avenue on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Denali National Park and Preserve is seen in March 2019. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Denali Road Lottery opens Saturday; park closed to snowmachines

The application period for the 2021 Denali Road Lottery will open on May 1 and will be open until May 31.

Denali National Park and Preserve is seen in March 2019. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna City Council participates in a remote meeting on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Soldotna to resume in-person meetings regardless of COVID risk levels

The council first voted to restrict in-person meetings during October of last year.

The Soldotna City Council participates in a remote meeting on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy introduces recreational land sales bill

Eligible Alaskans may be able to nominate up to 10 acres of state-owned land for sale or lease as a remote recreational site.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Wildwood Correctional Center is seen in this undated photo. (Alaska Department of Corrections)
Wildwood Correctional Center is seen in this undated photo. (Alaska Department of Corrections)
Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai anticipates high hike in health care costs

The city paid just over $2.6 million on employee health care in FY21 and expects to pay about $2.8 million in FY22.

Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Spano and Bob Loeffler hike in Chugach National Forest. (Photo courtesy Chris Beck/Alaska Trails Initiative)

Funding for 500-mile trail awaits lawmaker action

The proposed trail would run from Seward to Fairbanks.

Mark Spano and Bob Loeffler hike in Chugach National Forest. (Photo courtesy Chris Beck/Alaska Trails Initiative)
A day on Kachemak Bay (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer council puts brakes on some Jet Ski action

The legislation is a response to the repeal of a regulation banning the use of personal watercraft in the Fox River and Kachemak Bay Critical Habitat Areas.

A day on Kachemak Bay (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
In this Jan. 20, 2020, file photo, census workers verify that their maps match up to the right amount of houses in Toksook Bay, Alaska, a mostly Yup’ik village on the edge of the Bering Sea. Alaska’s population grew by 23,160 people, or 3.3%, in the last decade, according to the first numbers released Monday for the 2020 Census. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Alaska gains population, no new House seats

The 2020 census found Alaska has a resident population of 733,391 and an overseas population of 2,690.

In this Jan. 20, 2020, file photo, census workers verify that their maps match up to the right amount of houses in Toksook Bay, Alaska, a mostly Yup’ik village on the edge of the Bering Sea. Alaska’s population grew by 23,160 people, or 3.3%, in the last decade, according to the first numbers released Monday for the 2020 Census. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
A sign describing bluff erosion is seen on Kenai North Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Aug. 6, 2020. The bluff stabilization project is one of several capital improvement projects on the City of Kenai’s agenda. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to tackle capital improvement projects

Bridge Access trail, Rec Center upgrades among projects Kenai plans to address this year.

A sign describing bluff erosion is seen on Kenai North Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Aug. 6, 2020. The bluff stabilization project is one of several capital improvement projects on the City of Kenai’s agenda. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough to hire for 2 dispatch positions

Two state workers are expected to leave their positions at the center within the next month.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
David Ross speaks before the Kenai City Council on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai police chief: Crime decreased amid pandemic

The total number of police service calls declined by more than 500.

David Ross speaks before the Kenai City Council on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)