Chloe Anderson

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)

Ice fishing opens on some Kenai National Wildlife Refuge lakes

Snowmachines are permitted for ice fishing access on Hidden, Kelly, Petersen, Engineer and Watson lakes.

 

The waters of Cook Inlet lap against Nikishka Beach in Nikiski, Alaska, where several local fish sites are located, on Friday, March 24, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai asks for fishery economic disaster declaration

The Kenai City Council requested that Gov. Dunleavy declare a disaster and support a recovery plan for the Upper Cook Inlet East Side Set Net fishery.

 

Senior Mason Bock exclaims after winning the state title during the ASAA Division I state championships in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 20, 2025. Bock beat No. 2 seed Isaiah Schultz of Colony High School in the final, securing his victory in the 135-pound title as the No. 4 seed. Bock said standing on the podium was the best moment of his life, telling the Clarion that since he had lost to Schultz once earlier in the season, he was “focused and determined to have a different outcome” during the final match. Photo courtesy of Andie Bock/Andie’s Alaskan Adventures Photography

SoHi girls 3-peat at state wrestling championships

The boys team placed second and saw five wrestlers win state titles in the Division I tournament.

 

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.
Staff at Soldotna Senior Citizens, Inc. are pictured on Dec. 17, 2025 in Soldotna, Alaska, in front of a new 15-passenger van purchased with funds the Rasmuson Foundation and several local businesses donated to the nonprofit organization. Photo courtesy of Soldotna Senior Citizens, Inc.

New van will expand Soldotna senior center’s service capacity

Soldotna Senior Citizens, Inc., recently purchased a 15-passenger van using funds donated by the Rasmuson Foundation and several local businesses.

Staff at Soldotna Senior Citizens, Inc. are pictured on Dec. 17, 2025 in Soldotna, Alaska, in front of a new 15-passenger van purchased with funds the Rasmuson Foundation and several local businesses donated to the nonprofit organization. Photo courtesy of Soldotna Senior Citizens, Inc.
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman, Ruffridge and Elam host town hall

The lawmakers wanted to hear from constituents before the legislative session begins.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Soldotna chamber lights up the town

Hundreds of folks gathered at the visitor center for the Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting last week.

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The Soldotna High School wrestling team is pictured after the Northern Lights regional conference in Wasilla, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. SoHi sent 33 boys and 11 girls to regionals. 22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of Soldotna High School Athletics
The Soldotna High School wrestling team is pictured after the Northern Lights regional conference in Wasilla, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. SoHi sent 33 boys and 11 girls to regionals. 22 boys and nine girls will compete in the state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of Soldotna High School Athletics
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. The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection must gather community perspectives before creating a proposal, and so far they’ve received “mixed” input. Screenshot.

DNR receives “mixed” public input on proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest

The potential proposal would expand the Tanana Valley State Forest by 600,000 acres.

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. The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection must gather community perspectives before creating a proposal, and so far they’ve received “mixed” input. Screenshot.
Snow-covered trees and peaks are pictured from a frozen pond near the Herbert Glacier trail in Juneau<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Thursday, Dec. 11<ins>, 2025</ins>. (Chloe Anderson/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Breaking the winter cycle

There’s a learning curve to every new season and every new sport.

Snow-covered trees and peaks are pictured from a frozen pond near the Herbert Glacier trail in Juneau<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Thursday, Dec. 11<ins>, 2025</ins>. (Chloe Anderson/Peninsula Clarion)
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. President and CEO Sophie Minich speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula organizations awarded mental health trust grants

Organizations in Nikiski and Kenai received funding from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

Cook Inlet Region, Inc. President and CEO Sophie Minich speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai<ins>, Alaska</ins>. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai moves to purchase rights-of-way from Kenai Native Association

The Kenai City Council last week authorized $200,000 for the Wildwood Drive Rehabilitation Project.

Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai<ins>, Alaska</ins>. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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.

Assembly will ask state legislature for authority to enact caps on real property tax assessments

Mayor Peter Micciche said a 34% increase over three years has created “real financial hardships” for many in the borough.

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.
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Soldotna artist awarded Rasmuson Foundation grant

Lester Nelson-Gacal will use the funds to create a handmade, illustrated book about his father’s final year.

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Sophie Tapley is photographed with her parents, Josh and Whitney Tapley, during Sophie’s signing ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Nov. 26, 2025. Tapley committed to playing volleyball at the University of Alaska Anchorage during the 2026-2027 school year. Photo courtesy of Jesse Settlemyer, Kenai Central Athletics

Kenai Central’s Sophie Tapley signs with UAA volleyball

Tapley will trade her Kardinals jersey for a Seawolf one during the 2026-2027 academic year.

Sophie Tapley is photographed with her parents, Josh and Whitney Tapley, during Sophie’s signing ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Nov. 26, 2025. Tapley committed to playing volleyball at the University of Alaska Anchorage during the 2026-2027 school year. Photo courtesy of Jesse Settlemyer, Kenai Central Athletics
A diagram presented by Seward City Manager Kat Sorenson during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, shows the expected timeline for the Port of Seward Vessel Shore Power Implementation Project. Screenshot

Seward shore power project moves into preliminary design phase

The project will create jobs, reduce cruise ship emissions and provide a backup power grid.

A diagram presented by Seward City Manager Kat Sorenson during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, shows the expected timeline for the Port of Seward Vessel Shore Power Implementation Project. Screenshot
The U.S. Forest Service Porcupine Campground offers gorgeous views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm, as seen here on July 20, 2020, near Hope, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The U.S. Forest Service Porcupine Campground offers gorgeous views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm, as seen here on July 20, 2020, near Hope, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
David Ross is sworn in as Kenai Police Chief on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Kenai City Hall. The Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police named Ross the 2025 Police Chief of the Year, recognizing over two decades of service. Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion

Kenai police chief named 2025 Police Chief of the Year

The Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police recognized David Ross for his more than two decades of leadership.

David Ross is sworn in as Kenai Police Chief on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Kenai City Hall. The Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police named Ross the 2025 Police Chief of the Year, recognizing over two decades of service. Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion
Photo courtesy Pete Dickinson
The SoHi junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams compete in the Battle for the Bird at Soldotna High School on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The Kenai Peninsula Athletics Sapphire dance team performed the halftime show.

SoHi, Nikiski wrestling teams compete for Thanksgiving dinner

The Stars and Bulldogs faced off during the Battle for the Bird duals last Wednesday.

Photo courtesy Pete Dickinson
The SoHi junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams compete in the Battle for the Bird at Soldotna High School on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The Kenai Peninsula Athletics Sapphire dance team performed the halftime show.
The cast of Nikiski Middle School’s upcoming performance of “Alice in Wonderland” is pictured on Dec. 2, 2025. The upperclassmen-directed play opens on Friday, with additional showtimes Saturday and next weekend. Photo courtesy of Carla Jenness

Nikiski Middle School debuts student-led “Alice in Wonderland”

The show opens on Friday, with additional showtimes this weekend and next.

The cast of Nikiski Middle School’s upcoming performance of “Alice in Wonderland” is pictured on Dec. 2, 2025. The upperclassmen-directed play opens on Friday, with additional showtimes Saturday and next weekend. Photo courtesy of Carla Jenness