Jacob Dye

Balloons fall on dozens of children armed with confetti poppers during the Ninth Annual Noon-Year’s Eve Party at the Soldotna Public Library on New Year’s Eve. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids mark a colorful countdown to 2025

Soldotna library hosted ‘Noon-Year’s Eve’

Balloons fall on dozens of children armed with confetti poppers during the Ninth Annual Noon-Year’s Eve Party at the Soldotna Public Library on New Year’s Eve. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly President Peter Ribbens speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to act on ordinances at Tuesday meeting

The legislation addresses public meeting comments, civil fine accrual, and a rezoning petition

Assembly President Peter Ribbens speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Anchor River flows in the Anchor Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Trout Unlimited to host presentation on steelhead findings from Anchor River weir

The event is set for 6 p.m. at the Goods on Tuesday, Jan. 7

The Anchor River flows in the Anchor Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kristen Faulkner, who won two gold medals for cycling at the Paris 2024 Olympics, speaks to Andrew Elam during a meet and greet hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Cannery Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Make it or not’

Homer’s Kristen Faulkner returns to Kenai Peninsula months after claiming a pair of Olympic gold medals in cycling

Kristen Faulkner, who won two gold medals for cycling at the Paris 2024 Olympics, speaks to Andrew Elam during a meet and greet hosted by the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce at the Cannery Lodge in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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 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 group of people sing “Silent Night” in the Elwell Fishing Lodge at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A night made brighter with song and light

Candlelight walk marks Christmas Eve

A group of people sing “Silent Night” in the Elwell Fishing Lodge at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Keanu Reeves is Shadow the Hedgehog in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Sonic 3’ brings craft, stakes to colorful kid’s movie

When I was a kid, in the early 2000s, Sonic the Hedgehog was a pretty big deal

Keanu Reeves is Shadow the Hedgehog in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” (Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Federal government drops pursuit of maintenance of equity funding for KPBSD, other districts

The state has newly been found to be compliant with federal requirements

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Paetyn Wimberly performs “The Christmas That I Know” during the 23rd Annual Christmas Lights and Holiday Nights Skating Recital at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Skating in the park with Santa

The Soldotna Parks and Recreation Department will host another holiday open skate on Tuesday, Dec. 31

Paetyn Wimberly performs “The Christmas That I Know” during the 23rd Annual Christmas Lights and Holiday Nights Skating Recital at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
AnnMarie Rudstrom, dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present, reads Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at The Goods in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’ warms a winter night at The Goods

The full text of the book was read live at the store across two weeks

AnnMarie Rudstrom, dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present, reads Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at The Goods in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Lisa Gabriel, a member of the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association Board of Directors, speaks to the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna calls for disaster proclamation in 2024 east side setnet fishery

The governor has recognized economic disasters for local fisheries in 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023

Lisa Gabriel, a member of the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association Board of Directors, speaks to the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Recreation Center stands under overcast skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai reinstates fees for city basketball league

Players will have to pay an individual registration fee of $50

The Kenai Recreation Center stands under overcast skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank speaks during a work session of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai extends agreements for spruce tree mitigation

Other work to fell hazardous trees in Kenai has been undertaken by the Kenai Peninsula Borough

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank speaks during a work session of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Manager Janette Bower, right, speaks to Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna tweaks bed tax legislation ahead of Jan. 1 enactment

The council in 2023 adopted a 4% lodging tax for short-term rentals

Soldotna City Manager Janette Bower, right, speaks to Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Member Tom Tougas speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Tourism Industry Working Group holds 1st meeting

The group organized and began to unpack questions about tourism revenue and identity

Member Tom Tougas speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Nikiski Pool is photographed at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion file)

Nikiski man arrested for threats to Nikiski Pool

Similar threats, directed at the pool, were made in voicemails received by the borough mayor’s office, trooper say

The Nikiski Pool is photographed at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion file)
A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward council delays decision on chamber funding until January work session

The chamber provides destination marketing services for the city and visitor center services and economic development support

A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Crane sentenced again to 30 years in prison after failed appeal to 3-judge panel

That sentence resembles the previous sentence announced by the State Department of Law in July

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander sits inside Kenai City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion file)

Ostrander named to Rasmuson board

The former Kenai city manager is filling a seat vacated by former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander sits inside Kenai City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion file)