Jacob Dye

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District IT Manager Jordan Chilson leads a tour of the district’s server infrastructure in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

School district highlights importance of E-Rate program during meeting with Murkowski, FCC commissioner

The federal program provides funding for expansion and development of network infrastructure.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District IT Manager Jordan Chilson leads a tour of the district’s server infrastructure in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Teague Vanek grills up salmon during the 2025 Industry Appreciation Day at the Kenai Softball Greenstrip in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Industry Appreciation Day honors community leaders, businesses

Oil and gas, commercial fishing, tourism and health care industries were all recognized at the annual event.

Teague Vanek grills up salmon during the 2025 Industry Appreciation Day at the Kenai Softball Greenstrip in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Candidates for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s Kalifornsky seat, Teresa Mullican and Joan Corr, participate in a forum at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Mullican, Corr talk borough services, taxes at first 2025 candidate forum

The candidates are vying for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s Kalifornsky seat.

Candidates for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s Kalifornsky seat, Teresa Mullican and Joan Corr, participate in a forum at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A harbor seal is released into Cook Inlet by the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SeaLife Center releases 2 harbor seals at Kenai beach

The two seals were admitted into the center’s Wildlife Response Program in June.

A harbor seal is released into Cook Inlet by the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Volunteers serve bowls of soup at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank’s annual Soup Supper fundraiser at the Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soup with a side of community support

Kenai Peninsula Food Bank hosted its 30th Annual Soup Supper fundraiser on Saturday.

Volunteers serve bowls of soup at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank’s annual Soup Supper fundraiser at the Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (Jake Dye/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)

Homer man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor

John Thomas Cowan was sentenced at the Kenai Courthouse on Aug. 13.

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)
Mount Spurr is seen from the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, on May 11, 2025. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Spurr returned to normal alert status as activity declines

Spurr is located about 61 miles away from Kenai and 117 miles away from Homer.

Mount Spurr is seen from the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, on May 11, 2025. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A flier for the 2025 Candidate Forum series presented by KDLL and the Peninsula Clarion describes a series of forums held at local libraries with candidates for each office. (Ashlyn O’Hara/KDLL)

Clarion, KDLL to host candidate forum series

The live, open-to-the-public candidate forums will take place ahead of the Oct. 7 municipal election.

A flier for the 2025 Candidate Forum series presented by KDLL and the Peninsula Clarion describes a series of forums held at local libraries with candidates for each office. (Ashlyn O’Hara/KDLL)
Rumi, Zoey and Mira, of Huntr/x, perform in “KPop Demon Hunters.” (Promotional photo courtesy Sony Pictures Animation)

On the Screen: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ deserves a spot on the big screen

It’s a film that was made to be experienced with theater-quality sound and alongside a group of strangers.

Rumi, Zoey and Mira, of Huntr/x, perform in “KPop Demon Hunters.” (Promotional photo courtesy Sony Pictures Animation)
Fourth grade students work on their new name tags on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year at Nikiski North Star Elementary School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Giving students their ‘best year yet’

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s 42 schools welcome kids back into classrooms.

Fourth grade students work on their new name tags on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year at Nikiski North Star Elementary School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
David Haeg reads from an annotated copy of a grand jurist’s handbook during a town hall on the Alaska grand jury process in the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

State attorney general fields grand jury questions at Soldotna town hall

The State Department of Law in July rolled out a new, formalized process for Alaska residents to request an investigation by a grand jury.

David Haeg reads from an annotated copy of a grand jurist’s handbook during a town hall on the Alaska grand jury process in the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Courthouse is seen on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Grand jury indicts woman accused of murdering 78-year-old Soldotna man

LaShaunda Lewis is charged in the death of 78-year-old John “Skip” Dove Jr.

The Kenai Courthouse is seen on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall is seen on a sunny Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to vote for mayor, city council candidates in upcoming election

There are no ballot propositions being considered in this year’s election.

Kenai City Hall is seen on a sunny Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Parker, Carey running unopposed for Soldotna City Council

Soldotna voters will decide on annexation proposition.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the George A. Navarre Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the George A. Navarre Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney cuts a ceremonial ribbon for the Soldotna Field House during its grand opening in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Field House welcomes public during grand opening

The field house will open on Sept. 2 for regular operations.

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney cuts a ceremonial ribbon for the Soldotna Field House during its grand opening in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Northern Kenai fishing report: Sockeye good; coho arriving in local rivers

On the Kenai River, a record-breaking run of sockeye salmon has now crossed 4 million fish counted.

A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image courtesy Warner Bros. Discovery 
A child races into the night in “Weapons.”

On the Screen: ‘Weapons’ a thoughtful horror set to American tragedy

Wrapped in a supernatural horror story is a distinctly human narrative.

Promotional image courtesy Warner Bros. Discovery 
A child races into the night in “Weapons.”
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Kenai River bag limit for sockeye salmon increased through the end of the year

The bag limit for sockeye was set to decrease to three per day and six in possession on Aug. 16.

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Erfurth found guilty on 28 counts for sex abuse, exploitation of a minor

The former Soldotna high school teacher and union head was convicted after six days of jury deliberations.

Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)