Jacob Dye

Madison Kosma watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River at Cunningham Park on Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Local ‘community scientists’ monitor endangered beluga population

Alaska Beluga Monitoring Program trains volunteers to collect information about the Cook Inlet beluga population

Madison Kosma watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River at Cunningham Park on Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Certified Nurse Assistant program graduates stand for a photo at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nursing assistant graduates celebrated

New hospital program tackles staffing issues, sees locals take first step into health care

Certified Nurse Assistant program graduates stand for a photo at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (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)

Sockeye wrapping up, coho still on the way

Northern Kenai Fishing Report for Aug. 25, 2023

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)
Mock-up illustration of in-development Kahtnu Area Transit Bus (Image courtesy Kenaitze Indian Tribe)

Community input sought for Kenaitze’s public bus service

Kahtnu Area Transit will be available to the general public

Mock-up illustration of in-development Kahtnu Area Transit Bus (Image courtesy Kenaitze Indian Tribe)
Scott Warner performs as part of Hot Mess at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Music Series nears the close of another ‘incredible’ year

As of Aug. 16, the Soldotna Music Series had drawn more than 15,700 attendees

Scott Warner performs as part of Hot Mess at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Triumvirate Theatre performers rally together at a ceremonial groundbreaking at the future home of Triumvirate Theatre in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Triumvirate looks to ‘Tomorrow’

Community comes out for ceremonial groundbreaking for new facility

Triumvirate Theatre performers rally together at a ceremonial groundbreaking at the future home of Triumvirate Theatre in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Xolo Maridueña portrays Jaime Reyes, Blue Beetle in “Blue Beetle.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)

On the Screen: ‘Blue Beetle’ is fun, but offers little new

A new superhero film needs to be great to earn attention

Xolo Maridueña portrays Jaime Reyes, Blue Beetle in “Blue Beetle.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Senior Advisor for Conservation Boyd Bilhovde, Bureau of Land Management Alaska Director Steve Cohn, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang and Alaska State Parks Director Ricky Gease participate in a panel discussion at the Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s Kenai Classic Roundtable at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Officials talk fish in Soldotna

Kenai Classic Roundtable topics include chinook, wind turbines, collaboration

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Senior Advisor for Conservation Boyd Bilhovde, Bureau of Land Management Alaska Director Steve Cohn, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang and Alaska State Parks Director Ricky Gease participate in a panel discussion at the Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s Kenai Classic Roundtable at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A very scary butterfly is seen at the side of a lake along Hidden Creek Trail near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 8, 2023. (Photo courtesy Ashley Every)

Out of the Office: Moments of joy

Sometimes I make a cup of coffee just to feel something. That is, holding a warm mug and sipping some delicious — caffeinated — beverage… Continue reading

A very scary butterfly is seen at the side of a lake along Hidden Creek Trail near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 8, 2023. (Photo courtesy Ashley Every)
Rainfall covers a windshield on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, June 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Flood watch issued for Kenai Peninsula

A flood watch was issued Thursday by the National Weather Service for the Kenai Peninsula and a wide swath of Southcentral Alaska warning of potential… Continue reading

Rainfall covers a windshield on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna, Alaska on Friday, June 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Discounted tickets at local theaters Sunday for National Cinema Day

All tickets discounted to $4 at Kenai Cinema and Orca Theater on Aug. 27

The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Teague Vanek barbecues salmon during Industry Appreciation Day festivities at the Kenai softball greenstrip in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Industry Appreciation Day celebrates ‘pioneers’ of local economy

Hundreds gathered on the Kenai softball greenstrip Saturday

Teague Vanek barbecues salmon during Industry Appreciation Day festivities at the Kenai softball greenstrip in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign points to the Kenai Art Center on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Art Center seeking donations for annual art auction

The Harvest Auction exhibition will open with a reception on Sept. 1 at 5 p.m.

A sign points to the Kenai Art Center on Sunday, May 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Hayley Vest portrays Rat and Joe Spady portrays Mr. Toad in a rehearsal for Treefort Theatre’s “The Wind in the Willows” at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

New players on the scene

Treefort Theatre to debut with ‘The Wind in the Willows’ next weekend

Hayley Vest portrays Rat and Joe Spady portrays Mr. Toad in a rehearsal for Treefort Theatre’s “The Wind in the Willows” at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Open house to kick off KPC semester

Classes start for the fall semester at Kenai Peninsula College on Aug. 28

The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (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)

Sockeye slow, coho improving

Northern Kenai Fishing Report for Aug. 16

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)
The crowd can be seen from the main stage at Kenai’s Industry Appreciation Day at the Kenai Park Strip on Aug. 24, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Industry Appreciation Day to bring free food, fun to Kenai on Saturday

The event started more than 30 years ago and is “a free picnic” at its heart

The crowd can be seen from the main stage at Kenai’s Industry Appreciation Day at the Kenai Park Strip on Aug. 24, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Single-hook restriction on Kenai River extended

The extension is intended to continue protection of late-run king salmon

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
A Pacific walrus pup rests his head on the lap of an Alaska SeaLife Center staff member after being admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center Wildlife Response Program on Aug. 1, 2023. Walruses are highly tactile and social animals, receiving near-constant care from their mothers during the first two years of life. To emulate this maternal closeness, round-the-clock “cuddling” is being provided to ensure the calf remains calm and develops in a healthy manner. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

Rescued walrus calf dies of ‘multiple complications’

The calf had earned national attention for its unique prescription of “round-the-clock” cuddling

A Pacific walrus pup rests his head on the lap of an Alaska SeaLife Center staff member after being admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center Wildlife Response Program on Aug. 1, 2023. Walruses are highly tactile and social animals, receiving near-constant care from their mothers during the first two years of life. To emulate this maternal closeness, round-the-clock “cuddling” is being provided to ensure the calf remains calm and develops in a healthy manner. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Russian River Campground closes Wednesday

The road is set to be reopened on May 29

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)