Jacob Dye

Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by his office at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Bill Elam, R-Nikiski, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by his office at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Work soon to begin on Kenai Middle security upgrades

The security upgrades are among several key KPBSD maintenance projects included in a bond approved by borough voters in October 2022.

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai adds funds, authorizes contract for study of emergency services facility

The building shared by Kenai’s police and fire departments hasn’t kept up with the needs of both departments, chief says.

The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best shows off a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai awards contract to develop Parks and Rec master plan

The document is expected to guide the next 20 years of outdoors and recreation development in the city.

Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best shows off a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Balancing Act’s homepage for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. (Screenshot)

KPBSD launches ‘Balancing Act’ software, calls for public to balance $17 million deficit

The district and other education advocates have said that the base student allocation has failed to keep up with inflation.

Balancing Act’s homepage for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. (Screenshot)
Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Harvest Alaska announces proposed redevelopment of Kenai LNG terminal

The project could deliver additional natural gas supplies to the Southcentral market as early as 2026, developers said.

Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sophie Thatcher is Iris in “Companion.” (Promotional photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Companion’ provides an entertaining critique of digital romance

There are interesting ideas here about what human connection looks like in a world where people are increasingly siloed away into digital spaces.

Sophie Thatcher is Iris in “Companion.” (Promotional photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork by Susan Nabholz, Charlotte Coots and Chelline Larsen is displayed as part of “Fiber” at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday.

Focus on fiber

Kenai Art Center show transforms threads to art

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork by Susan Nabholz, Charlotte Coots and Chelline Larsen is displayed as part of “Fiber” at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday.
A depth marker is almost entirely subsumed by the waters of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

After delay, borough adopts updated flood insurance maps

The assembly had previously postponed the legislation amid outcry from the Kenai River Keys Property Owners Association.

A depth marker is almost entirely subsumed by the waters of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche points to where the disconnected baler ram has bent piping at the Central Peninsula Landfill in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough approves federal request to fund recycling redesign

A large baler that was used for recycling was recently left inoperable by a catastrophic failure in its main ram.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche points to where the disconnected baler ram has bent piping at the Central Peninsula Landfill in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough Clerk Michele Turner administers an oath of office to Leslie Morton after Morton was appointed as the new Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly representative for Sterling and Funny River during an assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Morton appointed to assembly’s Sterling and Funny River seat

A vacancy on the assembly was created when Rep. Bill Elam resigned after winning election to the Alaska Legislature in November.

Borough Clerk Michele Turner administers an oath of office to Leslie Morton after Morton was appointed as the new Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly representative for Sterling and Funny River during an assembly meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cook Inletkeeper Energy Policy Analyst Ben Boettger presents information about retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Cook Inletkeeper to launch salmon solution community project

The program aims to address the impacts of pollution and warming temperatures in the Cook Inlet watershed.

Cook Inletkeeper Energy Policy Analyst Ben Boettger presents information about retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi jazz band and swing choir fundraiser concert set for Feb. 11

The show will feature SoHi’s jazz band, swing choir, “several vocal soloists” and a variety of cheesecakes.

Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

8 candidates file for assembly’s Sterling and Funny River seat

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly will hear from the candidates and select an appointee on Tuesday.

A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Amid calls for increased education funding, Dunleavy debuts reform package

KPBSD is facing a $17 million deficit driven by stagnant funding that’s failed to keep up with inflation.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
More than 50 people work together to perform a traditional blanket toss during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Skyview Middle School near Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Native Youth Olympics brings competition, community to Skyview gym

Native Youth Olympics are a series of events derived from traditional Alaska Native feats of athleticism.

More than 50 people work together to perform a traditional blanket toss during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Skyview Middle School near Soldotna, Alaska, on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the ribbon-cutting for the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project on the bluff above the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Local students nominated to military academies

The students will compete with other candidates for a spot at the school they have been nominated for.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks at the ribbon-cutting for the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project on the bluff above the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference Dec. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Updated: Move to pause federal funding leaves local groups reeling

Questions remain after a Monday night order pausing disbursement of federal grants and loans was rescinded Wednesday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference Dec. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Classical guitar and flute set for Saturday concert

The “evening of mastery and elegance” is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.

The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Mersha Tamrat gives free haircuts during the 14th Annual Project Homeless Connect at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Serving a ‘big need’

Project Homeless Connect offers services to people experiencing housing insecurity for 14th year.

Mersha Tamrat gives free haircuts during the 14th Annual Project Homeless Connect at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)