Megan Pacer

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Bill Parker talks to his wife, Shoney, in their bluff-side home Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Happy Valley, Alaska. After years of struggling to get services and medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Parker said things are running more smoothly since he enrolled in the Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services Program, offered for the first time in Alaska through the Independent Living Center of the Kenai Peninsula.

No place like home: Program helps veterans with in-home assistance

For someone who loves to get out on the water and fish as much as Happy Valley resident Bill Parker, the inability to walk is… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Bill Parker talks to his wife, Shoney, in their bluff-side home Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Happy Valley, Alaska. After years of struggling to get services and medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Parker said things are running more smoothly since he enrolled in the Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services Program, offered for the first time in Alaska through the Independent Living Center of the Kenai Peninsula.

Third boat in 2 weeks capsizes on river

Two boaters were rescued when their vessel overturned near the Kenai City Dock Tuesday afternoon.A boat took on water and capsized on the Kenai River… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Fire Battalion Chief Tony Prior checks in with Temporary Enforcement Officer Morgan Wensley and Kenai Police Officer Morgan Ezell during the first no-wake patrol of the personal-use dipnet season Tuesday, July 19, 2016 on the Kenai River. The fire and police departments work together to enforce the no-wake rules during high tides when banks are susceptible to erosion.

Slow down for safety, bank protection

Freshly outfitted with a hose for firefighting capabilities, the Kenai Fire Department’s 22-foot, rigid-hull patrol boat handles well while zipping through the waters of the… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Kenai Fire Battalion Chief Tony Prior checks in with Temporary Enforcement Officer Morgan Wensley and Kenai Police Officer Morgan Ezell during the first no-wake patrol of the personal-use dipnet season Tuesday, July 19, 2016 on the Kenai River. The fire and police departments work together to enforce the no-wake rules during high tides when banks are susceptible to erosion.

Peninsula burn permit suspension lifted

The general burn permit suspension has been lifted on the Kenai Peninsula.The Alaska Division of Forestry Kenai-Kodiak office lifted the suspension effective noon Friday, according… Continue reading

Silver Alert activated for man in Kenai

Update 1 p.m.:The search is still on for an 81-year old man in the Kenai area after a Silver Alert was activated Saturday.Lt. Ben Langham… Continue reading

Two saved from commercial vessel fire

A commercial fishing vessel caught fire and burned down Thursday morning in the Cook Inlet. The U.S. Coast Guard got a report of the accident,… Continue reading

Construction to close Soldotna intersection

Motorists who plan on driving near the Kobuk Street and West Redoubt Avenue intersection in Soldotna can expect detours by early next week.The intersection is… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Two bystanders watch over a small boat at the Kenai City Dock that capsized Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. Its four occupants were rescued quickly by other boaters, and others towed the vessel to shore.

4 rescued after boat capsizes

Four people were brought safely to shore after their boat capsized Tuesday near the Kenai City Dock. The 18-foot low boat took on water after… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Two bystanders watch over a small boat at the Kenai City Dock that capsized Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. Its four occupants were rescued quickly by other boaters, and others towed the vessel to shore.

Soldotna draft charter nears finalization

A draft home-rule charter for the city of Soldotna is on its way to the public for their thoughts and comments.Charter Commission members approved some… Continue reading

Sterling man faces sexual abuse, child porn charges

A Sterling man has been accused of sexually abusing two minors over the course of several years and involving them in the creation of child… Continue reading

Bridge Access closed for morning accident

A two-vehicle accident sent one to the hospital and blocked traffic for about an hour Thursday morning on Bridge Access Road.The collision happened around 6:37… Continue reading

Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Jeff Eshom, a chainsaw sculptor at Soldotna's Town of Living Trees, works on a carving of a moose during the Sawfest Chainsaw Carving Competition in Centennial Park on Friday, July 25.

Carving up creativity

The Sawfest Chainsaw Carving Competition will make its fourth return to Soldotna’s Progress Days after it was taken up by the city’s Chamber of Commerce… Continue reading

Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Jeff Eshom, a chainsaw sculptor at Soldotna's Town of Living Trees, works on a carving of a moose during the Sawfest Chainsaw Carving Competition in Centennial Park on Friday, July 25.
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Albera, Canada resident Doug Bangle, pictured Wednesday, July 13, 2016, points out the spot on the Kenai River where he and his son, Ryan, pulled out a 15-year-old girl who had fallen in early Tuesday morning. She was rescued when the men got into their boat after hearing her cries for help from their campsite at the Iva's Place RV Park on Knight Drive in Soldotna, Alaska.

Teen rescued from Kenai River

In the midst of his summer-long vacation to a small, quiet campground on the Kenai River, Doug Bangle did not expect to wake to the… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Albera, Canada resident Doug Bangle, pictured Wednesday, July 13, 2016, points out the spot on the Kenai River where he and his son, Ryan, pulled out a 15-year-old girl who had fallen in early Tuesday morning. She was rescued when the men got into their boat after hearing her cries for help from their campsite at the Iva's Place RV Park on Knight Drive in Soldotna, Alaska.
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Sue Mann, owner of Artzy Junk, picuted in this Tuesday, June 28, 2016 photo in Soldotna, Alaska, is one of several business owners working to foster a co-op in downtown Soldotna to promote local creation and enjoyment of art. The group will host a festival, Market Daze, on Thursday, July 21 on the property.

Onward and upward

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the business Artzy Junkin. It has also been edited to include both owners… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Sue Mann, owner of Artzy Junk, picuted in this Tuesday, June 28, 2016 photo in Soldotna, Alaska, is one of several business owners working to foster a co-op in downtown Soldotna to promote local creation and enjoyment of art. The group will host a festival, Market Daze, on Thursday, July 21 on the property.
Photo by Annie Beedy, courtesy Alexis Smith Author Alexis Smith, pictured here, grew up in Soldotna and let the Alaska landscape seep into her work. Her latest book, "Marrow Island," is on the Oprah Magazine Summer Reading List.

Write what you know

Author Alexis Smith recalls how growing up in a homesteading family in Soldotna gave her ample time to explore the surrounding wilderness on her own… Continue reading

Photo by Annie Beedy, courtesy Alexis Smith Author Alexis Smith, pictured here, grew up in Soldotna and let the Alaska landscape seep into her work. Her latest book, "Marrow Island," is on the Oprah Magazine Summer Reading List.

World Series baseball event to draw peninsulawide players

The Soldotna Little League Fields are about to play host to a much wider variety of players than usual. Frontier Community Services is gearing up… Continue reading

Ready, Set, Safety

With dipnetters from around the state set to swarm Kenai’s beaches in a matter of weeks, local law enforcement and first responders are gearing up… Continue reading

Commission argues status quo for Soldotna home rule

Under the draft home-rule charter being formed by Soldotna’s charter commission, the structure and duties of the mayor, council and city clerk would remain the… Continue reading

Soldotna will decide whether to pursue annexation

Soldotna will decide whether to pursue annexation

Soldotna staff and council members have a big decision to make — whether to pursue annexing nearby neighborhoods to make them part of the city… Continue reading

Soldotna will decide whether to pursue annexation

Soldotna to host annexation open house

After hearing the findings of an economic feasibility study, city of Soldotna staff will host an open house next week for the public to learn… Continue reading