Victoria Petersen

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Voters to weigh in on city manager, sales tax cap

The decision to put the measures on the ballot was approved at Tuesday’s assembly meeting.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8.                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Veto reversal resolution fails at assembly

‘This resolution is communicating to the governor the impact some of his vetoes have to the borough.’

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8.                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks with his cabinet members at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 8. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets to discuss school safety during a work session Monday in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Two student representatives join school board

Student representatives are offered a vote, however it is only an advisory vote.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets to discuss school safety during a work session Monday in Soldotna. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Heather Marron of Alaska Communications presents the $1,500 awards to three peninsula teens (from right) — Anna DeVolld, Zachary Halstead and Carlee Rizzo — who were honored in the Summer of Heroes program, on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Pegge Erkeneff/Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

Three peninsula teens honored as youth heroes

Six youth from across Alaska were celebrated for their community service efforts.

Heather Marron of Alaska Communications presents the $1,500 awards to three peninsula teens (from right) — Anna DeVolld, Zachary Halstead and Carlee Rizzo — who were honored in the Summer of Heroes program, on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Pegge Erkeneff/Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)
An invocation is given by Debbie Hamilton at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting in Soldotna on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)                                Debbie Hamilton gives an invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting in Soldotna on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Invocation ordinance likely to be pulled at assembly

The ordinance would end the offering of invocations before the beginning of assembly meetings.

An invocation is given by Debbie Hamilton at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting in Soldotna on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)                                Debbie Hamilton gives an invocation at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Meeting in Soldotna on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Two men drown in Kasilof River over the weekend

Two men drown in Kasilof River over the weekend

The two had gone canoeing on the river

Two men drown in Kasilof River over the weekend
The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Multiple hooks, bait restricted in Kenai River

The ban is effective until 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15.

The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion file                                Researcher Kim Ovitz observes a group of Cook Inlet beluga whales milling in a bend of the Kenai River by Cunningham Park on April 10 in Kenai.

Citizen science beluga monitoring effort to begin on Kenai, Kasilof Rivers

‘You don’t have to be a scientist or a researcher … It’s open to anyone.’

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion file                                Researcher Kim Ovitz observes a group of Cook Inlet beluga whales milling in a bend of the Kenai River by Cunningham Park on April 10 in Kenai.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to vote on sales tax cap increase

Ordinance would increase the maximum amount subject to borough sales tax from $500 to $1,000.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
John Davies, chairman of the University of Alaska Board of Regents, speaks at a regents meeting, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. Facing severe budget cuts, regents voted 8-3 to authorize UA President Jim Johnsen to immediately reduce administrative costs and prepare a plan for a transition from three accredited institutions to one. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

With budget cuts looming, local university programs consider options

“We really want answers, but we’re being patient with the processes.”

John Davies, chairman of the University of Alaska Board of Regents, speaks at a regents meeting, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. Facing severe budget cuts, regents voted 8-3 to authorize UA President Jim Johnsen to immediately reduce administrative costs and prepare a plan for a transition from three accredited institutions to one. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)
Clarion file photo (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Election stakeholders group publishes recommendations

The group was established Jan. 8, and tasked with researching ways to increase voter participation.

Clarion file photo (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy announced changes to his senior staff: Tuckerman Babcock will assume the role of Senior Policy Advisor for Strategic Affairs and Ben Stevens will become the Governor’s new Chief of Staff, Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Matt Shuckerow/State of Alaska)

Babcock moves from chief of staff to senior policy advisor

Babcock said he’s excited to serve in his new role.

Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy announced changes to his senior staff: Tuckerman Babcock will assume the role of Senior Policy Advisor for Strategic Affairs and Ben Stevens will become the Governor’s new Chief of Staff, Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Matt Shuckerow/State of Alaska)
Clarion file photo (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough candidate filing period begins Aug. 1

Several positions will be up for election this year on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.

Clarion file photo (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Erin Irwin / Education Week                                The East Anchorage High and Scammon Bay students gather at a home in the Native Village to learn how to comb fur from a musk ox hide using special combs and common forks. The fur can later be spun into yarn.

Unforgettable experiences

On the snowy tundra, Alaska students bridge differences and eat moose snout

Erin Irwin / Education Week                                The East Anchorage High and Scammon Bay students gather at a home in the Native Village to learn how to comb fur from a musk ox hide using special combs and common forks. The fur can later be spun into yarn.
Kenai peninsula Borough School District administration, members from the Kenai Peninsula Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association meet at a collective bargaining session to continue contract negotiations for employees who have been without contracts for a year, on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

School district, employees to resume contract talks

After contract negotiations hit a standstill, peninsula educators and staff voted May 22 to strike.

Kenai peninsula Borough School District administration, members from the Kenai Peninsula Education Association and the Kenai Peninsula Education Support Association meet at a collective bargaining session to continue contract negotiations for employees who have been without contracts for a year, on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Police, agencies respond to ruptured gas line

Police, agencies respond to ruptured gas line

The Kenai Police Department confirmed they were responding to a ruptured gas line at the Seaman Building, which sits on the corner of the Kenai… Continue reading

Police, agencies respond to ruptured gas line
Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion                                 Al Hershberger was honored at the Soldotna Progress Days Pioneer Barbecue and Meet and Greet, with a proclamation from the city of Soldotna, announcing the weekend be Al Hershberger Appreciation Weekend, Friday, in Soldotna.

Barbecue celebrates Soldotna’s early homesteaders and pioneers

Al Hershberger was presented with a proclamation designating Al Hershberger Appreciation Weekend.

Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion                                 Al Hershberger was honored at the Soldotna Progress Days Pioneer Barbecue and Meet and Greet, with a proclamation from the city of Soldotna, announcing the weekend be Al Hershberger Appreciation Weekend, Friday, in Soldotna.
Maya Johnson, the Kenai polocrosse organizer, rides her horse during a game of polocrosse, a sport combining rules of polo and lacrosse, Thursday, July, 25, 2019 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Poor man’s polo’ finds its way to the Kenai

The sport has specially made rackets with a small netted basket, used for scooping up the ball.

Maya Johnson, the Kenai polocrosse organizer, rides her horse during a game of polocrosse, a sport combining rules of polo and lacrosse, Thursday, July, 25, 2019 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A new sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna considers purchase of two new police vehicles

Funds were appropriated in the FY 2020 operating budget for the purchase of the vehicles.

A new sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Local research showcased in center’s new exhibit

Local research showcased in center’s new exhibit

Exhibit highlights research on the survival of Steller sea lions and Pacific sleeper sharks.

Local research showcased in center’s new exhibit