Wire Service

Paul Banks Elementary School Principal Eric Pederson interacts with students in this undated photo at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Eric Pederson)
Paul Banks Elementary School Principal Eric Pederson interacts with students in this undated photo at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Eric Pederson)
Awards earned by Peninsula Clarion and Homer News writers Delcenia Cosman, Jake Dye, Jeff Helminiak and Nick Varney are displayed on Sunday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer News, Peninsula Clarion take home 10 Alaska Press Club awards

The 2025 Alaska Press Club awards honored statewide news contributions from 2024.

Awards earned by Peninsula Clarion and Homer News writers Delcenia Cosman, Jake Dye, Jeff Helminiak and Nick Varney are displayed on Sunday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A school bus passes in front of the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
A school bus passes in front of the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
File

Minister’s Message: Palm Sunday — ‘Hosanna in the highest!’

The fact that Jesus came back to Jerusalem for Passover was an intentional decision of Jesus.

File
A screenshot of a Zoom meeting where Superintendent Clayton Holland (right) interviews Dr. Henry Burns (left) on Wednesday, April 9, while Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (center) takes notes.
A screenshot of a Zoom meeting where Superintendent Clayton Holland (right) interviews Dr. Henry Burns (left) on Wednesday, April 9, while Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (center) takes notes.
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: HB 161 — Supporting small businesses

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Organizer George Matz monitors shorebirds at the former viewing platform at Mariner Park Lagoon. The platform no longer exists, after being removed by landowner Doyon during the development of the area. (Photo courtesy of Kachemak Bay Birders)

Kachemak Bay Birders kicks off 17th year of shorebird monitoring project

The first monitoring session of 2025 will take place Saturday.

Organizer George Matz monitors shorebirds at the former viewing platform at Mariner Park Lagoon. The platform no longer exists, after being removed by landowner Doyon during the development of the area. (Photo courtesy of Kachemak Bay Birders)
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 25, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Point of View: Wake up America

The number one problem in America is our national debt resulting from the inability to control federal spending.

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 25, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

Point of View: Fire season starts before Iditarod ends

It is critical that Alaskans exercise caution with anything that could ignite a fire.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Protesters stand along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, participating in the “Remove, Reverse, Reclaim” protest organized by Many Voices and Kenai Peninsula Protests as part of the nationwide 50501 effort on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Hundreds turn out in Homer, Soldotna to protest actions of Trump administration

Signs expressed support for federal programs, services and employees, as well as diversity, democracy and science.

Protesters stand along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, participating in the “Remove, Reverse, Reclaim” protest organized by Many Voices and Kenai Peninsula Protests as part of the nationwide 50501 effort on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Seldovia man found dead in submerged vehicle

83-year-old Seldovia resident Roger Wallin Sr. was declared missing on March 31.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Preparing for wildfire season

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
File

Minister’s Message: Unexpected joy

This seems to be the way of life, undeniable joy holding hands with unavoidable sorrow.

File
Snow collects near the entrance to the Kenai Community Library on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Libraries defend every American’s freedom to read

Authors Against Book Bans invites you to celebrate National Library Week.

Snow collects near the entrance to the Kenai Community Library on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The cover of Gary Titus and Clark Fair’s new book, “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.” (Photo courtesy of Clark Fair)

History of Kenai refuge cabins tackled in new book

The authors will discuss “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge” at Kenai Community Library this Friday.

The cover of Gary Titus and Clark Fair’s new book, “A Vanishing Past: Historic Cabins of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.” (Photo courtesy of Clark Fair)
File

Minister’s Message: Finding love in the pits

Navigate your way out of the mire of life with the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

File
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Building better lives for Alaskans

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State House District 7 Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Putting patients first

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Alaska State House District 7 Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)