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Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fairbanks native David Norris wins the men's Mount Marathon Race on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Mount Marathon preview: Fast times, big crowds possible as race returns to weekend for 1st time since 2015

The Mount Marathon Race on July 4 in Seward swells the number of people in the town of 2,800 to at least a few times… Continue reading

Fairbanks native David Norris wins the men's Mount Marathon Race on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A makeshift coffin decrying the risks of Medicaid funding cuts is seen on Thursday, June 26, in front of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. The cuts were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

Ahead of Senate vote, Soldotna protesters defend Medicaid funding

Cuts to the program were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning.

  • Jul 1, 2025
  • By Jonas Oyoumick For the Peninsula Clarion
  • Local News
A makeshift coffin decrying the risks of Medicaid funding cuts is seen on Thursday, June 26, in front of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. The cuts were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Borough school board to finalize budget

The new budget designed by the committee will be considered at a public hearing during the full board meeting on Monday evening.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)

Strong sockeye run prompts early open of Russian River Sanctuary

In regulation, the confluence is expected to be open from July 15 to Aug. 20.

The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)
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Tri Nikiski draws 79 participants

The ninth annual Tri Nikiski was held Saturday starting from the Nikiski Pool. The event drew 79 participants. The event starts with a 500-yard swim,… Continue reading

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The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

Burn suspension lifted for Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak

The public is asked to remain vigilant while burning due to minimal available resources.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Commanding Officer Corey Engel, Rear Adm. Megan Dean, and former ASPEN Commanding Officer Shea Winterberger smile for a photograph during the Change of Command ceremony on Thursday, June 26, 2025, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

USCG ASPEN changes command

Commanding Officer Corey Engel will be in charge of the cutter’s operations and crew.

Commanding Officer Corey Engel, Rear Adm. Megan Dean, and former ASPEN Commanding Officer Shea Winterberger smile for a photograph during the Change of Command ceremony on Thursday, June 26, 2025, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Runners start from Homer High School during the Homer Spit Run 10K to the Bay on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Running to the finish

The Homer Spit Run on Saturday drew nearly 250 participants.

Runners start from Homer High School during the Homer Spit Run 10K to the Bay on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Peninsula Oilers have announced the sale of their building at 601 
S. Main Street in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Oilers look to sale of building to return to field in 2026

This is just the second summer since 1974 that the Peninsula Oilers have not played baseball, with the other being in 2020 due to the… Continue reading

The Peninsula Oilers have announced the sale of their building at 601 
S. Main Street in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Sunday: Twins lose in semis of Midseason Classic

The American Legion Post 20 Twins lost 14-1 in five innings to Madisonville (Kentucky) Post 6 on Sunday in the semifinals of the Alaska 529… Continue reading

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Soldotna's Beau Johnson competes in Chute Dogging on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in the second Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeo of the year at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Equestrian Association holds 2nd rodeo of season

The Soldotna Equestrian Association is holding its second rodeo of the season Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29, at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in… Continue reading

Soldotna's Beau Johnson competes in Chute Dogging on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in the second Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeo of the year at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Malakai BeDunnah and Ari Miller of the American Legion Post 20 Twins are congratulated by head coach Robb Quelland on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report)

Saturday: Twins reach semifinals of Midseason Classic

With two ties Saturday, the American Legion Post 20 Twins moved into the semifinals of the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.… Continue reading

Malakai BeDunnah and Ari Miller of the American Legion Post 20 Twins are congratulated by head coach Robb Quelland on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Alaska 529 Midseason Classic at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report)
Volunteers repair the trails at Erik Hansen Scout Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Volunteers revitalize Kenai scout park

Kenai’s Erik Hansen Scout Park overlooks the mouth of the Kenai River in Old Town.

Volunteers repair the trails at Erik Hansen Scout Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (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)
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)
Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Planning commission withholds support for Spruce Street name change

A city council proposal would change the name to Kenai Beach Street.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session on the Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council rejects effort to change meeting times

A resolution calling for meetings to bumped up from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session on the Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
KBNERR Education and Harmful Species Monitoring Program staff host McNeil Canyon Elementary School students at Pier One Beach in May 2025 to monitor for invasive European green crabs. Students assisted with checking traps and recording data of native crab and fish species caught and released. Photo courtesy of Katherine Schake

Proposed funding cuts threaten research reserve

A “pre-decisionary” memo on budgetary cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows no federal funding for National Estuarine Research Reserves.

KBNERR Education and Harmful Species Monitoring Program staff host McNeil Canyon Elementary School students at Pier One Beach in May 2025 to monitor for invasive European green crabs. Students assisted with checking traps and recording data of native crab and fish species caught and released. Photo courtesy of Katherine Schake
Swimmers and parents protest the proposed closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District pools outside of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration Building in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Pool funding OK’d as district looks to hand off facilities to communities

School pools have repeatedly been raised as a possible option for closure and then saved at the last minute.

Swimmers and parents protest the proposed closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District pools outside of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration Building in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)