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Rep. Bill Elam speaks during a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Nothing prepares you’

Rep. Bill Elam reports back on his freshman session in the Alaska House of Representatives.

Rep. Bill Elam speaks during a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is barricaded on Overland Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai OKs $75 fine for cutting through parking lots

The move comes after months of action to prevent drivers from crossing through the parking lot of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

The entrance to the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is barricaded on Overland Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pitcher Jax Lee is congratulated by catcher Conner Mitchuson after Madisonville (Kentucky) Post 6 won the championship game of the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Kentucky squad tops Twins for Coz title

Madisonville (Kentucky) Post 6 defeated the Post 20 Twins 2-0 in the championship game of the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament on Sunday at Coral… Continue reading

Pitcher Jax Lee is congratulated by catcher Conner Mitchuson after Madisonville (Kentucky) Post 6 won the championship game of the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Runners take a Kenai beach access road during the Kenai Summer Solstice Fun Run in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Chamber tries to grow Solstice Fun Run

The event, with 5- and 10-kilometer options, drew 47 runners.

Runners take a Kenai beach access road during the Kenai Summer Solstice Fun Run in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Twins, Kentucky squad to play for Coz Wood Bat title on Sunday

The American Legion Post 20 Twins and Madisonville (Kentucky) Post 6 will play for the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament title Sunday at 1 p.m.… Continue reading

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Clyde Clemens of the Post 20 Twins swings through a hit pitch Friday, June 20, 2025, in the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Wood Bat tourney carries on legacy of Coz

From 1975 until his death in 2020, former Twins manager and head coach Lance Coz built a Post 20 Twins program known for great baseball… Continue reading

Clyde Clemens of the Post 20 Twins swings through a hit pitch Friday, June 20, 2025, in the Lance Coz Wood Bat Tournament at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Results posted for Celebrate Life! 5K

ABC Life Choices held the Celebrate Life! 5-kilometer run Saturday, June 14, on a course starting and finishing at Soldotna Bible Chapel. The victories went… Continue reading

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The U.S., Alaska state flag, and Canada flag wave in the wind in Skagway on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The U.S., Alaska state flag, and Canada flag wave in the wind in Skagway on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A woman stands with her sign held up during a rally in support of Medicaid and South Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Homer residents rally in support of South Peninsula Hospital and Medicaid

The community gathered on Wednesday in opposition to health care cuts that threaten rural hospitals.

A woman stands with her sign held up during a rally in support of Medicaid and South Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Pride celebrants pose for a photo at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Showing up for Pride

Nearly two dozen people marched carrying flags, signs and other rainbow-hued decorations from The Goods Sustainable Grocery to Soldotna Creek Park.

Pride celebrants pose for a photo at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The 10-mile race begins at the Run for the River on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Run for the River draws 197 finishers

The Run for the River drew 197 finishers on Saturday in Soldotna. While that is slightly down from the 229 finishers last year, 197 is… Continue reading

The 10-mile race begins at the Run for the River on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.

Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Benny Loyer of Palmer soars through the air racing 65 intermediate at the Alaska State Motocross Series Race 4 on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Twin City Raceway in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

State motocross puts sport’s strong family ties on display

The strong family ties that bind motocross racing were on display at the Alaska State Motocross Races 3 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday, June… Continue reading

Benny Loyer of Palmer soars through the air racing 65 intermediate at the Alaska State Motocross Series Race 4 on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Twin City Raceway in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer

Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer