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The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Assembly amends ordinance capping tax exemptions

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday divided a large chapter of tax code into four new chapters.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
A sockeye salmon is carried from the waters of Cook Inlet on North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Department of Fish and Game publishes 2025 commercial salmon summary

The 2025 commercial harvest was 41% greater than the recent 20-year annual average.

A sockeye salmon is carried from the waters of Cook Inlet on North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion) The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board swears in elected members

Mica VanBuskirk and Ash-Lee Waddell were newly elected to the board in October; Patti Truesdell was reelected to her seat.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion) The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

School board continues consideration of Nikolaevsk charter school

The board reviewed the initial charter application on Oct. 20 and will hold another work session and a special meeting before issuing their final decision.

Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank

Homer, Kenai football receive Division III All-State awards

Players on the Homer High School and Kenai Central High School varsity football teams were selected for Division III football awards last week. The Mariners… Continue reading

The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank
A sea otter pup rescued in Homer in the summer of 2025 receives care from the Alaska SeaLife Center and Chicago's Shedd Aquarium while being rehabilitated at ASLC in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center

Alaska SeaLife Center partners with Chicago aquarium to rehabilitate sea otter pup

The pup has reached important milestones thanks to ASLC and Shedd Aquarium’s collaborative efforts.

A sea otter pup rescued in Homer in the summer of 2025 receives care from the Alaska SeaLife Center and Chicago's Shedd Aquarium while being rehabilitated at ASLC in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center
Kova, a spotted seal pup rescued from Nome in June, touches his nose to an Alaska SeaLife Center staff member's hand in this photo taken Oct. 10, 2025, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center

Spotted seal pup is a ‘rare’ rescue patient at Alaska SeaLife Center

ASLC has been providing intensive care since the seal’s arrival, and “Kova” is now eating well and steadily gaining weight.

Kova, a spotted seal pup rescued from Nome in June, touches his nose to an Alaska SeaLife Center staff member's hand in this photo taken Oct. 10, 2025, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center
Uki, the walrus calf rehabilitated at Alaska SeaLife Center in August 2024 before being rehomed to SeaWorld Orlando, is photographed with an ASLC staff member on Aug. 7, 2024. Photo courtesy of Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center

Alaska SeaLife Center walrus patient featured on PBS

The story of Uki, a walrus who was rehabilitated at the Alaska SeaLife Center in August 2023, was featured on the season premiere of “Nature” by PBS on Wednesday.

Uki, the walrus calf rehabilitated at Alaska SeaLife Center in August 2024 before being rehomed to SeaWorld Orlando, is photographed with an ASLC staff member on Aug. 7, 2024. Photo courtesy of Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center
The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank

Homer football brings home back-to-back state titles

The Mariners defeated Barrow 20-0 on Saturday, winning the state championships for the second year in a row.

The Homer Mariners varsity football team celebrates their victory after the Division III state championships game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Wasilla, Alaska. Photo provided by Justin Zank
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough assembly swears in new members

Five new members were elected to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly this year.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
The hardest part of making this classic Halloween treat is getting started, and maybe not burning your fingers. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion

Building confidence to do hard things

Although candy making is intimidating, it’s not impossible.

The hardest part of making this classic Halloween treat is getting started, and maybe not burning your fingers. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
Simon “Sam” Wible came to Alaska to mine for gold in the 1890s. Soon, he had a large hydraulic-mining camp on Canyon Creek. King David Thurman, at some point prior to 1907, was one of Wible’s employees. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation)

King Thurman: An abbreviated life — Part 1

A probate court met in Seward on Jan. 28, 1915, to determine the fate of the personal property of Cooper Landing-area resident King David Thurman,… Continue reading

Simon “Sam” Wible came to Alaska to mine for gold in the 1890s. Soon, he had a large hydraulic-mining camp on Canyon Creek. King David Thurman, at some point prior to 1907, was one of Wible’s employees. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation)
Protesters gather along the Sterling Highway and hold up signs during the “No Kings” demonstration on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

700 in Homer join nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest

At least 25 Alaska communities took part in “No Kings” day Saturday, alongside millions of protesters in over 2,600 peaceful demonstrations across the U.S.

Protesters gather along the Sterling Highway and hold up signs during the “No Kings” demonstration on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrews conduct overflights of Kipnuk, Alaska, after coastal flooding impacted several western Alaska communities, Oct. 12, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Kodiak)

Trump administration approves disaster declaration for Western Alaska storm

The president also pledged $25 million in immediate disaster relief funding to cover costs as storm damage is still assessed.

U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrews conduct overflights of Kipnuk, Alaska, after coastal flooding impacted several western Alaska communities, Oct. 12, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Kodiak)
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy meets with members of the University of Alaska Anchorage chapter of Turning Point on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, the same day he proclaimed “Charlie Kirk Day.” (Governor Mike Dunleavy/Facebook)

Oct. 14 proclaimed ‘Charlie Kirk Day’ in Alaska

Governor Dunleavy Turning Point USA chapter on the same day

  • Oct 15, 2025
  • By Juneau Empire Staff
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy meets with members of the University of Alaska Anchorage chapter of Turning Point on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, the same day he proclaimed “Charlie Kirk Day.” (Governor Mike Dunleavy/Facebook)
Peninsula residents attend the Community Health Fair at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, AK on March 23, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Free flu shots and discounted lab tests at Central Peninsula Hospital health fair

Soldotna residents will soon have the opportunity to access discounted lab testing, free flu shots and more later this month. Central Peninsula Hospital is inviting… Continue reading

  • Oct 15, 2025
  • By Peninsula Clarion Staff
Peninsula residents attend the Community Health Fair at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, AK on March 23, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Juneau Empire file The University of Alaska Southeast sign stands at the campus’ main entrance.

UAS to offer in-state tuition for all

The change in tuition rates will begin in fall 2026

Juneau Empire file The University of Alaska Southeast sign stands at the campus’ main entrance.
Bridget Grieme speaks during a forum with candidates for Kenai mayor and city council at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai elects new mayor

The Soldotna City Council holds the status quo, with both candidates unopposed.

Bridget Grieme speaks during a forum with candidates for Kenai mayor and city council at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A voter fills out their ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at the Anchor Point Community and Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Preliminary borough election results favor new local election date, reveal new assembly members

Voters in a proposed Ninilchik Recreation Service Area appear to oppose the proposition that would have created the service area.

A voter fills out their ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at the Anchor Point Community and Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion FILE - Alaska Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom speaks during a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2024.

Alaska Lt. Governor certifies U.S. citizen voting requirement initiative

Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom has certified application for Ballot Initiative 25USCV

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion FILE - Alaska Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom speaks during a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Dena’ina Wellness Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 12, 2024.