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State minimum wage increases to $10.19

Last year, minimum wage rose 5 cents, from $9.84 to $9.89.

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Shift leader Melanie Smith serves up a hazelnut latte at the Kaladi Brothers Coffee shop on Kobuk Street in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 1, 2020. Kaladi Brothers donated all of their proceeds from coffee sales on New Year’s Day to the Students in Transition program, which provides resources to homeless students on the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Kaladi starts new year giving back

100% of the proceeds from coffee beverage sales would be donated to Students in Transition.

Shift leader Melanie Smith serves up a hazelnut latte at the Kaladi Brothers Coffee shop on Kobuk Street in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 1, 2020. Kaladi Brothers donated all of their proceeds from coffee sales on New Year’s Day to the Students in Transition program, which provides resources to homeless students on the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Blizzard conditions shut down Seward Highway

Blizzard conditions shut down Seward Highway

Blizzard warning extended for Kachemak Bay area Wednesday.

Blizzard conditions shut down Seward Highway
An old car is parked on the side of the road near the bluff on April 29, 2016 in Clam Gulch, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Borough looks at policy for junk and abandoned car removal

The ordinance seeks to make it more expensive to abandon a vehicle than to properly dispose of it.

An old car is parked on the side of the road near the bluff on April 29, 2016 in Clam Gulch, Alaska. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
In this May 16, 2019, file photo, Alaska Senate President Cathy Giessel speaks to reporters in her office at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. During her first year as Alaska Senate president, Giessel won over one-time political adversaries and angered some within her own party for her willingness to buck Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a fellow Republican, on key pieces of his agenda. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Alaska Senate president in spotlight with dividend fight

Cathy Giessel won over one-time political adversaries and angered some within her own party.

  • Jan 1, 2020
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
In this May 16, 2019, file photo, Alaska Senate President Cathy Giessel speaks to reporters in her office at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. During her first year as Alaska Senate president, Giessel won over one-time political adversaries and angered some within her own party for her willingness to buck Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a fellow Republican, on key pieces of his agenda. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

Soldotna City Council rejects wildfire study

The study would look at mental health and well-being in the context of intensifying Alaska wildfires

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Educators rally in front of Kenai Central High School ahead of a strike slated to begin Tuesday, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Educators rally in front of Kenai Central High School ahead of a strike slated to begin Tuesday, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Even snowmen need umbrellas to survive on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Even snowmen need umbrellas to survive on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
After construction workers removed siding from the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Year in Review: Favorite stories of the year

One of my favorite things to write about is food and how it connects people.

After construction workers removed siding from the facade of the Kenai Municipal Airport, a mural with iconic Kenai images like fishing nets, the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox chapel and a dog musher, was revealed on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Lt. Ben Langham of the Kenai Police Department shares a laugh with members of the community at Ammo Can Coffee in Soldotna on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Year in Review: Crime and courts

The Kenai Peninsula dealt with several major criminal cases.

Lt. Ben Langham of the Kenai Police Department shares a laugh with members of the community at Ammo Can Coffee in Soldotna on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A firefighter from the Snake River Valley Type 2 crew points to a tree that is set to be cut down located near the containment line off of Skilak Lake Road southeast of Sterling, Alaska on Aug. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Year in Review: Fires, droughts and floods — the year in disasters

The biggest fire on the peninsula this year was the Swan Lake Fire.

A firefighter from the Snake River Valley Type 2 crew points to a tree that is set to be cut down located near the containment line off of Skilak Lake Road southeast of Sterling, Alaska on Aug. 30, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
New Year to begin with ice and snow

New Year to begin with ice and snow

A wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain will continue causing icy conditions through New Year’s Eve.

New Year to begin with ice and snow
Pete Sprague, who was sworn in as mayor of the Soldotna Monday, Dec. 30, is seen here at Froso’s Restaurant in Soldotna on Dec. 4 . (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Official results: Sprague mayor of Soldotna

The special election had lowest voter turnout in 30 years.

Pete Sprague, who was sworn in as mayor of the Soldotna Monday, Dec. 30, is seen here at Froso’s Restaurant in Soldotna on Dec. 4 . (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)

City of Kenai allows for New Year’s Eve fireworks

Kenai is the only city in the borough exempt from a borough-wide ban.

Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Can a public corporation save the Marine Highway System?

‘There’s a lot of unknowns.’

The Alaska Marine Highway System’s Tazlina sits at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A sign opposing the city of Soldotna’s efforts to annex nearby areas sits along the Kenai Spur Highway in an area the city petitioned the state to annex through the legislative process on Dec. 20, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Local Boundary Commission accepts Soldotna annexation petition

The commission will receive written comments on the petition until 4:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 2020.

A sign opposing the city of Soldotna’s efforts to annex nearby areas sits along the Kenai Spur Highway in an area the city petitioned the state to annex through the legislative process on Dec. 20, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Wendy Dutcher, Sarah Pyhala and Kaitlin Vadla speak to members of 100+ Women Who Care at the Triumvirate Theatre in Nikiski, Alaska on Dec. 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Caring is their calling

Women gather quarterly to raise money for peninsula.

From left, Wendy Dutcher, Sarah Pyhala and Kaitlin Vadla speak to members of 100+ Women Who Care at the Triumvirate Theatre in Nikiski, Alaska on Dec. 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
FBI, Troopers have been aiding Murnane search ‘since day 1’

FBI, Troopers have been aiding Murnane search ‘since day 1’

Anesha “Duffy” Murnane has been missing since Oct. 17.

FBI, Troopers have been aiding Murnane search ‘since day 1’
Tammie Willis is seen here at Kenai Peninsula College on Dec. 19, 2019. The bandage on her arm covers some of the cuts Willis received while being attacked at her home on Dec. 9. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

‘I don’t want it to be about me’

After series of attacks, local woman fears LGBTQ community is being targeted.

Tammie Willis is seen here at Kenai Peninsula College on Dec. 19, 2019. The bandage on her arm covers some of the cuts Willis received while being attacked at her home on Dec. 9. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy of Alaska Volcano Observatory                                Redoubt erupting April 27, 1990.

‘Like a nuclear weapon went off’

Starting Dec. 14, 1989, 30 years ago last week, Mount Redoubt erupted.

Photo courtesy of Alaska Volcano Observatory                                Redoubt erupting April 27, 1990.