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This 1955 aerial shows a portion of Joe and Mickey Faa’s homestead, including the Quonset hut that was on the property before it was acquired by Howard and Maxine Lee in 1948. The fields and other cleared land now house much of Soldotna’s growing medical establishment. (Photo courtesy of Al Hershberger)

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 1

Binkley Street was just a gravel-covered Soldotna back road in November 1969.

This 1955 aerial shows a portion of Joe and Mickey Faa’s homestead, including the Quonset hut that was on the property before it was acquired by Howard and Maxine Lee in 1948. The fields and other cleared land now house much of Soldotna’s growing medical establishment. (Photo courtesy of Al Hershberger)
The U.S. Capitol as seen in Washington, April 2. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
The U.S. Capitol as seen in Washington, April 2. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
A poster from the Pier One Theatre website shows information about the upcoming spring performance. Rehearsals began last week.

Community choir begins rehearsals in Homer for spring performance

Rehearsals for central peninsula singers will begin after Labor Day.

A poster from the Pier One Theatre website shows information about the upcoming spring performance. Rehearsals began last week.
Dr. Cheryl Siemers (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: UAA: Right here. Right now.

Our campuses across Southcentral Alaska are vibrant hubs of opportunity.

Dr. Cheryl Siemers (Courtesy photo)
This healthier version of the kid-approved classic is made with pureed sweet potato that makes the dish a vibrant orange, and nutritional yeast imparts a savory, cheesy flavor. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion.)

1st day of school mac and cheese

This healthier version of the kid-approved classic is made with pureed sweet potato and nutritional yeast.

This healthier version of the kid-approved classic is made with pureed sweet potato that makes the dish a vibrant orange, and nutritional yeast imparts a savory, cheesy flavor. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion.)
A piece of the poster for the 2025 Sacred Acre festival in Ninilchik, Alaska. This year's festival will take place Sept. 5-7.

Alaska EDM festival ‘Sacred Acre’ returns for 4th year

Started in 2022, the annual autumnal festival will be Sept. 5-7.

A piece of the poster for the 2025 Sacred Acre festival in Ninilchik, Alaska. This year's festival will take place Sept. 5-7.
COVID vaccine doses at a vaccination site at a shopping mall in Bayamn, Puerto Rico, Jan. 7, 2022. The FDA has approved updated Covid vaccines for the fall 2025 season that limit who can get the shots, the federal government’s most restrictive policy since the vaccines became available. (Erika P. Rodriguez/The New York Times)

FDA approves COVID shots with new restrictions

The policy is the federal government’s most restrictive since the vaccines became available

COVID vaccine doses at a vaccination site at a shopping mall in Bayamn, Puerto Rico, Jan. 7, 2022. The FDA has approved updated Covid vaccines for the fall 2025 season that limit who can get the shots, the federal government’s most restrictive policy since the vaccines became available. (Erika P. Rodriguez/The New York Times)
Haiyun Jiang / The New York Times
A container ship docks at Dutch Harbor in Unalaska, Aug. 13. Threatened by the president with political retribution, Republicans agreed to defund public broadcasting, imperiling a lifeline of communication in rural Alaska.

Public broadcast cuts hit rural areas, revealing a political shift

245 public broadcasting grantees in rural communities — including 27 stations in Alaska — are at risk of going off the air.

Haiyun Jiang / The New York Times
A container ship docks at Dutch Harbor in Unalaska, Aug. 13. Threatened by the president with political retribution, Republicans agreed to defund public broadcasting, imperiling a lifeline of communication in rural Alaska.
The downed aircraft near Haines, Alaska, Aug. 24, 2025. The pilot was the only person aboard the aircraft and had no reported injuries. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Sitka)

Coast Guard rescues man from downed aircraft near Haines

The rescued pilot was reported “in good condition”

The downed aircraft near Haines, Alaska, Aug. 24, 2025. The pilot was the only person aboard the aircraft and had no reported injuries. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Air Station Sitka)
”Autonomy Abduction” is a photograph taken by Amaia Nicole Crain in 2022 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Amaia Nicole Crain

Pushing boundaries

Homer photographer’s debut shows her passion for portraiture and highlights social injustices.

”Autonomy Abduction” is a photograph taken by Amaia Nicole Crain in 2022 in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Amaia Nicole Crain
A headshot of the new Homer OPUS director, Dr. Elizabeth White. (Photo provided)

Homer OPUS names new director

Homer OPUS has chosen Elizabeth White to serve as both its lead teacher and organizational head, going into the new school year. The nonprofit organization… Continue reading

A headshot of the new Homer OPUS director, Dr. Elizabeth White. (Photo provided)
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)

Opinion: Republicans can support schools too

I didn’t run for office to burn the system down; I’m here to do the hard work of reforming it responsibly.

  • Aug 23, 2025
  • By Rep. Bill Elam
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)
Having a ready team of work dogs made longer trips out of Seward more manageable for Steve Melchior. The woman accompanying him on the wagon is unidentified. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 7

Stephan “Steve” Melchior parleyed a partially fabricated past into a respected life as a miner and a builder in Alaska.

Having a ready team of work dogs made longer trips out of Seward more manageable for Steve Melchior. The woman accompanying him on the wagon is unidentified. (Photo courtesy of the Melchior Family Collection)
Rhonda Baisden (courtesy photo)

Voices of the Peninsula: Empty nesting

In our lives, we’ve reached a seasonal change, one that some envy and others grieve, the season of an “empty nest.”

  • Aug 22, 2025
  • By Rhonda Baisden
Rhonda Baisden (courtesy photo)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: One brick at a time

I am from that “once upon a time” when no one swore in public.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
A group of friends hikes along the Resurrection Pass Trail on June 26, 2020 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Minister’s Message: A heart set on the journey

What step will you take this week toward God on your journey of faith?

A group of friends hikes along the Resurrection Pass Trail on June 26, 2020 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
This sweet, spiced cinnamon apple cake is topped with streusel and would pair wonderfully with a latte as a breakfast treat or vanilla ice cream for dessert. (Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A cake for the changing seasons

My sister calls this time of year “apple season.”

This sweet, spiced cinnamon apple cake is topped with streusel and would pair wonderfully with a latte as a breakfast treat or vanilla ice cream for dessert. (Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
An entryway to the Alaska Governor’s Mansion is seen July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Good pay, free housing, free parking, 4-year contract

Applications are now being accepted for the job of governor of Alaska.

  • Aug 21, 2025
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
An entryway to the Alaska Governor’s Mansion is seen July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2029, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

Point of View: Get kids outside learning about wildfires

New low-prep wildfire lesson plans make field trips to burned areas convenient and easy.

  • Aug 21, 2025
  • By Heather McFarland, Tori Brannan, Katie Spellman and Hilary Shook
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2029, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Rumi, Zoey and Mira, of Huntr/x, perform in “KPop Demon Hunters.” (Promotional photo courtesy Sony Pictures Animation)

On the Screen: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ deserves a spot on the big screen

It’s a film that was made to be experienced with theater-quality sound and alongside a group of strangers.

Rumi, Zoey and Mira, of Huntr/x, perform in “KPop Demon Hunters.” (Promotional photo courtesy Sony Pictures Animation)