Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Throwback: 1980s rock star to take the mic in Soldotna this weekend

Rock stars who found fame in the 1980s are set to take center stage at Soldotna Creek Park on Friday night, in a concert event… Continue reading

Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander (right) address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Untapped potential:’ Kenai looks to revive waterfront, develop business community

The City of Kenai is preparing to move forward with projects aimed at revitalizing the waterfront along Bridge Access Road and encouraging economic development in… Continue reading

Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander (right) address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna resident Leah McCabe receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management's walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

COVID numbers continue rising

Wednesday, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported there were another 472 positive COVID-19 cases in the state, including one new death. The… Continue reading

Soldotna resident Leah McCabe receives her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management's walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Ranger Scott Slavik speaks about bear safety during a presentation at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge says awareness, respect, knowledge are crucial while living in bear territory

The three pillars of safety in bear country are awareness, respect and knowledge, according to an official at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Ranger Jason… Continue reading

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Ranger Scott Slavik speaks about bear safety during a presentation at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives Executive Director Steven Rouse testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More affordable housing coming to Kenai

More affordable housing for senior and restricted income residents is coming to the City of Kenai following the approval of a conditional donation of land… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives Executive Director Steven Rouse testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The top three fish of this year’s Winter King Salmon Tournament hang on a wall before a closing ceremony announcing the winners Saturday, March 24, 2018 on the Spit in Homer, Alaska. This year’s winning fish weighed 24.6 pounds. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Sport fishing closures shut down east side setnet commercial fishery

The king salmon sport fishing closures on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers, as well as Cook Inlet north of Bluff Point, have also shut down… Continue reading

The top three fish of this year’s Winter King Salmon Tournament hang on a wall before a closing ceremony announcing the winners Saturday, March 24, 2018 on the Spit in Homer, Alaska. This year’s winning fish weighed 24.6 pounds. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
In this March 2021 photo provided by Pfizer, vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared for packaging at the company’s facility in Puurs, Belgium. Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday, July 8, 2021, that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant. (Pfizer via AP)

COVID cases continue to rise, delta variant confirmed on peninsula

Alaska saw 465 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, while more regions continue to break into the high risk threshold. In a press briefing last… Continue reading

In this March 2021 photo provided by Pfizer, vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared for packaging at the company’s facility in Puurs, Belgium. Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday, July 8, 2021, that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant. (Pfizer via AP)
Rainbow trout caught in Lone Lake. (Mike Benbow, file)

State mulls stocking Hedberg Lake

The State of Alaska is considering a proposal to stock John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski with rainbow trout starting in 2022, according to a release… Continue reading

Rainbow trout caught in Lone Lake. (Mike Benbow, file)
Aaron Rhoades and Charlie Pierce stand in a conference room in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce, new chief of staff outline policy agenda

“A problem solver.” That’s how Aaron Rhoades describes himself. He’s a lifelong Alaskan with experience in gas and municipal government. He’s also Kenai Peninsula Borough… Continue reading

Aaron Rhoades and Charlie Pierce stand in a conference room in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district uses COVID funds for summer programs

Flying drones, tie-dye and esports were among the activities offered at programs hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District this summer. The school district… Continue reading

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Fish and Game closes king salmon sport fishing

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an emergency order closing both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, as well as Cook Inlet north of… Continue reading

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Driver in custody after fatal rollover crash

A car accident in Soldotna over the weekend involving four people resulted in a fatality and a second-degree murder charge, among others, according to a… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Stephen Lamm and Lilly Murray film a culinary video for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank's healthy lifestyle eating promotional program Monday, July 19, 2021, at the food bank diner just outside of Soldotna. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Food Bank aims to collect 1 ton of goods

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is preparing for its Progress Days donation drive Thursday. Volunteers are aiming to raise 1 ton of food in one… Continue reading

Stephen Lamm and Lilly Murray film a culinary video for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank's healthy lifestyle eating promotional program Monday, July 19, 2021, at the food bank diner just outside of Soldotna. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Area residents donate to Tshibaka

Peninsula residents are among those contributing financially to the campaign of Kelly Tshibaka, who is vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Lisa… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Court Reports, July 18

The following dismissals were recently handed down in Kenai District Court: A charge of false information or report (ID at arrest/investigation/incarceration) against Samantha Jo Fry,… Continue reading

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Police Reports, July 18, 2021

Information for this report was taken from publicly available law enforcement records and contains arrest and citation information. Anyone listed in this report is presumed… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Colette Thompson stands near a bookshelf in her office at the George A. Navarre Borough Building on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Resting her case

Borough attorney retires after more than 25 years

Colette Thompson stands near a bookshelf in her office at the George A. Navarre Borough Building on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The badge for the Kenai Police Department

Vehicle accident kills 3

Staff report Three people died in a two-vehicle collision Saturday afternoon at Mile 15 of the Kenai Spur Highway, according to a press release from… Continue reading

The badge for the Kenai Police Department
RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)

COVID cases rise on peninsula

As COVID-19 vaccination rates stagnate, case numbers on the Kenai Peninsula increase and the COVID delta variant continues to spread in Alaska, Central Peninsula Hospital… Continue reading

RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)
An area cleared for the Cooper Landing bypass project can be seen below Slaughter Ridge in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 18, 2020. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Snug Harbor drivers will see delays

Travelers through Cooper Landing should expect traffic delays on Snug Harbor Road and along the Sterling Highway in Cooper Landing throughout the summer due to… Continue reading

An area cleared for the Cooper Landing bypass project can be seen below Slaughter Ridge in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 18, 2020. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)