U.S. Coast Guard 17th District - Alaska (Image via news.uscg.mil)

Coast Guard suspends search for 4 passengers of capsized boat

A 28-foot aluminum vessel was reported on Saturday to be taking on water in the Gulf of Alaska 16 miles west of Homer

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District - Alaska (Image via news.uscg.mil)
Department of Health logo. (Graphic)

State Department of Health warns of pertussis spike

Infants are at the highest risk for severe disease, with about one-third requiring hospitalization.

Department of Health logo. (Graphic)
The badge for the Kenai Police Department

Kenai resident arrested on arson, burglary charges

No one was in the home and moderate fire damage and significant smoke damage occurred, officials said

The badge for the Kenai Police Department
A sign marks Kenai’s Field of Flowers in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai’s Field of Flowers returns to bloom

The field went unplanted last year to rehabilitate the space

A sign marks Kenai’s Field of Flowers in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks to the joint Kenai and Soldona Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 31. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge updates chambers on legislative efforts

He discussed the successes of his freshman session in the Alaska Legislature

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks to the joint Kenai and Soldona Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 31. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Bait restriction on Kasilof River reinstated

The restriction is slated to be in place from Friday, Aug. 2 through Sept. 15

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A fisher stands with net extended in the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery closed

All anglers with an Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use Salmon Permit are required to complete online reporting by Aug. 15

A fisher stands with net extended in the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections is photographed at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)
A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections is photographed at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)
Lisa Gabriel, left, watches as beach seine nets are pulled from the waters of Cook Inlet at a test site for the gear near Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Evolve or die’

East side setnetters look to beach seines as solution to harvest sockeye without killing kings

Lisa Gabriel, left, watches as beach seine nets are pulled from the waters of Cook Inlet at a test site for the gear near Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nathan Erfurth, right, responds to questions from his attorney Eric Derleth during an evidentiary hearing at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on April 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Judge dismisses 6 charges in sexual abuse case against former Soldotna teacher

Nathan Erfurth is still facing more than 50 charges in the case

Nathan Erfurth, right, responds to questions from his attorney Eric Derleth during an evidentiary hearing at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on April 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Melanie Carpenter shows her overall grand champion steer, Napoleon, for auction during the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The winning bid came in over $10,000. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

4-H Ag Expo auction draws eager bidders for award-winning animals raised by local youth

There were 48 total animals on the roster for Saturday’s auction

Melanie Carpenter shows her overall grand champion steer, Napoleon, for auction during the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The winning bid came in over $10,000. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winners named for Soldotna’s ‘I Voted’ sticker design contest

The set of community-created voting stickers will be available at Soldotna polling locations during the Oct. 1 municipal election

Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children participate in a ring toss during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Progress Days block party brings carnival games and contests to Parker Park

Children participated in a variety of carnival activities like a balloon pop, ring toss, high striker and plinko

Children participate in a ring toss during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Revels return to Soldotna streets for 67th Progress Days

Political campaigns, local businesses, athletes and more took the streets in a procession that lasted well over an hour

Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, walks down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rep. Ben Carpenter endorses controversial ‘Project 2025,’ writes ‘What’s not to like?’

The set of conservative policy proposals were compiled by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, walks down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Member Jordan Chilson speaks in support of an ordinance that would establish a residential property tax exemption during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Member Jordan Chilson speaks in support of an ordinance that would establish a residential property tax exemption during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska SeaLife Center Animal Care Specialist Maddie Welch (left) and Veterinary Technician Jessica Davis (right) feeds the orphaned female Pacific walrus calf patient that arrived from Utqiagvik, Alaska on Monday, July 22, 2024. Walruses are rare patients for the Wildlife Response Department, with only eleven total and just one other female since the ASLC opened in 1998. Photo by Kaiti Grant

Female Pacific walrus calf admitted to Alaska SeaLife Center

The walrus calf, rescued from Utqiagvik, was admitted on July 22

Alaska SeaLife Center Animal Care Specialist Maddie Welch (left) and Veterinary Technician Jessica Davis (right) feeds the orphaned female Pacific walrus calf patient that arrived from Utqiagvik, Alaska on Monday, July 22, 2024. Walruses are rare patients for the Wildlife Response Department, with only eleven total and just one other female since the ASLC opened in 1998. Photo by Kaiti Grant
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Central Emergency Services Chief Roy Browning and other dignitaries toss dirt into the air at a groundbreaking for the new Central Emergency Services Station 1 in Soldotna on Wednesday.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Central Emergency Services Chief Roy Browning and other dignitaries toss dirt into the air at a groundbreaking for the new Central Emergency Services Station 1 in Soldotna on Wednesday.
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sockeye ‘good’ on Kenai, Kasilof

Northern Kenai Fishing Report

A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)