Homer Flex counselor Sue Rennolds (right) speaks to the graduating class of 2025 during the commencement ceremony held Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

‘Embrace the challenges and adventures that await’

Homer Flex High School graduated 11 students last Wednesday.

Homer Flex counselor Sue Rennolds (right) speaks to the graduating class of 2025 during the commencement ceremony held Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A frozen Dolly Varden Lake is seen Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Dolly Varden campground to close for renovation

The boat launch and main entrance will remain open.

A frozen Dolly Varden Lake is seen Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A harbor seal pup rescued near Kenai is treated at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

Premature seal pup rescued from Kenai beach

Findings from an initial exam indicate that the pup was likely born that day.

A harbor seal pup rescued near Kenai is treated at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Leif Jaworski speaks during a graduation ceremony for Connections Homeschool in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Real, meaningful and ‘ours’

Connections Homeschool students graduate after unconventional, unique school careers.

Leif Jaworski speaks during a graduation ceremony for Connections Homeschool in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Poppies are affixed to memorial wreathes during a Memorial Day service at Leif Hansen Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Honoring the ‘greatest sacrifice’

A Memorial Day procession and service were held Monday at Leif Hanson Memorial Park.

Poppies are affixed to memorial wreathes during a Memorial Day service at Leif Hansen Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Two people arrested in Kenai, indicted on fraud charges

They allegedly attempted to withdraw cash in Eagle River, Wasilla, Anchorage, Soldotna and Kenai using false identities.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy of Gwen Baluss
An Arctic tern sits at its nesting site at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Arctic terns return to their protected nests in Juneau

The birds began their journey to Alaska in March to find safe haven at the Mendenhall Glacier.

Photo courtesy of Gwen Baluss
An Arctic tern sits at its nesting site at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
The Taku River as seen Monday, May 19, 2025, from an Alaska Wildlife Troopers helicopter carrying U.S. Border Patrol agents during a patrol flight. (U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector photo)

Border Patrol, state troopers take patrol flight over Taku River looking for drugs, other illegal activity

Troopers: “No enforcement action was taken”; Border Patrol: “We are just getting started.”

The Taku River as seen Monday, May 19, 2025, from an Alaska Wildlife Troopers helicopter carrying U.S. Border Patrol agents during a patrol flight. (U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector photo)
Seniors throw their graduation caps in jubilant celebration while attendees fling beach balls in the air from the bleachers during the 2025 Homer High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Alice Witte Gymnasium. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Seniors throw their graduation caps in jubilant celebration while attendees fling beach balls in the air from the bleachers during the 2025 Homer High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Alice Witte Gymnasium. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Graduates of Soldotna High School celebrate after receiving their diplomas on the school’s football field in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Go do cool stuff’

Soldotna High School graduates told to chase futures that will make them happy.

Graduates of Soldotna High School celebrate after receiving their diplomas on the school’s football field in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Alternative High School graduates stand with their diplomas at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Alternative High School graduates 10

Principal John Galahan presented each of his 10 graduates with their own awards.

Kenai Alternative High School graduates stand with their diplomas at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Voznesenka School graduates 4

A commencement ceremony was held at Land’s End on Monday.

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The Homer Chamber of Commerce’s float in the Fourth of July parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, celebrates their 75th anniversary in Homer, Alaska, in the spirit of the parade’s theme, “Historical Homer.” A measure that would have increased special event fees for those looking to host gatherings in city-maintained spaces was voted down during a May 12, 2025, meeting of the Homer City Council. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Proposed increase to special event fees unanimously voted down by city council

“It’s not been the way Homer does business.”

The Homer Chamber of Commerce’s float in the Fourth of July parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, celebrates their 75th anniversary in Homer, Alaska, in the spirit of the parade’s theme, “Historical Homer.” A measure that would have increased special event fees for those looking to host gatherings in city-maintained spaces was voted down during a May 12, 2025, meeting of the Homer City Council. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Guest speaker Donica Nash gave out candy matching each student, including this package of JOYRIDE to Gideon Pankratz, at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

River City Academy graduates 9

The school serves students in seventh through 12th grade and has an enrollment of about 80

Guest speaker Donica Nash gave out candy matching each student, including this package of JOYRIDE to Gideon Pankratz, at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates celebrate at the end of the Kenai Central High School commencement ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Fight as the generation who will stand tall’

Kenai Central High School graduates 113.

Graduates celebrate at the end of the Kenai Central High School commencement ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We need to change the world’

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates 31 on Monday.

Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) exits the Senate Chambers after the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, adjourns until next January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Legislature adjourns a day early in ‘smoothest ending in 20 years’ following months of budget battles

Lawmakers speed through final votes on veto override on education funding bill, budget with $1,000 PFD.

State Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) exits the Senate Chambers after the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, adjourns until next January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jeff Dolifka and his children perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula’s Royce and Melba Roberts Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘So proud of what we accomplished’

New Boys and Girls Clubs campus dedicated Saturday with a ribbon-cutting and donor recognition.

Jeff Dolifka and his children perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula’s Royce and Melba Roberts Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy vetoes 2nd bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)