A photo of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided, Homer Police Department)

Calderwood pretrial hearing rescheduled

The omnibus hearing for Kirby Calderwood was continued to Jan. 21. Trial week is currently scheduled for Feb. 17, barring finalization of a plea agreement.

 

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Joseph Miller Jr. and Jason Woodruff, Alaska State Troopers charged with felony first-degree assault, appear with their lawyers, Clinton Campion and Matthew Widmer, for an arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

2 Soldotna troopers indicted on federal civil rights violations

Joseph Miller and Jason Woodruff were charged with federal criminal civil rights violations on Dec. 16.

 

Kevin Ray Hunter is actively sought by Alaska State Troopers on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Photo courtesy of Alaska State Troopers

Update: Troopers arrest Kenai man accused of sexual abuse of a minor

A judge issued an arrest warrant for Kevin Ray Hunter, who was indicted on Wednesday for allegedly abusing multiple juveniles.

 

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law

Kenai man sentenced for sexual abuse of minor, possession of child pornography

Joshua Aseltine was sentenced on Dec. 4 to serve 28 years in prison.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
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Kenai man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor

Jeremiah Barton was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty.

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State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law

Soldotna man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor

Kris Overlander will serve 25 years in prison, followed by 20 years on felony probation.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law

Kenai man indicted for sexual abuse

Aaron “Scott” Merritt was indicted by a Kenai jury for sexual abuse crimes committed between 1998 and 2002.

State of Alaska Department of Law logo. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Law
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Soldotna man arrested after allegedly shooting off gun during ‘road rage’ incident

Police say the man pointed a gun at another motorist and fired multiple “warning” shots.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski man convicted of murdering his mother

River Aspelund, 23, was convicted in August for the 2022 killing.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer man sentenced for sexual abuse of a minor

John Thomas Cowan was sentenced at the Kenai Courthouse on Aug. 13.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Courthouse is seen on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Grand jury indicts woman accused of murdering 78-year-old Soldotna man

LaShaunda Lewis is charged in the death of 78-year-old John “Skip” Dove Jr.

The Kenai Courthouse is seen on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Erfurth found guilty on 28 counts for sex abuse, exploitation of a minor

The former Soldotna high school teacher and union head was convicted after six days of jury deliberations.

Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Traveling nurse charged with murder of 78-year-old Soldotna man

John “Skip” Dove Jr. was found on Tuesday stabbed to death in his home off Sports Lake Road north of Soldotna.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
The badge for the Kenai Police Department

Kenai man arrested after allegedly stealing truck and camper

Police were called shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

The badge for the Kenai Police Department
Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Judge grants motion for acquittal on 5 charges in Erfurth trial

Nathan Erfurth, 37, is facing another 50 charges in the case.

Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Former school district custodian pleads guilty to sexual abuse of a minor

Alexander Coxwell was arrested in September on allegations that he had engaged in an illegal sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old student.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Attorneys Eric Derleth and Dan Strigle speak to Superior Court Judge Kelly Lawson during the opening arguments of State of Alaska v. Nathan Erfurth at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opening arguments offered in Erfurth trial

The trial is set to continue for around two weeks, into early August.

Attorneys Eric Derleth and Dan Strigle speak to Superior Court Judge Kelly Lawson during the opening arguments of State of Alaska v. Nathan Erfurth at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski woman sentenced to 4 years in prison for 2023 drug death

Lawana Barker was sentenced for her role in the 2023 death of Michael Rodgers.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Seward resident arrested after Monday night police pursuit

Troopers say she led them on a high-speed chase on Kalifornsky Beach Road for around 7 miles.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)