government

Two new cars purchased by the Soldotna Senior Center to support its Meals on Wheels program are parked outside of the center in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.(Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)

Soldotna budget defunds area senior center

The unanimous vote came after multiple people expressed concerns about how the center operates

Two new cars purchased by the Soldotna Senior Center to support its Meals on Wheels program are parked outside of the center in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.(Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
Peter Micciche (center) listens to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly certify the results of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election, through which he was elected mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Thousands respond to borough services survey

Many of the survey questions focused on the quality of borough roads

Peter Micciche (center) listens to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly certify the results of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election, through which he was elected mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Chief J.J. Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna, Kenai to extend animal control partnership

So far this year, the Kenai shelter has served roughly 190 animals

Chief J.J. Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Transportation professionals tour the Sterling Highway and Birch Avenue intersection in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna brainstorming pop-up pedestrian safety project

The temporary project aims to boost pedestrian safety near Soldotna Creek Park

Transportation professionals tour the Sterling Highway and Birch Avenue intersection in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tyson Cox references a sheet illustrating the rotation of seats on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Tyson Cox references a sheet illustrating the rotation of seats on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara

Assembly takes in boundaries of Nikiski advisory group

The western boundary of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission now follows the eastern shore of Cook Inlet

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara
Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson, right, speaks during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council OKs insurance overhaul for city employees

The plan changes are expected to save the city and employees roughly $477,000

Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson, right, speaks during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to meet next week in Soldotna

A community reception will be held at the Kenai River Lodge Lounge at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council questions proposed planning commission changes

The legislation would decrease the number of planning commissioners such that it matches the makeup of the borough assembly

Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland, center, addresses the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a budget work session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs max school funding

The borough will contribute $54.8 million to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District for fiscal year 2024

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland, center, addresses the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a budget work session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers are seen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough assembly to resume meeings in Homer, Seward

The decision came after residents in those communities asked to be included in the body’s meeting schedule

Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers are seen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow falls on a “vote here” sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Voters weigh in on future of Seward electric utility

This story has been updated with the latest results. A majority of Seward residents on Tuesday voted in favor of the city selling its electric… Continue reading

Snow falls on a “vote here” sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, left, addresses constituents during a town hall event on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman lumber bill heads to governor’s desk

Senate Bill 87 aims to make locally milled lumber more widely available for the construction of housing in Alaska

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, left, addresses constituents during a town hall event on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members Deborah Sounar, left, and Teea Winger review budget documents during a work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council makes headway on draft city budget

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank and Kenai Controller Lana Metcalf presented to city council members

Kenai City Council members Deborah Sounar, left, and Teea Winger review budget documents during a work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to kick off budget process with Saturday work session

Infrastructure is a key theme of the City of Kenai’s draft budget

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (fifth from left) celebrates the receipt of extrication equipment alongside staff from Kenai Peninsula fire departments and the Girdwood Fire Department during a press event at the Girdwood Fire Department on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor’s Office)

Fire departments celebrate arrival of new equipment

The extrication equipment was donated to fire stations in Girdwood, Bear Creek, Homer, Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Kenai, Seward, Hope, Fritz Creek and Ninilchik

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (fifth from left) celebrates the receipt of extrication equipment alongside staff from Kenai Peninsula fire departments and the Girdwood Fire Department during a press event at the Girdwood Fire Department on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor’s Office)
A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to get first crack at proposed budget Tuesday

Lower property taxes and full funding for education are included in a draft version of the budget

A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen is recognized for her contributions to the city during a council meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A privilege to do this work’

Stephanie Queen closes out term as Soldotna city manager in emotional council meeting

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen is recognized for her contributions to the city during a council meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna City Council convenes on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna City Council convenes on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai seeks to boost city workers

A work session is set to brainstorm ways to increase the number of people applying for vacant positions with the City of Kenai

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)