Kenai Peninsula Borough

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo. (Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

District superintendent dispels rumors about student construction

Superintendent Clayton Holland said student involvement in Seward High School construction is “based on rumor, not fact.”

 

A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ice fishing opens on some Kenai National Wildlife Refuge lakes

Snowmachines are permitted for ice fishing access on Hidden, Kelly, Petersen, Engineer and Watson lakes.

 

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo.

School district projects $7.5 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2027

Decreased enrollment and increased property values mean less local and state funding.

 

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman, Ruffridge and Elam host town hall

The lawmakers wanted to hear from constituents before the legislative session begins.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. President and CEO Sophie Minich speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula organizations awarded mental health trust grants

Organizations in Nikiski and Kenai received funding from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

Cook Inlet Region, Inc. President and CEO Sophie Minich speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai<ins>, Alaska</ins>. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai moves to purchase rights-of-way from Kenai Native Association

The Kenai City Council last week authorized $200,000 for the Wildwood Drive Rehabilitation Project.

Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai<ins>, Alaska</ins>. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Assembly will ask state legislature for authority to enact caps on real property tax assessments

Mayor Peter Micciche said a 34% increase over three years has created “real financial hardships” for many in the borough.

Jake Dye / Peninsula Clarion Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
Ryan Tunseth speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly accepts state funding for community assistance program

The funding will be disbursed to unincorporated communities in the Kenai Peninsula Borough for projects under the state Community Assistance Program.

Ryan Tunseth speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A diagram presented by Seward City Manager Kat Sorenson during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, shows the expected timeline for the Port of Seward Vessel Shore Power Implementation Project. Screenshot

Seward shore power project moves into preliminary design phase

The project will create jobs, reduce cruise ship emissions and provide a backup power grid.

A diagram presented by Seward City Manager Kat Sorenson during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, shows the expected timeline for the Port of Seward Vessel Shore Power Implementation Project. Screenshot
The U.S. Forest Service Porcupine Campground offers gorgeous views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm, as seen here on July 20, 2020, near Hope, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Department of Natural Resources seeks public input on proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest

DNR is gathering community perspectives during several meetings this week.

The U.S. Forest Service Porcupine Campground offers gorgeous views of the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Arm, as seen here on July 20, 2020, near Hope, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosts the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai on Nov. 28<ins>, 2025</ins>. The beloved event began over 40 years ago, and this year over 1,000 attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, fireworks, pictures with Santa and shopping. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce Photo courtesy of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosted the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai on Nov. 28. The beloved event began over 40 years ago, and this year over 1,000 attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, fireworks, pictures with Santa and shopping.

Kicking off a month of holiday festivities

Last weekend’s holiday events, including the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai and the Soldotna Turkey Trot, drew folks from all over the Kenai Peninsula.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosts the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai on Nov. 28<ins>, 2025</ins>. The beloved event began over 40 years ago, and this year over 1,000 attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, fireworks, pictures with Santa and shopping. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce Photo courtesy of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosted the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai on Nov. 28. The beloved event began over 40 years ago, and this year over 1,000 attendees enjoyed hot chocolate, fireworks, pictures with Santa and shopping.
On Tuesday, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveiled Kahtnu Area Transit, a public transportation service open to the entire Peninsula Borough community. Photo courtesy of Kahtnu Area Transit

Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveils Kahtnu Area Transit

The fixed bus route offers 13 stops between Nikiski and Sterling.

On Tuesday, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveiled Kahtnu Area Transit, a public transportation service open to the entire Peninsula Borough community. Photo courtesy of Kahtnu Area Transit
Clayton Whisamore stands in the remnants of his Kasilof home after a wood stove fire on Nov. 10, 2025. Whisamore couldn’t afford home insurance due to limited disability income, and his friends have organized a GoFundMe to help with the rebuild. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe

Kasilof community supports man who lost home in fire

Longtime Kasilof resident Clayton Whisamore’s home burned down on Nov. 10.

Clayton Whisamore stands in the remnants of his Kasilof home after a wood stove fire on Nov. 10, 2025. Whisamore couldn’t afford home insurance due to limited disability income, and his friends have organized a GoFundMe to help with the rebuild. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe
Glenese Pettey speaks during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Kenai, Alaksa. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai City Council appoints new member

Glenese Pettey was appointed to fulfill a vacant seat on the council.

Glenese Pettey speaks during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Kenai, Alaksa. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge receives national bipartisanship award

The award highlights what’s possible when leaders prioritize their communities over politics.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council streamlines city election process

The Soldotna City Council last week voted to align city and state election dates and seek additional means of public noticing.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Monday released maps showing areas open to woodcutting by permit beginning on Nov. 19, 2025.

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to allow permitted firewood collection

Permitted individuals may gather up to five cords of wood beginning Nov. 19.

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Monday released maps showing areas open to woodcutting by permit beginning on Nov. 19, 2025.
Volunteers gather around a captured salmon during one of Cook Inletkeeper’s Mapping Salmon Habitat Solution field days in August<ins> 2025</ins>. Every year, Cook Inletkeeper creates programs designed to get community members involved with mapping salmon habitat.

Cook Inletkeeper program promotes community engagement

Backyard Salmonscapes aims to map undocumented salmon habitat with the help of volunteers.

Volunteers gather around a captured salmon during one of Cook Inletkeeper’s Mapping Salmon Habitat Solution field days in August<ins> 2025</ins>. Every year, Cook Inletkeeper creates programs designed to get community members involved with mapping salmon habitat.
The Challenger Learning Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on Sept. 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai City Council terminates Challenger Learning Center’s lease

Kenai City Council adopted a resolution to terminate the Challenger Learning Center’s lease

The Challenger Learning Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on Sept. 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
New Peninsula Clarion reporter Chloe Anderson photographs bison in Yellowstone National Park on Oct. 17, 2025. Photo provided by Chloe Anderson

Photojournalist joins Clarion staff

Chloe Anderson is a new reporter for the Peninsula Clarion.

New Peninsula Clarion reporter Chloe Anderson photographs bison in Yellowstone National Park on Oct. 17, 2025. Photo provided by Chloe Anderson