Kenai Peninsula Borough

City Council Member James Baisden speaks during a work session of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2024: Assembly candidate James Baisden talks budget, industry, vision

He is running for the District 1 seat representing Kalifornsky

 

Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs new Tourism Industry Working Group

Another resolution was considered in June that would have added a bed tax question to the October ballot

 

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during their work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly gets update on 2022 bond package projects

Voters approved a $65.55 million bond package to address a list of 10 critical maintenance projects around the school district

 

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

Homer council supports statute change to include web-based public noticing

Resolution 24-088 requests that the Alaska Municipal League take up the issue

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula College celebrates 60 years of instruction

The college celebrated its anniversary during its annual open house last week

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)

Election 2024: Here’s who’s running in local races

The candidate filing period closed Thursday, Aug. 15

A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)
Samantha Springer receives the Outstanding Individual in Tourism award at Industry Appreciation Day in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Individuals and businesses recognized at Industry Appreciation Day

The Kenai Softball Greenstrip was packed on Saturday, Aug. 17, as hundreds gathered to recognize local industries and also enjoy free food and games. The… Continue reading

Samantha Springer receives the Outstanding Individual in Tourism award at Industry Appreciation Day in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Supporters of Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, and Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, wave signs on the side of the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, during the Alaska Primary Election Day on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman, Ruffridge, Vance lead in primary election results

House District 8 candidates Elam and Hillyer in close contention

Supporters of Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, and Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, wave signs on the side of the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, during the Alaska Primary Election Day on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Municipal Airport is seen on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough, cities support effort for direct Seattle air route

The City of Kenai last month applied for a grant that would provide financial incentives for an air carriers to establish the route

The Kenai Municipal Airport is seen on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (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)

Candidate filing period for city, borough elections now open

The filing deadline is Aug. 15

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)
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.

Central Emergency Services celebrates start of work on new Station 1

Construction might begin at the site as soon as Monday

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.
Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly won’t pursue further discussion on tabled bed tax resolution

Members say they’re going to work on a new version of the idea this winter

Assembly Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly member Brent Hibbert speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly tables bed tax, will pick a date for further consideration at next meeting

The resolution says that the proposed borough tax would be “up to” 12%

Assembly member Brent Hibbert speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Assembly approves $1.4 million contract for roof repair

An ordinance redirecting toward the project unused federal grant funding was approved by the assembly in May

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Norm Blakely speaks to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves resolution guiding efforts to increase voter turnout

The Voter Turnout Working Group was established to explore options and ideas aimed at increasing voter participation

Norm Blakely speaks to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Transportation Commissioner Ryan Anderson speaks during a town hall meeting on the use of brine on Kenai Peninsula roads, in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Brine use reduced by 69% this winter, further changes possible

Department of Transportation holds town hall to report back on winter brine use, collect feedback

Alaska Department of Transportation Commissioner Ryan Anderson speaks during a town hall meeting on the use of brine on Kenai Peninsula roads, in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, June 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to discuss short-term rental tax on Tuesday

The resolution describes a proposed tax of up to 12%

Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly member Cindy Ecklund speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly shuts down ordinances that would tax tobacco, fund child care

Ordinance 2024-15 sought to combat the lack of affordable, accessible and quality child care in the borough

Assembly member Cindy Ecklund speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (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. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly unanimously approves borough budget

The budget describes around $178 million in revenue and $180 million in expenditures

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly adds 3 recipients to opioid grant awards

The grant program was created to distribute funds received by the borough through three nationwide settlement agreements

Vice President Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)