Kenai Peninsula Borough

Ryan Tunseth speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly addresses formal presentations in code amendment

An ordinance passed Feb. 3 clarifies that formal presentations made before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly should relate to borough matters.

 

The Alaska State Capitol building stands on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Ruffridge, Elam introduce new legislative bills

The representatives filed bills relating to tax exemptions for EMS personnel and dental care.

 

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Seward student to present salt brine alternative to Alaska Senate

Hannah Leatherman, winner of the 35th annual Caring for the Kenai competition, will travel to Juneau to present her idea to the Senate transportation committee.

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Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A sample LiDAR meteorological assembly is seen. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska
A sample LiDAR meteorological assembly is seen. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska
Photo courtesy of Sargeant Truesdell
Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor Peter Micchiche (left) and assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, District 4, Soldotna (right), pose for a photo with the Soldotna High School girls’ wrestling team during an assembly meeting on Jan. 20. The Stars secured SoHi’s first three-peat title during the state championship tournament Dec. 19-20.
Photo courtesy of Sargeant Truesdell
Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor Peter Micchiche (left) and assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, District 4, Soldotna (right), pose for a photo with the Soldotna High School girls’ wrestling team during an assembly meeting on Jan. 20. The Stars secured SoHi’s first three-peat title during the state championship tournament Dec. 19-20.
Cooper Landing Fire and Emergency Medical Services respond to a trailer fire on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, near Mile 38 Seward Highway near Cooper Landing, Alaska. The fire destroyed the trailer carrying U.S. Mail from Anchorage to the Southern Kenai Peninsula. (Photo courtesy of Cooper Landing Fire and EMS)

Assembly asks legislature to increase exemptions for EMS, firefighters

The change would allow municipalities to increase property tax exemptions to “an amount deemed appropriate.”

Cooper Landing Fire and Emergency Medical Services respond to a trailer fire on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, near Mile 38 Seward Highway near Cooper Landing, Alaska. The fire destroyed the trailer carrying U.S. Mail from Anchorage to the Southern Kenai Peninsula. (Photo courtesy of Cooper Landing Fire and EMS)
Alaska Department of Natural Resources logo (graphic)

State seeks Kenai Peninsula citizen advisory board members

The Department of Natural Resources invites Alaskans to apply for seats in Seward, Kachemak Bay and Kenai.

Alaska Department of Natural Resources logo (graphic)
Juniors who earned honor roll distinction during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year at Soldotna High School were recognized during an assembly in the school’s auditorium on Jan. 14, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades, Soldotna High School
Juniors who earned honor roll distinction during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year at Soldotna High School were recognized during an assembly in the school’s auditorium on Jan. 14, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tabitha Blades, Soldotna High School
The Soldotna High School varsity football team receives certificates of achievement, presented on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026,  by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (right) and KPB Assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, for winning the Division II State Championship in October 2025. Photo courtesy Joe Rizzo

Assembly commends Kenai, Soldotna teams

The Soldotna High School football team and Kenai Central High School marching band and girls’ volleyball team received recognition for their accomplishments in 2025.

The Soldotna High School varsity football team receives certificates of achievement, presented on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026,  by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (right) and KPB Assembly member Sargeant Truesdell, for winning the Division II State Championship in October 2025. Photo courtesy Joe Rizzo
Retired Biologist and former manager of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge will “Looking Back, Looking Forward,” a talk about his solo trip on the Yukon River, on Tuesday evening at the Refuge headquarters in Soldotna. The Homer-based nonprofit organization Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges is hosting a virtual watch party in Homer. Photo courtesy of Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges

Looking back, looking forward

Robin West will give a talk about his 30-year career Tuesday evening at the Kenai refuge headquarters and virtually.

Retired Biologist and former manager of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge will “Looking Back, Looking Forward,” a talk about his solo trip on the Yukon River, on Tuesday evening at the Refuge headquarters in Soldotna. The Homer-based nonprofit organization Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges is hosting a virtual watch party in Homer. Photo courtesy of Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges
Snow covers a branch hanging over Watergate Way in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Update: District-wide schools and activities closure in effect Friday through Saturday, Jan. 16-17

All Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools and Kenai Peninsula College campuses are closed due to rain and freezing temperatures expected overnight.

Snow covers a branch hanging over Watergate Way in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (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)

Borough updates public noticing requirements

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved an ordinance last week effectively ending requirements to publish notices in a newspaper of general circulation.

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)
A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.

Community discusses state forest proposal at Homer meeting

The public comment period on the proposed Kenai Peninsula State Forest closes Jan. 16 at 5 p.m.

A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.
Balloons fall on dozens of children armed with confetti poppers during the Ninth Annual Noon-Year’s Eve Party at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Out with the old, in with the new

The Peninsula Clarion looks back on 2025 in this “year in review.”

Balloons fall on dozens of children armed with confetti poppers during the Ninth Annual Noon-Year’s Eve Party at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.

Community meeting in Homer to focus on proposed state forest

The Department of Natural Resources will continue to gather community input on the potential establishment of a Kenai Peninsula State Forest during a meeting on Tuesday at Kachemak Bay Campus.

A map presented by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, shows the location of a potential Kenai Peninsula State Forest. Screenshot.
The Challenger Learning Center is seen here in Kenai<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Sept. 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai City Council considers possible uses for Challenger Center

One option would assess the facility’s potential as the new public safety building.

The Challenger Learning Center is seen here in Kenai<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Sept. 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
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.”

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

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)