Kenai Peninsula Borough

Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association looks to put weir at Delight Creek

The borough assembly passed legislation supporting the association’s application for grant funds.

Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough looks to tap rescue funds for projects

About $3.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act was allocated for “pay-go” infrastructure projects.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly considers nixing in-person meetings in Homer, Seward

Members discussed if the meetings were necessary with public Zoom access available.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A stretch of Kenai Spur Highway can be seen in this August 2019 photo in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)

ATVs, other all-purpose vehicles, to be OK on some peninsula roads

The regulations drew safety concerns when first proposed earlier this year.

A stretch of Kenai Spur Highway can be seen in this August 2019 photo in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, right, participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Standoff over planning commission appointment continues

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce said he will not appoint Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings to the commission.

Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, right, participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
A sign in downtown Seldovia is photographed on Sept. 27, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Seldovia increases sales tax to fund new grader

The tax increase will bump Seldovia’s sales tax during the second and third quarter from 4.5% to 6.5%.

A sign in downtown Seldovia is photographed on Sept. 27, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Bill Elam (center) nominates Brent Hibbert to be president of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Johnson elected assembly president; Hibbert to be vice president

Prior to Tuesday, Johnson, who represents Kasilof, served as the assembly’s vice president.

Bill Elam (center) nominates Brent Hibbert to be president of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Renewable IPP CEO Jenn Miller presents information about solar power during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Company looks to build solar farm on peninsula

It would be roughly 20 times the size of the largest solar farm currently in the state.

Renewable IPP CEO Jenn Miller presents information about solar power during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship (right) swears in new members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Brent Hibbert (left), Cindy Ecklund (second from left) and Mike Tupper during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough assembly swears in 3 members

Cindy Ecklund, Brent Hibbert and Mike Tupper take oath of office.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship (right) swears in new members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Brent Hibbert (left), Cindy Ecklund (second from left) and Mike Tupper during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Teressa Minnich (left) speaks to another poll worker at a precinct at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Municipal elections see ‘sad’ turnout levels

11.8% of registered voters cast ballots in the borough’s Oct. 5 municipal elections.

Teressa Minnich (left) speaks to another poll worker at a precinct at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship oversees the testing of voting equipment ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Outstanding municipal election ballots to be counted Monday

A total of 1,512 ballots, including absentee, questioned and special needs, will be counted.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship oversees the testing of voting equipment ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Unofficial results show low turnout in cities, incumbent losses

All results are unofficial and do not include absentee, questioned and absentee ballots.

Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Sarah Knapp / Homer News 
A voter at city hall in Homer reviews their ballot before submitting it on Tuesday

Southern peninsula adds new faces to assembly, school board

Erickson, Aderhold win council; third race too close to call. Daugharty, Tupper win borough races.

Sarah Knapp / Homer News 
A voter at city hall in Homer reviews their ballot before submitting it on Tuesday
Poll worker Joan Seaman helps Joyce Ellestad cast her vote at Kenai No. 1 precinct on Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Poll worker Joan Seaman helps Joyce Ellestad cast her vote at Kenai No. 1 precinct on Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Hibbert is running unopposed for the Kalifornsky seat, which he has held since 2017. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Hibbert is running unopposed for the Kalifornsky seat, which he has held since 2017. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Ahlberg to take over as OEM manager

Brenda Ahlberg is the new emergency manager for the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The announcement comes after Ahlberg had been serving as interim emergency manager following… Continue reading

Members of the League of Women Voters wave to the crowd during the Soldotna Progress Days parade on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

3 assembly members oppose resolution commending League of Women Voters

Richard Derkevorkian, who represents Kenai, said he believes the group is not “nonpartisan,” as stated in the legislation.

Members of the League of Women Voters wave to the crowd during the Soldotna Progress Days parade on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Downtown Seward, Alaska, is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Downtown Seward, Alaska, is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Brent Johnson address a small crowd of people during a borough public hearing held Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough to consider banning smoking in buildings

Current code only bans smoking in assembly chambers during meetings and session.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Brent Johnson address a small crowd of people during a borough public hearing held Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Linda Cusack (left) and Teri Birchfield (right) test a Dominion voting machine ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New voting machines get test spin

Testing voting equipment has always been open to the public, but was made more accessible due to sweeping election policies approved earlier this year.

Linda Cusack (left) and Teri Birchfield (right) test a Dominion voting machine ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)