Kenai

Kenai City Council member Henry Knackstedt (left), Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (center) and Kenai City Council member Teea Winger (right) debate a resolution that would have voiced the city’s support for a legislative increase in school district funding during a city council meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member Henry Knackstedt (left), Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (center) and Kenai City Council member Teea Winger (right) debate a resolution that would have voiced the city’s support for a legislative increase in school district funding during a city council meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank (right) and Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) present the annual “State of the City” address at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai officials report back in ‘State of the City’

Bump in taxable city sales, momentum on bluff erosion project discussed at annual address

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank (right) and Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) present the annual “State of the City” address at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Samantha Springer, left, and Michelle Walker stand in the lobby of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Springer named new head of Kenai chamber

Springer, who was raised in Anchorage, said she’s lived on the Kenai Peninsula since 2021

Samantha Springer, left, and Michelle Walker stand in the lobby of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file
Kenai Animal Control Chief Jessica “JJ” Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai.

More than $11,000 in grants, donations given to Kenai animal shelter, senior center

The Kenai Animal Shelter received about $6,600 across multiple donations

Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file
Kenai Animal Control Chief Jessica “JJ” Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai.
Beams rust at the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai ice rink to close for summer

The condensation generated by use of the rink in the summer has caused the building’s steel beams to rust

Beams rust at the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai seeks to split Wildwood Drive rehab costs with state

The road was identified in Kenai’s 2009 Roadway Improvement Survey to be in a failed condition

Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. They would ultimately name Kelly J. Lawson as one of the four nominees for the role. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Lawson named to Kenai Superior Court

Lawson is a victim rights’ attorney from Anchorage

The Alaska Judicial Council listens to public testimony during the public hearing held as part of the selection process for a new Kenai Superior Court Judge on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. Members include (from left to right) Geraldine Simon, Lynne Gallant, Dave Parker, Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, Kristie Babcock, Patricia A. Collins and Jonathon Katcher. They would ultimately name Kelly J. Lawson as one of the four nominees for the role. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow coats an eroding bluff near the mouth of the Kenai River on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bluff project moves ahead

Kenai to buy last land parcels needed for stabilization effort

Snow coats an eroding bluff near the mouth of the Kenai River on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Foreground, from left: Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank and Kenai City Clerk Shellie Saner watch as Kenai City Attorney Scott Bloom wordsmiths an amendment to an ordinance during a council meeting on Wednesday at Kenai City Hall, March 1, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. Background from left: Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, Deborah Sounart and Alex Douthit discuss the legislation, which allows more city residents to keep chickens on their property. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai OKs chickens for more city residents

Council debate on the issue lasted for roughly four hours

Foreground, from left: Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank and Kenai City Clerk Shellie Saner watch as Kenai City Attorney Scott Bloom wordsmiths an amendment to an ordinance during a council meeting on Wednesday at Kenai City Hall, March 1, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. Background from left: Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, Deborah Sounart and Alex Douthit discuss the legislation, which allows more city residents to keep chickens on their property. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow surrounds playground equipment at the softball greenstrip on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. The structure is being replaced this year. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to replace greenstrip playground

The park’s existing playground structure was installed in 1995 and has exceeded its usable lifespan

Snow surrounds playground equipment at the softball greenstrip on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. The structure is being replaced this year. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School student Abby Castillo shadows Officer Megan Swangel at the Kenai Police Station in Kenai, Alaska, during Job Shadow Day on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. (Cadance Bitterich/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai students ‘shadow’ professionals for annual career event

KCHS program connects high schoolers to community workplaces

Kenai Central High School student Abby Castillo shadows Officer Megan Swangel at the Kenai Police Station in Kenai, Alaska, during Job Shadow Day on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. (Cadance Bitterich/Peninsula Clarion)
The badge for the Kenai Police Department

Kenai man charged with murdering woman in hotel room

The man is charged with one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree

The badge for the Kenai Police Department
Kenai resident Barbara Kennedy testifies in support of allowing more city residents to own chickens during a city council meeting on Wednesday, Feb.1, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council bumps back vote on chicken ordinance

The ordinance would allow Kenai residents to keep up to 12 chicken hens on certain lots

Kenai resident Barbara Kennedy testifies in support of allowing more city residents to own chickens during a city council meeting on Wednesday, Feb.1, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Triumvirate Theatre President Joe Rizzo testifies before the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai OKs permit for new Triumvirate playhouse

The playhouse design describes a $4.7 million facility that is two stories with an audience capacity of 150 people

Triumvirate Theatre President Joe Rizzo testifies before the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member Alex Douthit testifies in support of legislation allowing chickens on some city lots during a meeting of the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai planning group gives conditional thumbs-up to chicken ordinance

The legislation would allow Kenai residents to keep up to 12 chicken hens on certain lots

Kenai City Council member Alex Douthit testifies in support of legislation allowing chickens on some city lots during a meeting of the Kenai Planning & Zoning Commission on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion file
Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai.

Kenai ordinance would allow chickens in some city zones

The legislation comes as Alaska, like other states, is experiencing an egg shortage

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion file
Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai.
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

City manager to take over parking rules in Kenai

Kenai Municipal Code currently prohibits parking on city streets between 4-8 a.m. from Oct. 1 to May 1 of the following year

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa, played by Ken Aaron, and Mrs. Claus, played by Kit Hill, wait for children to arrive during Breakfast with Santa at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai celebrates Christmas with pancakes, stories and playime

“A Day with the Clauses” was a multiple-event seasonal celebration

Santa, played by Ken Aaron, and Mrs. Claus, played by Kit Hill, wait for children to arrive during Breakfast with Santa at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Streets foreman Curt Wagoner drives a city sander equipped with a belly blade along the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. The City of Kenai is not responsible for maintaining state roads. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai street crew treats, clears city roads

A five-man crew is tasked with plowing and treating 80 miles of roads

Kenai City Streets foreman Curt Wagoner drives a city sander equipped with a belly blade along the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. The City of Kenai is not responsible for maintaining state roads. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gingerbread houses are displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Gingerbread houses rule

10th annual gingerbread house competition returns to Kenai Chamber of Commerce

Gingerbread houses are displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)