Kenai

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
From left: Kenai City Council candidates Alex Douthit, Deborah Sounart and Victoria Askin attend an election forum Wednesday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Council candidates discuss Kenai’s future at forum

Three of the five candidates vying for seats on the council participated in the event.

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
From left: Kenai City Council candidates Alex Douthit, Deborah Sounart and Victoria Askin attend an election forum Wednesday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins a wheel to determine the Magic Weight at the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at Three Bears grocery store in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Catch the magic silver

Silver salmon derby kicks off next week

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins a wheel to determine the Magic Weight at the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at Three Bears grocery store in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy City of Kenai 
Erosion due to a failing storm water pipe can be seen near Bryson Avenue in Kenai, Alaska.

Kenai tackles bluff erosion caused by failing storm pipe

The project is located within a drainage easement between two properties at the end of Bryson Avenue.

Photo courtesy City of Kenai 
Erosion due to a failing storm water pipe can be seen near Bryson Avenue in Kenai, Alaska.
The Kenai waterfront can be seen from Old Town Kenai on April 27, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to assess feasibility of waterfront development

Development of the city’s waterfront was identified as a priority by the city in its “Imagine Kenai 2030” comprehensive plan.

The Kenai waterfront can be seen from Old Town Kenai on April 27, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Vice Mayor and Kenai City Council member Bob Molloy (center), council member Jim Glendening (right), council member Victoria Askin (far right), and council member Henry Knackstedt (far left) participate in a work session discussing the overhaul of Kenai election codes on Wednesday at Kenai City Hall.

Kenai overhauls city’s election code

The restructuring will bring the city code in alignment with the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Kenai Vice Mayor and Kenai City Council member Bob Molloy (center), council member Jim Glendening (right), council member Victoria Askin (far right), and council member Henry Knackstedt (far left) participate in a work session discussing the overhaul of Kenai election codes on Wednesday at Kenai City Hall.
The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough, cities mull use of relief funds

ARPA funds are in addition to money received through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen speaks at a meeting of the Sodotna City Council on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna, Kenai to mull partnership for 911 dispatch services

Queen floated the idea of partnering with Kenai to offer dispatch services.

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen speaks at a meeting of the Sodotna City Council on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway is seen June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai, Soldotna endorse bus pilot program

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is working to expand public transportation on the central Kenai Peninsula.

The Sterling Highway is seen June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Spruce trees infested with beetles can be seen on July 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai signs onto beetle funding request

The peninsula’s latest spruce bark beetle outbreak has impacted more than 1 million acres in Southcentral Alaska.

Spruce trees infested with beetles can be seen on July 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dipnetters camp on North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Dipnetting season ‘generally productive’ for city

The total revenue for the season, which was open from July 10-31, was about $485,600.

Dipnetters camp on North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign at North Kenai Beach warns pedestrians away from the eroding bluffs. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

‘This project is actually going to get done’

Federal infrastructure bill bodes well for bluff erosion

A sign at North Kenai Beach warns pedestrians away from the eroding bluffs. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Bridge Access pedestrian pathway to move forward

The pathway would run 1.2 miles from the intersection of Beaver Loop Road to the Kenai Spur Highway.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel cuts a ribbon during a ceremony at Kenai Municipal Airport on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘I think everyone got it right’

Ribbon-cutting at Kenai Municipal Airport caps airport renovations

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel cuts a ribbon during a ceremony at Kenai Municipal Airport on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Chidem Cherrier speaks at a Kenai City Council work session about waterfront development on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A view city without a view’: Public voices support for revitalization of Kenai waterfront

Development of the city’s waterfront was identified as a priority by the city in its “Imagine Kenai 2030” comprehensive plan.

Chidem Cherrier speaks at a Kenai City Council work session about waterfront development on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A Zoom teleconference screen can be seen behind Joe Rizzo, Triumvirate Theatre president, as he speaks to the Kenai City Council, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The council agreed last week to continue offering Zoom services during meetings. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

After debate, Kenai City Council continues Zoom services

The city was the latest peninsula municipality to mull the future of Zoom access.

A Zoom teleconference screen can be seen behind Joe Rizzo, Triumvirate Theatre president, as he speaks to the Kenai City Council, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The council agreed last week to continue offering Zoom services during meetings. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai passes measure to accept federal relief money

The funds were approved as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA — a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package.

Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Voters fill out ballots in voting booths at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Voters fill out ballots in voting booths at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Triumvirate Theatre President Joe Rizzo testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Triumvirate Theatre President Joe Rizzo testifies before the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Barnadine Atchison speaks during a business luncheon at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenaitze educational hub slated for completion next spring

The Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus, meaning “the learning place,” has been in the works for more than 20 years.

Barnadine Atchison speaks during a business luncheon at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Community members affiliated with local organizations participate in Kenai’s annual Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Independence on display

Community celebrates the 4th with parade, candy, celebration

Community members affiliated with local organizations participate in Kenai’s annual Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)