The badge for the Kenai Police Department

Kenai man arrested after allegedly stealing truck and camper

Police were called shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

The badge for the Kenai Police Department
Aspen trees offer a spot of red on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Hidden Lake Campground in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Mystery Creek Access Road to open Friday

The road is usually closed in the fall as weather causes road conditions to deteriorate.

Aspen trees offer a spot of red on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Hidden Lake Campground in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
"Musical Chair" is a photograph by Amaia Nicole Crain, with model Alisa Sonne, on display through August in her solo photography exhibit at Homer Council on the Arts. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

August First Friday in Homer

Summer is in full swing and Homer’s galleries and public art spaces are abuzz with artists showcasing new and ongoing work.

"Musical Chair" is a photograph by Amaia Nicole Crain, with model Alisa Sonne, on display through August in her solo photography exhibit at Homer Council on the Arts. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Silver salmon hang in the Seward Boat Harbor during the 2018 Seward Silver Salmon Derby. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)

Seward Silver Salmon Derby opens for 70th year on Saturday

There will also be 10 tagged fish with their own prizes, mystery weight prizes, and a guessing game for non-fishers.

Silver salmon hang in the Seward Boat Harbor during the 2018 Seward Silver Salmon Derby. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)
Parents show their kids how to cast their fishing lines during the youth-only coho salmon fishery on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Youth coho fishery opens Saturday in Homer

A portion of the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon will be reserved for youth anglers on Aug. 2.

Parents show their kids how to cast their fishing lines during the youth-only coho salmon fishery on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Judge grants motion for acquittal on 5 charges in Erfurth trial

Nathan Erfurth, 37, is facing another 50 charges in the case.

Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Author Naomi Klouda poses for a photo in this undated photograph. (Photo courtesy of Naomi Klouda)

Local author Naomi Klouda publishes dictionary for Alaska’s glaciers

Naomi Klouda was working as the editor of the Tundra Drums weekly newspaper when she began to notice the presence and number of glaciers in… Continue reading

Author Naomi Klouda poses for a photo in this undated photograph. (Photo courtesy of Naomi Klouda)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge reports back on legislative progress ahead of special session

He recapped the monthslong effort to get education funding and policy legislation across the finish line.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anglers fish in the Russian River in early September 2020. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News file)

Sockeye salmon bag limit increased on Russian River

On the nearby Kenai River, nearly 2.7 million sockeye have been counted — far beyond an escapement goal of 750,000 to 1.3 million fish.

Anglers fish in the Russian River in early September 2020. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News file)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Filing period opens Friday for local elections

The filing period for candidacy applications across all six electoral races closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15.

A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Amber Gall (left) and Rachael Kincaid (right) are South Peninsula Hospital's new Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro

South Peninsula Hospital names new leadership

South Peninsula Hospital’s former chief nursing officer has been named the new chief operating officer.

Amber Gall (left) and Rachael Kincaid (right) are South Peninsula Hospital's new Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro
Salutatorian Grace Kahn speaks during the Kenai Central High School graduation ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula represented by 3 in 2025 Summer of Heroes

The program spotlights Alaska youth driving change in their communities.

Salutatorian Grace Kahn speaks during the Kenai Central High School graduation ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign directs the public toward a tsunami shelter in Seldovia, Alaska, on Sept. 27, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Tsunami watch canceled for Resurrection Bay, Kachemak Bay communities

The watch followed an 8.7 earthquake that occurred Tuesday afternoon off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

A sign directs the public toward a tsunami shelter in Seldovia, Alaska, on Sept. 27, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
A “Vote Here” sign directs voters to the voting station at Homer City Hall on Oct. 3, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Finn Heimbold/Homer News file photo)

Homer city election filing period opens Aug. 1

The deadline to file for candidacy is Aug. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

A “Vote Here” sign directs voters to the voting station at Homer City Hall on Oct. 3, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Finn Heimbold/Homer News file photo)
Mount Marathon, seen July 4, 2022, in Seward, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Swiss hiker rescued near Mount Marathon in Seward

The hiker said he’d climbed a mountain and gone beyond his ability

Mount Marathon, seen July 4, 2022, in Seward, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson and Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney grill hot dogs at the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Progress Days block party keeps celebration going

Vendors, food trucks, carnival games and contests entertained hundreds

Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson and Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney grill hot dogs at the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children take candy from a resident of Heritage Place during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It feels so hometown’

68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days parade brings festivity to city streets

Children take candy from a resident of Heritage Place during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kachemak Bay is seen from the Homer Spit in March 2019. (Homer News file photo)

Toxin associated with amnesic shellfish poisoning not detected in Kachemak Bay mussels

The test result does not indicate whether the toxin is present in other species in the food web.

Kachemak Bay is seen from the Homer Spit in March 2019. (Homer News file photo)
A screenshot of a photo from the rescue's Facebook page shows Sushi, a cat looking for a home for over two years now. (Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Cat Rescue)

Southcentral cat rescue seeking foster homes, adopters for stray felines

In 2024, the organization helped rescue 589 cats.

A screenshot of a photo from the rescue's Facebook page shows Sushi, a cat looking for a home for over two years now. (Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Cat Rescue)