Soldotna assistant football coach Eric Pomerleau checks the temperature of sophomore Joseph Whittom before summer workouts Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Masks optional for KPBSD staff, students effective next week

The policy change is in response to updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Soldotna assistant football coach Eric Pomerleau checks the temperature of sophomore Joseph Whittom before summer workouts Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Furie Operating Alaska’s Julius R Platform, installed in 2015 in Cook Inlet, is seen in this courtesy photo. (Furie Operating Alaska/courtesy)

State sells oil and gas leases covering 21,000 acres of Cook Inlet

Furie Operating Alaska, LLC, HEX, LLC and Strong Energy Resources, LLC were all identified as bidders.

Furie Operating Alaska’s Julius R Platform, installed in 2015 in Cook Inlet, is seen in this courtesy photo. (Furie Operating Alaska/courtesy)
Connections Homeschool Principal Rich Bartolowits speaks to graduates during their graduation ceremony at Soldotna High School on Thursday, May 20, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Connections Homeschool Principal Rich Bartolowits speaks to graduates during their graduation ceremony at Soldotna High School on Thursday, May 20, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
People participate in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s BARK ranger program on June 5, 2021 for National Trails Day in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo provided by Michelle Ostrowski)

Refuge celebrates National Trails Day with visitor center reopening

The refuge’s visitor center has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

People participate in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s BARK ranger program on June 5, 2021 for National Trails Day in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo provided by Michelle Ostrowski)
Triumvirate Theatre is seen on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. The building burned in a fire on Feb. 20. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to consider donating land for new Triumvirate playhouse

The theater’s building burned down in February.

Triumvirate Theatre is seen on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. The building burned in a fire on Feb. 20. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to launch another shop local program

The program would provide vouchers for tourism, travel or hospitality services.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kathy Sarns, Ruth Dickerson and Lyn Maslow work together to rebuild the trail tread at South Eldred Trail during National Trails Day. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Kachemak trails prepped for summer

Almost 40 volunteers helped clean up Kachemak Bay State Park in honor of National Trails Day

Kathy Sarns, Ruth Dickerson and Lyn Maslow work together to rebuild the trail tread at South Eldred Trail during National Trails Day. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Members of the Seward City Council take part in a work session on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Seward council member apologizes for antisemitic remark

Sharyl Seese made the comment during a council work session.

Members of the Seward City Council take part in a work session on Monday, June 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Then-candidates for Soldotna City Council Lisa Parker, Pamela Parker (center) and Dave Carey speak to members of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at the Soldotna Sports Complex on Sept. 11, 2019. Parker resigned her seat effective May 27. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Sweeney, Hugarte apply for Soldotna council vacancy

Pamela Parker’s successor will be selected during the council’s Wednesday meeting.

Then-candidates for Soldotna City Council Lisa Parker, Pamela Parker (center) and Dave Carey speak to members of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce at the Soldotna Sports Complex on Sept. 11, 2019. Parker resigned her seat effective May 27. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Emergency Services staff wait to receive doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly debates, approves inclusion of emergency personnel in budget

Assembly member Jesse Bjorkman proposed removing the positions from the budget.

Central Emergency Services staff wait to receive doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Visitors interact with the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Rocky Coast Discovery Pool on May 28 in Seward. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center reports increase in visitors

The center is encouraging people to buy tickets online

Visitors interact with the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Rocky Coast Discovery Pool on May 28 in Seward. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)
Shawn Dick of Talkneetna carries a fresh catch out of the water while dipnetting on the Kenai Beach on July 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Online reporting required for personal use fishing

Harvest and participation reporting must be done online by no later than Aug. 15, 2021.

Shawn Dick of Talkneetna carries a fresh catch out of the water while dipnetting on the Kenai Beach on July 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Eroding bluffs can be seen on Kenai North Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on June 3, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai City Council contracts HDR Engineering for bluff stabilization project

The project aims to install large boulder-armored barriers at the base to absorb the impact from the waves.

Eroding bluffs can be seen on Kenai North Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on June 3, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Vendors sell locally grown and crafted products at the Soldotna Saturday Farmers Market during the 2019 season. (Photo provided)

Soldotna farmers market opens Saturday

Vendors are required to grow and produce all their products locally.

Vendors sell locally grown and crafted products at the Soldotna Saturday Farmers Market during the 2019 season. (Photo provided)
Freshly baked loaves are ready for resale at Lucy’s Market in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘I managed to keep it alive all this time’

Born over 250 years ago in Germany, “Marlis” is now vital at a Soldotna bakery

Freshly baked loaves are ready for resale at Lucy’s Market in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A rescued dog is pictured at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Mini-grant program funds animal spay and neutering

The amount of financial aid ranged anywhere from $60 to $110 per surgery.

A rescued dog is pictured at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Fjords National Park can be seen in June 2018 in Seward, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Rangers kill aggressive bear in Kenai Fjords

The park plans to donate the bear to charity so its meat can be salvaged.

Kenai Fjords National Park can be seen in June 2018 in Seward, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Sarah Knapp / Homer News
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink, M.D., left, poses for a selfie with Kelly Bolt, right, and Debbie Gardner, who work at WIC, at a meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 27, at the Homer Public Health Center in Homer.

Dr. Zink visits Homer

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer holds meet-and-greet, visits pop-up clinic on Spit.

Sarah Knapp / Homer News
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink, M.D., left, poses for a selfie with Kelly Bolt, right, and Debbie Gardner, who work at WIC, at a meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 27, at the Homer Public Health Center in Homer.
Heather Renner and Tasha Reynolds run and fat bike to the finish during 2019 Mouth to Mouth Wild Run & Ride. (Courtesy photo)

Mouth to Mouth up and running

The monthlong run and fat bike challenge kicked off in person on Tuesday at South Kenai Beach.

Heather Renner and Tasha Reynolds run and fat bike to the finish during 2019 Mouth to Mouth Wild Run & Ride. (Courtesy photo)
Soldotna Parks and Recreation employees Brock Kant, left, and Kenneth Butler plant trees along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

More greenery coming to Soldotna

The city planted around 43 trees in 2019 and plans to put another 43 in the ground this summer.

Soldotna Parks and Recreation employees Brock Kant, left, and Kenneth Butler plant trees along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)