The Soldotna Public Library is seen on a snowy Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna library advisory board hears update on federal funding cuts

The federal government’s dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services could cause the reduction or elimination of some statewide library services as soon as July 1.

The Soldotna Public Library is seen on a snowy Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Protestors stand with an American flag and a sign that reads “DEFUND HATE” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistence, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

More than 600 gather in Homer for ‘Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference’ rally

It was at least the third time this year the Homer community gathered to protest the Trump administration.

Protestors stand with an American flag and a sign that reads “DEFUND HATE” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistence, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Kyra Wagner teaches a compost-making class last fall at the Kachemak Bay Campus high tunnel. Wagner will teach another class on composting Saturday, April 26, at 4:30 p.m. in conjunction with the free Southcentral Growers Conference. (Photo courtesy of Jill Burnham, Kachemak Bay Campus - Kenai Peninsula College)

Info, education on local agriculture to be featured at Southcentral Growers Conference

The two-day conference begins on April 25 at Kachemak Bay Campus.

Kyra Wagner teaches a compost-making class last fall at the Kachemak Bay Campus high tunnel. Wagner will teach another class on composting Saturday, April 26, at 4:30 p.m. in conjunction with the free Southcentral Growers Conference. (Photo courtesy of Jill Burnham, Kachemak Bay Campus - Kenai Peninsula College)
The Triumvirate Theatre stands in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A return to stage

Triumvirate Theatre debuts new performance space.

The Triumvirate Theatre stands in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School’s Kyle Foster speaks during the 35th Annual Caring for the Kenai Oral Presentations at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School’s Kyle Foster speaks during the 35th Annual Caring for the Kenai Oral Presentations at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly kills resolution asking for option to cap property assessment increases

Alaska municipalities are required by state statute to assess all properties at their full and true value.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
City of Kenai Public Works Director Scott Curtain; City of Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel; Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche; Sen. Lisa Murkowski; Col. Jeffrey Palazzini; Elaina Spraker; Adam Trombley; and Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank cut the ribbon to celebrate the start of work on the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai bluff stabilization info meeting rescheduled for April 30

Originally, the event was scheduled for the same time as the Caring for the Kenai final presentations.

City of Kenai Public Works Director Scott Curtain; City of Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel; Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche; Sen. Lisa Murkowski; Col. Jeffrey Palazzini; Elaina Spraker; Adam Trombley; and Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank cut the ribbon to celebrate the start of work on the Kenai River Bluff Stabilization Project in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, June 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Project stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula organizations awarded mental health trust grants

Three organizations, in Seldovia, Seward and Soldotna, recently received funding from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

Project stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Nikiski Shelter of Hope on Friday, May 20, 2022, in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on Thursday, April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council hears call to lessen chicken restrictions

The Soldotna City Council this month heard from people calling for a loosening of restrictions on raising chickens on residential properties in the city. Several… Continue reading

Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on Thursday, April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mount Spurr, raised to Advisory on the Volcano Alert Level, can be seen in yellow northwest of the Kenai Peninsula. (Map courtesy Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Department of the Interior)

Spurr activity ‘declined slightly’

If an eruption were to occur, there would be noticeable indicators that may provide days to weeks of additional warning.

Mount Spurr, raised to Advisory on the Volcano Alert Level, can be seen in yellow northwest of the Kenai Peninsula. (Map courtesy Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Department of the Interior)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche delivers a borough update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche pushes mill rate decrease, presses state to boost education funding

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche delivered an update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce on Wednesday.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche delivers a borough update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
SPITwSPOTS employees speak to an attendee of the Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair in Kenai on Wednesday.

Job fair gathers together employers, job seekers

“That face-to-face has kind of been missing for a lot of people.”

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
SPITwSPOTS employees speak to an attendee of the Kenai Peninsula Job and Career Fair in Kenai on Wednesday.
Community members who support education funding stand up in demonstration at one point during the town hall meeting on Saturday, April 12 in the Pioneer Hall at Kachemak Bay Campus. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Constituents quiz Vance during crowded virtual town hall

Education and budgeting dominated the conversation during the Saturday meeting.

Community members who support education funding stand up in demonstration at one point during the town hall meeting on Saturday, April 12 in the Pioneer Hall at Kachemak Bay Campus. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Paul Banks Elementary School Principal Eric Pederson interacts with students in this undated photo at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Eric Pederson)

KPBSD chooses Pederson as next Homer High principal

School district held public interviews Wednesday, April 9.

Paul Banks Elementary School Principal Eric Pederson interacts with students in this undated photo at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Eric Pederson)
Awards earned by Peninsula Clarion and Homer News writers Delcenia Cosman, Jake Dye, Jeff Helminiak and Nick Varney are displayed on Sunday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer News, Peninsula Clarion take home 10 Alaska Press Club awards

The 2025 Alaska Press Club awards honored statewide news contributions from 2024.

Awards earned by Peninsula Clarion and Homer News writers Delcenia Cosman, Jake Dye, Jeff Helminiak and Nick Varney are displayed on Sunday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Alaska House Reps. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; Bill Elam, R-Nikiski; Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna; and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, take the oath of office at the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Ruffridge, Vance, Elam oppose stripped down education funding bill

The Senate passed a modified HB 69 on Friday that removed everything from House bill but a $1,000 BSA increase.

From left: Alaska House Reps. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; Bill Elam, R-Nikiski; Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna; and Sarah Vance, R-Homer, take the oath of office at the Alaska Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna sets fees, staffing, policy for field house

After a grand opening ceremony on Aug. 16, the facility will be expected to operate in seasons.

The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Officers who shot and killed man in Kasilof found ‘justified’

The three officers were found to be justified in their force by the Office of Special Prosecutions.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A screenshot of a Zoom meeting where Superintendent Clayton Holland (right) interviews Dr. Henry Burns (left) on Wednesday, April 9, while Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (center) takes notes.

KPBSD considers 4 candidates for Homer High School principal position

School district held public interviews Wednesday, April 9.

A screenshot of a Zoom meeting where Superintendent Clayton Holland (right) interviews Dr. Henry Burns (left) on Wednesday, April 9, while Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (center) takes notes.
Organizer George Matz monitors shorebirds at the former viewing platform at Mariner Park Lagoon. The platform no longer exists, after being removed by landowner Doyon during the development of the area. (Photo courtesy of Kachemak Bay Birders)

Kachemak Bay Birders kicks off 17th year of shorebird monitoring project

The first monitoring session of 2025 will take place Saturday.

Organizer George Matz monitors shorebirds at the former viewing platform at Mariner Park Lagoon. The platform no longer exists, after being removed by landowner Doyon during the development of the area. (Photo courtesy of Kachemak Bay Birders)