A map created within the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s parcel viewer in September 2017 displays in green the Swanson Square property and in blue the property of the Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park in Kenai, Alaska. Because the properties are within 500 feet of one another, the City of Kenai has now twice rejected marijuana retail operations in Swanson Square. (Map by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion File)

Kenai resolution asks state not to issue license for proposed marijuana retailer

City council previously rejected a marijuana retailer at the same property in 2017

A map created within the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s parcel viewer in September 2017 displays in green the Swanson Square property and in blue the property of the Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park in Kenai, Alaska. Because the properties are within 500 feet of one another, the City of Kenai has now twice rejected marijuana retail operations in Swanson Square. (Map by Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion File)
Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce, left, and committee Chair Jason Tauriainen participate in the first meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Four Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce, left, and committee Chair Jason Tauriainen participate in the first meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Four Day School Week Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Tustumena Lake fire, about 20 miles south of Soldotna, can be seen from above in July 2024 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)

Tustumena fire contained, cleanup continues

The fire was caused by an escaped campfire and discovered last weekend

The Tustumena Lake fire, about 20 miles south of Soldotna, can be seen from above in July 2024 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)
A harbor seal pup rescued from near the Copper River Delta is photographed at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)

2 more seals admitted to SeaLife Center

Wildlife response team is now caring for six harbor seal pups

A harbor seal pup rescued from near the Copper River Delta is photographed at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)
The Soldotna Little League proceeds down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating Independence in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Fourth of July Parade

The Soldotna Little League proceeds down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
An Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulatory marker is seen at the outlet of Skilak Lake near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
An Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulatory marker is seen at the outlet of Skilak Lake near Cooper Landing, Alaska, on Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees take food from a buffet during the grand opening of Siam Noodles and Food in Kenai on Tuesday.

Soldotna Thai restaurant expands to Kenai

The restaurant is next to Jersey Subs in Kenai where Thai Town used to be located

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees take food from a buffet during the grand opening of Siam Noodles and Food in Kenai on Tuesday.
The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)

Russian River Sanctuary opens early for sockeye fishing

The area will be open for fishing through July 14

The Russian River Sanctuary Area is seen in the area labeled B in this map provided by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (courtesy)
The Tustumena Lake fire. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)

Tustumena Lake fire reported 25% contained

The fire was caused by an escaped campfire

The Tustumena Lake fire. (Photo courtesy Dale Eicher)
Council member Deborah Sounart speaks during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Council member Deborah Sounart speaks during a meeting of the Kenai City Council in Kenai, Alaska, on June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD reverses budget cuts after Dunleavy approves one-time funding increase

The additional funding KPBSD will receive includes around $11.4 million in per-student money and $740,000 for student transportation.

Kelley Cizek speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A map shows the location of the Tustumena Lake fire (large blue circle) near Kasilof, Alaska, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection)

Updated: Kasilof fire reported at 20 acres, nearby campgrounds evacuated

The fire near Tustumena Lake in Kasilof was discovered around 3 p.m. Saturday

A map shows the location of the Tustumena Lake fire (large blue circle) near Kasilof, Alaska, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. (Courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection)
Assembly member Brent Hibbert speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly tables bed tax, will pick a date for further consideration at next meeting

The resolution says that the proposed borough tax would be “up to” 12%

Assembly member Brent Hibbert speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman talks freshman legislative session, spotlights bills passed

Bjorkman spoke at a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in June

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children help City of Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel cut the ribbon at an event celebrating the installation of a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Municipal Park gets new inclusive seesaw

The seesaw is located in a central location right off the main cement pathway and is low to the ground

Children help City of Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel cut the ribbon at an event celebrating the installation of a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Department of Justice Logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai man pleads guilty to threatening U.S. Senator

Sentencing is set for Oct. 1, where Graham will face up to five years in prison

U.S. Department of Justice Logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School stands under clear skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough issues contract for new KCHS concession stand

The $733,000 contract covers the cost of the construction of a new building that’s 24 feet by 36 feet

Kenai Central High School stands under clear skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Spring Creek employee arrested on drug smuggling allegations

Troopers say he was part of an effort to bring Suboxone strips into the facility.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Assembly approves $1.4 million contract for roof repair

An ordinance redirecting toward the project unused federal grant funding was approved by the assembly in May

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)