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Monte Roberts, left, and Greg Brush, right, raise their hands during an emergency meeting of the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board’s guide committee at the Kenai Peninsula Region Office of Alaska State Parks near Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KRSMA board pushes back on new guide stipulations, calls for public process

Stipulations 32 and 40 were included in an updated list emailed to Kenai River guides.

Monte Roberts, left, and Greg Brush, right, raise their hands during an emergency meeting of the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board’s guide committee at the Kenai Peninsula Region Office of Alaska State Parks near Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD Board of Education member Patti Truesdell speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Education hot topic at local legislative town hall

More than 100 people attended a three-hour meeting where 46 spoke.

KPBSD Board of Education member Patti Truesdell speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Field house work session set for April 9

A grand opening for the facility is slated for Aug. 16.

The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
HEX President and CEO John Hendrix is photographed at Furie’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Furie announces new lease to use Hilcorp rig, will drill this spring

A jack-up rig is a mobile platform that can be transported and deployed in different areas.

HEX President and CEO John Hendrix is photographed at Furie’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The ORPC proposed American Tidal Energy Project site is located at East Forland, Cook Inlet, just north of Nikiski, Alaska. Photo provided by ORPC

Marine energy developer pursues Cook Inlet tidal project

ORPC recently filed a draft pilot license application for a tidal energy project site near Nikiski.

The ORPC proposed American Tidal Energy Project site is located at East Forland, Cook Inlet, just north of Nikiski, Alaska. Photo provided by ORPC
The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

HEA announces rate increase effective April 1

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska on March 20 approved a request to increase their rates.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Sockeye salmon are gathered together at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Days expanded for commercial dipnet fishery

The fishery will be allowed to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sockeye salmon are gathered together at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Glenfarne takes majority stake of Alaska LNG Project, will lead development

The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation announced Thursday they had reached an agreement with the New York-based company.

Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer Flex graduates listen to senior Wyatt Counts present his speech to the audience, thanking family, friends and Homer Flex staff at the Homer Flex High School commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

School board says no cuts to Homer Flex

The KPBSD Finance Committee on Tuesday recommended not making reductions to or closing Homer Flex High School at this time.

Homer Flex graduates listen to senior Wyatt Counts present his speech to the audience, thanking family, friends and Homer Flex staff at the Homer Flex High School commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A draft of three budget scenarios that would implement deep cuts is considered during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer, Alaska, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Additional cuts added to KPBSD budget reduction scenarios as April deadline looms

The school district faces a $17 million deficit.

A draft of three budget scenarios that would implement deep cuts is considered during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Homer, Alaska, on Monday, March 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Soldotna man charged with possession, distribution of child sex abuse material

The man allegedly uploaded child sex abuse material to a messaging app.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Students smile from atop a mountain peak while engaged in KMTA’s Pathfinders program. The program fosters environmental literacy and lifelong learning using an experiential, inquiry-based teaching model and helps expose students to the rich histories, environments and recreation opportunities available in the KMTA. (Photo courtesy of KMTA)

Kenai Peninsula heritage area faces uncertain future

Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is known for its expansive program offerings for Alaska youth.

Students smile from atop a mountain peak while engaged in KMTA’s Pathfinders program. The program fosters environmental literacy and lifelong learning using an experiential, inquiry-based teaching model and helps expose students to the rich histories, environments and recreation opportunities available in the KMTA. (Photo courtesy of KMTA)
In an undated photo provided by Wyatt Mayo/Alaska Volcano Observatory shows Mount Spurr, in October, which is being monitored for signs that it is moving closer to erupting. A spending freeze could disrupt systems that warn communities when eruptions appear imminent. (Wyatt Mayo/Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey via The New York Times)

Spurr in spotlight as volcano shows signs of possible eruption

The volcano erupted in 1992 and 1953.

In an undated photo provided by Wyatt Mayo/Alaska Volcano Observatory shows Mount Spurr, in October, which is being monitored for signs that it is moving closer to erupting. A spending freeze could disrupt systems that warn communities when eruptions appear imminent. (Wyatt Mayo/Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey via The New York Times)
The Naushon sits in the Homer Harbor during its decommissioning ceremony on Friday, March 21, 2025, on Freight Dock Road on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Former USCG cutter Naushon decommissioned in Homer

A ceremony in its honor was held Friday, March 21.

The Naushon sits in the Homer Harbor during its decommissioning ceremony on Friday, March 21, 2025, on Freight Dock Road on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
John Raymond accepts his tenth place trophy during the 2025 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Deep Water Dock on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Weimann wins fishing tournament championship

The 31st annual Homer Winter King Tournament saw high turnout Saturday.

John Raymond accepts his tenth place trophy during the 2025 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Deep Water Dock on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Students and hosts stand for a photo during a luncheon at the end of SoHi’s first Job Shadow Day, Wednesday at Soldotna Prep School. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna High launches 1st Job Shadow Day

SoHi students spread across community on Wednesday to try out professions.

Students and hosts stand for a photo during a luncheon at the end of SoHi’s first Job Shadow Day, Wednesday at Soldotna Prep School. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Delana Green teaches music to kindergarteners at Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof on Friday, March 21. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Bringing back music education

Tustumena Elementary students get lessons from Artist-in-residence Delana Green.

Delana Green teaches music to kindergarteners at Tustumena Elementary School in Kasilof on Friday, March 21. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
“Salmon Champions” present their ideas for projects to protect salmon habitat during the Local Solution meeting at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Cook Inletkeeper program to focus on salmon habitat awareness

The project seeks local solutions to environmental issues.

“Salmon Champions” present their ideas for projects to protect salmon habitat during the Local Solution meeting at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The three survivors of a Sunday afternoon plane crash are found atop the wing of their plane near Tustumena Lake in Kasilof, Alaska, on Monday, March 24, 2025. (Photo by Dale Eicher)

All occupants of Sunday evening plane crash rescued

Troopers were told first around 10:30 p.m. Sunday that a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser was overdue.

The three survivors of a Sunday afternoon plane crash are found atop the wing of their plane near Tustumena Lake in Kasilof, Alaska, on Monday, March 24, 2025. (Photo by Dale Eicher)
Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, participates in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Vance calls on board of fish to clarify stance on Cook Inlet commercial fisheries

One board member said he wanted to see no setnets or drifters operating in the inlet at all.

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, participates in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)