A frozen Dolly Varden Lake is seen Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Dolly Varden campground to close for renovation

The boat launch and main entrance will remain open.

A frozen Dolly Varden Lake is seen Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A harbor seal pup rescued near Kenai is treated at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

Premature seal pup rescued from Kenai beach

Findings from an initial exam indicate that the pup was likely born that day.

A harbor seal pup rescued near Kenai is treated at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Leif Jaworski speaks during a graduation ceremony for Connections Homeschool in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Real, meaningful and ‘ours’

Connections Homeschool students graduate after unconventional, unique school careers.

Leif Jaworski speaks during a graduation ceremony for Connections Homeschool in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Poppies are affixed to memorial wreathes during a Memorial Day service at Leif Hansen Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Honoring the ‘greatest sacrifice’

A Memorial Day procession and service were held Monday at Leif Hanson Memorial Park.

Poppies are affixed to memorial wreathes during a Memorial Day service at Leif Hansen Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Two people arrested in Kenai, indicted on fraud charges

They allegedly attempted to withdraw cash in Eagle River, Wasilla, Anchorage, Soldotna and Kenai using false identities.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Boats gather offshore the Homer Spit in honor of the 2025 Blessing of the Fleet on Tuesday, May 20 at the Seafarer’s Memorial on the Homer Spit. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

‘Blessing of the Fleet’ remembers, honors sacrifices of local mariners

Community members quietly gathered in somber reflection of lives lost to the sea over the past year.

Boats gather offshore the Homer Spit in honor of the 2025 Blessing of the Fleet on Tuesday, May 20 at the Seafarer’s Memorial on the Homer Spit. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Seniors throw their graduation caps in jubilant celebration while attendees fling beach balls in the air from the bleachers during the 2025 Homer High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Alice Witte Gymnasium. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Seniors throw their graduation caps in jubilant celebration while attendees fling beach balls in the air from the bleachers during the 2025 Homer High School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Alice Witte Gymnasium. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Graduates of Soldotna High School celebrate after receiving their diplomas on the school’s football field in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Go do cool stuff’

Soldotna High School graduates told to chase futures that will make them happy.

Graduates of Soldotna High School celebrate after receiving their diplomas on the school’s football field in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Alternative High School graduates stand with their diplomas at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Alternative High School graduates 10

Principal John Galahan presented each of his 10 graduates with their own awards.

Kenai Alternative High School graduates stand with their diplomas at the conclusion of their commencement ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 22, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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‘Share our gifts with the world’

Local artist creates vibrant body of work and renews her artistic journey.

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Voznesenka School graduates 4

A commencement ceremony was held at Land’s End on Monday.

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Guest speaker Donica Nash gave out candy matching each student, including this package of JOYRIDE to Gideon Pankratz, at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

River City Academy graduates 9

The school serves students in seventh through 12th grade and has an enrollment of about 80

Guest speaker Donica Nash gave out candy matching each student, including this package of JOYRIDE to Gideon Pankratz, at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates celebrate at the end of the Kenai Central High School commencement ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Fight as the generation who will stand tall’

Kenai Central High School graduates 113.

Graduates celebrate at the end of the Kenai Central High School commencement ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We need to change the world’

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates 31 on Monday.

Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jeff Dolifka and his children perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula’s Royce and Melba Roberts Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘So proud of what we accomplished’

New Boys and Girls Clubs campus dedicated Saturday with a ribbon-cutting and donor recognition.

Jeff Dolifka and his children perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula’s Royce and Melba Roberts Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduate Paxton McKnight speaks during the graduation ceremony at Cook Inlet Academy near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Beginning a new season of their lives

Cook Inlet Academy graduates seven.

Graduate Paxton McKnight speaks during the graduation ceremony at Cook Inlet Academy near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The wreckage of Smokey Bay Air plane N91025 is photographed after residents pulled it from the water before high tide on April 28, 2025, in Nanwalek, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of NTSB)

Preliminary report released on Nanwalek plane crash

The crash killed the pilot and one passenger and left the other passenger seriously injured.

The wreckage of Smokey Bay Air plane N91025 is photographed after residents pulled it from the water before high tide on April 28, 2025, in Nanwalek, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of NTSB)
Member Tom Tougas, far right, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Tourism working group rejects bed tax, recommends seasonal sales tax adjustment

The document includes a section that says the borough could alternatively leave its tax structure exactly as it is.

Member Tom Tougas, far right, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

Stranded otter pup rescued from Homer beach

She is estimated to be around 2 months old and was found alone by concerned beach walkers.

The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor

First lady honors Alaska volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor