A screenshot from the Homer Harbor Expansion project website shows one idea for Alternative 2, which the Corp selected in July as their tentative plan, moving forward.

Army Corps chooses tentative plan for Homer Harbor expansion

If constructed, the expansion would meet the currently existing harbor needs and demands.

A screenshot from the Homer Harbor Expansion project website shows one idea for Alternative 2, which the Corp selected in July as their tentative plan, moving forward.
Nick Varney

Reeling ‘Em In: Silvers have entered the streams

The Anchor River conditions are fine, even though a bit low, but the silvers continue to arrive.

Nick Varney
Fourth grade students work on their new name tags on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year at Nikiski North Star Elementary School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Giving students their ‘best year yet’

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s 42 schools welcome kids back into classrooms.

Fourth grade students work on their new name tags on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year at Nikiski North Star Elementary School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
David Haeg reads from an annotated copy of a grand jurist’s handbook during a town hall on the Alaska grand jury process in the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

State attorney general fields grand jury questions at Soldotna town hall

The State Department of Law in July rolled out a new, formalized process for Alaska residents to request an investigation by a grand jury.

David Haeg reads from an annotated copy of a grand jurist’s handbook during a town hall on the Alaska grand jury process in the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Courthouse is seen on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Grand jury indicts woman accused of murdering 78-year-old Soldotna man

LaShaunda Lewis is charged in the death of 78-year-old John “Skip” Dove Jr.

The Kenai Courthouse is seen on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall is seen on a sunny Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to vote for mayor, city council candidates in upcoming election

There are no ballot propositions being considered in this year’s election.

Kenai City Hall is seen on a sunny Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo. Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District logo. Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Parker, Carey running unopposed for Soldotna City Council

Soldotna voters will decide on annexation proposition.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the George A. Navarre Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the George A. Navarre Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney cuts a ceremonial ribbon for the Soldotna Field House during its grand opening in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Field House welcomes public during grand opening

The field house will open on Sept. 2 for regular operations.

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney cuts a ceremonial ribbon for the Soldotna Field House during its grand opening in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (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)

Northern Kenai fishing report: Sockeye good; coho arriving in local rivers

On the Kenai River, a record-breaking run of sockeye salmon has now crossed 4 million fish counted.

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)
Protesters in support of Ukraine line the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula protests Putin’s Alaska visit

Protests were held Friday in Homer and Soldotna in concurrence with several others across the state.

Protesters in support of Ukraine line the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Kenai River bag limit for sockeye salmon increased through the end of the year

The bag limit for sockeye was set to decrease to three per day and six in possession on Aug. 16.

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Fika co-owners Sierra Moskios-Schlieman and Tyler Moskios-Schlieman pose for a photograph with their Taste of Homer plaque at the 2025 HarborFest in June. (Photo courtesy of Fika Coffee Roasters)

Local coffee roastery to compete in ‘Great Alaska Coffee Roaster Competition’

The competition will take place on Sunday, Aug. 17 at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer.

Fika co-owners Sierra Moskios-Schlieman and Tyler Moskios-Schlieman pose for a photograph with their Taste of Homer plaque at the 2025 HarborFest in June. (Photo courtesy of Fika Coffee Roasters)
Kenai Peninsula District 4-H chickens are on display at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, Aug. 8-10, 2025, in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Jack Money

Family fun at the fair

The Kenai Peninsula Fair was held last weekend in Ninilchik.

Kenai Peninsula District 4-H chickens are on display at the Kenai Peninsula Fair, Aug. 8-10, 2025, in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Jack Money
Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Erfurth found guilty on 28 counts for sex abuse, exploitation of a minor

The former Soldotna high school teacher and union head was convicted after six days of jury deliberations.

Nathan Erfurth testifies in his own defense during his trial at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Civil Air Patrol Cadet 1st Lt. Hugh Traugott (right) works with Cadet Airman First Class Audrey Crocker (left) during a statewide training exercise on disaster response on Aug. 9-10, 2025, in Homer, Alaska.

Civil Air Patrol practices disaster response

Homer cadets and senior members were part of a statewide exercise last weekend.

Civil Air Patrol Cadet 1st Lt. Hugh Traugott (right) works with Cadet Airman First Class Audrey Crocker (left) during a statewide training exercise on disaster response on Aug. 9-10, 2025, in Homer, Alaska.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly president, Peter Ribbens, speaks in an aside to District 8 representative and Vice President Kelly Cooper before the beginning of the Aug. 5, 2025, KPB Assembly meeting at the Porcupine Theater in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Voters to decide on borough sales tax cap increase

Assembly Ordinance 2025-14 aims to adjust the sales tax cap with inflation.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly president, Peter Ribbens, speaks in an aside to District 8 representative and Vice President Kelly Cooper before the beginning of the Aug. 5, 2025, KPB Assembly meeting at the Porcupine Theater in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Few candidates have filed for upcoming election

The filing period for candidacy applications across all six electoral races closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15.

A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD reverses some activity stipend cuts, raises fees

The district’s final budget adopted in July called for a halving of all activity stipends.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)