News

Gary Lee Williams.

Former Homer mayor, Homer News owner dies

Gary Williams served as mayor during transitional times of 1970s.

Gary Lee Williams.
Joe Rizzo, Triumvirate Theatre executive director, testifies at the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna offers financial support for summer Triumvirate production

The Soldotna City Council approved the use of some federal relief funds for the summer show

Joe Rizzo, Triumvirate Theatre executive director, testifies at the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge speaks at the city council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Ruffridge, who also owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and has helped spearhead multiple COVID-19 response efforts on the central Kenai Peninsula, said it was important to acknowledge the repeal of mask recommendations for “celebration’s sake.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna fully repeals masking recommendations for city buildings

The city has changed its guidelines multiple times over the course of the pandemic

Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge speaks at the city council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Ruffridge, who also owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and has helped spearhead multiple COVID-19 response efforts on the central Kenai Peninsula, said it was important to acknowledge the repeal of mask recommendations for “celebration’s sake.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck 13 miles north of Mount Iliamna on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Alaska. (Screenshot/The Alaska Earthquake Center)

4.7 magnitude earthquake strikes north of Iliamna

Mount Iliamna is an active volcano on the west side of Cook Inlet

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck 13 miles north of Mount Iliamna on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Alaska. (Screenshot/The Alaska Earthquake Center)
Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai describes ‘path to completion’ for dog park

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander described needed work in a council memo

Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge trails in Soldotna, Alaska, are still covered with snow on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge trails emerge from winter

It’s officially the end of the groomed winter trail season

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge trails in Soldotna, Alaska, are still covered with snow on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Ice juts out from Skilak Lake on Sunday, March 20, 2022, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Waiting on spring

While the spring season officially began on Sunday, it’s unclear if Alaska is quite ready to transition out of winter

Ice juts out from Skilak Lake on Sunday, March 20, 2022, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016, near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Board of Fisheries meeting begins Saturday

Board members will not only discuss fishing issues in Cook Inlet, but also in Kodiak and Prince William Sound

A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016, near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after the roadway reopened. A fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council voices support for lighting on Kenai Spur, Sterling highways

Additional lighting would be added to Kenai Spur Highway within city limits and along the Sterling Highway Safety Corridor

Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after the roadway reopened. A fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the seat in U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Rep. Don Young last week. (Screenshot)

State details timeline to fill vacant US House seat

The state plans to hold the special general election on Aug. 16, concurrently with the regular Alaska primary

Alaska Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, about the upcoming special election to fill the seat in U.S. House of Representatives vacated following the death of Rep. Don Young last week. (Screenshot)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland stand near the entrance to the district’s Soldotna offices on Thursday, March 17, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD lays out its legislative goals

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has multiple bills it would like to see passed

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland stand near the entrance to the district’s Soldotna offices on Thursday, March 17, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signage hangs on the exterior of the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Ice rink closures planned for Kenai, Soldotna this summer

Both cities are planning to renovate their respective facilities

Signage hangs on the exterior of the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Buildings are perched above eroding bluffs on North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. The Kenai Bluff erosion remains the City of Kenai’s top capital priority heading into the upcoming fiscal year. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Bluff erosion top capital priority for Kenai heading into next fiscal year

Kenai City Council members approved the city’s five-year capital improvement plan Wednesday

Buildings are perched above eroding bluffs on North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. The Kenai Bluff erosion remains the City of Kenai’s top capital priority heading into the upcoming fiscal year. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign along the Kenai Spur Highway welcomes travelers to Nikiski, Alaska, in January 2019. (Clarion file photo)

Task force seeks input on potential extension of Kenai Spur north of Nikiski

The proposal would expand on the North Road Extension Project

A sign along the Kenai Spur Highway welcomes travelers to Nikiski, Alaska, in January 2019. (Clarion file photo)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, in this April 7, 2020, file photo. (Peninsula Clarion file)

CPH relaxes visitation guidelines for COVID-negative patients

The changes are effective March 15

A sign instructing patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, in this April 7, 2020, file photo. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Nikiski North Star Elementary given all clear after ‘suspicious’ phone message

The school was placed in ‘stay put’ mode for about three hours Thursday

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Kenai Peninsula Re-Entry Coalition President Katie Cowgill speaks about the organization’s reentry simulation event during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Re-Entry Coalition event aims to reduce stigma, raise awareness

The event is targeted to community leaders

Kenai Peninsula Re-Entry Coalition President Katie Cowgill speaks about the organization’s reentry simulation event during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai City Council participate in a council meeting on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Council formalizes support for field facilities fundraising

Kenai Central High School issued an open call for help funding the $250,000 project

Members of the Kenai City Council participate in a council meeting on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Community members participate in the St. Patrick’s Parade in Soldotna on March 17, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Green on the streets

Soldotna turns out for St. Patrick’s Day parade

Community members participate in the St. Patrick’s Parade in Soldotna on March 17, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Swim coach Angie Brennan speaks in support of lower user fees for Kenai Peninsula Borough School District pools during a Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board mulls school pool user fees

Noncommercial user groups say they’re being charged too much

Swim coach Angie Brennan speaks in support of lower user fees for Kenai Peninsula Borough School District pools during a Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 14, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)