Homer poet and Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference faculty member Erin Coughlin Hollowell, left, reads a passage that shows words can be understood even when the letters are garbled as 2018 keynote speaker Anthony Doerr watches. Doerr delivered the opening address at the start of the annual conference on June 5, 2018, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference returns May 13-16

The event will be held at Kachemak Bay Campus with readings at other venues in Homer

Homer poet and Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference faculty member Erin Coughlin Hollowell, left, reads a passage that shows words can be understood even when the letters are garbled as 2018 keynote speaker Anthony Doerr watches. Doerr delivered the opening address at the start of the annual conference on June 5, 2018, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kachemak Bay Campus Director Dr. Reid Brewer welcomes KBC graduates and audience members to the 2023 commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Campus returns to in-person commencement ceremony

The campus conferred 62 degrees and certificates during its 53rd annual commencement hosted on Wednesday

Kachemak Bay Campus Director Dr. Reid Brewer welcomes KBC graduates and audience members to the 2023 commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson, right, speaks during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council OKs insurance overhaul for city employees

The plan changes are expected to save the city and employees roughly $477,000

Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson, right, speaks during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A plane sits in brush on Fontaine Ave. at around 5:45 p.m. after a crash on Thursday, May 11, 2023, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alisha Joe)

No injuries reported after Sterling plane crash

Alaska State Troopers were notified of the crash at around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday

A plane sits in brush on Fontaine Ave. at around 5:45 p.m. after a crash on Thursday, May 11, 2023, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alisha Joe)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to meet next week in Soldotna

A community reception will be held at the Kenai River Lodge Lounge at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Kenai Peninsula College graduates proceed into the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium for Kenai Peninsula College’s 53rd annual commencement on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating ‘a milestone’

Kenai Peninsula College graduates honored at commencement ceremony

Kenai Peninsula College graduates proceed into the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium for Kenai Peninsula College’s 53rd annual commencement on Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council questions proposed planning commission changes

The legislation would decrease the number of planning commissioners such that it matches the makeup of the borough assembly

Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves flat mill rate for upcoming fiscal year

Council member Dave Carey put forward an amendment that would have reduced Soldotna’s mill rate from 0.5 mills to 0.25

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)

Assembly backs efforts to make Cooper Landing more walkable

A pathway would follow the Sterling Highway through Cooper Landing and connect key spots in the community

Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)
Elementary students prepare to stock rainbow trout in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids gather for annual Salmon Celebration at Johnson Lake

They stocked rainbow trout in the lake and visited dozens of booths to learn about fish, wildlife, habitat and regulations

Elementary students prepare to stock rainbow trout in Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Johnson Lake in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Seward resident found dead in Kodiak

A Seward resident was found dead in Kodiak by Alaska State Troopers on Friday. According to a Monday dispatch from the troopers, they were notified… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Arraignment hearing for retired Homer judge bumped to late June

Margaret Murphy, who served as a superior court judge, is accused of perjury

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai working group seeking ways to fill city jobs

Even though Kenai’s population is increasing, the amount of working-age residents is decreasing

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Poll workers Patricia Linville, left,, and Mark Kansteiner prepare to assist voters in Seward’s special election on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward certifies special election results

Seward residents narrowly voted against the sale of the utility to Homer Electric Association

Poll workers Patricia Linville, left,, and Mark Kansteiner prepare to assist voters in Seward’s special election on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
“White Rainbow” explains the lighting on his bike at a gas station on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 near Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Everything is a treasure to me’

Meet White Rainbow, the man picking up trash — and treasure — along the Sterling Highway

“White Rainbow” explains the lighting on his bike at a gas station on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 near Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Duffield, Levine retain seats on HEA board

Dan Green, of Soldotna, secured more votes than incumbent director C.O. Rudstrom

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
A broken culvert is twisted beneath Funny River Road on Friday, May 5, 2023, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Funny River Road reopens after washout

A chunk of the road collapsed at Mile 8

A broken culvert is twisted beneath Funny River Road on Friday, May 5, 2023, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board considers capital improvement plan

Of the 13 projects included on the district’s priority list, eight are being funded through the school maintenance bond

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A trombone player in the robes of a jedi warms up during Pops in the Parking Lot at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai bands take annual concert outside

“Pops in the Parking Lot” stood in for Kenai Central High School’s year-end band concert

A trombone player in the robes of a jedi warms up during Pops in the Parking Lot at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children work together to land a rainbow trout at the Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec & Trade Show on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sports show to run through Sunday

Fishing, horse riding and local wares all on display

Children work together to land a rainbow trout at the Kenai Peninsula Sport, Rec & Trade Show on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)